ARMS game modes explained

In yesterday’s ARMS Direct, Nintendo delved into the various gameplay modes and challenges that ARMS has to offer. As per a press release, Nintendo has conveniently divided these smackdowns into two main categories – Versus Mode and Multiplayer Gaming.

Versus Mode:

ARMS is filled to the brim with fun modes that offer a variety of ways to challenge other fighters.

• Fight – In this main multiplayer* mode, two fighters battle against each other one-on-one to claim victory. During the fight, bombs and other healing items drop in, adding some strategic options to the proceedings.
• Team Fight – In this mode, two players are attached by strings and must team up to battle another team of two. Attacks can hit allies, so watch out for friendly punches!
• V-Ball – Similar to volleyball, but much more awesome. V-Ball is a sport that involves knocking an explosive ball into the opponent’s court.



• Hoops – Grab opponents and shoot them into the net (or even dunk them for extra satisfaction) in this hard-core game of ARMS-style basketball.
• Skillshot – Break as many targets as possible using the versatile powers of ARMS.
• 1-on-100 – Defeat 100 enemies in a row, one at a time, in this progressive battle mode.
• ARMS Test & Training – In Test mode, players can try out randomized ARMS combinations, while Training lets them practice a number of varied drills.

Multiplayer Gaming:

Playing with friends either locally or online is easy when using one of the various multiplayer modes in ARMS.

• Grand Prix – Win 10 straight matches in Grand Prix and players will face a final opponent to be crowned the ARMS champion. (This mode is played locally with one or two players.)
• Party Match – By connecting the Nintendo Switch console to the internet, players can battle with up to three other ARMS players at a time that are in the same lobby as them. One lobby can hold up to 10 systems, but with up to two players per system, 20 players can potentially get together in the same lobby.



• Ranked Match – In this time-honored coliseum, players compete online in 1-v-1 battles. By winning a match, a player’s rank goes up, while, conversely, losing will make that rank go down. While waiting to play a Ranked Match online, players can participate in any other mode to pass the time (and tighten up their skills).
• Local Wireless Mode – When playing in Local Wireless mode, up to eight players with eight separate systems in the same room can gather in an in-game lobby and battle up to three other players at a time like in Party Match.

Along with footage from the Direct, various gaming media outlets are showing off their time in the ring. Among these battles there’s a new element that we only briefly glimpsed during the Direct – item drops.

Throughout matches a drone-like character will fly in and drop anything from items that will restore health and increase your Rush gauge to dropping bombs that can be knocked off and detonated into fiery or electrifying explosions. They have their limitations though and once spotted in the ring you’ll have to think up new strategies on the fly so that your opponent doesn’t get an advantage!

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