SwitchArcade Roundup: Weekend Roundup, New Releases & Sales, and an Explosive Game of the Day

Welcome to your SwitchArcade Roundup for August 27th, 2018. It’s a Monday morning at TouchArcade, and I was absent for the latter part of last week. That means only one thing–catch-up time! I have news, I have new releases, I have new sales, I have a new Game of the Day, and I even have new underwear on as well!

Speaking of the Game of the Day, let’s look at today’s game which features a something that offers explosive multiplayer action.

Game of the Day

Super Bomberman R ($39.99)

Our Game of the Day to start out this week of SwitchArcade Roundup content is an interesting one. At launch, I would not have been able to recommend Super Bomberman R, as it was plagued with performance problems, gameplay and content issues, and a host of other vexations.

Say what you want about Konami–with regards to its handling of the Hideo Kojima situation, and franchises like Metal Gear and the Silent Hill –but it really stepped up to rectify many of the issues with Super Bomberman R and make it an enjoyable entry in the long-running franchise on its 33rd anniversary. (Seriously, who the hell commemorates a 33rd anniversary?)

This was performed by having all additional content and updates for Super Bomberman R be completely and entirely free. That means all of the added DLC characters from Konami’s repertoire of franchises like Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid, Mystical Ninja Goemon, Zone of the Enders, Contra–heck, even Rumble Roses–were featured as Bombermen in the game. New arenas, modes, updates to the camera to make it movable, updates to how in-game currency is gained so it’s now attainable in local multiplayer battles, patches to improved performance, and much more have been added to Super Bomberman R since launch.

Sure, there are still some niggling issues in the game, such as it being occasionally difficult to make heads or tails of what’s happening on the screen in Story Mode, but overall, if you’re looking for a game that serves the Bomberman franchise well, even if it’s after the fact, then Super Bomberman R is ready for you to have a blast.

News

A Nintendo Switch Nindies Showcase for Summer 2018 approaches!

It was just last week at Gamescom 2018 that Nintendo of Europe provided its own showing of upcoming Nindies heading to its Switch. Now, it’s Nintendo of America’s turn to get in on the fun. Expect new announcements as well as (most likely) some crossover from the Nintendo of Europe Nindies presentation. Catch the Nintendo Switch Nindies Showcase Summer 2018 tomorrow morning for most of us in North America (9 AM PST/12 PM EST) and in the early evening in the UK and Europe. You can be sure that the SwitchArcade Roundup will tackle the major Nindies news out of the showcase.

Nintendo shares its PAX West 2018 lineup of games

Didn’t we just have a convention last week? Well, the more the merrier as August 31st to September 3rd will have PAX West 2018 happening in Washington State–Seattle, to be exact. Nintendo plans to be there, which would be beyond lazy if it didn’t, as its offices are in nearby Redmond (ha!). Coming to the show is a healthy heaping of games both Nintendo-published as well as third-party from partners like Bandai Namco (Dragon Ball FighterZ), Blizzard (Diablo III: Eternal Collection), Grasshopper Manufacture Inc. (Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes), NIS America (SNK Heroines – Tag Team Frenzy –), and Ubisoft (Starlink: Battle for Atlas).

Meanwhile, Nintendo itself will showcase its three major games (well, technically four, but let’s not split hairs here) for the holiday season, including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go Eevee!, and Super Mario Party. Several activities surrounding these games are planned for the show floor as well. I won’t personally be at the show. Instead, I will remain in my Y2K bunker, as I’m still apprehensive about leaving.

Nintendo UK shows off in-depth footage of FIFA 19 and Daemon X Machina

There is but one more item from Gamescom 2018 to talk about before we finish that particular chapter of the SwitchArcade Roundup together, and it’s new footage of both FIFA 19 (no doubt a big draw with the European Gamescom crowd) and some extended gameplay footage of Daemon X Machina, a mech-based combat game from one of the minds behind the celebrated Armored Core series. I’ve been wrapping my head around how to relate these two greatly contrasting games together with a clever joke, but I seem to have a case of the Mondays. Instead, just insert your own clever joke in the comments section, and I’ll happily take credit for it. Deal?

At any rate, each of these 30 minute videos–one for each game–feature an interview with a member of the team for their respective game, so check ’em out and enjoy!

Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country gets new story trailer

Now, this just isn’t fair. Nintendo, you can’t release a 40+ hour game in Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country that serves as a prequel to a game that’s already over 80+ hours long, and expect me to be able to keep up. For goodness sake, I haven’t even started the vanilla Xenoblade Chronicles 2 yet! Still, it’s a nice first-world problem to have, so I can’t complain too terribly much.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country is seeing a digital release on September 14th, and those who bought the Season Pass will have it available to them that day. Of course, those who didn’t can still buy the DLC separately. Meanwhile, those who wish to dive into the prequel with a physical copy will have to wait a short week later till the 21st to get their hands on the game. Greatness comes to those who wait, and since I’ve been waiting to play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for nine months now, I’m going to have greatness pouring out of my eyeballs and every other orifice of my body once I finally sit down and enjoy the game.

…Yuck. Sorry for that visual.

Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit will work with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Fresh off the wheels–er–heels of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe getting Nintendo Labo support with the Variety Kit, now it’s been revealed that the upcoming and admittedly awesome-looking Nintendo Labo: Vehicle Kit (which launches on September 14th) will be compatible with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Now, you, too, can literally put the pedal to the metal (okay, cardboard) and outrace your friends and family with Nintendo Labo. Watch how you’ll be able to interact with the new Vehicle Kit with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in this specially created reveal trailer:

Prepare for the hunt with the Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate Save Transfer App

Remember the Nintendo 3DS? That was a handheld of Nintendo’s. Did you know that it’s still actually being supported with content and games despite the Switch being out?

…I know, right?! Isn’t that awesome?

Regardless, you might want to bust out your Nintendo 3DS systems, if you don’t already still have them out to play WarioWare Gold or whatnot. Why? Well, for those interested in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch and have save data from Monster Hunter Generations on the 3DS, a new app on the 3DS eShop will allow the transferring of save data between their copy of Generations on the 3DS to the Switch version of Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. The app is live, so 3DS and Monster Hunter Generations owners who are planning to purchase the Switch game, can go head to the 3DS eShop at your leisure to download it!

No subscription to Nintendo Switch Online needed for Arena of Valor

Finally, in the news, the SwitchArcade Roundup has further information on the Nintendo Switch Online situation for the reportedly free-to-play Arena of Valor, both launching next month. It’s been revealed that this free-to-play will indeed be free–no strings attached and no need to pay for Nintendo’s online subscription service to hop online for some games of Arena of Valor. I mentioned several weeks ago that free-to-play games might be exempt from a Nintendo Switch Online subscription requirement for online play, so here’s hoping that this stays true for other F2P Switch games.

New Releases

Little Dragon’s Cafe ($59.99)

From the mind behind the Harvest Moon franchise, Little Dragon’s Cafe is a full fledged life simulation game that blends multiple gameplay styles together for one grand adventure. The visual style is something extraordinary, looking great on the Switch with its colored pencil-like sketching. The performance of the game? Well, that’s admittedly another story. Hopefully you can run your cafe better than how the Switch runs this game–though I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the performance problems plague the PlayStation 4 version as well.

Night Trap ($14.99)

How innocent a time it was when a game like Night Trap caused so much controversy and commotion compared to today… 25 years later and we really think nothing of a game like this culture-wise–I mean, the game’s only rated “T" for “Teen", for crying out loud! Then again, neither the “Teen" rating nor the Entertainment Software Rating Board wouldn’t exist without Night Trap (among other games) to begin with. This 25th anniversary edition release of Night Trap not only includes behind-the-scenes documentaries, deleted scenes, and a new mode–but it also includes all the camp and schlock you could ever hope for.

Kero Blaster ($9.99)

Kero Blaster‘s original Windows release in 2014 was a monumental one in a big way, as it was the creator of Cave Story‘s first big game release in a decade. Now, like Cave Story before it, Kero Blaster makes its way to the Switch with its run and gun, platforming-based gameplay. One might say it’s quite a… wait for it… “ribbeting" game. Just watch your movements in Kero Blaster, or you might “croak"! …All right, all right. That was the last frog-related pun, as my sides are hurting from laughing too much. While they heal, why not check out this trailer for Kero Blaster?

