Nintendo Announces New Switch Games: 1-2-Switch & Arms
By Weston Albert 16 January 2017
Nintendo announces two new games for the Nintendo Switch during its Treehouse event that make unique use of the Joy-Con controllers of the console, 1-2-Switch and Arms.
Nintendo has given many more details about the Nintendo Switch, its new console set to launch on March 3, 2017 for $299.99 US. Alongside details of the Switch itself, Nintendo also announced two games coming to the system that both take advantage of the console’s unique Joy-Con controller setup: 1-2-Switch and Arms.
1-2-Switch
1-2-Switch is being touted by Nintendo as a party game that has “players look at each other—not the screen.” Two players face each other, both using one of the included Joy-Cons, and play a variety of games that use the IR sensor and other features of the Joy-Con. The trailer for the game, which debuted during the Nintendo Switch Treehouse Event showed off one of the minigames included, which sets up a classic Old West duel:
The game also includes minigames to mimic a table tennis match, a dance game that has one player striking a pose and challenging the other to match the same pose, Samurai Training that tasks one player with trying to “catch” an imaginary sword as the other brings their hands down to strike, and another that has two players squeezing and moving the Joy-Cons up and down as if milking a cow.
Nintendo says there are “many more” games included in 1-2-Switch and that it will be a launch title for the Nintendo Switch. The game is very reminiscent of the Wii Sports style of party game that appealed to gamers and non-gamers alike, and helped the original Nintendo Wii sell so well.
Arms
Arms was also announced, and is a fighting game that fits right in with Nintendo’s motion control style. Players will need two Joy-Cons, one in each hand, to control one fighter from the roster of characters who possess spring-like extendable arms. With a combination of button presses and arm movements, players throw punches and move around the ring against their opponent.
The trailer shows a face off between two players:
Players will need to switch up the (titular) arms on the different fighters, which can vary the fighting style between slow but strong attacks and fast but weaker strikes. Arms will not be a launch title, with Nintendo dating for a release sometime in the spring of this year.
Both Arms and 1-2-Switch seems to be catering to a more casual, party game crowd. On the other hand the Nintendo Switch has games like Breath of the Wild, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and Super Mario Odyssey for the more hardcore Nintendo gamer.
What do you think of 1-2-Switch and Arms? Are you excited to play them? Let us know in the comments.
The Nintendo Switch launches March 3, 2017.
