Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024! Today's update is packed with new game releases, forming the core of this Thursday's column, as usual. We'll also explore a significant number of new sales. Unfortunately, no Nintendo Directs today, but let's dive into the exciting games!
Spotlight on New Releases
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)
The Famicom Detective Club returns after a long hiatus! This latest installment stays true to the original games, both in its strengths and weaknesses. A brand-new mystery awaits, presented in a style reminiscent of the recent Switch remakes. Can you crack the case of the latest serial killings? My review is coming soon.
Gundam Breaker 4 ($59.99)
Mikhail's in-depth review provides a comprehensive look at Gundam Breaker 4's gameplay and Switch performance. In short, you build and battle Gunpla. While the Switch version naturally lags behind other platforms in performance, it's still a solid experience. Check out Mikhail's excellent review for all the details.
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)
Tengo Project continues its impressive streak of remakes/reimaginings. Following successful revivals of Wild Guns Reloaded, The Ninja Saviors, and Pocky & Rocky, they now tackle an 8-bit classic. This iteration differs more significantly from its source material than their previous projects. However, it delivers a satisfying classic-style action-platformer experience. My review will be available early next week.
Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)
A Valfaris sequel with a twist! Forget the original's gameplay; this is a 2.5D side-scrolling shooter. While the genre shift might surprise some, it's a worthwhile experience. Embrace the change, and you'll find plenty to enjoy. My review is on the way!
Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)
I'll admit, I'm a bit puzzled by this one. The food imagery is stunning, but the gameplay remains a mystery. Photography? Secret-finding? Perhaps Mikhail will shed some light on this intriguing title.
Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)
For monster truck enthusiasts, Monster Jam Showdown offers local and online multiplayer, various game modes, and plenty of action. While reception on other platforms has been mixed, it might be a welcome addition for fans of the genre.
WitchSpring R ($39.99)
This appears to be a remake of the original WitchSpring, a mobile game often compared to the Atelier series. While previously budget-friendly, its current price point brings it closer to actual Atelier titles, making the value proposition less clear. However, it does boast the best visuals of the WitchSpring series to date.
Depths of Sanity ($19.99)
An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. Investigate the disappearance of your crew in a vast, dangerous underwater world. Combat is involved, and this title has garnered positive reviews on other platforms.
Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)
A rebellious vegan vampire, Voltaire, clashes with his neck-biting father. Farming and action combine in this unique title. While I'm personally a bit fatigued by the genre, it might appeal to those seeking a different kind of farming sim.
Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)
A classic marble roller game with 70 stages and 80 marbles to collect, plus secret collectibles and challenges. If you enjoy high-speed marble rolling, this one's for you.
Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)
A kid-friendly firefighting game with 20 missions. While other firefighting games on Switch lean towards realism, this one might be a better fit for younger players.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)
A grotesque action game starring a hoverboarding cat. While the core gameplay is enjoyable, the Switch version suffers from performance issues that impact the overall experience.
Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)
A lesser-known 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot hero. This post-Xevious, pre-Tiger Heli shooter offers a unique charm.
EGGCONSOLE Xanadu Scenario II PC-8801mkIISR ($6.49)
An early expansion pack for Xanadu, featuring a new underworld and the debut 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 caters to a more specific taste.
Can of Wormholes ($19.99)
A clever puzzle game where you're a sentient tin can battling worms. 100 hand-crafted puzzles keep things fresh and engaging.
Ninja I & II ($9.99)
Two NES-style microgames with a ninja twist, offering local multiplayer or CPU competition.
Dice Make 10! ($3.99)
A surprisingly fun puzzle game with two modes: falling blocks and a wood block puzzle style. The goal is to make rows or columns where dice faces add up to multiples of ten.
Sales Bonanza!
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Celebrate the 30th anniversary of The King of Fighters with a massive sale on the entire Arcade Archives series! Also, numerous Pixel Game Maker Series titles are at their lowest prices ever. Don't miss out! Several other noteworthy indie titles are also on sale.
Select New Sales
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and news. See you then! (Note: Due to a severe typhoon, tomorrow's update may be delayed.)
