News

SwitchArcade Roundup: ‘Splatoon 2’ amiibo 3-Pack Gear, ‘Guacamelee! 2’, & New Releases and Discounts

Welcome to your SwitchArcade Roundup for October 11th, 2018. Phew! It’s good to be back, everybody! After some brief time away, your guide through the land of the Switch, Phil has returned to deliver news, new releases, discounts, and more! I hope it hasn’t been SO long that you’ve all forgotten what comes first usually on these SwitchArcade Roundups. Yep, it’s the Game of the Day, so let’s jump on in to get things started.

Game of the Day

Yooka-Laylee ($29.99 from $39.99 until October 17)

I start off the introduction of today’s Game of the Day with an admission of bias. Banjo-Kazooie is one of my favorite games of all time, and the team behind Yooka-Laylee, Playtonic Games, had several developers and designers who had worked on that Nintendo 64 game of absolute gold. So, going in to Yooka-Laylee, I had a more open mind on what I tolerated than a typical player who might not have enjoyed how much of an old-school collect-a-thon that was set in its ways Yooka-Laylee ended up being.

However, that’s one of the elements I loved about the game–finding the various Pagies (yet another part of Yooka-Laylee that doesn’t even try to hide how closely it sticks to the Banjo-Kazooie formula) from completing myriad platforming challenges, puzzles, and through elaborate exploration of the game’s five worlds and main overworld hub.

Still, there are parts of the game that don’t mesh as well. I feel the need to expand the size of worlds was pointless, as having an entire world available to you right from the beginning is better than not in most cases as otherwise you were greatly limited in what you could even do. Additionally, mine cart segments and mini-games were less than fantastic. I’m definitely looking at you, boss battle that takes place during a mine cart segment.

That said, while definitely being too much of a clone of Banjo-Kazooie, I really enjoyed my time with Yooka-Laylee. Perhaps it’s because no one else has made a game that is basically a Banjo-Kazooie game just with a new coat of paint. I mean it’s EXACTLY like a Banjo-Kazooie sequel just without any of the settings or characters–complete with the same font, same gibberish voices, same humor, same design principles (including Mumbo Jumbo-style transformations), etc. The additional stuff that wasn’t in Banjo-Kazooie that was put in to Yooka-Laylee? Well, I could have done without some of that, as I’m sure many of you might and could, too!

News

Nintendo reveals what special gear the Splatoon 2 Octoling 3-Pack amiibo will unlock

If you’re looking for even more gear goodness for your Inkling or Octoling in Splatoon 2 (and who isn’t?), then look no further than the Octoling 3-Pack of amiibo launching November 9th in Japan and Europe. Unfortunately, North Americans like myself will have to wait until December 7th, but it seems like the wait will be worth it. The three new amiibo unlock different gear for your Splatoon warriors. The Octoling Girl amiibo grants the witch-like “Enchanted" gear. Meanwhile, the Octoling Boy amiibo unlocks the armored knight-like “Steel" gear. Finally, the Octopus gives you the “Fresh Fish" gear, which I best leave it to the following trailer to show off, as words do not express how funny it is. Imagine–turning a corner in a Splatoon 2 match and seeing the cold, dead eyes of this amusement park nightmare greeting you. Yes, my bones are sufficiently chilled–and just in time for Halloween, too!

Nintendo wants you off the couch and to get in shape with Fitness Boxing, coming to the Switch

Fitness Boxing has been announced for the Switch for a little while now for Japan, but we didn’t have any news on whether this game was coming to this side of the world. That answer has been revealed, and that answer is “yes". Releasing December 21st in Europe and January 4th in North America, Fitness Boxing will offer motion control boxing with the Joy-Con controllers, daily training featuring a selection of boxing trainers to choose from (with the added bonus of unlockable outfits for each), instrumentals of well known pop songs (with music to unlock as well), and even a two-player virtual sparring mode. Of course, you can always burn up some calories the old fashioned way and beat the crap out of someone in real life, but in Fitness Boxing you can do it without an assault charge.