Other New Releases

I’m changing things up on how I post the Other New Releases here on the SwitchArcade Roundup. Rather than have all of the trailers and gameplay footage embedded on the same page, I’m providing the links to the videos within the game titles themselves. I hope this is a nice workaround for everyone.

Sales

QubicGames’ lineup of software is on discount for a few weeks, so you know what that means… Astro Bears Party is on sale for a dollar again! “Hellz yeah," as the kids say! As an aside, some more awesome deals include Yoku’s Island Express, which I can’t recommend enough, as well as both Syberia games.

New Games on Sale

Fill-a-Pix: Phil’s Epic Adventure ($6.39 from $7.99 until August 30)
Hyper Sentinel ($9.09 from $12.99 until August 30)
Neon Chrome ($8.24 from $14.99 until August 30)
Pic-a-Pix Deluxe ($6.39 from $7.99 until August 30)
The Low Road ($13.49 from $14.99 until August 30)
Yoku’s Island Express ($11.99 from $19.99 until August 30)
Hacky Zack ($8.99 from $9.99 until September 2)
1979 Revolution: Black Friday ($10.19 from $11.99 until September 6)
3D MiniGolf ($17.99 from $19.99 until September 6)
Brave Story + Dark Witch Story:COMBAT ($6.29 from $8.99 until September 6)
Bulb Boy ($3.59 from $8.99 until September 6)
Coffin Dodgers ($7.79 from $12.99 until September 6)
Island Flight Simulator ($17.99 from $19.99 until September 6)
Jurassic Pinball ($1.79 from $1.99 until September 6)
Piczle Lines DX ($10.49 from $14.99 until September 6)
Syberia ($19.99 from $29.99 until September 6)
Syberia 2 ($19.99 from $29.99 until September 6)
World Conqueror X ($6.99 from $9.99 until September 6)
World Soccer Pinball ($1.79 from $1.99 until September 6)
Yesterday Origins ($24.99 from $29.99 until September 6)
Perfect Angle ($4.99 from $9.99 until September 9)
Astro Bears Party ($0.99 from $4.99 until September 13)
BRAWL ($0.99 from $9.99 until September 13)
Grid Mania ($0.99 from $3.99 until September 13)
Jumping Joe & Friends ($0.99 from $4.99 until September 13)
One Strike ($0.99 from $4.99 until September 13)
Pirates: All Aboard! ($0.99 from $5.99 until September 13)
Robonauts ($0.99 from $8.69 until September 13)
Space Ribbon ($9.89 from $14.99 until September 13)

Sales Ending Today on Monday, August 27th

Hungry Shark World ($7.99 from $9.99 until August 27)
Hollow Knight ($9.9 from $15 until August 27)
Just Dance 2017 ($23.99 from $59.99 until August 27)
Just Dance 2018 ($29.99 from $59.99 until August 27)
Legendary Eleven ($7.99 from $9.99 until August 27)
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle ($29.99 from $59.99 until August 27)
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle – Gold Edition ($39.99 from $79.99 until August 27)
Monopoly for Nintendo Switch ($15.99 from $39.99 until August 27)
Pato Box ($13.49 from $14.99 until August 27)
Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition ($19.99 from $39.99 until August 27)
South Park: The Fractured But Whole ($29.99 from $59.99 until August 27)
South Park: The Fractured But Whole – Gold Edition ($44.99 from $89.99 until August 27)
UNO for Nintendo Switch ($6.99 from $9.99 until August 27)

Sales Ending on Tuesday, August 28th

Cosmic Star Heroine ($14.19 from $14.99 until August 28)
Die for Valhalla! ($8.99 from $11.99 until August 28)
Puyo Puyo Tetris ($23.99 from $29.99 until August 28)
WWE 2K18 ($19.79 from $59.99 until August 28)
WWE 2K18 Digital Deluxe Edition ($29.69 from $89.99 until August 28)

We have reached the end of Monday’s SwitchArcade Roundup. Tomorrow, I’ll have impressions of the crossover fighter (no, not THAT one) Blade Strangers just in time for the game’s North American release. Until then, keep your Joy-Cons charged and your Switches loaded with great games!