Hiya mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for September sixth, 2024. Properly, that is the final one. You’ll see yet one more particular from me subsequent week with just a few opinions 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 way 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 opinions from our pal Mikhail, a pair of Shaun opinions, a handful of latest launch summaries, and the standard lists of latest and expiring gross sales. Let’s trip 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 staff 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.
For those who’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 way of each 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 possibly can’t play it with a Professional Controller or any third occasion equipment so far as I’m conscious.
As with different video games within the sequence, 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 possibly can unlock by way of the factors you earn by taking part in as nicely. I can’t touch upon the DLC but, however as for the bottom launch, I appreciated Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU greater than Fist of the North Star except for one concern.
The audio in Health Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU is nice, however the primary 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 strong fitness-focused sport that does an ideal job of bringing Miku to the world of Health Boxing to attempt to enchantment to her followers. Whereas it’s a competent health sport with its each 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 personal different train routine slightly than being the only train you do throughout 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 buddy of mine linked me to an Xbox Recreation Cross announcement for it. Since then, I’ve performed it on Swap as nicely, however really feel prefer it wants a bit extra time within the oven. I like Metroidvania-style platformers and cooking video games, nevertheless it appears like Magical Delicacy takes the nice bits of each genres whereas not placing them collectively in the easiest way potential. This ends in a sport I like in components, 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 components mysterious, magical, and healthful. Your intention is to cook dinner meals and craft for varied of us, and I used to be stunned at how nicely the exploration was carried out except for the backtracking that irritated me generally. I anticipated it to be missing in comparison with the cooking and crafting, however the staff nailed the Metroidvania parts. 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 an ideal 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 might 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.
In terms of the Swap model, it performs very nicely except for some seemingly body pacing-related hiccups. It has good rumble as nicely. Having performed it on Xbox Sequence X, that is undoubtedly a sport I’d play extra on a transportable so a Swap or Steam Deck model can be finest. I simply play the style extra on handhelds.
Magical Delicacy is a sport I ought to’ve liked given it’s principally a mix of a Metroidvania and a crooking/crafting sport, nevertheless it feels slightly undercooked (I couldn’t resist) in components due to some stock and backtracking points. Whereas it’s a excellent sport proper now that feels at dwelling on Swap, just a few high quality of life updates and sharpening will make it a necessary. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
A variety 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 lots of them managed to see sequels, however Aero The Acro-Bat is a part of that elite few. How every member of that membership obtained there’s its personal story, however in Aero’s case it appears to have been a mix of the primary sport going over nicely sufficient, and sheer drive of will to attempt 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 nasty 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 dad or mum 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 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 a good sufficient platforming romp.
I used to be totally anticipating this launch to be in Ratalaika’s ordinary 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 by way of each choices and extras I believe it is 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 just 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 might need a greater time right here. I actually need to 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 the same 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 obtained 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 occasion builds to attempt to discover the optimum staff was a activity I really loved taking over. With that in thoughts, I used to be very comfortable to see that there was one other sport within the sequence coming. Metro Quester | Osaka feels slightly extra like an enlargement pack than a correct sequel, however I’m more than pleased with that given how a lot I obtained 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 for those who had fun there then you’ll take pleasure in this one, too.
That mentioned, this sport shares a lot of its broader mechanics with the unique Metro Quester. For those who want a proof, please take a look at my review of that sport for extra particulars. Brief model: turn-based fight, top-down dungeon exploration, and a complete lot of inching your means outward slightly additional every time earlier than having to move again to camp. , the great 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 totally 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 on no account needs to be taken as a nasty factor. Somewhat, it simply looks as if the designer needed to ship gamers on one other journey that pushes out the prevailing programs in some fascinating methods. It’s definitely a sport you’ll need to be affected person with to get probably 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 kind! , I discover myself questioning one thing. What occurs to the identify of this sequence after we hit the 12 months 2100? NBA 2K100? Simply feels bizarre. We’ll have to speak about that when the state of affairs arises, I suppose. Apparently this 12 months’s model has improved gameplay, a brand new function referred to as Neighborhood, and a few nonsense about MyTEAM. I’m not going to faux to know what’s occurring right here, so as a substitute I’ll simply toss out the quantity of house 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)
Received room in your coronary heart for an additional riff on Darkest Dungeon? This one has a Japanese-inspired setting, and there are just a few bits in right here that change issues up slightly. Setting all of that apart, that is very a lot a well-recognized fashion of sport and I believe it’s a good 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 assessment 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 completed up in Ratalaika’s emulator wrapper. Mentioned wrapper was given extra effort for this launch, and it seems to be 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 assorted 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 for those who want extra particulars. Brief model: for those who like bizarre previous video games, it is a good pick-up.
Gross sales
(North American eShop, US Costs)
Some enjoyable stuff within the inbox right this moment, together with a extremely good value on the Cosmic Fantasy Assortment. Slightly expensive at its regular value, however at 40% off I believe it’s value contemplating for retro RPG followers. I’ll additionally name out the pleasing platformer Tinykin, which is at its lowest value but. Have a superb look by way 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 Struggle ($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 Pink, the Mild, & Ayakashi ($25.06 from $50.13 till 9/26)
Trendy 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 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 right this moment, this week, this month, this 12 months, and ceaselessly, mates. I haven’t been very loud about this, however this isn’t solely the top of the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up, but additionally 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 believe 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 for those who’re a elaborate government trying to rent a really seasoned author, I’m your man.
With that mentioned, I’ll lengthen the 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 possibly can know. I want you all of the sincerest happiness in your lives, and ceaselessly and all the time – thanks for studying.
