No More Heroes

If it’s your first time then it’s a fantastically unique game that you’ll probably enjoy whether you look deeply into it or not, and if you’re replaying it then this is unarguably the best format there has ever been to do so.

No More Heroes has been overdue for a remaster, but this could never happen without the Switch and its joy-cons. If you’ve been waiting to pick up No More Heroes for the first time or want to play it again in preparation for No More Heroes III, you can’t miss this Switch masterpiece.

No More Heroes is a game that sounds like it could be fun, and then on closer examination, looks bizarrely empty, full of padding, and shallow in terms of story depth. However, when you actually experience it, you’re left with an experience that experiments with just how much it can employ the concept of “less is more.” It’s got a down to earth yet absurdist narrative that is incredibly rewarding with an extremely cool and satisfying combat system providing an unstoppable feeling. Some games really do live up to their hype, huh.

You owe it to yourself to play No More Heroes, and if you do, it needs to be on the Nintendo Switch.

No More Heroes deserves every ounce of love it has received since its release on the Nintendo Wii. From mowing grass to slaying enemies, the game's boundless energy helps you overlook its shortcomings. If you're new to No More Heroes, now's a fantastic time to dive right in.

No More Heroes is something very rare – a game that’s actually better now than it was on its original bow, showing us just how little the gaming landscape has actually moved forward. It is certainly, avowedly not for everyone – and you get the impression that’s just how director Suda51 likes it. Artier than most art games, more thoughtful than most think pieces, and cruder than crude oil, No More Heroes uses its own repetition to decisive, impressive effect. Glorious, gore-ious, gorgeous and gregarious, this madcap anime nightmare deserves your attention. If you missed it on Wii, buy it immediately. If you didn’t, you most likely already have.

While the first game is missing some content from the PS3 version, No More Heroes 1 and 2 on Switch are easily the best versions of these fantastic games. While it’s disappointing they didn’t take the time to fix any of the games issues like the tedious minigames, both are still well worth playing.

It's oozing with style and substance, but it's more for people who love connecting with the artist behind their games, and less for those looking for a virtual playground to call their own. [Issue #51 – March/April 2021, p. 16]

No More Heroes is one of those games that we can only describe as unique, probably because its humor, the originality behind each of its many bosses, or simply the thousands of references it makes to other games or even anime. However, we honestly do not believe that the game aged well. It is totally playable and enjoyable, but there are some aspects than can be improved.

Violent, spunky, and soaked in blood, No More Heroes looks and plays like a dream on the Switch - it’s marred by dull overworld segments though. [Issue #3, p.60]

No More Heroes is still a blast to play today. Living up to its cult status that it initially earned when it first released on the Wii, over ten years ago. Some of the gameplay feels dated, primarily due to the empty and dull open world sections, but the comical writing and boss battles alone make it worth your attention. Whether you’re a fan of the original or, like me, a newcomer to the franchise No More Heroes is a great addition to any Switch players library.

No More Heroes is still a game worth playing in 2020. While it may sport mature content, the attitude throughout is anything but. It’s a game full of flash and fun, and seeing it and Desperate Struggle drop on the Switch before III‘s launch is the perfect excuse to get yourself acquainted with Travis Touchdown for the first time, or all over again. Years later, it’s still a bloody good romp worth a good slash with the added benefit of portable play. Head on down to Santa Destroy, you’ll leave happy.

A great port of an even better game. No More Heroes is an extremely unique character action game with an amazing cast of characters whose dialogue is as entertaining as it is cheesy. While the combat system lacks the depth of its peers in the genre I enjoyed every second of it. This combined with a rock-solid port to the Nintendo Switch, with a new button control scheme and great motion controls, makes this a must-play before the release of No More Heroes 3.

There's no massive additions or changes in the transition to Switch, and some gameplay frustrations still remain that likely shouldn't. But fans will be very happy with what's offered here and newcomers will find this to be the definitive way to experience Suda51's masterpieces.

I've been playing No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle for more than a decade now as they never cease to amaze me with their untethered style, violent action, and satisfying combat.

Sadly, the problems that plagued the Wii release of No More Heroes are still present here. The overworld is a barren wasteland with not much to do. Strength training and performing jobs are tedious. Levels are linear and boxed in. Hit detection can be literally hit or miss. You can’t quickly retry a failed battle event. There are no autosaves. And unique to this release, Silvia’s phone calls no longer come through a speaker as they did with the Wiimote! Regardless, No More Heroes is still a blast to play. There’s something so satisfying about swinging your hands to slice someone in two. It has blemishes, for sure, but its main gameplay and sense of style win out in the end. The Switch release is the definitive version, bar none, so check it out if you like quirky adventures.

These two games are straight ports that have been thrown on the Switch to introduce newer players to the No More Heroes series, but they are worth revisiting because it's truly impressive how little they seem to age. Do we have faster-paced and more complex brawlers now thanks to the likes of Devil May Cry V? Sure. However No More Heroes is its own beast because it blends its punkish attitude and humour in with a surrealistic bent and some of the most memorable boss battles you'll ever play in video games. For these reasons, Suda's classics are every bit as entertaining and brash as ever, and it's great that they continue to be available to players on current consoles.

No More Heroes is filled to the brim with style, and the Nintendo Switch version is a fine place to experience it for the first, or second, or tenth time.

No More Heroes on the Switch is an overdue and no-nonsense port. While it doesn't add much, it looks and runs great, finally allowing more people to play the title on a current-gen system. It's still plagued by a few design decisions and incoherent pacing, but it usually makes up for that with its over-the-top action and storytelling. Regardless of whether you've previously played the title, this port is the one to get if you're eager to (re)discover what No More Heroes is all about.

For series fans, it’s a no-brainer; this is the best version of No More Heroes to date. As a newcomer, despite a lacklustre open world and some incredibly dull grinding, NMH still held my attention with brilliant writing and memorable characters.