Nintendo Switch To Get Its First MOBA With 'Arena Of Valor'

The Nintendo Switch is getting in on the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) scene with the upcoming release of "Arena of Valor." Developed by Tencent, the popular mobile game has already racked up nearly five million downloads since its release.

The announcement was made during this week's Nintendo Direct live stream alongside other news regarding the company's hardware and upcoming games. The reveal was a big surprise to most Switch fans as this is the first time a MOBA will be added to the console's ever-expanding library of games.

Like most games of the genre, "Arena of Valor" allows players to control "hero" units on a map. The goal of the game is to destroy the enemy's base with the help of non-player characters that act as a both an offensive force as well as a source of gold to buy items.

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The game heavily resembles Dota and League of Legends, both of which have become the templates of the MOBA. Players can choose between 35 different heroes each with a unique set of abilities that range from offensive, defensive, and utilizes. Game modes mentioned during the Direct include 5v5, 3v3, and 1v1. The game also features the typical MOBA achievements such as First Blood, Double Kills, etc.

While the game is certainly not on par with its bigger and badder PC cousins, it is still a popular MOBA among mobile users, particularly in the Asian markets. The game recently had a big showing at this year's Gamescom with former professional League of Legends players like Bora "YellOwStaR" Kim.

This is probably why Nintendo chose the game as its first MOBA game in the Switch and could help the console sell more units worldwide. Players won't have to wait longer to experience the game because a beta is set to launch this winter, giving players a chance to test the game before its official release.

"Arena of Valor" on Switch is set to be released on the Nintendo Switch in 2018. The game is now available for download on Android and iOS devices.