Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 6th, 2024. Today marks the end of an era, as this is my final regular SwitchArcade Round-Up for TouchArcade. While you can expect one more special from me next week featuring a few reviews with specific embargo dates, this marks the conclusion of our journey together through the world of Nintendo Switch. Over the years, we've shared countless insights and discoveries, and though I hoped to see the Switch through to its end with these articles, circumstances have led me down a different path. We're going out with a bang, featuring a pair of reviews from our friend Mikhail, two reviews from Shaun, summaries of new releases, and the usual lists of new and expiring sales. Let's take one last ride together!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU ($49.99)
After the success of Imagineer's Fitness Boxing series, which led to the amusing yet effective Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star, I was intrigued to see what new IP they would incorporate into their fitness game lineup. The announcement of Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU sparked my curiosity, especially considering how well Fist of the North Star was received. Having played it over the past few weeks alongside Ring Fit Adventure, I can say Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU is impressive in many ways.
For those new to the series, Fitness Boxing games use boxing and rhythm game mechanics to help you get into shape through daily exercises and engaging mini-games. In Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU, the beloved vocaloid joins the fray, featuring a dedicated mode for her songs alongside the standard tracks. Keep in mind, this is a Joy-Con exclusive game, so you won't be able to use a Pro Controller or any third-party accessories.
Like other entries in the series, the game offers various difficulty levels, a free training mode, warm-ups, and tracking features with reminders that work even when your Switch is in sleep mode. You can unlock cosmetics using points earned through gameplay. While I haven't explored the DLC yet, the base game surpasses Fist of the North Star in my opinion, with one notable exception.
The audio quality in Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU is excellent, but the main instructor's voice feels off and oddly directed, leading me to turn it down.
Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU is a solid fitness game that successfully integrates Miku into the Fitness Boxing world, appealing to her fans. It's a competent workout tool with its daily routines, customization, and tracking features. However, it works best as a supplement to other exercises like Ring Fit Adventure rather than being your sole fitness regimen. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Magical Delicacy ($24.99)
Magical Delicacy from sKaule and Whitethorn Games piqued my interest after a friend pointed out its Xbox Game Pass announcement. Having played it on both Xbox and Switch, I feel the game could benefit from more development time. As a fan of Metroidvania-style platformers and cooking games, I found Magical Delicacy to have some fantastic elements but also notable flaws that impact the overall experience.
You play as Flora, a young witch, in a narrative that blends mystery, magic, and warmth. Your goal is to cook and craft for various characters, and I was pleasantly surprised by the well-executed exploration elements despite some frustrating backtracking. The Metroidvania aspects are well done, but the game struggles with ingredient management and inventory issues, exacerbated by a somewhat clunky UI.
Magical Delicacy makes a strong first impression with its stunning pixel art visuals and enchanting music. It offers numerous settings, including UI scale and text options, which are particularly useful in handheld mode on the Switch. I believe Magical Delicacy would have benefited from an early access release or will improve with future updates.
On the Switch, the game runs smoothly, aside from occasional frame pacing hiccups, and features good rumble. Given my preference for playing this genre on handheld devices, the Switch or Steam Deck versions are ideal for me.
While Magical Delicacy combines elements of Metroidvania and cooking/crafting games that should appeal to me, it feels somewhat underdeveloped in key areas like inventory management and backtracking. It's a very good game on the Switch that could become essential with some quality of life updates and polishing. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
The 16-bit era saw numerous attempts at mascot platformers following the success of Sonic the Hedgehog. Aero The Acro-Bat was among the few to receive a sequel, driven by the moderate success of the original and sheer determination. However, Aero didn't become a household name, and aside from the spin-off Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel, the series didn't see another original title.
Is Aero The Acro-Bat 2 a bad game? I don't think so. It's as good as the first, offering a more polished experience but perhaps losing some of its unique charm in the process. It's a solid platforming adventure.
Surprisingly, this release isn't just another Ratalaika emulation wrapper. The presentation has been significantly upgraded, offering a tailored experience with options and extras like box and manual scans, achievements, a sprite sheet gallery, a jukebox, and various cheats. My only critique is the absence of the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive version, which would have been a nice addition for completeness.
Fans of Aero The Acro-Bat should definitely try Aero The Acro-Bat 2. Even those who found the original quirky might appreciate this smoother follow-up. Ratalaika's enhanced emulation wrapper is commendable, and I hope to see similar updates for the first game to maintain consistency. A great release for Aero enthusiasts and 16-bit platformer lovers alike.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Metro Quester | Osaka ($19.99)
I thoroughly enjoyed the original Metro Quester and its challenging yet rewarding dungeon-crawling turn-based RPG mechanics. The task of experimenting with party builds to find the optimal team was particularly satisfying. So, when Metro Quester | Osaka was announced, I was eager to dive back in. Although it feels more like an expansion than a true sequel, I'm delighted with the additional content.
Set as a prequel, Metro Quester | Osaka takes place in Osaka, featuring a new dungeon and character types. The wetter environment requires using a canoe to navigate certain areas, introducing new weapons, skills, and enemies. This game expands on the original's mechanics, providing more content for those who exhausted the first game.
