When Guilty Gear Strive originally debuted in 2021, it made a huge leap forward for the fighting franchise. Bold, striking imagery, combined with a fantastic fighting engine and loads of options, made it quite unbeatable. After a glorious stay on the PS5 (and arcades!), it would later arrive on Xbox consoles and find a bountiful community there as well. And now…it’s Nintendo Switch’s turn with Guilty Gear Strive.
Now, of course, there might be some scoffing. The Nintendo Switch 2 is out now and can handle a powerhouse like this…but the original Nintendo Switch? Clearly Arc System Works would have to cut some corners to make the game work. That said, we’re happy to report that, even with those slight edits, Strive continues to be a beast.
That’s because the changes are minor at best, mainly due to certain animations. Sure, some of the backgrounds aren’t as lively as they could be. But the main stage fighting is the thing here, and it holds up remarkably well. Not to mention the soundtrack, which kicks with all the ferocious power that one would expect.
With all its systems and a huge roster of fighters (from the first season passes, whoo!), Guilty Gear Strivemight overwhelm at first. However, it’s very adaptable with its numerous modes. And when you’re ready, the online fighting isn’t bad at all. In fact, it’s probably the best you can find on the old platform at the moment. If fighting games are your bread and butter, prepare for an indulgent snack with Guilty Gear Strive.
Guilty Gear Strive Brawls With Perfection
This is probably the deepest Guilty Gear experience we’ve seen to date. That’s because Arc System Works has loaded the game with abundant options, so veterans can dig in and really do some damage. Of course, the Roman Cancel remains an intriguing move, and holy caw, the Wall Break is really something.
But those are the tip of the iceberg, as the fighting system in general is loaded with possibilities. Of course, the special moves are great (especially for someone like Baiken), and Supers come off in absolutely grand fashion. There’s a lot of strategy here, though, and fighting fans will get a lot of mileage out of it.
But…what about newcomers? Relax. There are tons of training modes here that will teach you every aspect of Guilty Gear Strive, provided you’re willing to learn. It goes very in-depth. And once you’re done there, a ton of modes await you. Arcade Mode? Yep. Survival Mode? Good luck getting through that. Combo Search? Yes, you can discover combos! Mission Modes? Aplenty. Story? Aw yes.
Of course, all this is for naught if you can’t fight with friends. I’m happy to report that the game features online play that, like its predecessors, works like a charm. It can take a little bit to get connected at first. But once you do, it’s time to rock. I found no faults with the online connections here, save for my own inferior fighting skills. Time to train, I suppose.
As for the gameplay, it’s great. For this one, I definitely recommend a good Fightstick or, at the very least, a Pro Controller. Your JoyCons will only get you so far before they start to get worn out. The controls are very responsive and your systems will never really fail you here. That means a good fighting time for everyone.
Loading times can take a little bit in spots. However, the game as a whole performs as expected. And that’s not bad considering the hardware you’re playing on. Now let’s get to the presentation.
How Does Guilty Gear Strive Perform On the Nintendo Switch?
Of course, purists will likely spot some of the differences with the Switch port of Guilty Gear Strive. Some animations have been cut, and a few backgrounds look lesser than their PS5 counterparts. But that’s nitpicking at best.
The port as a whole is remarkable and shows the testament of the squad at Arc System Works. The animations that are here are crisp and show off the personality of each fighter. The worlds don’t look bad either, despite some static details. And the fact it does so at a proper speed – without loss of performance – is really nice. I can’t imagine what kind of hurdles the testing team had to go through to get this to run. Worth the effort. I love the cinematic scenes as well.
As for the music, well, it rocks, duh. Guilty Gear has always packed an amazing soundtrack, and Strive is no exception. Some awesome tunes await you here, along with solid voicework (in Japanese!) and lots of pounds and thuds. Get some headphones for this one (or earbuds, at least).
Also, the game performs well on Nintendo Switch 2. So if you prefer that format, hey, dig in. Just remember, it’s still the Nintendo Switch edition.
Get To Fighting!
While Guilty Gear Strive certainly has its limitations on the Nintendo Switch console, it’s still a triumphant port. All of the fighting action you know and love is still intact. And what’s more, it’s loaded with modes, as well as stellar online play. Plus the presentation is solid, barely missing a beat.
Don’t feel Guilty about this purchase. It’s going to pay you back in spades. Especially if you’re a dedicated fan of the series. “Get outta my way!”
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Arc System Works for the review code! The game is available now on Nintendo Switch, as well as other formats!
Need more fighting action? Check out our review of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves!
