Hiya mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for September sixth, 2024. Properly, that is the final one. You’ll see another particular from me subsequent week with a couple of critiques which have particular embargo dates, however that is the ultimate common SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for TouchArcade by yours really. We’ve been at this for a number of years and I want I may have seen the Swap by means of to its finish with these articles, however circumstances dictate one other course. We’re going out with one other chunky one, with a pair of critiques from our pal Mikhail, a pair of Shaun critiques, a handful of latest launch summaries, and the same old lists of latest and expiring gross sales. Let’s experience one final time!
Critiques & Mini-Views
Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU ($49.99)
After Imagineer’s success with the Health Boxing video games that led to the hilarious however good Health Boxing Fist of the North Star, I didn’t know what IP the crew would work with for a brand new health sport. When Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU was introduced, I believed it was a sensible collaboration, however was curious to see how the sport felt after Fist of the North Star. I’ve been taking part in it over the previous few weeks alongside Ring Match Journey and I’m impressed with Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU in some ways.
Should you’re new to the Health Boxing sequence, these video games, because the identify suggests, use boxing and rhythm sport actions to get you into form by means of every day workouts, mini-games that additionally get you sweating, and extra. With Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU, everybody’s favourite vocaloid will get in on the motion and there’s even a separate devoted mode for her songs along with the conventional songs included on this launch. Remember the fact that this can be a Pleasure-Con solely sport so you’ll be able to’t play it with a Professional Controller or any third social gathering equipment so far as I’m conscious.
As with different video games within the sequence, there are problem choices, a free coaching mode to do as you please, warmups, and monitoring with reminders and the systemwide alarm that may remind you even when your Swap is in sleep mode. There are cosmetics you’ll be able to unlock by means of the factors you earn by taking part in as effectively. I can’t touch upon the DLC but, however as for the bottom launch, I favored Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU greater than Fist of the North Star except for one difficulty.
The audio in Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU is nice, however the principle teacher’s voice isn’t nice. I ended up turning this voice down as a result of it felt misplaced with the remainder of the sport, and simply sounded a bit weirdly directed.
Identical to the Health Boxing Fist of the North Star launch from Imagineer, Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU is a stable fitness-focused sport that does an amazing job of bringing Miku to the world of Health Boxing to try to enchantment to her followers. Whereas it’s a competent health sport with its every day exercise, customization, and monitoring, I really feel like it could be higher as a complement to one thing like Ring Match Journey or your individual different train routine relatively than being the only train you do in the course of the week. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Magical Delicacy ($24.99)
Magical Delicacy from sKaule and Whitethorn Video games is one I hadn’t paid a lot consideration to till a good friend of mine linked me to an Xbox Recreation Move announcement for it. Since then, I’ve performed it on Swap as effectively, however really feel prefer it wants a bit extra time within the oven. I like Metroidvania-style platformers and cooking video games, nevertheless it seems like Magical Delicacy takes the great bits of each genres whereas not placing them collectively in one of the simplest ways doable. This leads to a sport I like in elements, however one the place the failings harm a bit extra.
You play as Flora who’s a younger witch in a narrative that’s equal elements mysterious, magical, and healthful. Your purpose is to prepare dinner meals and craft for numerous of us, and I used to be stunned at how effectively the exploration was applied except for the backtracking that aggravated me generally. I anticipated it to be missing in comparison with the cooking and crafting, however the crew nailed the Metroidvania components. There are some points with substances within the crafting and in how stock is managed. That is made a bit worse by the UI that I took some time to get used to with interplay.
Magical Delicacy makes an amazing first impression with its attractive pixel artwork visuals, beautiful music, and tons of settings. The latter contains UI scale and textual content choices which are each very helpful when taking part in on Swap in handheld mode. I really feel like Magical Delicacy would have benefited loads from an early entry launch or will from potential updates.
In relation to the Swap model, it performs very effectively except for some seemingly body pacing-related hiccups. It has good rumble as effectively. Having performed it on Xbox Collection X, that is positively a sport I’d play extra on a transportable so a Swap or Steam Deck model can be greatest. I simply play the style extra on handhelds.
