SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Emio: The Smiling Man’, ‘Gundam Breaker 4’, Plus Today’s Other Releases and Sales

Hello, gaming enthusiasts! 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 this Thursday's update. We'll also explore a noteworthy selection of sales. While daily Nintendo Directs remain a dream, let's dive into the exciting gaming world!

Spotlight on New Releases

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)

The Famicom Detective Club returns after a long hiatus, bringing a fresh case to solve. This new installment stays true to the original games' style, both its strengths and weaknesses. A brand-new mystery unfolds, presented similarly to the recent Switch remakes. Can you crack the latest serial murder case? My full 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: build and battle Gunplas! While the Switch port understandably lags behind other versions in performance, it still delivers a satisfying experience. Read Mikhail's excellent review for all the details.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)

Tengo Project continues its impressive streak of remakes and re-imaginings. Following the success of Wild Guns Reloaded, The Ninja Saviors, and Pocky & Rocky, they now tackle an 8-bit classic. This version offers a more significant departure from the original than their previous titles. However, it's a solid action-platformer with classic charm. My review drops early next week.

Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)

A Valfaris sequel, but with a twist! This is a 2.5D side-scrolling shoot 'em up, a departure from its predecessor's gameplay. While some might be surprised by the genre shift, it's a worthwhile experience. My review is on its way.

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

I'll admit, I'm a bit puzzled by this one. The visuals are stunning, showcasing beautiful food imagery. The gameplay involves interacting with the food—photography, perhaps? Secret hunting? Mikhail might be the best person to unravel this mystery.

Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)

For monster truck enthusiasts, this game offers a dedicated experience. It features local and online multiplayer, alongside various game modes. While reception on other platforms was mixed, it's a solid option for fans of the genre.

WitchSpring R ($39.99)

This appears to be a remake of the original WitchSpring, a mobile title often compared to the Atelier series. While previously affordable, its current price point approaches that of a full-fledged Atelier game. However, it looks to be the best-looking WitchSpring installment yet.

Depths of Sanity ($19.99)

An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. You investigate the disappearance of your crew, navigating a perilous interconnected underwater world. Combat is involved. Well-received on other platforms, it's sure to attract Switch players.

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)

A unique premise: a vegan vampire rebelling against his bloodthirsty father. Gameplay involves farming and fending off attacks from the disapproving patriarch. While I'm personally a bit fatigued by the genre, it might appeal to those seeking a lighter farming/action experience.

Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)

A classic marble roller game with 70 stages and 80 marbles to collect. Secret collectibles and challenges add to the replayability. The core gameplay loop of speed and precision will appeal to fans of the genre.

Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)

A kid-friendly firefighting game with a unique twist. Featuring 20 missions, it offers a simpler approach to the firefighting genre, potentially appealing to younger players.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)

A hoverboarding cat slices and dices enemies in this over-the-top action game. While the core gameplay is decent, the Switch version reportedly suffers from technical issues impacting the overall experience. Consider this if you're not too sensitive to performance hiccups.

Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)

A lesser-known Konami vertical shooter from 1985, featuring a transforming robot protagonist. It holds a certain charm reminiscent of classic shooters from the era.

EGGCONSOLE Xanadu Scenario II PC-8801mkIISR ($6.49)

An early expansion pack introducing a new underworld to explore. Gameplay is similar to the original, but with increased difficulty. Notable for featuring the debut work of legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro.

The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)

A blend of horror, survival, and roguelite elements. Supports up to ten online players, offering the ideal experience. Solo play might be more niche due to its repetitive nature.

Can of Wormholes ($19.99)

A clever puzzle game where you, a sentient tin can, solve worm-related puzzles. One hundred hand-crafted puzzles offer a fresh and engaging experience.

Ninja I & II ($9.99)

Two NES-style microgames with a ninja twist. Competitive gameplay supports local multiplayer or CPU opponents.

Dice Make 10! ($3.99)

A surprisingly fun puzzle game with two modes: falling blocks and classic wood block placement. The goal is to create rows or columns adding up to multiples of ten.

Sales Galore!

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Celebrate The King of Fighters' 30th anniversary with a massive 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 below for more deals.

Select New Sales

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Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th

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That's a wrap for today! Join us tomorrow for the rest of the week's new releases, sales, and news. Reviews are also a possibility, depending on the weather. A major typhoon is passing through, so there's a chance I might not make it to the office. Have a fantastic Thursday, and thanks for reading!