The Rumble Fish 2 Switch 2 Edition Adds Team Battle Mode, Launches January 2026

The arcade fighting classic that pioneered smooth 2D animation is getting a definitive release. The Rumble Fish 2: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition launches January 22, 2026 with an exclusive Team Battle mode and full cross-platform play with the original Switch version.

20 Years of Smooth Animation Combat

Originally released in arcades in 2005, The Rumble Fish 2 earned acclaim for its revolutionary "S.M.A." (Smooth Model Animation) system that delivered incredibly fluid 2D character animations. Developed by Dimps (the studio behind Dragon Ball FighterZ and Street Fighter IV), the series never achieved the mainstream success of its contemporaries despite its technical innovations.

The game's distinctive offense/defense gauge system sets it apart from other 2D fighters. Players must carefully manage both gauges to execute powerful offensive maneuvers while maintaining defensive options.

New Switch 2 Exclusive: Team Battle Mode

The headline feature for this release is the brand-new Team Battle mode, exclusive to the Switch 2 version. Players can:

• Select three favorite characters to form a team
• Engage in elimination-style battles
• Play both offline and online
• Develop new team-based strategies

This adds significant replayability and competitive depth to a game that previously focused solely on 1v1 encounters.

Technical Improvements

The Switch 2 Edition includes several modernization features:

• Widescreen support optimized for Switch 2's display
• Rollback netcode for smooth online matches
• Cross-play with original Nintendo Switch version
• Training mode with comprehensive tools
• 9 language support including Japanese and English

Pricing and Upgrade Path

Existing Switch owners can upgrade to the Switch 2 version for just ¥500, retaining cross-play functionality with the original release.

Game Details