SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Emio: The Smiling Man’, ‘Gundam Breaker 4’, Plus Today’s Other Releases and Sales

Greetings, fellow gamers! Welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 29th, 2024. Today's roundup features a substantial lineup of new releases, forming the core of this Thursday's column. We'll also explore a noteworthy selection of new sales, and that's pretty much it for today. We can't have daily Nintendo Directs, can we? Let's dive into the games!

New Game Highlights

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

The Famicom Detective Club returns after a long hiatus! This new installment stays true to the originals, for better or worse. 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 a detailed look at Gundam Breaker 4's gameplay and Switch performance. In short, you build and battle Gunplas. While the Switch version naturally lags behind others in performance, it's still a solid experience. Check out Mikhail's insightful review for a full breakdown.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)

Tengo Project continues its impressive streak of remakes/re-imaginings. Following successful revivals of 16-bit classics, they now tackle an 8-bit title. Expect a departure from the original, but a satisfying action-platformer nonetheless. My review drops early next week.

Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)

A Valfaris sequel, but with a twist! This is a 2.5D side-scrolling shooter, a significant departure from its predecessor. While the genre shift might surprise some, it offers enjoyable gameplay. My review is on its way.

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

I'll admit, I'm a bit puzzled by this one. The food imagery is stunning, but the gameplay remains a mystery. Photography? Secret-finding? Perhaps Mikhail will shed some light on it.

Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)

If you're a monster truck enthusiast, this might be for you. Monster Jam Showdown offers 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)

A potential WitchSpring remake (though I could be wrong). Previously a budget mobile title, its price now approaches that of an Atelier game, raising some questions. However, it appears to be the best-looking WitchSpring yet.

Depths of Sanity ($19.99)

An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. Investigate your missing crew's fate in a vast, dangerous underwater world. Combat is involved. Well-received on other platforms.

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)

A vegan vampire rebelling against his father. Farming and action combine in this unique title. My enthusiasm for this genre is waning, but it might appeal to those who enjoy farming sims with a twist.

Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)

A marble roller game with seventy stages and eighty marbles to collect. Features secret collectibles and challenges. Perfect for speed-runners and marble enthusiasts.

Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)

A kid-friendly firefighting game with twenty missions. A more lighthearted take on the firefighting genre.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)

A grotesque action game starring a hoverboarding cat. While the core gameplay is decent, the Switch version suffers from technical issues.

Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)

A 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot protagonist. A charming, retro shooter experience.

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

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

The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)

A horror-survival-roguelite hybrid, 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 handcrafted puzzles await.

Ninja I & II ($9.99)

A pair of NES-style microgames featuring ninja-themed challenges. Local multiplayer or CPU competition.

Dice Make 10! ($3.99)

A surprisingly addictive dice puzzle game with two modes of play.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The King of Fighters 30th anniversary is celebrated with a sale on the entire Arcade Archives series. Many Pixel Game Maker Series titles are also at their lowest prices. Check out the full list below!

Select Sales

That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with more new releases, sales, and news. Reviews might also be on the schedule. However, a significant typhoon is impacting the area, potentially affecting my ability to reach the office. We'll update you accordingly. Have a fantastic Thursday, and thanks for reading!