We reviewed the first incarnation of Fighting EX Layer on the PS4 a few years back, and you know, I genuinely loved it. Perhaps I’m just old-school, but I think Arika really knows how to make a satisfying fighter.

Fast-forward to 2021 and Arika has brought their new fighter game to Nintendo Switch. And wouldn’t you know, I dig it on Switch as well. I mean, c’mon—look at these rad characters! How can you not love them?

So the plan here was to write up a full review of Fighting EX Layer: Another Dash on Switch, but I’m not sure that is entirely necessary.

For one thing, the game has a free demo available on the eShop, with the “Full Package” game offered as DLC for $25. So you can simply download the game for free and try it out for yourself. Which yeah, I absolutely encourage you to go do right now.

Then there’s the fact that this is more-or-less the same game I already reviewed on PS4. Granted, improvements have been made. The unnecessary Gougi system, for example, has been removed, and that’s a win. Plus the full roster of characters is immediately available in the “Full Package” version, including Terry Bogard, the Lone Wolf from SNK’s Fatal Fury (and King Of Fighters) series.

So, since brevity is the soul of wit, and all that, I’ll cut to the chase: FEXL is just as fun on Switch as it was on PlayStation.

But are there any downsides to picking up the Switch version?

Well, I think I’ve noticed some small graphical flourishes which didn’t make the transition over to Nintendo’s platform. However, they’re hardly notable. Honestly it kind of reminds me of how the lava in Spelunky 2 looks slightly more impressive on PS4 than on Switch, but the difference is so slight, you’re not likely to notice anything more than the color looking a bit different.

Then there’s the question of online play, which does seem like a more reasonable concern. The Nintendo Switch Online service is not known for hosting robust, lag-free connections, so I wouldn’t have high expectations. Then there’s simply the matter of the player base and how many options the system will then have for matchmaking at any given time. Something tells me there are going to be less people playing FEXL on Switch than there were on PSN…and they really wasn’t a ton of people playing on PSN. So with online play, your mileage may vary.

When it comes right down to it, I just really like Fighting EX Layer. It’s genuinely fun and I think every fighting game enthusiast should give it shot. If you enjoyed any of the Street Fighter EX games back in the day, then one is definitely for you.