Nintendo Switch Critic Reviews

Good but limited Smash Bros. like game that can conquer the hearts of those that are waiting for a real Smash Bros. game while they're waiting.

It is easy to call Brawlout a Super Smash Bros.-clone. It is, but this game choses competition over party and if you are ready to do a lot of grinding, you will thoroughly enjoy this game.

The biggest problem of Brawlout is his lack of identity. A funny and aggressive fighting game for Switch with interesting game mechanics and a lot of single-player and multiplayer content. Perfect for local play with other three friends.

So is Brawlout a good game? Yes, for the most part, it offers everything I would hope to see in a fight arena game. However, a lack of ingenuity in design and some awkward paywalls in the store may find this title on the wrong side of a TKO judgment come round 12 in the ring.

Brawlout had an uphill battle going into its Nintendo Switch launch, and while the fighting is good the lack of variety in the roster coupled with the steep learning curve brings the whole experience down a few notches.

Brawlout, especially in local multiplayer, is immediate and fun to play.

Brawlout’s core action is a lot of fun; with a huge amount of ideas inspired by genre greats such as Super Smash Bros., the action feels tight, fast, and can be a pleasure to play. The limited character roster means that attack variations can only go so far, and some performance hiccups prevent Brawlout from being truly wonderful, but for an on-the-go, cheaper alternative to a game that hasn’t even been announced for the console yet, this isn't a bad choice – just make sure to keep the issues we mentioned in mind.

Brawlout is positioning itself as the sort of indie Smash, especially with its addition of Hyper Light Drifter and Juan into the mix. With proper post-launch support, and most importantly, an audience, it could grow and fill that Bowser-sized hole that Smash Wii U left. Until then it'll serve as a fun party game that could be a little more.

In its current state, Brawlout is a competent Smash clone. While its frantic and deep mechanics are a fun time for competitive types, the overall lack of features can make the game feel empty at times. However, with promised updates and patches, this game could take the spot as one of the better fighting games on the Switch.

Brawlout is fundamentally a great take on the Smash Bros. format, and they’ve nailed the weight of the characters, movement, and the pure fun that getting four players together for some combative carnage can bring. Unfortunately the limited roster and the unrewarding grind of the in-game store can temper that somewhat, but as a starting point for a new indie fighting franchise there’s a lot here to like.