Hiya mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for September sixth, 2024. Nicely, that is the final one. You’ll see yet another particular from me subsequent week with a number of opinions which have particular embargo dates, however that is the ultimate common SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for TouchArcade by yours actually. We’ve been at this for a number of years and I want I may have seen the Swap by 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 opinions from our pal Mikhail, a pair of Shaun opinions, a handful of latest launch summaries, and the same old lists of latest and expiring gross sales. Let’s journey one final time!
Evaluations & 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 group would work with for a brand new health sport. When Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU was introduced, I believed it was a wise 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.
In case you’re new to the Health Boxing collection, these video games, because the identify suggests, use boxing and rhythm sport actions to get you into form by day by 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 traditional songs included on this launch. Understand that it is a Pleasure-Con solely sport so you may’t play it with a Professional Controller or any third celebration equipment so far as I’m conscious.
As with different video games within the collection, there are issue 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 may unlock by 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 apart from one situation.
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.
Similar to the Health Boxing Fist of the North Star launch from Imagineer, Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU is a strong fitness-focused sport that does a fantastic 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 day by day exercise, customization, and monitoring, I really feel like it might be higher as a complement to one thing like Ring Match Journey or your personal different train routine fairly than being the only real train you do through 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, but it surely looks like Magical Delicacy takes the great bits of each genres whereas not placing them collectively in one of the best ways potential. This ends in a sport I like in elements, however one the place the issues 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 cook dinner meals and craft for varied people, and I used to be shocked at how effectively the exploration was applied apart from the backtracking that aggravated me generally. I anticipated it to be missing in comparison with the cooking and crafting, however the group nailed the Metroidvania components. There are some points with components 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 a fantastic first impression with its beautiful pixel artwork visuals, pretty music, and tons of settings. The latter consists of UI scale and textual content choices which can be each very helpful when taking part in on Swap in handheld mode. I really feel like Magical Delicacy would have benefited lots from an early entry launch or will from potential updates.
With regards to the Swap model, it performs very effectively apart from some seemingly body pacing-related hiccups. It has good rumble as effectively. Having performed it on Xbox Collection X, that is undoubtedly 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 cherished given it’s mainly a mix of a Metroidvania and a crooking/crafting sport, but it surely feels a bit of undercooked (I couldn’t resist) in elements due to some stock and backtracking points. Whereas it’s a excellent sport proper now that feels at house on Swap, a number of high quality of life updates and sharpening will make it an important. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
Quite a 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 acquired there may be its personal story, however in Aero’s case it appears to have been a mixture 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 authentic title once more.
Does that make Aero The Acro-Bat 2 a nasty sport? I don’t assume so. It doesn’t appear to be it was a sufficiently big success to benefit one other follow-up, on the very least. However then once more, Sunsoft’s father or mother firm had just lately misplaced a ton of cash on a nasty funding involving golf programs, and that definitely put it in a fiscally conservative temper for some time. Both method, I don’t assume the fault may be positioned on the standard of the sport. It’s pretty much 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 standard 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 it is a much better expertise general. Field and guide scans, achievements, a gallery of sprite sheets, a jukebox, a bunch of cheats, and extra. I frankly don’t have 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 comfortable.
Those that loved Aero The Acro-Bat ought to naturally give Aero The Acro-Bat 2 a shot. I even assume those that have been barely postpone by the primary sport’s quirks may need a greater time right here. I actually should 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 analogous interface only for consistency. A advantageous 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 collection.
SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5
Metro Quester | Osaka ($19.99)
I acquired 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 it’s a must to do, it’s an immensely satisfying dungeon-crawling turn-based RPG. Experimenting with celebration builds to attempt to discover the optimum group was a activity I actually loved taking over. With that in thoughts, I used to be very comfortable to see that there was one other sport within the collection coming. Metro Quester | Osaka feels a bit of extra like an growth pack than a correct sequel, however I’m more than pleased with that given how a lot I acquired 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 a complete new dungeon to discover, and a few new character varieties to do 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 cope with. Undoubtedly extra to chew on right here for many who have wrung out the unique sport, and when you had fun there then you’ll get pleasure from this one, too.
That stated, this sport shares a lot of its broader mechanics with the unique Metro Quester. In case you want an evidence, please try my review of that sport for extra particulars. Quick model: turn-based fight, top-down dungeon exploration, and a complete lot of inching your method outward a bit of additional every time earlier than having to go again to camp. , the good things. Those that are careless will discover themselves in scorching 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 a lot to get pleasure from in Metro Quester | Osaka, and new gamers ought to in all probability simply skip proper to this sport. It’s extra of an growth pack than a sequel, however that under no circumstances must be taken as a nasty factor. Reasonably, it simply looks like the designer wished to ship gamers on one other journey that pushes out the prevailing programs in some fascinating methods. It’s definitely a sport you’ll should be affected person with to get probably the most out of, however these keen to take a position 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! , I discover myself questioning one thing. What occurs to the identify of this collection 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 characteristic referred to as Neighborhood, and a few nonsense about MyTEAM. I’m not going to faux to know what’s happening right here, so as an alternative 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 number of bits in right here that change issues up a bit of. Setting all of that apart, that is very a lot a well-known type 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)
Nicely, 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 executed up in Ratalaika’s emulator wrapper. Stated wrapper was given further effort for this launch, and it appears to be like 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 general 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 an alternative let the video games promote you on themselves, as you get a trio of distinctive and diversified 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. Quick model: when you like bizarre outdated video games, it is a good pick-up.
Gross sales
(North American eShop, US Costs)
Some enjoyable stuff within the inbox at present, together with a very good worth on the Cosmic Fantasy Assortment. A bit pricey at its regular worth, however at 40% off I feel it’s value contemplating for retro RPG followers. I’ll additionally name out the gratifying platformer Tinykin, which is at its lowest worth but. Have a superb look by 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 Battle ($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 Evening: 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 Pink, the Gentle, & Ayakashi ($25.06 from $50.13 till 9/26)
Fashionable Fight Blackout ($1.99 from $7.99 till 9/26)
The Mates 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 Pressure 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 Gentle: 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 at present, this week, this month, this yr, and endlessly, associates. 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 Post Game Content 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 effective 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 trying to rent a really seasoned author, I’m your man.
With that stated, I’ll prolong the very best potential 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 may know. I want you all of the sincerest happiness in your lives, and endlessly and all the time – thanks for studying.
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