Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 64 | 16 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 60 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 75% | 71 | 407 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 57 | 5 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 86% | 79 | 50 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Nov 2, 2024) · 50 reviews sampled · 38 total reviews in window · weighted 20.1 up / 3.4 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (39)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Brawlout's core action is a lot of fun; with a huge amount of ideas inspired by genre greats such as Super Smash Bros., the action feels tight, fast, and can be a pleasure to play. The limited character roster means that attack variations can only go so far, and some performance hiccups prevent Brawlout from being truly wonderful, but for an on-the-go, cheaper alternative to a game that hasn't even been announced for the console yet, this isn't a bad choice, just make sure to keep the issues we mentioned in mind.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Starting with the core gameplay it’s clearly inspired by Smash from a concept and controls standpoint but there’s no doubt it targeted a more competitive play experience than a casual one...”
read full review ↗ - 40
“Brawlout attempts to fill a niche that is currently not occupied on the Switch. Unfortunately, being plagued by a rushed launch, it is not fully polished and feels lacking in content. Combat, the main focus of this platform fighter, feels clunky and requires a fair amount of tweaking before it's "just right." Paired with a handful of bugs and questionable mechanics, competitive players might not be satisfied with the current status of this title, but more casual players or those who want a party game with friends can find some enjoyment to be had here.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“On a surface level Brawlout is a decent Smash Bros. clone. It's colourful and easy to pick up, but the brawling itself lacks impact and edge. If you're looking for a more casual fighting game experience -- something to play with friends, perhaps -- then it's worth a shout, but keep your expectations in check.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“It's unfortunately bogged down by a dearth of single-player material and ultimately, this game is doomed by the fact that it stakes so much in online play that doesn't run well. If the online was workable, Brawlout would be much better. As it stands, it's not, and this is a highly flawed experience.”
read full review ↗ - 65
- 70
“Brawlout is a solid brawling title with gorgeous environments, wacky characters and combat that generally feels just alright.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Brawlout is a close but no cigar attempt to reinvigorate the Smash fighter. The FingerGuns Review;”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Brawlout is a Smash Bros.-like fighting game that's equal parts admirable and frustrating.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Brawlout is fundamentally a great take on the Smash Bros. format, and they've nailed the weight of the characters, movement, and the pure fun that getting four players together for some combative carnage can bring. Unfortunately the limited roster and the unrewarding grind of the in-game store can temper that somewhat, but as a starting point for a new indie fighting franchise there's a lot here to like.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Brawlout is affordable, has a great weight and feel to its gameplay and is fun to get a group of friends together to play.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Good but limited Smash Bros. like game that can conquer the hearts of those that are waiting for a real Smash Bros. game while they're waiting.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
ZTGD
Gamerheadquarters
FingerGuns
GameSpot
TheSixthAxis
ThisGenGaming
IGN…and 27 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- The Brawlout Community Balance Update (2.5.61)Nov 2, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Patch notes for Nov 20thNov 23, 2020
- Patch 2.1.6 (Community Feedback)Jul 8, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Update 2.1.1 patch notesMar 29, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Brawlout 2.0 out now!Mar 21, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.7.0: The Trials have arrived!Feb 22, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.6 is live with a new public lobby system!Feb 14, 2019significant · resets scoring window
- Brawlout's Major 1.5 Update is now Live!Nov 9, 2018
- Update 1.4.18: Improvements to the ledge.Oct 18, 2018
- Update 1.4.16 is live!Oct 15, 2018
- Update 1.4.15 is live! Universal Ledgehanging!Oct 11, 2018
- Update 1.4.14 is live!Oct 9, 2018
- Update 1.4.11 patch notesAug 27, 2018
- Update 1.4.9 and update 1.4.10 patch notesAug 23, 2018
- 1.2.14 patch notesMar 27, 2018
- 1.2.14 patch notesMar 27, 2018
- Patch 1.2.12 - Matchmaking improvementsMar 24, 2018
- Patch 1.2.12 - Matchmaking improvementsMar 24, 2018
- Patch 1.2.11Mar 16, 2018
- Patch 1.2.11Mar 16, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Dash-Dancing, Wavejumps and reworked Arcade TowersMar 6, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Brawlout’s biggest update just went live!Feb 19, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Brawlout’s biggest update just went live!Feb 19, 2018significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 0.85 Now LiveNov 20, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 0.85 Now LiveNov 20, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Patch V0.72 - Gameplay fixesJul 31, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Patch V0.72 - Gameplay fixesJul 31, 2017
- Patch V0.66 - Rage Mode changesJul 21, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Patch V0.66 - Rage Mode changesJul 21, 2017
- New Stages Now LiveJul 13, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Balance tweaks - v0.53Jun 5, 2017
- Balance tweaks - v0.53Jun 5, 2017
- Guardians of the LedgeMay 29, 2017
- Guardians of the LedgeMay 29, 2017
- Popular community requests (v0.32)Apr 26, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Popular community requests (v0.32)Apr 26, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes ---- Closed Beta (v0.25) - Play against CPU in local matchesApr 14, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes ---- Closed Beta (v0.25) - Play against CPU in local matchesApr 14, 2017significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes ---- Closed Beta (v0.21)Mar 14, 2017significant · resets scoring window
…and 10 earlier patch announcements.