Magical Delicacy is a sport I ought to’ve beloved given it’s mainly a mix of a Metroidvania and a crooking/crafting sport, nevertheless it feels somewhat undercooked (I couldn’t resist) in elements due to some stock and backtracking points. Whereas it’s a superb sport proper now that feels at residence on Swap, a couple of high quality of life updates and sharpening will make it a vital. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
A whole lot of corporations tried their hand on the entire mascot platformer factor within the 16-bit period within the wake of Sonic the Hedgehog‘s explosive success. Like, the sheer variety of them is simply baffling. Much more than I remembered. Not a lot of them managed to see sequels, however Aero The Acro-Bat is a part of that elite few. How every member of that membership received there may be its personal story, however in Aero’s case it appears to have been a mix of the primary sport going over effectively sufficient, and sheer drive of will to try to make fetch occur. Sadly, fetch didn’t occur. Aero spin-off Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel launched a number of months after Aero 2, however outdoors of that Aero was by no means seen in one other unique title once more.
Does that make Aero The Acro-Bat 2 a foul sport? I don’t assume so. It doesn’t appear to be it was a large enough success to advantage one other follow-up, on the very least. However then once more, Sunsoft’s mum or dad firm had lately misplaced a ton of cash on a foul funding involving golf programs, and that actually put it in a fiscally conservative temper for some time. Both means, I don’t assume the fault may be positioned on the standard of the sport. It’s nearly as good as the primary sport was, with all that suggests. A extra polished expertise that in shedding a few of these tough edges loses a few of its character, however an honest sufficient platforming romp.
I used to be absolutely anticipating this launch to be in Ratalaika’s normal emulation wrapper, however a lot to my shock there’s been an improve within the presentation. This feels much more tailored for the sport, and when it comes to each choices and extras I feel this can be a much better expertise total. Field and guide scans, achievements, a gallery of sprite sheets, a jukebox, a bunch of cheats, and extra. I frankly haven’t any complaints in any respect about how the sport performs and the suite of options right here. The one nit I’ll decide is that you simply solely get the Tremendous NES model of the sport right here. I really feel just like the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive model ought to have been included too, simply to maintain everybody completely happy.
Those that loved Aero The Acro-Bat ought to naturally give Aero The Acro-Bat 2 a shot. I even assume those that had been barely delay by the primary sport’s quirks might need a greater time right here. I actually must commend Ratalaika for stepping up its sport with the emulation wrapper for this launch. Maybe I’m being grasping, however I’d like to see the primary sport up to date with an identical interface only for consistency. A high quality launch for Aero followers and people on the look out for 16-bit platformers to play, and one which makes me optimistic for the remaining reissues of this sequence.
SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5
Metro Quester | Osaka ($19.99)
I received fairly a little bit of enjoyment out of the unique Metro Quester when it launched some time again. It’s a little bit of a bear to get into, however when you perceive its guidelines and what you need to do, it’s an immensely satisfying dungeon-crawling turn-based RPG. Experimenting with social gathering builds to attempt to discover the optimum crew was a job I actually loved taking over. With that in thoughts, I used to be very completely happy to see that there was one other sport within the sequence coming. Metro Quester | Osaka feels somewhat extra like an enlargement pack than a correct sequel, however I’m very happy with that given how a lot I received out of the unique.
The story here’s a prequel to the unique sport, and we’ve moved to Osaka as a setting. You get an entire new dungeon to discover, and a few new character varieties to try this exploring with. Osaka is a a lot wetter location, so that you’ll want to make use of your canoe to journey over the water in locations. With the brand new dungeon comes new weapons, abilities, and enemies to take care of. Positively extra to chew on right here for individuals who have wrung out the unique sport, and when you had fun there then you’ll take pleasure in this one, too.
That stated, this sport shares a lot of its broader mechanics with the unique Metro Quester. Should you want a proof, please take a look at my evaluate of that sport for extra particulars. Brief model: turn-based fight, top-down dungeon exploration, and an entire lot of inching your means outward somewhat additional every time earlier than having to go again to camp. You already know, the great things. Those that are careless will discover themselves in sizzling water in a short time, as planning and cautious play is virtually a necessity on this sport.
