Hello gaming enthusiasts, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024! Today's update features a robust lineup of new releases, which will form the core of this Thursday's column. We'll also explore a substantial list of new sales. While we can't expect daily Nintendo Directs, 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 case. This release stays true to the originals, both in its strengths and weaknesses. A fresh mystery awaits, presented in a style reminiscent of 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 Gunpla! While the Switch port naturally lags behind other versions in performance, it's still a satisfying 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 16-bit classics like Wild Guns Reloaded, this time they tackle an 8-bit title. Expect a more significant departure from the source material than in previous projects. However, fans of classic-style action-platformers will find much to enjoy. My review drops early next week.
Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)
A Valfaris sequel, but with a twist! This is a 2.5D side-scrolling shoot 'em up, a departure from its predecessor's gameplay. While the genre shift may surprise some, it offers a rewarding experience. My review is on the way!
Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)
I'll admit, I'm not entirely sure what this game entails. The food imagery is stunning, though. Perhaps it involves photography, secret-finding, or a combination thereof. Mikhail might be the best person to investigate this one further.
Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)
If you're a fan of monster trucks, this game might be for you. It offers both local and online multiplayer, along with various game modes. While reception on other platforms has been mixed, it might appeal to fans of the genre who have limited options.
WitchSpring R ($39.99)
This appears to be a remake of the original WitchSpring, a mobile title often compared to the Atelier series. While previously budget-friendly, its current price point approaches that of a full-fledged Atelier game, which might give some pause. However, it's visually the most polished WitchSpring yet.
Depths of Sanity ($19.99)
An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror theme. Investigate the disappearance of your crew in a vast, dangerous underwater world. Combat is involved. Well-received on other platforms, it's likely to find a dedicated following on Switch.
Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)
A rebellious vegan vampire, Voltaire, clashes with his neck-biting father. Gameplay involves farming and action as you fend off your father's attempts to derail your lifestyle. While I'm personally a bit fatigued by the genre, it might appeal to those seeking a farming/action hybrid.
Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)
A marble roller game with 70 stages and 80 marbles to collect. Secret collectibles and challenges add to the replayability. If you enjoy high-speed marble rolling, this one delivers.
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 offers a more playful approach.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)
A hoverboarding cat slices and dices enemies in this grotesque action game. While the core gameplay is decent, the Switch version suffers from notable technical issues affecting the overall experience.
Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)
A 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot protagonist. This pre-Tiger Heli shooter has a certain retro charm.
EGGCONSOLE Xanadu Scenario II PC-8801mkIISR ($6.49)
An early expansion pack featuring new underworld areas to explore. Gameplay is similar to the original Xanadu, but with increased difficulty. Noteworthy for featuring 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 might be more niche due to its repetitive nature.
Can of Wormholes ($19.99)
A clever puzzle game where you, a sentient tin can, must deal with worms. Features 100 handcrafted puzzles with consistently fresh ideas.
Ninja I & II ($9.99)
Two NES-style microgames with a ninja twist. Competitive, ideal for local multiplayer or against the CPU.
Dice Make 10! ($3.99)
A surprisingly fun game with two modes: falling blocks and tile 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 30th anniversary of The King of Fighters is celebrated with a sale on the entire Arcade Archives series. Many Pixel Game Maker Series titles are also at their lowest prices yet. Several other indie titles are also on sale.
Select New Sales
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th
That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with more new releases, sales, and news. See you then!
