Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024! Today’s update brings a hefty serving of new releases, forming the core of this Thursday’s column, as is customary. We’ll also explore a substantial list of new sales, and that’s pretty much it for major news. After all, 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 franchise returns after a lengthy hiatus, delivering a brand-new case. This latest installment stays true to its predecessors, both in its strengths and weaknesses. Expect a fresh mystery to solve, presented in a style reminiscent of the recent Switch remakes. Can you crack the case of the latest serial killings? My review is on its way soon.
Gundam Breaker 4 ($59.99)
Mikhail's comprehensive review provides an in-depth look at Gundam Breaker 4, so I'll direct you there for a detailed analysis of gameplay and Switch performance. In short, you'll be building and battling Gunpla. While the Switch port naturally lags behind other versions in performance, it's still a playable and enjoyable experience. Read Mikhail's review – it's excellent!
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)
Tengo Project continues its impressive streak of remakes/re-imaginings. Following successful revivals of Wild Guns Reloaded, The Ninja Saviors, and Pocky & Rocky, they now tackle an 8-bit classic. Expect a more significant departure from the source material compared to their previous projects. However, if you crave a classic-style action-platformer, this is a solid choice. My review will be up early next week.
Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)
This Valfaris sequel offers a significant gameplay shift. Forget the original's mechanics; this is a 2.5D side-scrolling shooter. While the genre change may surprise some, it’s a worthwhile experience. A review is coming soon!
Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)
I’ll admit, I’m a bit puzzled by this one. The food imagery is certainly appealing, but the gameplay remains a mystery. Photography? Secret-finding? Perhaps Mikhail will shed some light on it. It seems right up his alley.
Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)
If you're a fan of monster trucks, this game might be for you. It features local and online multiplayer, along with numerous game modes. Reception on other platforms has been mixed, but monster truck enthusiasts have limited options.
WitchSpring R ($39.99)
I believe this is a remake of the original WitchSpring, though I could be mistaken. The original served as a budget-friendly alternative to Atelier games. However, with a price tag nearing that of a true Atelier title, its value proposition is less clear. Still, it appears to be the most polished WitchSpring yet.
Depths of Sanity ($19.99)
An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. You'll investigate the disappearance of your crew within a vast, dangerous underwater world, encountering combat along the way. Well-received on other platforms, it likely will find a home on Switch as well.
Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)
Voltaire, a vegan vampire, rebels against his blood-thirsty father. This translates to farming and combat as you defend your lifestyle choices. While I'm personally a bit fatigued by the genre, those with more enthusiasm might enjoy it.
Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)
A marble roller game with 70 stages and 80 marbles to collect, including secret collectibles and challenges. If you enjoy high-speed marble rolling, this one delivers.
Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)
A firefighting game aimed at a younger audience, featuring 20 missions. While not overly realistic, it might appeal to children interested in firefighting.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)
A grotesque action game starring a hoverboarding cat. While the core gameplay is reportedly decent, 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, classic-style shooter for those who appreciate retro gaming.
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. Noteworthy for featuring the debut work of legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro.
The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)
A blend of horror, survival, and roguelite elements. Best experienced with online multiplayer (up to 10 players). Solo play may appeal to a more niche audience.
Can of Wormholes ($19.99)
A clever puzzle game where you, a sentient tin can, must deal with worms. 100 hand-crafted puzzles keep things fresh and engaging.
Ninja I & II ($9.99)
Two NES-style microgames with a ninja twist. Competitive gameplay is ideal for local multiplayer or against the CPU.
Dice Make 10! ($3.99)
A surprisingly fun game with two modes: falling blocks and wood block puzzle styles. 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. Numerous Pixel Game Maker Series titles are also at their lowest prices yet. Check out the full list for other noteworthy deals.
Select New Sales
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th
That's all for today! We’ll be back tomorrow with more new releases, sales, and news. See you then!
