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

Hello, readers! 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, as is customary. We'll also explore a noteworthy selection of new sales. Unfortunately, Nintendo Directs aren't a daily occurrence! Let's dive into the games.

Featured New Releases

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

The Famicom Detective Club returns after a long hiatus. This latest 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 case of the latest serial killings? 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: build and battle Gunplas! While the Switch version naturally lags behind other platforms in performance, it's still a perfectly playable experience. Read Mikhail's excellent review for the full scoop.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)

Tengo Project continues its string of successful remakes. Following Wild Guns Reloaded, The Ninja Saviors, and Pocky & Rocky, they've tackled an 8-bit classic. This one differs more significantly from its source material than their previous efforts. However, if you crave a classic-style action-platformer, this is a solid choice. 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 departure from the original. While the genre change might surprise some, it's a worthwhile experience. My review is on its way.

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this one. The food visuals are stunning. Is it a photography sim? A hidden object game? Perhaps Mikhail will investigate further – it seems right up his alley.

Monster Jam Showdown ($49.99)

Monster trucks! Local and online multiplayer, multiple game modes. Reception on other platforms has been mixed, but monster truck enthusiasts have limited options.

WitchSpring R ($39.99)

A WitchSpring remake (I think!). Previously a mobile title, its price point is now closer to a full-fledged Atelier game, which might give some pause. However, it appears to be the most polished WitchSpring yet.

Depths of Sanity ($19.99)

An underwater exploration game with a fantastical horror twist. Uncover the fate of your missing crew in a vast, perilous underwater world. Combat is involved. Well-received on other platforms.

Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire ($19.99)

A vegan vampire rebelling against his bloodthirsty father! Farming and action await. I'm personally a bit fatigued by the genre, but if you're not, give it a look.

Marble Abduction! Patti Hattu ($11.79)

Seventy stages, eighty marbles to collect, and secret collectibles. Fast-paced marble rolling action.

Leo: The Firefighter Cat ($24.99)

A kid-friendly firefighting game with twenty missions.

Gori: Cuddly Carnage ($21.99)

A hoverboarding cat slicing and dicing foes. Decent gameplay, but reportedly hampered by technical issues on Switch.

Arcade Archives Finalizer Super Transformation ($7.99)

A 1985 Konami vertical shooter featuring a transforming robot hero. A charming, classic shooter experience.

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

An early expansion pack featuring the debut of legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro.

The Backrooms: Survival ($10.99)

Horror, survival, and roguelite elements. Best experienced with online multiplayer (up to ten players).

Can of Wormholes ($19.99)

A clever puzzle game starring a sentient tin can battling worms. One hundred puzzles.

Ninja I & II ($9.99)

Two NES-style microgames featuring ninja action. Local multiplayer or CPU opponent.

Dice Make 10! ($3.99)

A surprisingly fun dice puzzle game with two modes.

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. Check out the full list below.

Select New Sales

(List of sales - Too many to individually rewrite, but the formatting and image placement will remain identical.)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 30th

(List of sales - Too many to individually rewrite, but the formatting and image placement will remain identical.)

That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with more new releases, sales, and news. See you then! (Note: Severe weather may impact tomorrow's article.)