Is JJBA ASBR Local Multiplayer? A Veteran Fan‘s In-Depth Guide

As an avid gamer and long-time JoJo‘s Bizarre Adventure fan, I‘ve been eagerly awaiting this game. Now that JJBA All-Star Battle R is finally here, one of the most common questions I‘ve seen is: can you play locally?

Well friend, you‘ve come to the right place. Strap in as I break down everything you need to know about ASBR‘s multiplayer options, new gameplay changes, and more. Get ready for the ULTIMATE fan guide!

Local and Online Multiplayer – Best of Both Worlds

Playing fighting games with friends is half the fun. So I was thrilled to learn ASBR includes BOTH local and online multiplayer. Here are the details:

• Local multiplayer lets you play side-by-side on the couch. But you‘ll need extra controllers for each player – so stock up!

• Online multiplayer gives you access to opponents worldwide. But requires a paid subscription on consoles:

  • Nintendo Switch Online on Nintendo Switch

  • PlayStation Plus on PlayStation 4 and 5

This is fantastic because we get the benefits of local and online play. Play locally when friends are over, but still battle online when you‘re alone. Well done devs!

Previous Game Lacked Local Play

While ASBR nailed the multiplayer, the previous entry Eyes of Heaven dropped the ball. Can you believe friend matches were online ONLY?

As a longtime fan, nothing beats passing controllers around the room for intense local versus matches. Seeing this feature omitted was a tragic mistake. We want to battle buddies, not randoms!

Thankfully ASBR rights this wrong. Now we can finally experience epic local 2v2 fights between our favorite Stands and JoJos. No more disappointing friends who came over excited to play!

New Features – More Than Just a Remaster

Bandai Namco could‘ve just upscaled textures, tweaked balance, and called it a day. But ASBR goes above and beyond as a true current-gen reboot:

New Characters

• 10 new fighters expand the roster including Pucci, Old Joseph, and more! More characters = more teams and matchups.

New Stages

• 5 fresh arenas like Dio‘s Castle let us brawl in iconic JJBA locales. I wish they included more, but it‘s a start!

Faster Speed

• Adjusted fighting tempo and new mechanics like jump cancels pick up the pace nicely. Combos feel snappier than before.

Visual Upgrades

• While not mind-blowing, the graphics bump is appreciated. Stand rushes and super moves look slick.

Revamped Mechanics

• Systems like hit stops, easy supers, and simplified inputs lower the skill barrier without compromising depth.

The sum total is an excellent modernization rather than just a quick cash grab. As a hardcore fan, I‘m thrilled with the improvements across the board!

Try Before You Buy – Demo Impressions

If you‘re still unsure about dropping $50, there‘s a free demo on Xbox where you can test drive ASBR yourself. It includes online multiplayer and practice mode.

After spending some time in the demo, here are my key takeaways:

Netcode is solid – The matchmaking is quick and fights are smooth. Only minor occasional hiccups.

Roster is generous – They give you access to 25 characters spanning all story arcs. Plenty to sink your teeth into!

Combos are easier – Beginner friendly input shortcuts make combos more accessible without limiting pros.

It just feels GOOD – The visuals, music, and feedback capture that signature JoJo‘s energy perfectly!

Bandai Namco was smart to release this demo. After playing, I think most on-the-fence fans will be convinced to take the plunge. Download it today and experience JoJo fighting bliss!

Stand Power Levels – My Personal Ranking

Okay, this is the hard-hitting analysis you came for! As a JJBA veteran, I‘m thrilled to finally pit all these Stands against each other in cyber-brawls. But which one dominates as the strongest of all?

After extensive research and lab time, here is my personal power ranking:

Stand	User	Rank
Gold Experience Requiem	Giorno	1
The World Over Heaven	DIO	2
Made in Heaven	Enrico Pucci	3
King Crimson / Epitaph	Diavolo	4
Tusk Act 4	Johnny Joestar	5

I chose these 5 as the strongest Stands based on their raw power, versatility, and match-up spread. Let‘s break down why:

Gold Experience Requiem – Many argue GER is unbeatable thanks to its "revert to zero" ability. It can counter and nullify nearly any attack. Good luck landing a hit!

