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

Hello, gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024! Today's update features a substantial lineup of new releases, forming the core of this Thursday's column. We'll also explore a noteworthy selection of new sales. Let's dive into the games!

New Game Releases

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

The Famicom Detective Club franchise returns after a lengthy hiatus with an all-new case. This latest installment stays true to the original games' style, both in its strengths and weaknesses. Expect a fresh mystery to solve, presented in a manner reminiscent of the recent Switch remakes. Will 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 Gundam Breaker 4's gameplay and Switch performance. In short: build and battle Gunpla! While the Switch version naturally lags behind other platforms in performance, it's still a satisfying experience. Check out Mikhail's excellent review for the full scoop.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)

Tengo Project continues its successful streak of remakes/reimaginings. Following Wild Guns Reloaded, The Ninja Saviors, and Pocky & Rocky, they tackle an 8-bit classic. This iteration deviates more significantly from its source material than their previous titles. However, if you crave a classic-styled action-platformer, this is a solid choice. My review will be published early next week.

Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)

A Valfaris sequel, but with a twist! This is a 2.5D side-scrolling shooter, a departure from the original's gameplay. While the genre shift might surprise some, it offers enjoyable gameplay. My review is on the way.

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

I'll admit, I'm not entirely sure what this game entails. The food imagery is stunning, though. Perhaps it involves photography, secret-finding, or a unique blend of both? Mikhail might be the best person to investigate this further.

Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)

For monster truck enthusiasts, Monster Jam Showdown offers local and online multiplayer, various game modes, and ample replayability. While reception on other platforms has been mixed, it might appeal to fans of the genre who have limited options on Switch.

WitchSpring R ($39.99)

This appears to be a remake of the original WitchSpring, a mobile title often compared to the Atelier series. At this price point, nearing that of a full-fledged Atelier game, its value proposition might be less compelling for some. However, it boasts the most polished visuals in the WitchSpring series to date.

Depths of Sanity ($19.99)

An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. Investigate the disappearance of your crew by exploring a vast, perilous underwater world, engaging in combat along the way. Well-received on other platforms, it's likely to find a dedicated following on Switch.

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)

A farming/action game where a vegan vampire son rebels against his neck-biting father. While I'm personally somewhat fatigued by the genre, those with more enthusiasm for farming simulators might find this appealing.

Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)

A marble roller game featuring 70 stages and 80 marbles to collect, along with secret collectibles and challenges. The core gameplay loop of high-speed marble rolling remains intact.

Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)

A kid-friendly firefighting game with 20 missions. Unlike more realistic firefighting games, this one aims for a more accessible, youthful appeal.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)

A grotesque action game starring a hoverboarding cat who gleefully dispatches enemies. While the core gameplay is reportedly 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, retro shooter reminiscent of the era between Xevious and Tiger Heli.

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

An early expansion pack for Xanadu, featuring a new underworld to explore and the debut work of legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro.

The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)

A blend of horror, survival, and roguelite elements, best enjoyed with up to ten players online. The solo experience might be more niche due to its repetitive nature.

Can of Wormholes ($19.99)

A clever puzzle game where you play as a sentient tin can battling worms. 100 handcrafted puzzles keep things fresh.

Ninja I & II ($9.99)

Two NES-style microgames featuring ninja-themed challenges, ideal for local multiplayer.

Dice Make 10! ($3.99)

A surprisingly fun puzzle game with two modes: a Tetris-style falling blocks mode and a wood block puzzle mode. The goal is to create rows or columns where the 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 all Arcade Archives titles in the series. Many Pixel Game Maker Series games are also at their lowest prices yet. Check out the full list below for more deals.

Select New Sales