Hello, gaming enthusiasts! Welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024. Today's update brings a substantial lineup of new releases, forming the core of this Thursday's column, as is customary. We'll also explore a noteworthy selection of new sales. Unfortunately, Nintendo Directs aren't a daily occurrence! 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. This latest installment 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 case of the latest serial killings? My review is forthcoming.
Gundam Breaker 4 ($59.99)
Mikhail's comprehensive review provides an in-depth look at the gameplay and Switch port performance. In short, you build and battle Gunplas. While the Switch version naturally lags behind others in performance, it's still perfectly playable. 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. Following successful re-imaginings of 16-bit classics, they now tackle an 8-bit title. This version differs significantly from the original. However, fans of classic-style action-platformers will find much to enjoy. My review will be published early next week.
Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)
A departure from its predecessor, Valfaris: Mecha Therion is a 2.5D side-scrolling shooter. While the genre shift surprised some, it offers a rewarding experience for those who embrace the change. A review is on its way!
Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)
I'll admit, I'm a bit puzzled by this one. The food visuals are 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)
If you're a fan of monster trucks, this game might be for you. It features local and online multiplayer, numerous game modes, and a generally mixed reception on other platforms. Monster truck enthusiasts have limited options, so this might be a worthwhile purchase.
WitchSpring R ($39.99)
This appears to be a remake of the original WitchSpring. Previously a budget-friendly mobile alternative to Atelier games, its higher price point warrants careful consideration. However, it looks to be the most polished WitchSpring installment yet.
Depths of Sanity ($19.99)
An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. Investigate the disappearance of your crew in a vast, perilous 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)
Voltaire, a vegan vampire, rebels against his bloodthirsty father. This leads to farming and combat as he defends his lifestyle. While I'm personally somewhat fatigued by this genre, those with more enthusiasm might enjoy it.
Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)
A marble roller game featuring seventy stages and eighty marbles to collect, along with secret items and challenges. The classic fast-paced gameplay is present and accounted for.
Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)
A child-friendly firefighting game with twenty missions. A lighter take on the firefighting genre.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)
A gory action game starring a hoverboarding cat. While the core gameplay is solid, the Switch version suffers from technical issues affecting the overall experience.
Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)
A 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot protagonist. A charming, classic shooter experience.
EGGCONSOLE Xanadu Scenario II PC-8801mkIISR ($6.49)
An early expansion pack introducing a new underworld to explore. Features music by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro.
The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)
A blend of horror, survival, and roguelite elements. Best experienced with up to ten online players.
Can of Wormholes ($19.99)
A clever puzzle game where you, a sentient tin can, must deal with worms. One hundred unique puzzles are included.
Ninja I & II ($9.99)
A pair of NES-style microgames with a ninja theme. Features local multiplayer.
Dice Make 10! ($3.99)
A fun and engaging puzzle game with two modes. The goal is to make rows or columns of dice adding up to ten or multiples of ten.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
The 30th anniversary of The King of Fighters is celebrated with a sale on all Arcade Archives titles in the series. Numerous Pixel Game Maker Series games are also at their lowest prices yet. Several other noteworthy indie titles are also on sale.
Select New Sales
Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th
That's it for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and news. Reviews might also be on the agenda, time permitting. A significant typhoon is expected this week, so there's a possibility tomorrow's update might be delayed. Have a great Thursday! Thanks for reading!
