I’m not often going to the arcades nowadays, but that has a lot to do with their diminished presence in cities as compared to the 80s and 90s. That said, one gaming company whose titles I play a lot on console is still creating incredible arcade experiences to this day. Bandai Namco is a publisher and developer of all sorts of games, but their latest arcade-to-console release features a sport that I don’t have much experience with in gaming or real life. That’s surprising since I play just about every sports game genre and franchise imaginable. 

It’s not so surprising when you consider the new release is Ace Angler: Fishing Spirits. While realistic fishing sim games exist, this is an arcade extravaganza fitting of a neon-lit, noisy arcade full of adrenaline and competition. The franchise, which began as a Japanese arcade medal game by Bandai Namco Games in 2012, came to Switch in 2019. Three years later, a sequel with more to do than ever before is a great entry into this great game that offers a story mode, online play, and a ton of information about fish.

There are many games within Ace Angler: Fishing Spirits, including the titular main game mode Ace Angler. In this mode, you cast a line and attempt to catch fish. There are some elements to consider, including the bait you use and the bonuses attached to some special catches. Overall, it’s an easy-to-learn but tough-to-master arcade experience. The game really shines, however, in its expansive array of other things to do. Beyond the online gameplay tied to Ace Angler, the couch co-op potential here might be your new favorite game night title with friends or family. 

Beyond a surprising amount of info on over 250 species of fish, you’re able to compete in a bunch of mini-games called Ace Angler Party, where you’re going to do everything from catch tuna with a group of friends to time-based response games where you need to be the first one to reel in for a trophy catch. All of this is tied into a medal game that allows you to earn in-game tokens to buy gatcha prizes that you can add to your in-game aquarium. If you hunted endlessly for fish in Animal Crossing, this will definitely be right up your alley. 

A medal pusher game called Shark Fever is a highlight here for me. You’re essentially knocking down shark balls to get to a boss battle against a shark, and if you catch him, you get a huge payout. These minigames throughout Ace Angler harken back to the best of the arcade days and having them on your Switch is a huge asset for nights when you want something fun and mindless to play.

The process of making your avatar and the in-game hub world itself leaves a lot to be desired. I’m not a huge fan of the immersion here, where even titles like Kirby and the Forgotten Land have a more intricate, interactive space in which you can kill time between playing the core of the game. That said, the aquarium collecting is a huge heap of fun. I have no clue if I’d ever even get close to unlocking half of the fish available in the game, but that’ll have to be something I tackle in the future.

Overall, Ace Angler: Fishing Spirits is a party and arcade-centric game you’ll want to pick up for senseless entertainment. You’re not going to find a wide variety of gameplay here, but it’s great at what it does best: giving you a path to make your own fun with friends and family. In between party sessions, Story Mode gives you enough to explore on your own so you don’t get rusty before casting off with your best buds. 

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Ace Angler: Fishing Spirits

$39.99

8

Score

8.0/10

Pros

• Expansive Collectibles In-Game
• Great Arcade Gameplay
• Wonderful Translation of Co-op Games to Online Multiplayer

Cons

• Limited Game Modes and Diversity of Content
• The Hub World Could be a Bit More Fleshed Out