Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024! We've got a hefty serving of new releases today, forming the core of this Thursday's column. We'll also dive into a sizable list of new sales, and that's pretty much it for today. Let's get to the games!
Select New Releases
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)
The Famicom Detective Club returns after decades without a sequel. This new case stays true to the originals, for better or worse. It presents an entirely new mystery, visually similar to the recent Switch remakes. Can you solve the latest serial murder case? My review is coming soon!
Gundam Breaker 4 ($59.99)
Mikhail's already penned a comprehensive review, so I'll direct you there for a detailed look at the gameplay and Switch performance. In short: build and battle Gunplas. While the Switch port naturally lags behind others in performance, it's perfectly playable. Read Mikhail's excellent review!
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)
Tengo Project continues its successful streak of remakes/re-imaginings. Wild Guns Reloaded, The Ninja Saviors, and Pocky & Rocky Reshrined were all fantastic. Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, however, adapts an 8-bit game, resulting in a more significant departure from the source material. Still, if you crave a classic-style action-platformer, this delivers. My review is coming early next week.
Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)
A Valfaris sequel, but with a twist. Forget the original's gameplay; this is a 2.5D side-scrolling shoot 'em up. While the genre shift surprised some, it's enjoyable. Another game I'll be reviewing soon!
Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)
I'll admit, I'm not entirely sure what's going on here. The food imagery is lovely, though. Play with it? Take photos? Hunt for secrets? Perhaps Mikhail will investigate further—it seems right up his alley.
Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)
If you like monsters or jam… well, I'm not sure this game's for you. It's about Monster Jam, the monster truck spectacle. No preserves, strawberries, or goblins here. It features local and online multiplayer, various modes, and has received a mixed reception on other platforms. Monster truck fans have limited options, though.
WitchSpring R ($39.99)
I believe this is a WitchSpring remake, but I could be wrong. WitchSpring was always the mobile "we have Atelier at home" series. At its original price, it was fine. Now, nearing the price of a real Atelier game, I'm less convinced. Still, it looks like the best-looking WitchSpring yet.
Depths of Sanity ($19.99)
An undersea exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. Investigate your missing crew's fate in a dangerous underwater world. Expect combat. Well-regarded on other platforms, it should find a Switch audience.
Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)
Voltaire, a vegan vampire, rebels against his bloodthirsty father. This results in farming and action as you fend off your father's attempts to derail your lifestyle. I'm a bit fatigued by the genre, but if you're more enthusiastic about hoeing than I am, check it out.
Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)
A marble roller game with 70 stages and 80 marbles to collect, plus secrets and challenges. The usual fast-paced, track-based gameplay is present.
Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)
A firefighting game geared towards a younger audience. Twenty missions and the usual firefighting elements are included.
Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)
A grotesque action game starring a hoverboarding cat who gleefully slices and dices foes. The game itself is decent, but 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 hero. A post-Xevious, pre-Tiger Heli shooter with its own charm.
EGGCONSOLE Xanadu Scenario II PC-8801mkIISR ($6.49)
An early expansion pack for Xanadu, featuring a new underworld to explore. Gameplay is identical to the original, but more challenging. Notable for featuring the debut of Yuzo Koshiro.
The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)
A blend of horror, survival, and roguelite elements. Supports up to ten online players, ideal for the experience. Solo play is more niche due to its repetitive nature.
Can of Wormholes ($19.99)
A clever puzzle game where you, a sentient tin can, deal with worms. One hundred hand-crafted puzzles with constantly evolving mechanics.
Ninja I & II ($9.99)
Two modern NES-style microgames featuring ninja themes. Competitive, ideal for local multiplayer or against the CPU.
Dice Make 10! ($3.99)
A surprisingly fun game with two modes: falling blocks and piece-placing. The goal is to make rows/columns of dice adding up to ten or multiples of ten.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
It's The King of Fighters' 30th anniversary, and Hamster/SNK are celebrating with a sale on every Arcade Archives title in the series. Many Pixel Game Maker Series games are also at their lowest prices yet. Check out the full list below!
Select New Sales
Kamitsubaki City Ensemble ($3.59 from $3.99 until 9/3) Floogen ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/4) Rolling Car ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/4) Fluffy Horde ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/4) Gum+ ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/4) Stunt Paradise ($5.19 from $7.99 until 9/4) My Time at Portia ($4.49 from $29.99 until 9/6) SpongeBob Krusty Cook-Off ($4.94 from $14.99 until 9/9) PPA Pickleball Tour 2025 ($29.99 from $49.99 until 9/11) Talisman: Digital Edition ($2.99 from $5.99 until 9/12) Mystic Vale ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/12) Baron of Blood ($4.95 from $9.90 until 9/12) Fighting Fantasy Legends ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/12) Deathtrap Dungeon ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/12) White Eternal ($3.24 from $6.49 until 9/12)
ACA NEOGEO The King of Fighters ’94 - ACA NEOGEO The King of Fighters 2003 ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/12)
Kittey 64 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/12)
Last Bloody Snack ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/12)
PGMS Cat and Tower ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/12) - PGMS Oumuamua ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/12)
PGMS BombMachine Gunzohg ($3.95 from $5.99 until 9/12) - PGMS Verzeus ($7.91 from $11.99 until 9/12)
Sushi Battle Rambunctiously ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/13) - Muv-Luv Alternative Remastered ($35.99 from $39.99 until 9/19)
#BLUD ($19.99 from $24.99 until 8/30) - Void Bastards ($8.99 from $29.99 until 8/30)
That's all for today, friends. We'll be back tomorrow to wrap up the week with remaining new releases, sales, and news. Maybe some reviews! A major typhoon is passing through, so there's a chance I might not make it to the office for tomorrow's article. We'll see! Have a great Thursday, and thanks for reading!
