Status:
Complete (Case, cover and cartridge) and Play Tested
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My Hero Ones Justice (Nintendo Switch) Review
Developer: Byking / Soleil Ltd.
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Genre: 3D Arena Fighter
Release: 2018
My Hero Ones Justice is a 3D arena fighting game based on the popular My Hero Academia anime and manga. It offers explosive battles between beloved heroes and villains, embracing the franchises superpower spectacle, but its shallow systems and repetitive structure make it less compelling compared with stronger fighters on Switch.
Gameplay & Mechanics
Combat in My Hero Ones Justice takes place in 3D arenas, where players select teams of two heroes or villains and engage in fast-paced battles. Each character has a unique Quirk ability that reflects their anime powers from explosive blasts to shadow constructs, electrifying strikes, and giant transformations.
Fights blend normal attacks, special moves, support assists, ultimate attacks, and environmental interactions, allowing for flashy combos and chaotic action. However, the combat lacks the tight competitive depth seen in arena fighters like Dragon Ball FighterZ; hit detection can be inconsistent, movement feels floaty at times, and defensive options are limited.
While matches are visually energetic and faithful to the animes bombastic style, the underlying mechanics dont evolve much beyond the basics, leading to repetitive encounters over longer play sessions.
Exploration & World Design
Theres no traditional exploration battles occur in destructible arenas inspired by familiar My Hero Academia settings, such as city streets and training grounds. Environments feature interactive elements and hazards, but they play a secondary role to the core combat.
Stages look varied and animeaccurate, but beyond aesthetics, world design doesnt offer strategic variation or dynamic change during fights.
Story & Themes
The game includes a Story Mode that loosely follows the animes seasons, presenting key arcs through cinematic cutscenes and mission battles. While fans of My Hero Academia will enjoy revisiting familiar moments and character interactions, the narrative delivery is often disjointed and simplified, lacking emotional depth or cohesion for newcomers.
Themes of heroism, camaraderie, rivalry, and growth remain central, but Story Mode primarily caters to established fans rather than offering a fully engaging standalone narrative.
Graphics & Presentation
Visually, the game captures the animes aesthetic, with celshaded character models, vibrant effects, and flashy special attacks that evoke the shows dynamic style. Characters are recognisable, expressive, and animated with enthusiasm.
On Nintendo Switch, however, performance is inconsistent:
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Frame rate dips and stutters in hectic moments
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Visual blur and reduced resolution compared to other platforms
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Occasional popin during arena destruction
The presentation tries to mimic the animes energy but often struggles due to hardware limitations.
Sound & Music
The soundtrack blends orchestral and rock elements, matching the highenergy combat and thematic tone of My Hero Academia. Music enhances intensity during special attacks and boss encounters.
Voice acting features original Japanese and English cast options, adding authenticity for fans. Dialogue delivery is strong, even if translation quality varies.
Sound effects from explosive quirk impacts to environmental destruction feel satisfying and energetic.
Modes & Replay Value
Modes include:
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Story Mode retelling key anime arcs
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VS Mode (local and online battles)
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Character Missions and unlockable challenges
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Training and Tutorial
Replay value hinges on:
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Mastering character matchups
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Unlocking costumes, skills, and extras
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Competing online with friends or rivals
While depth is limited compared with genre leaders, theres enough content to keep My Hero Academia fans engaged.
Pros
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Faithful representation of My Hero Academia characters and powers
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Energetic, flashy battles with large special attacks
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Recognizable arenas and animeaccurate aesthetics
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Voice acting in Japanese and English
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Decent variety of modes and unlockables
Cons
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Combat lacks competitive depth and polish
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Performance issues on Nintendo Switch
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Story Mode is disjointed and lightweight
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Repetitive encounters and limited strategic variety
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Visual downgrades compared with other platforms
Final Verdict
My Hero Ones Justice is a fanserviceheavy arena fighter that delivers colourful, bombastic battles faithful to the anime, but its shallow mechanics and technical shortcomings on Nintendo Switch keep it from reaching its full potential.
Its worth playing for My Hero Academia fans who want to see their favourite characters in action, but competitive fighters or general audiences may find it less satisfying.
Score: 7 / 10
