Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the final SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 6th, 2024. This marks the end of the regular SwitchArcade Round-Up series on TouchArcade, although I'll be back next week with a special feature containing a few embargoed reviews. It's been a remarkable journey spanning several years, and while I had hoped to see the Switch's lifecycle through to its conclusion with these articles, life has other plans. Let's make this last ride a memorable one with reviews from Mikhail and Shaun, summaries of new releases, and the usual lists of new and expiring sales.
Reviews & Mini-Views
Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU ($49.99)
Following Imagineer's success with the Fitness Boxing series, which led to the entertaining Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star, the collaboration with HATSUNE MIKU for Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU was a clever move. Over the past few weeks, I've tested it alongside Ring Fit Adventure and found it quite impressive.
For those new to the series, Fitness Boxing games combine boxing and rhythm game elements to help you get in shape through daily workouts, sweat-inducing mini-games, and more. In this iteration, HATSUNE MIKU joins the fray with her own dedicated song mode in addition to the standard tracks. Note that this is a Joy-Con exclusive game, so you won't be able to use a Pro Controller or third-party accessories.
Like its predecessors, Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU offers difficulty options, a free training mode, warm-ups, and tracking features with reminders and system-wide alarms. You can also unlock cosmetics using the points you earn. While I haven't explored the DLC yet, the base game surpasses Fist of the North Star in many ways, though the main instructor's voice can feel a bit off and might need adjusting.
Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU successfully brings the beloved vocaloid into the Fitness Boxing world, aiming to attract her fans. It's a competent fitness game with daily workouts, customization, and tracking, but it's best used to complement other routines like Ring Fit Adventure. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Magical Delicacy ($24.99)
Magical Delicacy from sKaule and Whitethorn Games blends Metroidvania-style platforming with cooking and crafting. After catching my attention through an Xbox Game Pass announcement, I played it on both Xbox and Switch. While I enjoy both genres, Magical Delicacy feels somewhat unpolished in its execution.
As Flora, a young witch, you'll cook and craft for various characters in a story that's both mysterious and heartwarming. The game excels in its exploration mechanics despite some backtracking issues, but struggles with crafting ingredient management and a cumbersome UI.
The pixel art visuals and music are stunning, and the game offers a range of settings including UI scale and text options, which are particularly helpful in handheld mode. While Magical Delicacy could benefit from further updates, it's a solid game on Switch with good performance and rumble features. It's best suited for handheld play.
Although Magical Delicacy combines my favorite genres, some aspects feel underdeveloped. With a few quality-of-life updates, it could become an essential game. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
In the 16-bit era, many companies jumped on the mascot platformer bandwagon following Sonic the Hedgehog's success. Aero The Acro-Bat was one of the few to get a sequel. While the series didn't become a household name, Aero The Acro-Bat 2 is a polished and enjoyable platformer.
This release pleasantly surprised me with a more tailored emulation wrapper, offering numerous extras like box and manual scans, achievements, a sprite sheet gallery, a jukebox, and cheats. The only downside is that it only includes the Super NES version, missing the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive version.
Fans of the first game should definitely check out Aero The Acro-Bat 2, and even those who found the original a bit quirky might enjoy this smoother experience. Ratalaika's enhanced emulation wrapper is commendable, and I hope to see similar updates for the first game. A great pick for Aero enthusiasts and 16-bit platformer lovers.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Metro Quester | Osaka ($19.99)
The original Metro Quester was a challenging yet rewarding dungeon-crawling RPG. Its follow-up, Metro Quester | Osaka, feels more like an expansion than a sequel, but that's not a bad thing. Set in Osaka, this prequel introduces a new dungeon, character types, and water-based travel.
While it shares much of the original's mechanics—turn-based combat, top-down exploration, and cautious gameplay—it offers enough new content to keep fans engaged. New players might want to start here, as it builds on the established systems in interesting ways. Patience is key, but the rewards are well worth it.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Select New Releases
NBA 2K25 ($59.99)
NBA 2K25 is the latest installment in the beloved series, featuring improved gameplay and a new feature called Neighborhood. While I'm not an expert on MyTEAM, I can tell you that the game requires a hefty 53.3 GB of space on your memory card.
Shogun Showdown ($14.99)
If you're a fan of Darkest Dungeon, Shogun Showdown offers a Japanese-inspired take with some unique twists. It's a solid choice if you're looking for another game in this style.