Those that discovered themselves absolutely absorbed in Metro Quester will discover loads to take pleasure in in Metro Quester | Osaka, and new gamers ought to in all probability simply skip proper to this sport. It’s extra of an enlargement pack than a sequel, however that by no means ought to be taken as a foul factor. Reasonably, it simply looks as if the designer wished to ship gamers on one other journey that pushes out the present methods in some fascinating methods. It’s actually a sport you’ll must be affected person with to get essentially the most out of, however these keen to speculate the time will benefit from the dividends.
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Choose New Releases
NBA 2K25 ($59.99)
NBA 2K is again… in 25 type! You already know, I discover myself questioning one thing. What occurs to the identify of this sequence once we hit the yr 2100? NBA 2K100? Simply feels bizarre. We’ll have to speak about that when the state of affairs arises, I suppose. Apparently this yr’s model has improved gameplay, a brand new function referred to as Neighborhood, and a few nonsense about MyTEAM. I’m not going to fake to know what’s occurring right here, so as a substitute I’ll simply toss out the quantity of area you’ll want in your reminiscence card for this sport after which transfer on. Right here we go. 53.3 GB!
Shogun Showdown ($14.99)
Obtained room in your coronary heart for an additional riff on Darkest Dungeon? This one has a Japanese-inspired setting, and there are a couple of bits in right here that change issues up somewhat. Setting all of that apart, that is very a lot a well-recognized fashion of sport and I feel it’s an honest sufficient instance of such to be of curiosity to these on the hunt for an additional one.
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
Properly, there’s a evaluate up above this part, however in case you’re within the behavior of skipping down the web page, let me fill you in. That is the considerably extra polished sequel to the profitable Aero The Acro-Bat, all accomplished up in Ratalaika’s emulator wrapper. Mentioned wrapper was given further effort for this launch, and it appears good! The model of the sport included is the Tremendous NES one, and you may play the North American launch or the Japanese one. I want the Genesis/Mega Drive model was in right here, however I can’t think about Aero followers being sad with this total outdoors of that.
Sunsoft is Again! Retro Recreation Choice ($9.99)
Sunsoft is again! Okay, Sunsoft has been again for some time now, and also you in all probability don’t want a trio of heretofore non-localized Famicom video games to promote you on that. So as a substitute let the video games promote you on themselves, as you get a trio of distinctive and diverse titles on this bunch. A side-scrolling motion platformer, an journey sport, and an action-RPG of types. I reviewed this set a few days in the past, so I counsel checking that out when you want extra particulars. Brief model: when you like bizarre previous video games, this can be a good pick-up.
Gross sales
(North American eShop, US Costs)
Some enjoyable stuff within the inbox immediately, together with a extremely good value on the Cosmic Fantasy Assortment. Slightly expensive at its regular value, however at 40% off I feel it’s value contemplating for retro RPG followers. I’ll additionally name out the satisfying platformer Tinykin, which is at its lowest value but. Have an excellent look by means of these lists and see what catches your eye.
