To win in Ninjala, build points rather than chasing K.O.s: defeat drones to grow your S-Energy, use that energy carefully, and look for ways to earn an IPPON. The player or team with the highest score at the end wins, and an IPPON is worth more than an ordinary K.O. This guide follows the mechanics in GungHo’s official battle manual; controls and balance may change with updates.
What winning means in Ninjala
Ninjala is a score-based battle game. A high K.O. count alone does not determine the winner: the final score does. An IPPON—earned through specific defeat conditions—scores more than a standard K.O. Battle Royale has 4–8 players, while Team Battle can be 4v4, 3v3, or 2v2, according to the official manual. In Team Battle, coordinate with teammates because the contest is based on team score.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Switch Lego Ninjago The Movie Video Game - Nintendo Switch | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - US Version | $52.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
DRAGON BALL FighterZ - Nintendo Switch | $24.16 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - US Version | $52.98 | Buy on Amazon |
Prepare before your first match
Practice the controls and movement
Use Training Mode to try movement, aiming, and attacks against a computer-controlled opponent. Start with a control preset, then adjust buttons if needed; the manual says all buttons can be customized. The settings are under the controls options, where you can choose a preset or customize the layout. Exact menu labels may vary by game version.
Know your weapon and read the HUD
Check your equipped gum weapon and Shinobi Cards in the base closet. Weapon types have different combos, Break Attacks, and Specials, so do not assume one weapon behaves like another. During battle, the HUD shows life at the lower left, score and rank at the upper right, and other battle information near the lower center, including Ninja Sense, Specials, Gum Shoots, Gum Ninjutsu, time, and points. Familiarize yourself with these indicators before you need them in a fight.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Amazing New Settings
Follow a resource-first opening routine
- Find and defeat drones. The official beginner flow starts by using drones to build S-Energy. This prepares you for combat and raises your maximum energy capacity.
- Watch your S-Energy before spending it. You start a match with 4 units. Defeating drones increases your maximum; at 8 or more units, you can craft a big weapon. Gum Dashing and S-Burst both consume energy, so spending freely can delay a weapon upgrade.
- Use Ninja Sense to find opponents. Nearby opponents appear as flame markers. Red indicates the same level, green a lower level, and yellow a higher one. Lock on with the R Stick; while locked on, click the L Stick to switch targets.
- Choose your engagement. A big weapon deals more damage, earns more score, unlocks a secondary ability, and automatically beats smaller weapons in a parry situation, according to the manual. Building toward one can improve your options before you commit to a difficult fight.
- Reposition when pressure rises. Blow a Ninja-Gum bubble, then press B while airborne to Gum Dash. It is a fast burst of movement, but it spends S-Energy. Gum Morphing disguises you as a stage object, and health recovers faster while you are morphed, making it useful when you need a safer pause.
Use Gum Dash without draining your plan
Gum Dash is a burst, not unlimited travel: it consumes S-Energy. Use it to reach an opponent, escape immediate pressure, or reposition, but weigh that movement against the energy needed for a big weapon or a defensive S-Burst. Since energy recovers over time when depleted, scattered S-Energy pickups can speed recovery.
Choose attacks by the priority cycle
Standard attacks are normal, back, and wide. Their priority forms a cycle: normal beats wide, back beats normal, and wide beats back. When identical attacks clash, the players enter a parry state. Each player then chooses an attack type again, or can spend S-Energy with L to escape the parry.
Rank #2
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Use the current clash to inform your next choice rather than pressing the same attack automatically. Varying your response is a sensible way to avoid becoming predictable, but the priority cycle does not guarantee a particular outcome.
Know when to Guard, Burst, or break
Blowing a bubble activates Gum Guard against normal, back, and wide attacks. A Break Attack can overcome Gum Guard and S-Bursts. If a Break Attack hits Gum Guard, it causes Gum Bind; against an opponent in an S-Burst stance, it destroys their gum weapon.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- New stages and fighters are joined by the combined rosters of every past Super Smash Bros. Game
- Challenge others anytime, anywhere, whether you're on the couch or on the go
- Play any way you want—locally, online, in TV mode, Tabletop mode, Handheld mode, or even with GameCube Controllers
- Fight faster and smarter with new and returning techniques, like the perfect shield and directional air dodge
- Face off in 2-4 player battles, or play against the computer
S-Burst costs at least 5 S-Energy. Since 8 units enables a big weapon, consider whether spending energy defensively is worth delaying that threshold. Gum Guard is not a universal answer: an opponent can punish it with a Break Attack.
Set up an IPPON
The manual lists three ways to score an IPPON:
- Defeat an opponent from a parry state.
- Defeat an opponent while they are Gum Bound.
- Defeat an opponent with Gum Ninjutsu.
Gum Ninjutsu becomes available when its gauge is full. Attacks fill the gauge, and it also rises gradually over time. Because an IPPON is worth more points than an ordinary K.O., look for these qualifying situations rather than treating every defeat as equal.
Rank #4
- Nintendo Switch features: Simplified controls for single Joy-Con play. More features to be announced.
- Spectacular fights: Experience aerial combos, destructible stages, and famous scenes from the Dragon Ball anime reproduced in 60 FPS
- 3VS3 TAG/SUPPORT: Allows players to train and master more than one fighter/style, which brings deeper gameplay.
- HIGH-END ANIME GRAPHICS: Using the power of the Unreal engine and the talented team at Arc System Works, DRAGON BALL FighterZ is a visual tour-de-force.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Cartoon violence, mild language, mild suggestive themes
Choose a lower-pressure mode while learning
Free Match battles do not affect rank, while Ranked Match changes rank based on performance. If you are still learning your weapon, movement, or attack timing, Free Match lets you practice without putting rank at stake. Training Mode is the place to work on controls and basic execution against a computer-controlled character.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick match checklist
- Check the score and timer, not only K.O.s.
- Build S-Energy with drones and keep the 8-unit big-weapon threshold in mind.
- Spend Gum Dash energy for a purposeful move, not every time you are airborne.
- Use the normal/back/wide cycle to make attack choices in parries.
- Look for parry, Gum Bind, or Gum Ninjutsu opportunities to earn an IPPON.
- Use Ninja Sense markers to locate opponents by level, and change targets when needed.
How to get Ninjala
GungHo’s official site lists Nintendo Switch and describes the digital download as free-to-play, with additional content and in-app purchases; it also lists a package version. A paid package is not required to start playing digitally. Availability and edition details can differ by region, so check the current official listing for your location.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsQuick Recap
Best Value
- A variety of playable characters are available, some with unique attributes that affect gameplay and platforming physics.
- Younger and less-experienced players will love playing as Toadette, who is brand new to both games, and Nabbit, who was formerly only playable in New Super Luigi U. Both characters offer extra assistance during play.
- Multiplayer sessions are even more fun, frantic, and exciting thanks to entertaining character interactions. Need a boost? Try jumping off a teammate’s head or getting a teammate to throw you.
- Features a wealth of help features, like a Hints gallery, reference videos, and a Super Guide in New Super Mario Bros. U that can complete levels for you if they’re giving you trouble.
- Three additional modes—Boost Rush, Challenges, and Coin Battle—mix up gameplay and add replayability, while also upping the difficulty for players who want to try something harder. Players can use their Mii characters in these modes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
