Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Back to school
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
Sidestepper taking first place in Mario Kart World
Nintendo Switch I’ve clocked up more than 60 hours in Mario Kart World – here are my 3 top tips for getting first place
Mario runs and jumps up with his hand outstretched. Luigi can be seen gliding in from the left, using his hat as a glider
Nintendo Switch The 22 best Nintendo Switch games in 2025
Fortnite character, Zelda, and Mario drifting in a kart, side by side separated by red block lines
Nintendo Switch The best Nintendo Switch 2 games to play in 2025
Switch 2
Gaming Nintendo Switch 2 review-in-progress live: my thoughts, reactions, and experience with the console and its games
A Nintendo Switch 2 system with one Joy-Con angled away from the main piece
Nintendo Switch Here are the Nintendo Switch 2 launch games you can play now that the new console is here
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Gaming Nintendo didn’t tell anyone this Switch game got a huge performance boost on Switch 2, so I’m telling you instead
an image of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller being held
Gaming The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is already doing one thing better than the DualSense Edge and other premium gamepads
  1. Gaming
  2. Consoles & PC
  3. Nintendo
  4. Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch Arms tips and tricks

How-to
By Damien McFerran published 7 June 2017

Cunning tactics to come out on top in Nintendo's new brawler

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Arms is perhaps the most major all-new Switch IP we've seen, and represents a substantial risk for Nintendo. 

Featuring characters with telescopic (and interchangeable) 'arms', it's not really like any other fighting game on the market. Furthermore, it ramps up the challenge when it comes to single-player and online contests. 

With that in mind, we've pulled together some hints and tips which should enable you to settle into the wild and wacky world of Arms come launch day.

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Experiment with your Arms

Experiment with your Arms

You can select an arm for each – erm – arm before you begin a fight, but try to avoid picking the same arm for both your left and right limbs. 

Try to select a pair which complement one another when you're in a battle. For example, some arms can be sent in an extreme arc which is perfect for getting around your opponent's defense, while others spread horizontally or vertically and give you a better chance of scoring a hit. 

Experiment with all of the available arms to find the combination which suits your own play style – or proves to be the perfect duo for countering the strategy of a wily opponent.

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
Save your Rush power for the right moment

Save your Rush power for the right moment

Your Rush gauge fills as you land blows and can turn the tide of a match – if used correctly. 

As a rule, it pays to get close to your opponent before triggering your Rush attack as it gives them less time to either block or get out of the way, but the trade off is that some characters aren't particularly good at shifting the aim of their Rush volley once it has been triggered. 

It's also worth noting that using your Rush power will automatically bat aside any incoming punches your opponent has thrown, making it the ideal last-gasp move to prevent yourself from losing a match.

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Study each arena

Study each arena

Each fighter in Arms has their own stage, and they're all totally unique. For example, Master Mummy's level is a circular arena with a trampoline in the middle, but this isn't exposed until someone is smashed into it enough times. 

Meanwhile, Spring Man's level is square, flat and devoid of obstacles, but is surrounded by springboards which allow you to get some serious air time. Each level will force you to change your preferred play style as you seek to use environmental elements for cover or trap your opponent in a corner. 

Take the time to explore each level and find out which strategy works best for you; you may wish to tailor your arms load-out to suit each stage.

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Score the knockout blow

Score the knockout blow

You'll often find that your punches connect with those of your rival, cancelling out each attack. You can take this process to the next stage by disabling your opponent's arms for a brief period of time – look out for the telltale yellow warning sign when one of your blows glances your enemy, followed by a red sign when their arm is out of action. 

Getting your rival down to a single arm – or even no arms at all, if you're using a punch which the electric elemental property – leaves them wide open to any kind of attack you wish to inflict.

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
Keep on moving and jumping

Keep on moving and jumping

You might assume that throwing as many punches as possible is the key to victory in Arms, but that isn't the case – it's arguably more important that you keep moving so you don't present too easy a target for your foe. 

Your character's default speed won't be enough to avoid every incoming blow so you'll need to make the most of your dash and jump abilities, which can be chained together to make things even more interesting. 

These commands aren't just handy for getting out of the way of a particularly strong punch, either; they're key to powering up your own attacks. 

After you've dashed or jumped you'll notice that your character's fists begin to charge up, and unleashing an attack during this period will deliver a stronger punch - often imbued with elemental properties directly linked to the arms you have fitted.

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
B - B - Bomb

B - B - Bomb

Every once in a while you'll notice that bombs are thrown into the arena which can be used against your opponent. Explosive bombs cause damage, while shock bombs will temporarily stun your enemy and disable their arms. 

