Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update begins with some exciting news, followed by a game review and a look at a new release. We'll wrap things up with our usual sales reports. Let's dive in!
News
Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap
As predicted by some industry insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation featured a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase. While no first-party titles or Switch successor news were revealed, the showcase offered plenty to discuss. You can watch the full presentation above; a detailed summary of the key announcements will be available tomorrow.
Reviews & Mini-Views
EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)
This unlocalized EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game itself enjoyable, and is it playable without knowing Japanese? Star Trader, a blend of Japanese adventure and side-scrolling shooter elements, is intriguing but not exceptional. The adventure segments feature appealing artwork, and the attempt to integrate a narrative into the shooter sections is unique. Gameplay involves interacting with characters, undertaking quests, and earning money to upgrade your ship. These upgrades are crucial for success in the shooting stages.
However, the shooting sections suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in choppy visuals. The game's structure is unclear, but Star Trader proves more interesting than truly good. The significant Japanese text presents a major hurdle for Western players. Without understanding the text, you'll miss a substantial portion of the game and likely struggle to earn enough credits for ship upgrades. While brute-forcing might be possible, it won't be a satisfying experience.
Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer venturing beyond their usual style. However, the heavy reliance on Japanese text significantly detracts from the overall experience. While casual exploration might be possible, a strong recommendation is difficult to give.
SwitchArcade Score: 3/5
Select New Releases
Crypt Custodian ($19.99)
This top-down action-adventure game follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat banished from the afterlife for misbehavior. Pluto's eternal punishment? Cleaning! Explore, battle enemies with your broom, meet quirky characters, defeat bosses, and upgrade your abilities. It's a familiar formula, but executed well. Fans of the genre should definitely check it out.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, consider the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss the sale on 1000xRESIST! Other noteworthy sales include Star Wars titles, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider collection. Check the lists below for details!
Select New Sales
(List of new sales)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th
(List of expiring sales)
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a recap of the Nintendo Direct and more gaming news, reviews, and sales updates. Thanks for reading, and have a great Tuesday!
