Ninjala for Nintendo Switch: The ultimate guide

Ninjala Nintendo Switch
Ninjala Nintendo Switch (Image credit: Nintendo)

Do you love online, competitive games, but wish they were a bit more cartoonish and more Splatoonish than the usual gritty shooters? Or do you just want to wallop your friends with giant toy-like weapons?

GungHo Online presents, for this scenario: Ninjala. It's a free-to-play battler coming soon to the Nintendo Switch that takes artistic cues from Splatoon and gameplay cues from most multiplayer battling games, but with a twist -- the ninjas of Ninjala can chew gum, blow bubbles, and use them to move around the battlefield in unusual and surprising ways. And since the game is free, it's super easy to give it a try and see if it clicks with you.

What is Ninjala?

Ninjala Nintendo Switch

Ninjala Nintendo Switch (Image credit: Nintendo)

Ninjala is a free-to-play action title for the Nintendo Switch, developed by GungHo Entertainment — the same studio behind Puzzle & Dragons.

The game takes place in a fictional, cartoon world with aesthetics similar to Splatoon's, where the World Ninja Association (WNA) has developed a chewing gum called Ninja-Gum that can bring the strength of long-dormant ninjas to the forefront and make them powerful again. The WNA then holds a tournament to determine who the most powerful ninjas are, so it can give them special gum and reawaken the long-lost lines of ninjas.

Unfortunately, the Ninja-Gum has a strange side effect: any adult that uses it turns into a child. So the tournament put on by the WNA ends up full of children...

How do you play?

Ninjala Nintendo Switch

Ninjala Nintendo Switch (Image credit: Nintendo)

Ninjala includes several different battle modes, and is focused on the multiplayer battling aspect. There's an eight-player battle royale mode and a 4v4 team battle mode. In both modes, players can choose one of the playable ninja characters, customize their looks, and enter the battle.

First, players should explore the map to take out flying drones to fill up their S-energy meters, a yellow meter displayed below the character's health. With full meters, players can craft larger melee weapons and use them to take down other players. They are also able to use their Ninja-Gum to blow bubbles and launch them at opponents, or to activate special moves. Points are earned by knocking out foes.

Can I play with friends?

Ninjala Nintendo Switch

Ninjala Nintendo Switch (Image credit: Nintendo)

Yes, absolutely! Online play is available with Ninjala, and since the game is free, you don't need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to enjoy it. You can immediate jump into matches with friends.

When did it release?

Ninjala Nintendo Switch

Ninjala Nintendo Switch (Image credit: Nintendo)

Ninjala was originally planned for launch on May 27, 2020, but due to COVID-19 impacting development, it was delayed to June 24, 2020 worldwide.

Now that it has released, the game is free-to-play, so you don't need to worry about purchasing it. Just download it from the eShop, and jump right in!

Any questions about Ninjala?

Looking for more info about Ninjala on Nintendo Switch? Let me know in the comments!

Reb Valentine