The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny

 Switch
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Noisy Pixel
    Nov 12, 2020
    70
    The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny is an easy to pick up but tough-to-master fighter that does more than expected with only two-buttons. This creates some unique matchups, but the shallowness of the overall design leans heavily on unlockables and rewards for the time you put in. It’s definitely not something that will keep your attention for more than a weekend, but it a significant title to experience.
  2. Nintendo Life
    Nov 1, 2020
    70
    Although The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny is an excellent little thing, one must keep in mind that it is still a 2001 handheld fighting game, and very much of its time. On its original hardware, it was heaven-sent, but on your Switch you might be somewhat disappointed if you’re going in blind. For SNK aficionados and Last Blade fans, it will delight purely on historical value, but those with no experience of the Neo Geo Pocket or the SNK library will likely feel better served buying the actual arcade ports of Last Blade 1 and 2, which are also available on the eShop. To that end, this is a better bet for fans, collectors, and those enamoured by gaming curios. It’s dinky, it’s charming, and it’s a testament to the craftsmanship of old SNK. And, while imperfect, it plays like The Last Blade should. For certain gamers, that will be more than enough.
  3. Impulsegamer
    Nov 9, 2020
    62
    Overall The Last Blade: Beyond Destiny is a solid title for a retro handheld fighting game, I do not believe this release will be very popular with the general public but for the Retro Gaming community and Neo Geo fans this will be exactly what you are looking for. Also with plenty to unlock there will be plenty of replayability to this game which makes it a slightly more interesting prospect than your standard fighting game fair.
  5. Video Chums
    Nov 9, 2020
    60
    If you have nostalgia for portable fighters then The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny will be a welcome addition to your Switch library.
  6. Screen Rant
    Nov 1, 2020
    60
    A fun piece of fighting game history. This curio might not turn many heads outside of those already acquainted with the lesser-known parts of SNK's line-up, but the fact that it's available at all will be a relief to fans. It's certainly more refreshing to see a game like this get a second life than some other already-popular Switch ports.
  7. Pure Nintendo
    Nov 9, 2020
    50
    Although I still get a kick out of seeing these Neo Geo Pocket Color games on the Nintendo Switch, some fare better than others. THE LAST BLADE: Beyond the Destiny is my last choice. The combat’s a little too sluggish, the presentation a little too uneven, and the overall package a little too dated. I’d check out one of the prior NGPC releases instead.