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 releases, which will form the core of this Thursday's column. We'll also explore a noteworthy selection of new sales. Unfortunately, Nintendo Directs aren't a daily occurrence, but let's dive into the games!

Featured New Releases

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

The Famicom Detective Club returns after a lengthy hiatus. This new installment stays true to the original games, both in its strengths and weaknesses. A fresh mystery awaits, presented in a style reminiscent of the recent Switch remakes. Can you crack the latest serial murder case? My review is coming soon.

Gundam Breaker 4 ($59.99)

Mikhail's comprehensive review provides an in-depth look at this title's gameplay and Switch performance. In short, you build and battle Gunpla. While the Switch port naturally lags behind other versions in performance, it's still a satisfying experience. Check out Mikhail's excellent review for a complete analysis.

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. Expect a departure from the source material, but a solid action-platformer nonetheless. My review will be available early next week.

Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)

A Valfaris sequel, but with a significant twist. This is a 2.5D side-scrolling shooter, a departure from its predecessor. While the genre shift might surprise some, it offers a fun and engaging experience. My review is forthcoming.

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

I'll admit, I'm unsure about 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 both local and online multiplayer, along with various game modes. Reception on other platforms has been mixed, but it might appeal to fans of the genre.

WitchSpring R ($39.99)

This appears to be a remake of the original WitchSpring. Previously a mobile title, it now commands a price closer to a full-fledged Atelier game. While the price point might be a concern, it looks like the most polished WitchSpring entry yet.

Depths of Sanity ($19.99)

An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. Investigate the disappearance of your crew in a dangerous, interconnected underwater world. Combat is involved. Well-received on other platforms, it's likely to find a dedicated audience on Switch.

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)

Voltaire, a vegan vampire, rebels against his bloodthirsty father. This leads to farming and action-packed confrontations. While I'm personally a bit fatigued by the genre, it might appeal to those seeking a unique farming/action experience.

Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)

A marble roller game featuring seventy stages and eighty marbles to collect. Secret collectibles and challenges add to the replayability. If you enjoy high-speed marble rolling, this is a must-have.

Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)

A kid-friendly firefighting game with twenty missions. While other firefighting games lean towards realism, this offers a more lighthearted approach.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)

A grotesque action game starring a hoverboarding cat. While the core gameplay is reportedly solid, the Switch version suffers from technical issues. Consider this if you're not overly sensitive to performance hiccups.

Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)

A 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot protagonist. A charming, retro shooter that might appeal to fans of classic arcade games.

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

An early expansion pack featuring new areas to explore. Gameplay is similar to the original, but more challenging. Noteworthy 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. The solo experience might be more niche due to its repetitive nature.

Can of Wormholes ($19.99)

A clever puzzle game where you are a sentient tin can dealing with worms. Features one hundred well-designed puzzles. A strong contender for puzzle game enthusiasts.

Ninja I & II ($9.99)

A pair of NES-style microgames with a ninja twist. Competitive, featuring local multiplayer or CPU opponents.

Dice Make 10! ($3.99)

A surprisingly fun puzzle game with two modes. 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 the entire Arcade Archives series. Numerous Pixel Game Maker Series titles are also at their lowest prices yet. Several other noteworthy indie titles are also on sale.

Select New Sales

(List of sales – too numerous to rewrite individually, but the original list is retained.)

(List of sales – too numerous to rewrite individually, but the original list is retained.)

(List of sales – too numerous to rewrite individually, but the original list is retained.)

(List of sales – too numerous to rewrite individually, but the original list is retained.)

(List of sales – too numerous to rewrite individually, but the original list is retained.)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th

(List of sales – too numerous to rewrite individually, but the original list is retained.)

(List of sales – too numerous to rewrite individually, but the original list is retained.)

That concludes today's roundup. We'll return tomorrow with more new releases, sales, and news. Reviews might also be on the agenda. However, due to a significant typhoon, there's a possibility tomorrow's article might be delayed. We'll provide an update if necessary. Have a great Thursday, and thanks for reading!