Double dip with the Metroidvania series Guacamelee! on the Switch

Part brawler, part Metroidvania series Guacamelee! from DrinkBox Studios released on the Wii U several years ago. Now, as of this past Monday, the original updated version of the first game, Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition is available on the Switch to download (currently at a launch discount up until next Thursday). This past August, Guacamelee! 2 released on the PlayStation 4, and after a period of console exclusivity, the game is now launching on more platforms, including the Switch. Guacamelee! 2 launches some time in December for Nintendo’s hybrid system. Check out the original trailer for the game here:

Capcom unsheathes a new gameplay trailer for Onimusha: Warlords

Last month, Capcom revealed that it was making an HD remaster of the relatively popular Onimusha: Warlords, which originally debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2001. The game is bound for the Switch, among other platforms (but those can get their own Arcade Roundups), and this new trailer showcases some of the more hot and heated gameplay scenarios within the game. Onimusha: Warlords slices, dices, and slays on the Switch in January 2019.

 

Gear.Club Unlimited 2 revs and roars onto the Nintendo Switch with a worldwide release date

Gear.Club Unlimited 2 finally has a release date, and this game–built exclusively for the Switch (instead of being a mobile port like the original)–is set to start racing on December 4th with a global launch. Let’s talk numbers, shall we? Publisher Microids revealed via press release that Gear.Club Unlimited 2 will have 250 races spread out across 3,000 kilometers of track, with over 50 car models from over 20 automobile makers, and lots of car customization to be found. Phew! I’m like a muffler after counting all of that–I’m exhausted!

Other News Headlines

 

  • Fate/Extella Link links up with the Nintendo Switch with an announcement trailer

  • Trick-racer FutureGrind is heading to the Switch to perform stunts on rails

New Releases

Disgaea 1 Complete ($49.99)

Coming off the successful port of the fifth game in the series, Disgaea‘s back on Switch, d00ds! With it comes yet another two-hundred or so hours of gameplay to enjoy with Disgaea 1 Complete. If the name didn’t give it away already, Disgaea 1 Complete is an updated version of the very first game in the series, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, originally released in 2003 on the PlayStation 2. Between the tactical RPG gameplay, robust amount of mechanics to learn and master, and the series’ off-the-wall humor, Disgaea 1 Complete is ready for you to lose immense amounts of hours to by buying it today.

Chasm ($19.99)

Taking cues from procedurally generated games, Chasm mixes up the organization of rooms and areas to players in its 2D side-scrolling action-adventure, making it so no two play-throughs are ever truly quite the same. Also taking cues from Koji Igarashi’s Castlevania games, Chasm adds role-playing elements into the fold, as well. If either or both of those two gameplay pieces pique your interest, then this is a game that you might “fall" in love with. (Get it? ‘Cause you “fall" into a chasm? …Okay. I’m done… for now.)

Child of Light: Ultimate Edition ($19.99)

Utilizing the Ubi Art graphical engine, Child of Light was a gorgeous side-scrolling RPG when it originally released. Today, it’s still a gorgeous side-scrolling RPG, and now it’s available on the Nintendo Switch with Child of Light: Ultimate Edition. Available digitally or physically, if you have yet to play Child of Light, I encourage you to do so–as you’ll find the game has a lot more going for it than just its pretty looks!

Mark of the Ninja Remastered ($19.99)

Move stealthily through 2D environments, using every trick in your ninja repertoire to move on and survive (and slay your enemies). Mark of the Ninja was critically acclaimed when it originally launched, as you’ll see by this trailer for this remastered version, and now it’s even better than ever. …Well, sort of. Apparently, the Nintendo Switch version of the game has an unreliable frame-rate, despite the system being more than capable of running a game of this type at a steady 60 FPS. There is a small workaround, but at this time, it’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend Mark of the Ninja Remastered for the Switch while these issues are present unless you have no other means (aka platforms) to play it.

Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition ($14.99)

Guacamelee! remains one of my favorite indie Metroidvania games around. It has superb combat that uses these moves twofold as a way to reach new areas in the game world. Bringing “el beatdown" on foes both small and large, and grappling with some tremendously tough boss battles and clever puzzles make for a game that I absolutely went “loco" for when I originally played the Wii U port. I eagerly await diving into the “Juan" and only Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition, this time on the Switch.