The core gameplay remains similar to the original Metro Quester, with turn-based combat and top-down dungeon exploration. It's a slow and steady progression, where cautious planning is crucial to avoid trouble. For a detailed explanation, refer to my review of the original game. The key is inching forward, exploring more each time before retreating to camp.
Fans of Metro Quester will find Metro Quester | Osaka a rewarding experience, while new players might prefer starting here. It's an expansion rather than a sequel, which is not a negative; it simply extends the adventure with new twists. Patience is essential to fully enjoy this game, but the rewards are well worth it.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Select New Releases
NBA 2K25 ($59.99)
NBA 2K returns with NBA 2K25, boasting improved gameplay, a new Neighborhood feature, and updates to MyTEAM. As we approach the year 2100, I can't help but wonder how the series will handle its naming convention. Will we see NBA 2K100? That's a discussion for another time. For now, know that NBA 2K25 requires a hefty 53.3 GB on your memory card.
Shogun Showdown ($14.99)
If you're a fan of Darkest Dungeon, Shogun Showdown offers a Japanese-inspired twist on the formula. While it follows a familiar style, it introduces some unique elements that make it worth considering if you're in the market for another game in this genre.
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
As mentioned in the review above, Aero The Acro-Bat 2 is the refined sequel to the original, wrapped in Ratalaika's enhanced emulator. You can play the North American or Japanese Super NES versions, though the absence of the Genesis/Mega Drive version is noted. Overall, it's a solid release for Aero fans.
Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection ($9.99)
Sunsoft's return brings a trio of previously non-localized Famicom games. This collection includes a side-scrolling action platformer, an adventure game, and an action-RPG. For more details, check out my recent review. If you enjoy quirky retro games, this is a worthwhile addition to your collection.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Today's sales offer some exciting deals, including a 40% discount on the Cosmic Fantasy Collection, making it a great buy for retro RPG enthusiasts. Also, Tinykin is at its lowest price yet, a delightful platformer you won't want to miss. Take a moment to browse through the lists and see what catches your eye.
Select New Sales
Zombie Army Trilogy ($8.74 from $34.99 until 9/12)
Zombie Army 4: Dead War ($14.99 from $49.99 until 9/12)
Wild Seas ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/12)
Chants of Sennaar ($14.99 from $19.99 until 9/13)
The House of Da Vinci 3 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Warhammer 40k: Boltgun ($15.39 from $21.99 until 9/13)
Toziuha Night: Dracula’s Revenge ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/16)
Monkey Barrels ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Banchou Tactics ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/19)
Transiruby ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Picontier ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/19)
Kamiko ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/19)
Fairune Collection ($3.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Alchemic Dungeons DX ($3.19 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Ninja Smasher! ($6.39 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Ninja Striker! ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/19)
Great Ambition of the Slimes ($9.59 from $11.99 until 9/19)
Shinobi Non Grata ($11.99 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Let’s Build a Zoo ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/20)
Owlboy ($8.74 from $24.99 until 9/20)
Hakuoki: Wind & Blossom ($44.99 from $49.99 until 9/20)
Omen of Sorrow ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/20)
Dungeonoid 2 Awakening ($4.49 from $8.99 until 9/20)
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt CE ($23.99 from $59.99 until 9/22)
Knights of Grayfang ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Gale of Windoria ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Justice Chronicles ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Armed Emeth ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Jinshin ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Alphadia Genesis ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Grace of Letoile ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Tinykin ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Despot’s Game ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy Collection ($29.99 from $49.99 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy ($15.90 from $26.50 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy 2 ($15.90 from $26.50 until 9/26)
Spirittea ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Punch Club 2: Fast Forward ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Railway Empire 2 ($37.49 from $49.99 until 9/26)
Lil’ Guardsman ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Potion Craft Alchemist Simulator ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Euphoria ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Of The Red, the Light, & Ayakashi ($25.06 from $50.13 until 9/26)
Modern Combat Blackout ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/26)
The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Arrest of a Stone Buddha ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Fading Afternoon ($16.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Astor: Blade of the Monolith ($14.99 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Tamarak Trail ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Rigid Force Redux ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Yaga ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Rabi-Ribi ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Dead in Vinland: True Viking ($2.79 from $27.99 until 9/7)
Gunslugs ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Gunslugs 2 ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Heroes of Loot ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Heroes of Loot 2 ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
Meganoid ($5.39 from $8.99 until 9/7)
NOISZ re:||COLLECTION G ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Phoenotopia: Awakening ($6.99 from $19.99 until 9/7)
Space Grunts ($8.39 from $13.99 until 9/7)
Stardash ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
Superhot ($9.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Dormitory Love ($24.49 from $34.99 until 9/8)
Dying Light: Definitive Edition ($9.99 from $49.99 until 9/8)
Fur Squadron ($2.79 from $6.99 until 9/8)
Tchia: Oleti Edition ($23.44 from $34.99 until 9/8)
And that's it, folks. Today marks the end of the SwitchArcade Round-Up and my eleven and a half years at TouchArcade. While I'll continue writing on my blog at Post Game Content and offering exclusive articles on my Patreon, this marks the end of this chapter in my career. After twenty-six years in this field, I'm ready for new challenges. Feel free to connect with me on BlueSky, and if you're an executive looking for a seasoned writer, I'm available.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of TouchArcade's readers for being part of this journey. Your support means the world to me. I wish you all the best and thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for reading.
