Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for May 29th, 2020. Wow, there were sure a lot of new releases yesterday. Well, guess what? There are even more today. I even cheated a little bit with the summaries and it’s still a huge article. We’ll take a look at all of the games that hit today, run through the rather hefty list of new sales, and that’s basically it. We’ve got plenty to see, so let’s get to it!
New Releases
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition ($59.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
What, you thought Reyn Time was over? Reyn Time is never over! This Definitive Edition of the Wii RPG Xenoblade Chronicles brings updated graphics, a huge chunk of new content, and many other improvements to the game. It has a lot of the same tech issues Xenoblade 2 does, so handheld players are going to have to be okay with some resolution chicanery at times, but you know what? This looks a whole lot better than the last handheld version of Xenoblade Chronicles, so I’ll take it. This is a massive game that many fans prefer to the sequel, so if you haven’t had the chance to check it out yet, here you go.
BioShock: The Collection ($49.99)
BioShock Remastered ($19.99)
BioShock 2 Remastered ($19.99)
BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition ($19.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Yes, I’m only doing one paragraph for the whole set. If you can’t find enough words out there on the internet about the BioShock trilogy, I can’t help you. Massive hits in their time and still quite enjoyable today, these three games tried to combine first-person shooting with entry-level philosophy to varying degrees of success. Even with the newest of the bunch being several years old, the locations and overall sense of atmosphere in the BioShock games are still incredible today. Be warned, though: you’re going to need a whole lot of open space on your memory card if you want to install all three of these. And you will need a memory card, as they exceed the size of the Switch’s internal storage. Oh, and they include all of their add-on content, so if you haven’t checked out Minerva’s Den in BioShock 2 yet, make sure you do that little thing.
Borderlands Legendary Collection ($49.99)
Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition ($29.99)
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection ($39.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
The games that popularized the whole shoot-and-loot sub-genre are now available on Switch. Compared to the BioShock collection, buying the full set here represents a much bigger savings over going a la carte. Anyway, you get Borderlands, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, and Borderlands 2. As a set, you could conceivably spend easily over a hundred hours playing these. They’re best played with friends, but they’re entertaining enough solo that you may still want to consider picking up the collection even if you don’t have anyone to buddy up with. The humor hasn’t exactly aged well in places with its big emphasis on memes, but the action is as solid as ever.
XCOM 2 Collection ($49.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
They said it couldn’t be done, but developer Virtuos is pretty good at making miracles happen on the Switch. And here we are with one of those. The excellent strategy game XCOM 2 is now playable on your Switch, and it comes with not just the base game but also the War of the Chosen expansion and all four DLC packs. Pick and choose whichever ones you want to use, or simply dive into the base game and come back to the other stuff later. This is a remarkable port of a very good game, so if you’re ready to commandeer your own squad of alien-busting freedom fighters, jump on in. As with the other 2K releases today, make sure you’ve got plenty of room available on your memory card. This is a big fella.
Food Truck Tycoon – Asian Cuisine ($4.99)
You know how these go by now, I’m sure. Customers come up to your truck and order some food, and you have to prepare it and serve it to them before they get angry and leave. Do an adequate job and you’ll move on to the next stage. Do a great job and you’ll earn more stars. There are 60 levels in the game, and all of the food this time has an Asian theme. Which kind of Asian food, specifically? The game itself doesn’t even seem to be sure of that, but I wouldn’t spend too much time worrying about it. It’s just another skin on the same old game, so if you’re looking for one of those, stick your virtual fiver in the virtual cash register.
WildTrax Racing ($7.99)
Low-cost off-road racing for up to four players via splitscreen. No online play, and don’t expect a whole lot of content here. I don’t have much to say about this one, as I’m sure you know what you’re getting into with something like this. Would I buy it? No, probably not. But if I’m a kid with ten bucks and want something to race around on with my friends? Maybe. I do like the how the liveries skirt the edge of copyright violation. Love to eat the tasty sandwiches at… *squints* Subawy?
Little Misfortune ($19.99)
An adventure game from the makers of Fran Bow, but regrettably not nearly as good. Little Misfortune makes friends with a character named Mr. Voice, and they enter a mysterious forest together. Things go… pretty badly from here. Suffice it to say, don’t expect this one to be as kid-friendly as the screenshot makes it seem. It’s an interesting story but it is bleak as heck. If you’re in it for the narrative alone, you’ll probably be satisfied with the game. It could use a little bit more time to explore its themes, but it is what it is. And while this is an adventure game, don’t expect much in the way of resistance. You’re just playing your part in the story, more or less.
Adam’s Venture: Origins ($39.99)
How much are you willing to put up with to get some decent puzzles? Adam’s Venture: Origins will put that to the test. An obnoxious main character, a ridiculously short running time, and a generally weak adventure game frame bolted to reasonably well-designed puzzles make for a melange that may have been palatable at a lower price, but is a hard sell at forty dollars. I mean, at least when Deponia charged a high price it was for a high quality adventure game. This? Not so much.
Snakes & Ladders ($9.99)
I could tell from the title and logo that this was going to be a Sabec game, and I was right. This is just the classic board game where you need to move from the bottom of the board to the top, zipping up ladders and avoiding sliding down snakes. The board is rendered in crude 3D, with the ladders and snakes popping up from the play area. Up to six players can play together locally, and if you really feel miserable you can play by yourself against the computer. This is definitely the worst way to spend ten bucks on the eShop among today’s new releases.
