Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact has already seen a roller coaster development cycle, despite a large crowd rooting for its success. After a rough start, subsequent updates have consistently raised confidence among fans and critics alike. However, there are a few problems that are just too big for Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact to solve.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact's earliest challenges were subpar graphics, a limited roster, and uncertain game mechanics. Thankfully, all of these issues have been gradually addressed throughout the months following its announcement. However, the game still faces massive competition from a number of titles, the largest among them being Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. Developers recently announced that Nen Impact's release date has been delayed until 2025, but maybe this move is for the best.
Hunter x Hunter Video Game Hit With Release Date Delay
The studio behind the upcoming fighting title Hunter X Hunter: Nen X Impact announces that the game has been hit with a delay.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact Has a Fighting Chance After Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero
Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact Has Huge Potential
All things considered, Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact has a lot of good going for it. Traditional 2D fighters in the vein of Nen x Impact are relatively uncommon among anime fighters, with many more adaptations being designed as arena fighters. Furthermore, the tag system of Nen x Impact closely follows the highly acclaimed Marvel vs. Capcom series. Considering Marvel vs. Capcom is in a drought of new releases as well, Nen x Impact seemingly has a dedicated audience to take hold of.
Better yet, Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact has done a good job at laying the groundwork for that audience. Each time the game has received major criticism, developers have responded with subsequent updates. The frequency and clarity of this communication may seem like a bit of a rarity nowadays, and it's generated a lot of good will as the game inches closer to its eventual release date.
Finally, there is also the fact that Nen x Impact is tied to the Hunter x Hunter series at large. Hunter x Hunter is one of the most iconic and influential manga series of all time, and new chapters are finally around the corner after a long hiatus. Even with all of these benefits, there is always a bigger fish, and it's tough to find an anime series much bigger than Dragon Ball.
Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero May Be Too Strong to Defeat
Despite all the good will in the world, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero still seems geared up for an unstoppable season. Sparking Zero is the long-awaited follow-up to the Budokai Tenkaichi series, and seems to have expertly recaptured everything that made the series so beloved in the first place. From a colossal roster full of diverse characters, to the explosive combat on a scale fans have never seen, all the way down to What If scenarios, it's easy to see why a game like Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact could struggle to compete.
To really twist the knife, scale and fanservice aren't the only things working for Sparking Zero. It just so happens that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero and Dragon Ball Daima will hit the scene on the exact same day. With a game that celebrates every corner of Dragon Ball's history, and a new Dragon Ball anime just on the horizon, the series is undoubtedly entering a renaissance.
Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact Delay Does More Good Than Harm
First and foremost, the recent delay will firmly move Nen x Impact out of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero's release window. While a delay is usually disappointing news, it seems like a good thing that Nen x Impact will move to a season where it can be more competitive. After all, fighting games heavily rely on active player bases. If a fighting game is dead on arrival, it can be almost impossible to recover.
While the finer details remain to be seen, Nen x Impact will likely pick up the typical benefits of any other delay. Developers stated that their main goal is to implement rollback netcode before release, and this is already huge for dedicated fighting game fans. Likewise, the delay simply gives developers a longer period of time to improve the game and polish any rough edges. Considering the game's track record so far, the delay seems like great news for the future of Hunter x Hunter: Nen x Impact.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 58 /100 Critics Rec: 8%
- Released
- July 17, 2025
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Language, Partial Nudity, Use of Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Eighting
- Publisher(s)
- Arc System Works, BushiRoad
WHERE TO PLAY
The first full-scale HUNTER×HUNTER fighting game is here!
3v3 Nen ability team battle
Create teams of characters to face off in 3-on-3 battles.
Find a combination with synergy, and aim for the top with your own unique team!
Rush combo
Just hold down the rush button and hit the button repeatedly to unleash powerful combos!
Feel the exhilarating rush of pulling off a combo with ease!
Online battle
Face off against other players across the network to win rank points.
Your rank updates as you accumulate points. Aim to become a “three-star hunter”!
You can even compete with "G.I. Cards" at stake! Gather the cards for the specified slots!
Story mode
Battle against CPU opponents as you enjoy a digest of beloved Hunter x Hunter moments!
This mode includes tutorial stages, so try it out first to understand the basics of how to play!
- Franchise
- Hunter X Hunter
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Fighting, Anime
