JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R from Bandai Namco Entertainment released worldwide earlier this month on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam. I’ve been playing it on all platforms since launch to see how the updates and matchmaking have held up. If you’re curious about the Switch version, I covered it here with some comparisons to other platforms. Since JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is the first Jojo game on Xbox platforms, I wanted to also review this version to cover the best possible console version as well. For this JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R Xbox Series X review, I’ll be covering how the game looks and feels, matchmaking, online stability, and if it uses any Xbox Series X-specific features like Quick Resume well.
If you aren’t familiar with JoJo at all, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is still worth getting if you enjoy the core gameplay in the demo available on all platforms, because the roster is absolutely massive with unique characters, and CyberConnect2’s signature top tier visual quality makes an already great looking fighter shine on Xbox Series X. Don’t come into this expecting a very competitive fighter that has been precision tuned for tournaments. You’re here for the Jojo fan service, offline content, tons of unlockables, and more. The lack of a proper tutorial is disappointing, but this has CyberConnect2’s most feature-packed training mode yet which is where I’d recommend spending time initially. Even thought this is an enhanced remaster of a PS3 game, there is still more to come with DLC. If you don’t want to bother with paid DLC, the base game has more than enough content with its massive roster.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R Xbox Series X features
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R on Xbox supports Smart Delivery across generations, and it also has Quick Resume support. I used this a lot while jumping across games with it pinned on the console’s Quick Resume menu. I wanted to make a note of this, because Quick Resume sometimes doesn’t work for some games I play causing them to launch fresh. The other aspect of the Xbox Series X version worth highlighting is the visuals. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R runs at 4K 60fps on Xbox Series X, and it looks gorgeous. Even the menus look fantastic. This is definitely one of the best looking anime fighters on Xbox.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R – how is it online?
We’ve had some updates arrive since launch with various fixes and improvements, but the core issues with the online have to do with the netcode. Having played it almost daily across platforms since launch, the Xbox Series X and PS5 versions on the console side are definitely a lot more stable online than Nintendo Switch, but not having rollback makes it hard to recommend for purely online play. I’ve had a much better experience here compared to most delay-based netcode fighters for what it is worth though, but it doesn’t hold a candle to playing something like Guilty Gear Strive online.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R – what platform to buy it on?
Having played JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R on all current platforms and also on Steam Deck, it is a great experience on everything offline. The Switch version has cutbacks and half the frame rate, but the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, and PC versions are excellent and easy recommendations. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions look the best on the console side as well with very crisp visuals, a rock solid frame rate, and super fast loading. With any fighter, I’d recommend going where you have people to play with online since there’s no cross play, but JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R’s online isn’t the best, so get it on whatever platform you’re more comfortable with.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R has definitely been one of the biggest surprises of the year for me with how much fun it is, and I look forward to booting it up often on all platforms as a break from other games. As of now, I’m looking forward to the DLC when it releases and to see how CyberConnect2 updates the game over balance, fixes, and more. I know rollback netcode isn’t happening, but if the game is successful enough overall, I hope the team considers bringing it in like SNK and Samurai Shodown.
If you’ve wanted a great Jojo game or a gorgeous and fun fighter, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is an easy recommendation. Just don’t expect it to play too well online. It isn’t reliable enough online across any platform, but not unplayable online like SoulCalibur VI or Samurai Shodown right now. Hopefully my JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R Xbox Series X review helped you decide if it is worth investing in CyberConnect2 and Bandai Namco Entertainment’s newest anime fighter.
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is out now worldwide on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
