Hello, readers! Welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024. Today's roundup features a substantial lineup of new game releases, forming the core of our discussion, as is customary on Thursdays. We'll also explore a noteworthy selection of new sales. Unfortunately, Nintendo Directs aren't a daily occurrence, but let's dive into the games!
Featured New Releases
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)
The Famicom Detective Club series returns after a lengthy hiatus with a new installment. This latest case stays true to the original games, both in its strengths and weaknesses. Players will encounter a fresh mystery, 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 Gundam Breaker 4's gameplay and Switch performance. In short, you build and battle Gunpla. While the Switch port naturally lags behind other versions in performance, it's still a perfectly playable experience. Check out Mikhail's excellent review for the full details.
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)
Tengo Project continues its impressive streak of remakes and re-imaginings. Following the success of titles like Wild Guns Reloaded and Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, they now tackle an 8-bit classic. Expect a more significant departure from the original source material than in their previous projects. Action-platformer fans seeking a retro aesthetic should find plenty to enjoy. My review will be available early next week.
Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)
This Valfaris sequel offers a distinct gameplay shift. Instead of the original's style, it's a 2.5D side-scrolling shooter. While the genre change might surprise some, it's a solid entry in its own right. A review is forthcoming.
Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)
I'll admit, I'm not entirely sure what to make of this game. The food imagery is undeniably appealing, but the gameplay remains a bit of a mystery. Photography? Secret-finding? Perhaps Mikhail will shed some light on it.
Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)
If you're a fan of monster trucks, this game might be for you. Featuring local and online multiplayer, multiple modes, and plenty of content, it has received a mixed reception on other platforms. However, monster truck game options are limited, so it might be worth considering.
WitchSpring R ($39.99)
This appears to be a remake of the original WitchSpring, a mobile title often compared to the Atelier series. While it served its purpose well at its original price point, its current price tag approaches that of a full-fledged Atelier game, making it a tougher sell. However, it does appear to be the most polished WitchSpring entry yet.
Depths of Sanity ($19.99)
An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. Players investigate the disappearance of their crew, exploring a vast and perilous underwater world. Combat is involved. Well-received on other platforms, it's likely to appeal to fans of exploratory action games.
Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)
Voltaire, a vegan vampire, rebels against his bloodthirsty father. This leads to farming and action as he defends his lifestyle. While I'm personally a bit fatigued by the genre, those who enjoy farming and combat might find this title appealing.
Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)
A marble roller game with seventy stages and eighty marbles to collect. Secret collectibles and challenges add to the replayability. Fans of fast-paced marble rolling games will find much to enjoy.
Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)
A firefighting game geared towards a younger audience. Featuring twenty missions, it offers a simpler take on the firefighting theme.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)
A grotesque action game about a hoverboarding cat. While the core gameplay is reportedly solid, the Switch version suffers from technical issues that impact the overall experience.
Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)
A 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot protagonist. A charming, retro shooter for fans of the genre.
EGGCONSOLE Xanadu Scenario II PC-8801mkIISR ($6.49)
An early expansion pack for Xanadu, featuring a new underworld to explore. Gameplay is similar to the original, but more challenging. Notable for featuring early work from legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro.
The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)
A blend of horror, survival, and roguelite elements. Best experienced with online multiplayer (up to ten players).
Can of Wormholes ($19.99)
A clever puzzle game where you play as a sentient tin can dealing with worms. One hundred handcrafted puzzles offer a consistently fresh experience.
Ninja I & II ($9.99)
Two NES-style microgames featuring ninja-themed challenges. Local multiplayer or CPU competition is available.
Dice Make 10! ($3.99)
A surprisingly fun puzzle game with two modes: falling blocks and static 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 noteworthy indie titles are also on sale.
Select New Sales
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th
That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with the remaining new releases, sales, and news. See you then!
