Hello, game enthusiasts! Welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024. Today's roundup features a substantial lineup of new releases, forming the core of this Thursday's column. We'll also explore a noteworthy selection of new sales. Let's dive into the games!
Featured New Releases
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)
The Famicom Detective Club returns after a long hiatus with a new installment. This latest case stays true to the original games' style. A fresh mystery awaits, presented similarly to the recent Switch remakes. Can you crack the latest serial murder case? My review is coming soon.
Gundam Breaker 4 ($59.99)
Mikhail's comprehensive review provides an in-depth look at the gameplay and Switch performance. In short: build and battle Gunplas. While the Switch version naturally lags behind others in performance, it's still a satisfying experience. Check out Mikhail's excellent review for a complete breakdown.
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)
Tengo Project continues its impressive streak of remakes. Following successful revivals of 16-bit classics, they now tackle an 8-bit title. Expect a departure from the original, but a solid action-platformer nonetheless. My review will be available early next week.
Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)
A Valfaris sequel, but with a twist. This is a 2.5D side-scrolling shooter, a significant departure from its predecessor. While the genre shift might surprise some, it offers enjoyable gameplay. My 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 stunning, but the gameplay remains a mystery. Perhaps photography, secret-finding, or a unique blend of mechanics? Mikhail might shed some light on this one.
Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)
For monster truck enthusiasts, this game offers local and online multiplayer, various modes, and ample replayability. While reception on other platforms has been mixed, it caters to a niche audience with limited alternatives.
WitchSpring R ($39.99)
This appears to be a remake of the original WitchSpring. Previously a mobile title often compared to the Atelier series, its higher price point compared to its predecessors might give some pause. However, it boasts the most refined visuals in the series to date.
Depths of Sanity ($19.99)
An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. Investigate your missing crew's fate within a vast, perilous underwater world. Combat is involved. Well-received on other platforms, it's likely to appeal to fans of exploratory action games on Switch.
Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)
Voltaire, a vegan vampire, rebels against his bloodthirsty father. Gameplay involves farming and combat as you fend off your father's attacks. While I'm personally somewhat fatigued by the genre, those with more enthusiasm for farming sims might enjoy this.
Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)
A marble roller game with seventy stages and eighty marbles to collect, featuring secret collectibles and challenges. The core gameplay loop of speed and precision remains central.
Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)
A kid-friendly firefighting game with twenty missions, offering a more approachable style than other, more realistic firefighting games on the Switch.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)
A grotesque action game starring a hoverboarding cat. While the gameplay is reportedly decent, the Switch version suffers from technical issues impacting the overall experience.
Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)
A lesser-known 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot protagonist. A charming, retro shooter in the style of post-Xevious era games.
EGGCONSOLE Xanadu Scenario II PC-8801mkIISR ($6.49)
An early example of a video game expansion pack, introducing a new underworld to explore. Gameplay mirrors the original Xanadu, but with increased difficulty. Notably, it features the debut work of legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro.
The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)
A blend of horror, survival, and roguelite elements. Supports up to ten players online, offering the optimal experience. Solo play caters to a more specific taste due to its repetitive nature.
Can of Wormholes ($19.99)
A clever puzzle game where you, a sentient tin can, must deal with worms. One hundred handcrafted puzzles with consistently fresh mechanics.
Ninja I & II ($9.99)
Two NES-style microgames featuring ninja-themed challenges. Competitive gameplay is focused on local multiplayer or against the CPU.
Dice Make 10! ($3.99)
A surprisingly fun puzzle game with two modes: falling blocks and piece placement. The goal is to create rows or columns where dice faces add up to multiples of ten.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
The King of Fighters 30th anniversary is celebrated with a sale on all Arcade Archives titles in the series. Numerous Pixel Game Maker Series games are also at their lowest prices. Several noteworthy indie titles are also on sale.
Select New Sales
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th
That concludes today's roundup. Join us tomorrow for the rest of the week's news, remaining new releases, sales, and possibly some reviews. Due to a significant typhoon, my office attendance tomorrow is uncertain, but we'll keep you updated. Have a great Thursday!