The World Over Heaven – DIO with full control over time itself AND reality warping abilities? He can erase you from existence on a whim. Busted!

Made in Heaven – Its unmatched speed and time acceleration let Pucci outpace almost anyone. Landing an attack on this swift Stand is borderline impossible.

King Crimson – Seeing the future and "erasing" time makes Diavolo impossible to corner. He can dodge any threat and counterattack.

Tusk Act 4 – Infinite rotation and dimensional piercing shots make it deadly up close. Plus it can bypass durability by shredding organs internally!

Let me know if you disagree on these top 5! I could write essays about Stand match-ups, but this gives a general overview of power.

Game Modes – Plenty of Content Here

With 50+ fighters on the roster, ASBR already provides endless match-up variety. But the game offers several modes to keep you busy:

All-Star Battle – This "story mode" lets you replay iconic fights from Parts 1-8. It replaces the original Story Mode with 50+ battles.

Versus – Face off in 1v1 or 2v2 matches locally or online. You can even fight alongside a friend which is a blast!

Arcade – Two classic Arcade modes provide single-player challenges. Test your skills in multi-match gauntlets!

Campaign – Build a team and battle through a map, earning points to redeem rewards and power-ups.

Practice – Study frame data and combos or just goof around with friends. Lots of options here!

No matter how you play fighting games, ASBR has a mode for you. Personally I appreciate the robust solo content since I mostly play alone.

Take It On The Go – Switch Impressions

As a gamer constantly on the move, I opted to grab ASBR on Nintendo Switch so I can play anywhere. If you‘re like me and prioritize portable play, here are my thoughts:

Performance – 30fps both docked and handheld. Visuals are lower resolution but the art still shines through.

Online – Requires a Nintendo Online subscription but plays smooth. I fought Wi-Fi warriors on the bus everyday this week!

Controls – Joy-cons work great for casual play. Pro controller is ideal for executing complex combos.

Battery life – Got 2-3 hours of continuous play. Not amazing but expected for a flashy fighter.

Portability – Being able to practice combos or play online during my commute is a game changer!

The bottom line: ASBR on Switch is a stellar port that retains the addictive gameplay. Having JoJo in my pocket is well worth the graphical downgrade. Pick it up and Stand proud!

Jotaro Reigns Supreme – Most Popular JoJo

It‘s impossible to talk JoJo without mentioning Jotaro Kujo – the stoic hat-wearing heartthrob beloved by fans worldwide. But what exactly makes him so popular?

Badass Persona – Jotaro gives off a Clint Eastwood vibe. He‘s cool under pressure and always ready to throw down.

Powerhouse Stand – Star Platinum is strong, precise, and super versatile. Time stopping punch barrages for days!

Admirable Values – Underneath his harsh exterior lies a good heart. He‘ll sacrifice himself to protect the innocent.

Intellect – His marine biology studies reveal his scientific mind. Brains and brawn in one package!

Meme Goldmine – Iconic one-liners like "Yare Yare Daze" make him an internet icon. The memes write themselves!

Total Fanservice – Let‘s be real, the character just oozes style. He was designed to be the perfect anime bad boy.

No wonder Jotaro remains enduringly popular decades after his debut. He‘s the total anime action hero package. While I‘m partial to Joseph‘s goofy antics, I totally understand Jotaro‘s universal appeal.

The Definitive JoJo Fighting Experience

As a longtime JJBA fanatic, this game is a dream come true. It smooths out the original‘s rough edges while adding a bounty of new content. After spending countless hours exploring all it has to offer, I can confidently crown ASBR as the ultimate JoJo fighter.

If you‘re even a casual fan of the series, this game belongs in your collection. There‘s so much love poured into every detail. And being able to clash my favorite Stands & JoJos never gets old. ASBR makes me feel like I‘m controlling the anime!

That does it for my mega fan guide covering ASBR‘s most important details. Let me know which JoJo squad you‘ll take online once you grab the game! Just be warned – if you run into my Tusk Act 4 and King Crimson tag team, it‘s a guaranteed MUDAMUDAMUDA. See you online, friends!