New Switch Games: 'Emio,' 'Gundam Breaker 4' Arrive

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024! Today's update brings a hefty batch of new releases, forming the core of this Thursday's column, as is customary. We'll also explore a substantial list of new sales—and that's pretty much it for major news. We can't have daily Nintendo Directs, can we? Let's dive into the games!

Featured New Releases

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

The Famicom Detective Club franchise returns after a lengthy hiatus with a brand-new installment. This latest case stays true to the original games' style, for better or worse. A fresh mystery unfolds, presented in a manner 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 in-depth review provides a comprehensive look at Gundam Breaker 4's gameplay and Switch performance. In short, you build and battle Gunplas. While the Switch port naturally lags behind other versions in performance, it's perfectly playable. Check out Mikhail's excellent review for the full scoop!

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)

Tengo Project continues its successful run of remakes and re-imaginings. Following the acclaimed Wild Guns Reloaded, The Ninja Saviors, and Pocky & Rocky Reshrined, they now tackle an 8-bit classic. Expect a more significant departure from the source material than in their previous titles. However, if you crave classic-style action-platforming, this is a solid choice. My review will be available early next week.

Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)

This Valfaris sequel offers a surprising gameplay shift. Instead of the original's style, it's a 2.5D side-scrolling shooter. While the genre change may surprise some, it's a worthwhile experience. My review is on the way!

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

I'm not entirely sure what this game entails, but the food imagery is undeniably appealing. You're supposed to...play with it? Take photos? Hunt for secrets? Perhaps Mikhail will investigate further—it seems right up his alley.

Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)

If you're a fan of monster trucks, this might be for you. It features local and online multiplayer, numerous game modes, and generally received a mixed response on other platforms. Monster truck enthusiasts have limited options, so this could be a worthwhile choice for them.

WitchSpring R ($39.99)

I believe this is a remake of the original WitchSpring, a mobile game often compared to the Atelier series. At this price point, however, it's nearing the cost of an actual Atelier game, which makes the purchase less appealing. Still, it appears to be the best-looking WitchSpring title yet.

Depths of Sanity ($19.99)

An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror theme. You search for your missing crew within a vast, perilous underwater world, engaging in combat along the way. Well-received on other platforms, it likely will find a dedicated following on Switch.

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)

Voltaire, a vegan vampire rebelling against his bloodthirsty father, engages in farming and combat to thwart his father's plans. While I'm currently somewhat fatigued by this genre, those with more enthusiasm for farming simulators might find this enjoyable.

Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)

A marble roller game with seventy stages and eighty marbles to collect, featuring secret collectibles and special challenges. The classic fast-paced gameplay is present, so fans of the genre should enjoy it.

Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)

A firefighting game aimed at a younger audience, featuring twenty missions and a lighter, kid-friendly style compared to more realistic firefighting titles.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)

A grotesque action game starring a hoverboarding cat who gleefully dispatches enemies. While the core gameplay is decent, the Switch version suffers from noticeable technical issues that impact the overall experience.

Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)

A 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot protagonist. It holds a certain charm for fans of classic shooters.

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

An early expansion pack featuring new areas to explore and the debut of legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro.

The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)

A blend of horror, survival, and roguelite elements, best experienced with up to ten online players.

Can of Wormholes ($19.99)

A clever puzzle game where you, a sentient tin can, must deal with worms. One hundred unique puzzles keep the gameplay fresh.

Ninja I & II ($9.99)

Two NES-style microgames featuring ninja-themed challenges and local multiplayer.

Dice Make 10! ($3.99)

A fun puzzle game with two modes: falling blocks and wood block style placement, where you aim to make dice combinations adding 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. Many Pixel Game Maker Series titles are also at their lowest prices yet. Several other noteworthy indie games are also on sale.

Select New Sales

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th

That’s all for today! We'll return tomorrow with more new releases, sales, and news. Reviews may also be included. Due to a significant typhoon, there's a possibility I may not be able to reach my office for tomorrow's update. We'll address that if necessary. Have a great Thursday, and thanks for reading!