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
As mentioned earlier, Aero The Acro-Bat 2 is a more polished sequel to the original, featuring an improved emulation wrapper and the Super NES version of the game. Aero fans should be pleased, though the absence of the Genesis/Mega Drive version is noted.
Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection ($9.99)
Sunsoft brings back three previously non-localized Famicom games in this collection: a side-scrolling action platformer, an adventure game, and an action-RPG. If you enjoy unique retro titles, this is a great pick.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Today's sales include some excellent deals, such as a 40% discount on the Cosmic Fantasy Collection—a must for retro RPG fans. Also, Tinykin is at its lowest price yet, making it an attractive option for platformer enthusiasts. Browse through the lists and find something that catches your eye.
Select New Sales
Zombie Army Trilogy ($8.74 from $34.99 until 9/12)
Zombie Army 4: Dead War ($14.99 from $49.99 until 9/12)
Wild Seas ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/12)
Chants of Sennaar ($14.99 from $19.99 until 9/13)
The House of Da Vinci 3 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Warhammer 40k: Boltgun ($15.39 from $21.99 until 9/13)
Toziuha Night: Dracula’s Revenge ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/16)
Monkey Barrels ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Banchou Tactics ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/19)
Transiruby ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Picontier ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/19)
Kamiko ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/19)
Fairune Collection ($3.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Alchemic Dungeons DX ($3.19 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Ninja Smasher! ($6.39 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Ninja Striker! ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/19)
Great Ambition of the Slimes ($9.59 from $11.99 until 9/19)
Shinobi Non Grata ($11.99 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Let’s Build a Zoo ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/20)
Owlboy ($8.74 from $24.99 until 9/20)
Hakuoki: Wind & Blossom ($44.99 from $49.99 until 9/20)
Omen of Sorrow ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/20)
Dungeonoid 2 Awakening ($4.49 from $8.99 until 9/20)
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt CE ($23.99 from $59.99 until 9/22)
Knights of Grayfang ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Gale of Windoria ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Justice Chronicles ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Armed Emeth ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Jinshin ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Alphadia Genesis ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Grace of Letoile ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Tinykin ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Despot’s Game ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy Collection ($29.99 from $49.99 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy ($15.90 from $26.50 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy 2 ($15.90 from $26.50 until 9/26)
Spirittea ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Punch Club 2: Fast Forward ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Railway Empire 2 ($37.49 from $49.99 until 9/26)
Lil’ Guardsman ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Potion Craft Alchemist Simulator ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Euphoria ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Of The Red, the Light, & Ayakashi ($25.06 from $50.13 until 9/26)
Modern Combat Blackout ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/26)
The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Arrest of a Stone Buddha ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Fading Afternoon ($16.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Astor: Blade of the Monolith ($14.99 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Tamarak Trail ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Rigid Force Redux ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Yaga ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Rabi-Ribi ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Dead in Vinland: True Viking ($2.79 from $27.99 until 9/7)
Gunslugs ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Gunslugs 2 ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Heroes of Loot ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Heroes of Loot 2 ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
Meganoid ($5.39 from $8.99 until 9/7)
NOISZ re:||COLLECTION G ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Phoenotopia: Awakening ($6.99 from $19.99 until 9/7)
Space Grunts ($8.39 from $13.99 until 9/7)
Stardash ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
Superhot ($9.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Dormitory Love ($24.49 from $34.99 until 9/8)
Dying Light: Definitive Edition ($9.99 from $49.99 until 9/8)
Fur Squadron ($2.79 from $6.99 until 9/8)
Tchia: Oleti Edition ($23.44 from $34.99 until 9/8)
And that's a wrap, folks! This marks the end of not only the SwitchArcade Round-Up but also my eleven and a half years at TouchArcade. While I'll still be contributing to my blog at Post Game Content and posting exclusive articles on my Patreon, I'm stepping away from this type of work. After twenty-six years in this industry, it's time for new challenges. You can find me on BlueSky, and if you're an executive looking for a seasoned writer, feel free to reach out.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of TouchArcade's readers for being part of this incredible journey. Your support has meant the world to me. Wishing you all endless happiness and joy. Thank you for reading, and until we meet again—farewell.
