Nintendohas carved a reputation for itself by making stellar games for all ages that prefer to shy away from violence, focusing on other imaginative gameplay loops instead. However, to say thatNintendogames have no combat to speak of would be a huge mistake.
Some of Nintendo’s bestgames feature fun melee combat that strives to be different from the norm. These imaginative combat systems turn the simple act of pummeling a foe into something cathartic as players slowly master the controls and show enemies who’s boss.
ARMS might have been a simple experience, but it was anything but a bad time. Players who gave this title a shot were more than pleased by the fun melee combat that prioritized the motion controls of the Nintendo Switch.
Players controlled fighters with spring-loaded fists that could be launched at combatants from afar for deadly results. Players who mastered the game’s motion controls could decimate opponents in style, leaving them unable to muster a comeback as they’re KO’d time and time again.
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princessis often overlooked for puzzling reasons. Fans of the franchise who embarked on this journey loved the darker vibes of this adventure coupled with the many options at a player’s behest when controlling Link in combat.
The numerous skills Link can utilize make this game the very best for players who want the main character to showcase versatility with his moves. IfTwilight Princesshad more difficult encounters, it could let players experiment with the combat system to its fullest extent.
The combination of Musou combat withtheZeldaseriesmadeHyrule Warriorsa ton of fun to play through. WithBreath of the Wildbecoming a massive success, Nintendo decided to continue this collaboration withAge of Calamity.
This fun crossover game takes place in the past, with players controlling Link and his allies in numerous large-scale battles that boasted a unique spin onBreath of the Wild’s mechanics. The performance issues held this game back on the Switch, but players willing to bear some framerate dips would love the cathartic combat on display here.
As one would expect,Xenoblade Chronicles 3boasts the best melee combat in the series that fans will have a great time with. Unlike its predecessor, this title learned from past mistakes and ensured that players weren’t locked out from enjoying the best parts of the game.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3is an excellent gamethat makes battles more chaotic than ever before. Players have to manage numerous things at once, with numerous party members joining the fray to enhance the damage inflicted on a tough boss. Arts and chain attacks are a must for players to get the upper hand on a challenging foe.
Breath of the Wildand its sequel relies on a simple yet mechanically impressive combat system thatrewards experimentationand skill. With the new powers inTears of the Kingdom, players are encouraged to fuse weapons with different objects to see what special effects they can enjoy in battle.
Along with perfect dodges and parries, players can use special fused weapons to burn, shock, and freeze foes. This ensures that players will have a great time mastering the combat ofTears of the Kingdomand pushing the mechanics of this system to its fullest extent.
Punch-Out!!for the Wii can be slightly problematic to play nowadays, with the game’s focus on stereotypes for each fighter havingaged like milk. However, players willing to look past these dated representations will love how challenging and fun the combat is.
The game retains a lot of its old-school trappings and uses the Wiimote motion controls to great effect. This ensures that players will have a great time conquering certain fights after memorizing attack patterns and nailing their head movement.
Many people considerSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateto be thebest game in the Nintendo series, even ifMeleeoccupies a soft spot in the hearts of many fans. The ridiculous cast of characters coupled with tight fighting mechanics means that players will have a great time mastering the move set for each character.
The sequel has its work cut out for it, especially since the combat inUltimatefeels downright perfect. However, given Nintendo’s amazing track record with innovation, it’s very much possible for a newSuper Smash Bros.title to blow everyone out of the water with better fighting mechanics that keep fans coming back for more.
The controversy surroundingBayonetta 3did a great injustice to the brilliance of this title’s melee combat, especially when the falsified nature of the allegations came to light. Thankfully, many people appreciatedBayonetta 3for its wild combat and ridiculous story, letting players engage with not just one but multiple versions of Bayonetta across different dimensions.
As one would expect, this ensures thatBayonetta 3would boast the wildest combat system in the series, and the franchise didn’t disappoint. Everyone’s favorite witch was back in numerous bold avatars as players took on numerous enemies and bosses, aiming to kill them off in style.
