Our latest SwitchArcade Roundup is jam-packed with new Nintendo Switch releases, sales, and news. While North America isn’t seeing the kinds of sales that Europe has right now, there’s still a whole lot of discounts going on with the US/Canada eShop. And there’s some…eclectic new releases, that’s for sure. It’s a busy day and we can barely even get through the best sales today, stay tuned tomorrow for the noteworthy other sales you should pick up on, but for now, let’s dive into what’s hot:
News
Super Smash Bros. for Switch will be playable at E3
We still don’t know just what the new Smash game is, whether it’s a new release of Smash 4 from the Wii U or if it’s an entirely new game. Whatever it is, it’s gonna be at E3! In fact, Nintendo is running a tournament at the gaming industry’s flagship hype-generating event, so we’ll get to see some high-level play right away. Additionally, there is a Splatoon 2 tournament planned, which means the dream of Splatoon esports is one step closer to fruition.
Hori introduces Joy-Con with real d-pad
Platinum Games’ Hideki Kamiya threatened that he would lose motivation to make Bayonetta 3 if there wasn’t a Virtual Console on the Switch, and a Joy-Con with a real d-pad. He has a unique sense of humor, so I don’t think he was going to cancel Bayonetta 3 over the lack of that, but he also is known to block people on Twitter with impunity. Accessory company Hori apparently doesn’t want to mess with Kamiya at all, so they are making a dang Joy-Con with a d-pad.
asdf
Notably, this Joy-Con only comes in lefty variety, and is only meant for physical, wired communication to the Switch in handheld mode. This is perfect for fighting games, and anything that could use a proper d-pad while on the go. This will be perfect to stick in your Switch carrying case. It won’t release in time for Street Fighter 30th Anniversary, though, it will release in Japan in July for under $30 USD. Now we just need that Virtual Console. Make it happen, Nintendo.
New Releases
Gekido: Kintaro’s Revenge
Every single Nintendo system is seemingly eligible for ports to the Switch. Developed by original Gekido developer Naps Team, expect plenty of beat ’em up action, now with a freshly-added co-op mode. Hooray for obscure game franchises seeing revivals on modern platforms, especially the Switch!
NO THING
This bizarre action game set in the far-off future of – checks notes – 1994, has you surviving an abstract totalitarian world. It’s a couple bucks, and it’s quite the trip.
OPUS: Rocket of Whispers
The second OPUS game presents some wildly divergent gameplay from The Day We Found Earth, as this is more about survival on a harsh planet rather than scouring the stars to find Earth. However, it tells more of the engaging narrative experience that you can expect from an OPUS game. If you played the first OPUS, check this one out now.
World Heroes 2 Jet
It wouldn’t be a Thursday without a retro release or two from HAMSTER. I don’t know how many different fighting games SNK released over the years, but there were a lot of them. Hopefully you have a controller with a good d-pad, but at least the special moves don’t require an absurd number of joystick combinations.
Moon Patrol
HAMSTER ports a lot of obscure arcade games, but Moon Patrol feels a bit more mainstream, in part because this Irem title saw distribution from Williams and Atari. The moon is ridden with crime, and you have to pilot your moon buggy to defeat the space criminals terrorizing the moon. Crime was really bad in the 1980s, wasn’t it? I mean, if you’re making a game about the moon and it’s all about stopping normal crime on the moon, that’s really depressing.
Slayaway Camp: Butcher’s Cut
How do you make a sliding puzzle game a lot more fun and engaging? Add in a horror movie parody theme. Slayaway Camp was a ton of fun on mobile, the Friday the 13th game releasing worldwide on Friday, April 13th for mobile from this studio should be fun, and now Switch owners can get in on the fun. Somehow, this is promised to be the biggest and bloodiest version of the game. Imagine that, on a Nintendo system, back when Mortal Kombat got in trouble for the gore it had. Regardless of your feelings on the gore, there is an option to reduce it, and the game is quite the fun puzzler regardless of its theme.
SOL DIVIDE -SWORD OF DARKNESS-
Zerodiv publishes this absurd Psikyo beat ’em up/shooter. Here, you’re fighting the army of Satan. But I guess Satan is the name of a kingdom, because there’s a king of Satan, named Ifter? Huh? You fly around and shoot swords, while also being able to slash enemies from an up close and personal distance. This game seems completely absurd. 1990s arcade games got really weird, didn’t they?
Sales
Aegis Defenders ($15.99 from $19.99 until April 5th)
Have you played this unique tower defense/action-platformer yet? If not, then you can give it a shot for 20% off for a couple of weeks. The pixel art is great, and if you have a friend, enlist them so you can do co-op together. There is a lot of fun to be had, though expect a lot of challenges.
Crypt of the NecroDancer ($14.99 from $19.99 until April 5th)
One of my personal favorite games of the decade, this unique combination between a roguelike and a rhythm game is an absolute must-have on any and every platform. The Switch version comes with all the latest content for the game. Just go and buy it if you haven’t already. If you need more convincing, check out my review for the mobile version.
SteamWorld Franchise Sale
- SteamWorld Dig ($4.99 from $9.99 until April 5th)
- SteamWorld Heist: Ultimate Edition ($14.99 from $19.99 until April 5th)
- SteamWorld Dig 2: (asdf from $19.99 until April 5th)
Image and Form put all their SteamWorld games on sale, and you have plenty of good reason to dump a lot of money here. SteamWorld Dig is an interesting game about digging through the world, while Heist is a unique turn-based strategy game that’s a lot of fun. And Dig 2 is an incredible Metroidvania experience, and one of the best titles on the Switch. Three great ways to blow some money.
Super One More Jump ($5.60 from $7.00 until April 5th)
SMG Studio brings its one-tap platformer to Switch, complete with new pixel art from some talented artists. Find a style that suits you, or mix it up. These one button auto-running platformers are still pretty fun even outside of the context of mobile, so for the sale price, you can’t go wrong here.
Kamiko ($2.99 from $4.99 until April 5th)
Surprisingly one of the top ten sellers on the Switch in year one, this top-down action game has you playing as one of the three Kamiko princesses, trying to purify the world from an evil demon. Each character provides different play styles, and a couple hours of gameplay. It’s an alright game, but definitely a solid way to spend a couple of hours, especially for just $2.99.
Keep an eye out every weekday for more SwitchArcade Roundups! We want to hear your feedback on Nintendo Switch coverage on TouchArcade. Comment below or tweet us with your thoughts!
