Ninjala

Ninjala is a potentially wonderful free-to-play multiplayer action video game developed for the Switch that we would love to recommend, if it weren’t for two serious issues at launch: Firstly, this is a game that is very much aimed towards children and yet it contains monetised gambling-based loot boxes. Secondly, this primarily multiplayer game is region-restricted, so you can only play with your friends that are currently set to the same region.

Ninjala centers upon an eponymous tournament being held by the World Ninja Association, which developed bubblegum that could be used to allow people with the DNA of a ninja to perform ninjutsu. The game focuses primarily on melee combat using various types of weapons. The player can double-jump and run along walls to navigate the map. A match can be played between up to eight players in either teams or a solo “Battle Royale”.

Bubbles can be blown to trigger abilities, such as launching them at opponents as a ranged attack, or activating an air dash move. Their power can be increased by destroying drones that periodically spawn on the map, allowing the player to craft a larger melee weapon when fully-charged. The player can also disguise themselves as a prop on the field. Points are scored primarily by knocking out opponents, and an “Ippon” bonus can be scored as part of a KO if the player does so in combination with their abilities.