Greetings, game enthusiasts! Welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024. Today's roundup features a substantial lineup of new game releases, forming the core of our discussion, as is customary on Thursdays. We'll also explore a noteworthy selection of sales. Let's dive into the gaming action!
Featured New Releases
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)
The Famicom Detective Club franchise returns after a lengthy hiatus with a new installment. This latest case stays true to the original games' style, both in its strengths and weaknesses. A fresh mystery unfolds, presented in a manner reminiscent of the recent Switch remakes. Can you crack the latest serial murder case? My review, coming soon, will offer my take.
Gundam Breaker 4 ($59.99)
Mikhail's comprehensive review provides a detailed analysis of Gundam Breaker 4's gameplay and Switch performance. In short, you build and battle Gunplas. While the Switch version naturally lags behind other platforms in performance, it's still a satisfying experience if this is your preferred option. Be sure to check out Mikhail's insightful review – it's a must-read.
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)
Tengo Project continues its impressive streak of remakes/re-imaginings. Following the successes of Wild Guns Reloaded, The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors, and Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, they now tackle an 8-bit classic. Expect a more significant departure from the original material than in their previous titles. However, if you crave a classic-style action-platformer, this is a solid choice. My review will be available early next week.
Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)
This Valfaris sequel offers a departure from its predecessor's gameplay. Instead of the original's style, it's a 2.5D side-scrolling shoot 'em up. While the genre shift might surprise some, it's a worthwhile experience. A review is forthcoming.
Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)
I'll admit, I'm not entirely sure what this game entails. The food imagery is certainly appealing, but the gameplay remains a mystery. Perhaps it involves photography, or uncovering hidden elements? Mikhail might be the best person to shed light on this one.
Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)
If you're a fan of monster trucks, this game might appeal to you. It features local and online multiplayer, along with various game modes. Reception on other platforms has been mixed, but for monster truck enthusiasts, options are limited.
WitchSpring R ($39.99)
This appears to be a remake of the original WitchSpring, though I could be mistaken. Previously, WitchSpring served as a budget-friendly alternative to Atelier games. However, at this price point, it's approaching the cost of an actual Atelier title, making its value proposition less clear. Nevertheless, it's visually the most polished WitchSpring game to date.
Depths of Sanity ($19.99)
This underwater exploration game offers a unique atmosphere. With a focus on fantastical horror, you investigate the disappearance of your crew within a dangerous, interconnected underwater world. Combat is also involved. It has received positive feedback on other platforms and should resonate with fans of exploratory action games.
Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)
Voltaire, a vegan vampire, rebels against his bloodthirsty father. Gameplay involves farming and combat as you defend against your father's attempts to derail your lifestyle. While I'm personally somewhat fatigued by this genre, it might appeal to those with a greater enthusiasm for farming simulators.
Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)
A marble roller game with seventy stages and eighty marbles to collect. Secret collectibles and special challenges await. If you enjoy fast-paced marble rolling games, this offers a substantial amount of content.
Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)
A firefighting game geared towards a younger audience. Featuring twenty missions, it aims for a more accessible and kid-friendly style compared to more realistic firefighting games.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)
A grotesque action game starring a hoverboarding cat who gleefully dispatches foes. While the core gameplay is reportedly decent, the Switch version suffers from technical issues affecting the overall experience.
Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)
A 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot protagonist. It's a charming title with a distinct retro appeal.
EGGCONSOLE Xanadu Scenario II PC-8801mkIISR ($6.49)
An early expansion pack, adding a new underworld to explore. Gameplay is similar to the original Xanadu, but with increased difficulty. Notable for featuring the early work of legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro.
The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)
A blend of horror, survival, and roguelite elements. Best experienced with up to ten players online. Solo play might appeal to a niche audience.
Can of Wormholes ($19.99)
A clever puzzle game where you, a sentient tin can, must deal with worms. One hundred handcrafted puzzles provide a consistently engaging experience.
Ninja I & II ($9.99)
A pair of NES-style microgames with a ninja theme. Local multiplayer or CPU competition is available.
Dice Make 10! ($3.99)
A surprisingly fun puzzle game with two modes: falling blocks and a wood-block-style puzzle. The goal is to create rows or columns where dice faces sum to multiples of ten.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
The 30th anniversary of The King of Fighters is celebrated with a sale on the entire Arcade Archives series. Numerous Pixel Game Maker Series titles are also at their lowest prices yet. Various other indie titles are also on sale.
Select New Sales (Images below show a selection of the many games on sale)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th (Images above also show a selection of games ending tomorrow)
That concludes today's roundup. We'll return tomorrow with the remaining new releases, sales, and news. Until then, happy gaming! (Note: Due to an impending typhoon, tomorrow's article may be delayed.)