Game Dev Story, Hot Springs Story, Dungeon Village ($12.00 each)

Game Dev Story, Hot Springs Story, and Dungeon Village are all fantastic simulation games… BUT they’re also available on a device that I assume most TouchArcade readers here have–a smartphone. The issue with the Switch versions of this trio of games is that these are straight-up port jobs with the bare minimum of work put in to them. Furthermore, on mobile storefronts, these games are much cheaper. Thus, I can only say “buy these games" if you absolutely need them on your Switch. Otherwise, wait for a sale.

Joggernauts ($14.99)

I originally played an early build of Joggernauts at a game convention here in my home city here in the States, and that was when I still had a healthy head of hair. So… that must have been 10,000 or so sheds ago. The game showed promise, having differently hued characters needing to use teamwork to switch at the right times. This way the leader in front was the same color as the oncoming obstacle, able to move right through it without failing the level. Now, you, too, can play Joggernauts–and you can do so with a COMPLETE version of the game (and maybe with a full head of hair, too!), unlike your buddy Phil. Jump in and jump out with co-op play with up to four players, or engage in some finger-fu and switch things up in single-player as Joggernauts is out now on the Nintendo Switch.

Other New Releases

 

Sales

 

New Games on Sale

 

In the news was info about Gear.Club Unlimited 2. Like clockwork, its predecessor is on sale starting today, along with other Microids-published games like Super Chariot and the Syberia series. EnjoyUp and Rising Star Games also have titles on sale, too. Other notable discounts include Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition‘s launch sale that ends a week from today, the previous mentioned Game of the Day: Yooka-Laylee, and The Jackbox Party Pack 3.

 

    • Mummy Pinball ($1.79 from $1.99 until October 14)
    • Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition ($13.49 from $14.99 until October 15)
    • Ninjin: Clash of Carrots ($11.24 from $14.99 until October 17)
    • Putty Pals ($5.99 from $9.99 until October 17)
    • Yooka-Laylee ($29.99 from $39.99 until October 17)
    • Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe ($11.99 from $19.99 until October 18)
    • Battle Group 2 ($7.99 from $9.99 until October 18)
    • Super One More Jump ($5.6 from $7 until October 21)
    • Legendary Eleven ($7.99 from $9.99 until October 22)
    • Waking Violet ($4.89 from $6.99 until October 22)
    • 88 Heroes – 98 Heroes Edition ($14.97 from $29.95 until October 25)
    • Conga Master Party! ($5.97 from $9.95 until October 25)
    • Darkest Dungeon ($18.74 from $24.99 until October 25)
    • Darkest Dungeon: Ancestral Edition ($29.99 from $39.99 until October 25)
    • Flashback ($17.99 from $19.99 until October 25)
    • Gear.Club Unlimited ($24.99 from $44.99 until October 25)
    • Ghost 1.0 ($4.99 from $9.99 until October 25)
    • Jurassic Pinball ($1.79 from $1.99 until October 25)
    • Lumo ($15.96 from $19.95 until October 25)
    • Monster Energy Supercross – The Official Videogame ($29.99 from $59.99 until October 25)
    • Ninja Shodown ($8.97 from $14.95 until October 25)
    • Super Chariot ($9.99 from $19.99 until October 25)
    • Syberia ($19.99 from $29.99 until October 25)
    • Syberia 2 ($19.99 from $29.99 until October 25)
    • The Court Lucanor ($5.09 from $14.99 until October 25)
    • The Jackbox Party Pack 3 ($14.99 from $24.99 until October 25)
    • The Mahjong Huntress ($3.99 from $4.99 until October 25)
    • UnExplored ($10.05 from $15 until October 25)
    • World Soccer Pinball ($1.79 from $1.99 until October 25)
    • Yesterday Origins ($14.99 from $29.99 until October 25)
    • Son of a Witch ($9.99 from $14.99 until October 29)
    • Grand Prix Rock ‘N Racing ($5.99 from $7.99 until October 31)
    • TorqueL -Physics Modified Edition- ($4.99 from $9.99 until October 31)

 

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday October 11th

 

  • Earthlock ($20.03 from $29.90 until October 12)

 

Thankfully, after having three days off, it doesn’t seem like I have missed a step with these SwitchArcade Roundups. Tomorrow, I’ll have for you in-depth Super Mario Party impressions, so get ready to par-tay like it’s 1999–when the original Mario Party released, funnily enough (at least in the West). Until then, keep your Joy-Cons charged and your Switches loaded with great games!