Choose New Gross sales
Zombie Military Trilogy ($8.74 from $34.99 till 9/12)
Zombie Military 4: Useless Warfare ($14.99 from $49.99 till 9/12)
Wild Seas ($2.49 from $4.99 till 9/12)
Chants of Sennaar ($14.99 from $19.99 till 9/13)
The Home of Da Vinci 3 ($4.99 from $9.99 till 9/13)
Warhammer 40k: Boltgun ($15.39 from $21.99 till 9/13)
Toziuha Night time: Dracula’s Revenge ($1.99 from $4.99 till 9/16)
Monkey Barrels ($7.49 from $14.99 till 9/19)
Banchou Ways ($15.99 from $19.99 till 9/19)
Transiruby ($10.49 from $14.99 till 9/19)
Picontier ($19.99 from $24.99 till 9/19)
Kamiko ($1.99 from $4.99 till 9/19)
Fairune Assortment ($3.99 from $9.99 till 9/19)
Alchemic Dungeons DX ($3.19 from $7.99 till 9/19)
Ninja Smasher! ($6.39 from $7.99 till 9/19)
Ninja Striker! ($1.99 from $3.99 till 9/19)
Nice Ambition of the Slimes ($9.59 from $11.99 till 9/19)
Shinobi Non Grata ($11.99 from $14.99 till 9/19)
Let’s Construct a Zoo ($7.99 from $19.99 till 9/20)
Owlboy ($8.74 from $24.99 till 9/20)
Hakuoki: Wind & Blossom ($44.99 from $49.99 till 9/20)
Omen of Sorrow ($7.99 from $19.99 till 9/20)
Dungeonoid 2 Awakening ($4.49 from $8.99 till 9/20)
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt CE ($23.99 from $59.99 till 9/22)
Knights of Grayfang ($10.49 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Gale of Windoria ($7.49 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Justice Chronicles ($7.49 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Armed Emeth ($7.49 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Jinshin ($10.49 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Alphadia Genesis ($7.49 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Grace of Letoile ($10.49 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Tinykin ($6.24 from $24.99 till 9/26)
Despot’s Recreation ($4.99 from $19.99 till 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy Assortment ($29.99 from $49.99 till 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy ($15.90 from $26.50 till 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy 2 ($15.90 from $26.50 till 9/26)
Spirittea ($15.99 from $19.99 till 9/26)
Punch Membership 2: Quick Ahead ($9.99 from $19.99 till 9/26)
Railway Empire 2 ($37.49 from $49.99 till 9/26)
Lil’ Guardsman ($11.99 from $19.99 till 9/26)
Potion Craft Alchemist Simulator ($11.99 from $19.99 till 9/26)
Euphoria ($1.99 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Of The Purple, the Mild, & Ayakashi ($25.06 from $50.13 till 9/26)
Fashionable Fight Blackout ($1.99 from $7.99 till 9/26)
The Pals of Ringo Ishikawa ($8.99 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Arrest of a Stone Buddha ($8.99 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Fading Afternoon ($16.99 from $19.99 till 9/26)
Astor: Blade of the Monolith ($14.99 from $24.99 till 9/26)
Tamarak Path ($8.99 from $14.99 till 9/26)
Inflexible Drive Redux ($3.99 from $19.99 till 9/26)
Yaga ($6.24 from $24.99 till 9/26)
Rabi-Ribi ($13.99 from $19.99 till 9/26)
Gross sales Ending This Weekend
Useless in Vinland: True Viking ($2.79 from $27.99 till 9/7)
Gunslugs ($4.79 from $7.99 till 9/7)
Gunslugs 2 ($4.79 from $7.99 till 9/7)
Heroes of Loot ($4.79 from $7.99 till 9/7)
Heroes of Loot 2 ($5.99 from $9.99 till 9/7)
Meganoid ($5.39 from $8.99 till 9/7)
NOISZ re:||COLLECTION G ($19.99 from $24.99 till 9/7)
Phoenotopia: Awakening ($6.99 from $19.99 till 9/7)
Area Grunts ($8.39 from $13.99 till 9/7)
Stardash ($5.99 from $9.99 till 9/7)
Superhot ($9.99 from $24.99 till 9/7)
Dormitory Love ($24.49 from $34.99 till 9/8)
Dying Mild: Definitive Version ($9.99 from $49.99 till 9/8)
Fur Squadron ($2.79 from $6.99 till 9/8)
Tchia: Oleti Version ($23.44 from $34.99 till 9/8)
That’s all for immediately, this week, this month, this yr, and without end, buddies. I haven’t been very loud about this, however this isn’t solely the tip of the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up, but in addition of my eleven and a half years at TouchArcade. I’ll nonetheless be writing right here and there at my weblog at Put up Recreation Content material in addition to placing up unique articles on my Patreon, however aside from that I feel I’m hanging up the ol’ webs on this particular form of work. Twenty-six years on this finish of the enterprise is an efficient run, and I’m prepared for brand new challenges. Do search for me at one of many aforementioned locations, hit me up on BlueSky and say hello, and when you’re a elaborate govt seeking to rent a really seasoned author, I’m your man.
With that stated, I’ll lengthen the best doable gratitude to all of TouchArcade’s readers for being with me on this leg of my life’s journey. I treasure all of you greater than you’ll be able to know. I want you all of the sincerest happiness in your lives, and without end and all the time – thanks for studying.
