I got tired of gym memberships I never used.
Then I heard about Ring Fit Adventure. A game that promises real workouts while you battle monsters and level up your character. It sounded too good to be true, right?
After weeks of sweating through levels and tracking my progress, I learned something important. This isn’t just another gimmick fitness game. It’s a genuine workout tool that keeps you coming back.
In this Ring Fit Adventure review, I’ll share what actually happens when you mix gaming with exercise. The good parts, the tough parts, and whether it’s worth your money.
Let me show you what I found.
Unboxing and Setup – Getting Started with the Hardware
Opening the Ring Fit Adventure box felt like Christmas morning. I found everything neatly packed and ready to go. The setup took me about 10 minutes, and I didn’t need any tools or technical skills.
| Component | What It Is | My First Impression |
|---|---|---|
| Ring-Con | A flexible pilates ring with a Joy-Con slot | Sturdy but bendable. I could squeeze it hard without worry. |
| Leg Strap | An adjustable strap that holds the other Joy-Con | Comfortable fabric. Fits snugly on my thigh without sliding. |
| Game Cartridge | The Ring Fit Adventure software | Small and light. Just pops into the Switch like any game. |
| Setup Process | Attaching Joy-Cons and calibrating | Simple instructions on screen. I just followed the prompts. |
| Space Needed | Room to move around | I cleared a 6×6-foot area. Enough to squat and stretch safely. |
Ring Fit Adventure Review – Adventure Mode Where Sweat Meets Story
Adventure Mode is where Ring Fit Adventure really shines. You run through colorful worlds, fight enemies with exercises, and level up your character. It’s part RPG, part workout routine, and surprisingly addictive.
How the Story Works
You play as a hero trying to stop a bodybuilding dragon named Dragaux. Sounds silly, but it works. The story gives you a reason to keep playing beyond just burning calories.
Here’s what I noticed:
- Each world has different themes and challenges
- The plot is simple and fun
- It never takes itself too seriously
I found myself curious about what would come next, even as my legs burned.
Combat Through Exercise
Fighting enemies means doing real exercises. Squats hit leg-type monsters. Planks work against abs-type foes. Each attack requires proper form, and the Ring-Con sensors check if you’re doing it right.
What makes combat effective:
- Cheating doesn’t work – the game knows when you’re slacking
- Boss fights pushed me harder than I expected
- Some battles left me genuinely winded and sweating
Running Between Battles
Moving through levels means jogging in place. The Joy-Con in the leg strap tracks your movement. You can also squeeze the Ring-Con to jump over obstacles or shoot at items. Running becomes second nature pretty quickly.
My experience with running:
- Felt natural after a few sessions
- The knee-lift option works great for quieter workouts in apartments
- The scenery changes enough to stay interesting
Leveling Up Your Character
Just like traditional RPGs, you gain experience and level up. Higher levels unlock new exercises and abilities. You collect coins to buy health potions and workout gear. The system hooks you like any good game would.
Why progression matters:
- Kept me motivated to continue
- I wanted to see what skills came next
- Smart how they disguise fitness goals as gaming achievements
Facing Bosses and Color-Coded Combat
Boss fights in Ring Fit Adventure are no joke. I faced Dragaux multiple times, and each encounter left me gasping for air. These battles require both strategy and endurance.
The color-coded combat system makes sense once you get it. Red enemies take extra damage from arm exercises. Blue ones fall faster to core workouts. Yellow foes hate leg exercises.
Green enemies? They’re weak against yoga poses. I had to pick the right attacks for each situation.
Bosses have multiple health bars and attack phases. You can’t just button-mash your way through them.
I needed to balance offense and defense while doing real physical exercises. Some boss fights took me fifteen minutes of constant movement.
My heart rate spiked during these moments. It felt like a real fitness challenge disguised as a video game battle.
Quick Play, Custom Modes, and Mini-Games
Adventure Mode isn’t your only option. Ring Fit Adventure offers several other ways to work out. I used these modes when I didn’t have time for a full story session.
1. Quick Play for Targeted Workouts
Quick Play lets you focus on specific body parts. I chose arm day, leg day, or core workouts depending on my mood. Each session lasts 5 to 15 minutes. Perfect for busy mornings before work.
2. Custom Mode Freedom
Custom Mode is where you build your own routine. I picked my favorite exercises and created a personalized workout. No story distractions here. Just pure exercise sets. This became my go-to after finishing the main game.
3. Simple Mode for Beginners
Simple Mode removes the RPG elements completely. You just do exercises without worrying about combat or levels. I recommended this to my mom, who isn’t into gaming.
She appreciated the straightforward approach without all the fantasy stuff.
4. Rhythm Games That Make You Move
Rhythm mode combines music with exercise. You squeeze the Ring-Con to the beat while doing squats and twists. It’s less intense than Adventure Mode but still burns calories. I found it relaxing after stressful days.
5. Mini-Games for Variety
Mini-games add fun to any Ring Fit Adventure review discussion. I played pottery sculpting using the Ring-Con and squatting challenges against the clock.
These are lighter but still get you moving. Great for warming up or cooling down between harder sessions.
What Works and What Doesn’t
After weeks of playing, I noticed clear strengths and weaknesses. Some features impressed me, while others felt lacking.
| What Works | Why I Liked It | What Doesn’t Work | Why It Frustrated Me |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise variety | Over 60 different moves kept workouts fresh and interesting. | Limited upper body focus | Most exercises hit legs and core. Arms don’t get enough attention. |
| Form tracking | The Ring-Con actually checks if you’re doing exercises correctly. | Repetitive enemies | Fighting the same monsters got boring after World 10. |
| Difficulty settings | I adjusted intensity based on how tired I felt each day. | Long load times | Waiting between levels sometimes broke my workout momentum. |
| Progress tracking | Seeing my stats and calories burned kept me motivated daily. | Story pacing | The plot dragged in the middle sections with too much dialogue. |
Final Verdict
Ring Fit Adventure turned my Switch into a workout tool I actually use. The game makes exercise feel less like a chore and more like progress. I’m burning calories while having fun, which seemed impossible before.
Is it perfect? No. But it got me moving consistently for the first time in years.
If you’re tired of expensive gym memberships or boring workout videos, this might be your answer.
I hope this Ring Fit Adventure review helped you decide if it’s right for you.
Now stop reading and go try it yourself. Your body will thank you later.