To activate a bomb you have to hit it, but be warned: your opponent can do the same and hurl the bomb in your direction. 

Restorative items are also chucked into the arena during combat; the green capsule replenishes your health when you're within its effective range, while the yellow capsule tops up your Rush gauge.

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Keep your guard up

Keep your guard up

Guarding is one of the most vital skills you have in Arms. When you have your defenses up you can repel standard and charged punches, and it's even possible to vastly reduce the damage inflicted by your opponent's Rush attack. 

Guarding also charges up your arms so you're ready to release a more powerful punch, and you can counter instantly after blocking a punch by tapping the dash button. However, don't turn turtle and guard for too long – a grab attack is capable of breaking through your defense at any time.

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Roll with it

Roll with it

Getting knocked down isn't much fun in Arms, but you can use it to your advantage. 

When you hit the ground, you will roll in whichever direction you're tilting the Joy-Cons (or, if you're using one of the other control methods, whichever direction the analog stick is pointing). This roll is quite swift and offers a good way of outflanking your rival and launching a counterattack, so use it wisely.

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Wait for an opening

Wait for an opening

While it's tempting to rush into battle with a flurry of punches, a methodical approach is usually a better option. Wait for your opponent to throw a punch and side-step, leaving them open to a counter. 

Even when your rival unleashes their Rush attack, don't panic – a well-timed grab can break the combo and put you back on top, as long as you're fast enough, that is.

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Damien McFerran
Read more
Sidestepper taking first place in Mario Kart World
I’ve clocked up more than 60 hours in Mario Kart World – here are my 3 top tips for getting first place
Mario runs and jumps up with his hand outstretched. Luigi can be seen gliding in from the left, using his hat as a glider
The 22 best Nintendo Switch games in 2025
Fortnite character, Zelda, and Mario drifting in a kart, side by side separated by red block lines
The best Nintendo Switch 2 games to play in 2025
Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 review-in-progress live: my thoughts, reactions, and experience with the console and its games
A Nintendo Switch 2 system with one Joy-Con angled away from the main piece
Here are the Nintendo Switch 2 launch games you can play now that the new console is here
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition
Nintendo didn’t tell anyone this Switch game got a huge performance boost on Switch 2, so I’m telling you instead
Latest in Nintendo Switch
Shadow Labyrinth
Shadow Labyrinth will run at 4K 60fps on Nintendo Switch 2 thanks to a free upgrade
Nintendo Switch 2 overheating
Nintendo Switch 2 owners, beware – some owners are reporting worrisome overheating problems
Donkey Kong Bananza on Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo reveals that Donkey Kong Bananza is developed by the Super Mario Odyssey team – then confirms grass is still green
Sidestepper taking first place in Mario Kart World
I’ve clocked up more than 60 hours in Mario Kart World – here are my 3 top tips for getting first place
Character select screen in Mario Kart World
I hosted an 8-player Mario Kart World tournament at my office – here’s everything I needed to make it work
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 restocks live: all the best retailers to check after Antonline and Walmart sell out, Very in stock in the UK
Latest in How Tos
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
The ball for Women's Euro 2025
How to watch Women's Euro 2025: live stream soccer options, TV channels, watch for FREE
Coco Gauff practicing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Yastremska vs Gauff at Wimbledon 2025 on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Jamie Smith and Joe Root celebrate after walking off unbeaten in their test victory against India at Headingley, Leeds.
How to watch England vs India 2nd Test: Live stream cricket online – India 310-5 after Day 1 Gill century
Emma Raducanu preparing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Raducanu vs Xu online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
A woman dances on a friend's shoulders at the Glastonbury Festival held at Worthy Farm, in Pilton, Somerset on June 29 near Glastonbury, England. The festival, founded in 1970, has grown into one of the largest outdoor green field festivals in the world.(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
How to watch Glastonbury replays on BBC iPlayer (it's FREE)
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    I've been using Google AI Search mode for 4 months, and here are 5 tips to get the best results
  2. 2
    This is probably the most powerful rugged laptop ever built - and you can even add a barcode scanner
  3. 3
    Viewsonic unveils monitors with infrared cameras - but misses a trick by allowing them to be powered by USB-C (and shame they're not 4K)
  4. 4
    How to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on July 9: get ready for new foldable phones and more
  5. 5
    OWC reveals fast 4TB secure portable SSD for less than $530 - 256-bit AES OPAL hardware encryption, touchscreen, but no IP rating

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...