Video Games

Arms and Splatoon 2 Details Revealed In Nintendo Direct

A surprise pre-E3 Nintendo Direct just wrapped up, giving Nintendo Switch owners their best look yet at new IP Arms and a bonus look at Splatoon 2’s single player mode. It makes sense that these two would be paired together; it is abundantly clear after this direct that Nintendo wants to strike the Splatoon lightning twice with Arms.

Opening with a tease at a possible greater lore, the primary focus of the Direct was meant to make Arms come off as a much stronger release than originally indicated at its reveal. To that end, three new characters were revealed, bringing the roster up to ten playable fighters. Sharp eyed fans might pick out a couple more hiding within certain shots. We also got a better idea of the strategy that players will be able to employ. Every “arm” has different effects and powers that can be triggered by charging. Equipping two different arms opens up a world of tricks, but doubling up on the same arm increases that power. Nintendo anticipates thousands of different combinations of arms and characters thanks to this system.

Arms will feature various battle modes and more; it was revealed that two player co-op matches will be offered (though players will be tethered to each other) and even sporting events can be played like volleyball and hoops. A campaign mode will take players through ten matches to become champion, and online and local features will create lobbies of up to 20 players (across 10 Switches) that will play in these various modes. In addition to all of this, Arms will see free updates including arms and characters post release, and this seems to encompass all future content for the game. Finally, six tests of the game are planned to run, beginning May 26th. Two of these are scheduled just for North America, suggesting Nintendo may be suring up more infrastructure for online gameplay.

Then, complete with a Monty Python-style cutaway, we’re treated to a new Splatoon 2 trailer. The trailer confirms that the stellar campaign from the first game will continue with new enemies and even more options in missions. This time, your Inkling is guided by Marie, supposedly chosen based on the results of the first Splatoon’s final Splatfest. We also get a better glimpse of more of the fashion items and weapons that will be the talk of the town.

Let us know: does this Direct help sell you on adding Arms to your Switch library, or are you now considering buying a Switch thanks to this Direct?

Arms releases June 16th and Splatoon 2 on July 21st.

Travis Hymas

Travis began a life obsessed with technology with his cousin's classic Game Boy and a copy of Tetris. He was horrible at it, but has yet to forget that experience. These days, Travis looks to explore the intersection of culture and technology that has come to define our world. When not thinking way too hard about this stuff, he can be found putting a few games of Magic The Gathering and being volunteered to be someone's tech support.