Indiecalypse ($12.99)
Hmm, I thought we always referred to this as the Indiepocalypse. Well, whatever. The indie game scene has been getting more meta of late, and this game positively revels in it. Meant to depict the reality of indie game development, Indiecalypse follows the story of three characters who decide to try to make their own indie games. These manifest as over 20 mini-games, most of which are homages to existing indie titles. The story goes into lots of the real trials of making indie games but ramps it up for comedic effect. It’s a neat concept, but I’d have to spend more time with it to see how it holds up beyond first impressions before I could give it a strong recommendation.
Flux8 ($9.19)
This is a co-op puzzle platformer that uses a magnetic mechanic as its main theme. You have to attract or repel things to make your way across a dangerous factory floor. There’s also a level editor in here if you want to make your own challenges. The multiplayer mode is only available locally, unfortunately. The visuals aim for a simple look, with lots of wireframes and solid-shaded objects. That even extends to your characters, who are just plain-looking stacks of cubes. You can dress them up with various customizable costume items, though. I suppose the gameplay is the important thing here, and it’s good if not mind-blowing.
Climbros ($9.90)
This is a couch co-op climbing game that seems like it will be a lot more fun than it actually is. There are lots of different environments to climb through, at the very least. You have to jump, swing, and climb up treacherous terrain. You can go it alone, and you’ll probably have an easier time of it if you do. But you can also bring a few friends with you and get a bunch more laughs out of the whole affair. If it were a bit cheaper, I might recommend it just as a goofy thing to pull out here and there. At ten bucks? Ehn, it’s not that amusing.
Genetic Disaster ($14.99)
It may sound like the working title for a new Jurassic Park movie, but Genetic Disaster is actually a twin-stick roguelite shooter for up to four players. I suppose the mechanic the title refers to is the ability to upgrade your character through mutations, though in practice I’m not sure how that’s actually different from most level-up perk systems in games like these. There are tons of different weapons, lots of different enemies to blast, and plenty of traps to avoid. There’s also an extra player-versus-player mode in case you need to blow off some steam after someone messes up in the regular mode. You probably own at least a few games like this already, but this is a solid enough entry to be worth considering if you’re hungry for more.
Ant-Gravity: Tiny’s Adventure ($0.99)
Ant-Gravity is an extremely cheap 2D platformer that uses a gravity manipulation mechanic as its main gimmick. And by cheap, I mean the price. The difficulty is not cheap for the most part. It is quite tough in places, though. Well, if you’ve spent time with any platformer with a gravity-flipping emphasis, you probably know what to expect here. Nothing really stands out all that much about this game, but if you’ve only got a buck and want a new release today this is basically your only option. Trust me, it could be a lot worse.
Many Faces ($4.99)
This is a single-screen stage-based action game that has some classic vibes to it. The stages are apparently randomized, and as you might guess this has a bit of a roguelite structure to it. Each run consists of 17 stages drawn from more than 50 possible options, and you’ll be able to customize your character and abilities as you go along. Nothing too fancy, but if you’re looking for a straightforward bit of arcade action five bucks isn’t a stiff price to pay.
Castle Pals ($4.99)
It’s apparently a good day if you’re into either huge 2K Games ports or low-cost indie platformers. Castle Pals features two characters, each with their own unique abilities, and tasks them with making their way through 40 tricky levels. Kylee has the power to smash enemies with her spectacular punches, and Owen uses a ridiculous propeller beanie to fly. Beyond simply beating the game, you can also try to earn medals by beating set times on each stage. Seems amusing enough.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
As usual for a Friday, there’s plenty to see here today. As for special or rare discounts, though? The Let’s Sing games aren’t on sale all that often, so if you want to expand your home karaoke library, there’s no better time. Visual novel Kotodama: 7 Mysteries of Fujisawa is on sale for a ridiculous ninety-nine cents. It’s not amazing, but for a dollar? Yeah, it’s worth that. Puzzle fans may want to grab the two Lines games while they’re on sale for nineteen cent apiece as well. As for the outbox, the only outgoing game of note that may not be back around for a while is Battle Princess Madelyn: Royal Edition. But have a look through the list anyway, just in case.
Select New Games on Sale
Gunman Clive HD Collection ($2.99 from $3.99 until 6/11)
Mechstermination Force ($8.99 from $11.99 until 6/11)
Potata: Fairy Flower ($9.00 from $12.00 until 6/6)
Ancestors Legacy ($35.99 from $39.99 until 6/11)
F-117A Stealth Fighter ($2.99 from $4.99 until 6/17)
The Men of Yoshiwara ($9.79 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Destiny’s Princess ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
The Amazing Shinsengumi ($5.99 from $11.99 until 6/17)
Nightshade ($33.59 from $47.99 until 6/17)
Pool Billiard ($1.00 from $7.99 until 6/17)
Firefighters: Airport Fire Dept ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/11)
Firefighters – The Simulation ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/11)
Professional Construction ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/11)
Professional Farmer ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/11)
Professional Farmer: American Dream ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/11)
Mountain Rescue Simulator ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/11)
Raging Justice ($4.49 from $14.99 until 6/7)
Let’s Sing 2018 ($27.99 from $39.99 until 6/5)
Let’s Sing 2019 ($27.99 from $39.99 until 6/5)
Let’s Sing Country ($31.49 from $44.99 until 6/5)
Let’s Sing 2020 ($31.49 from $44.99 until 6/5)
Hungry Shark World ($1.99 from $9.99 until 6/2)
Flood of Light ($2.49 from $4.99 until 6/11)
Planet Alpha ($4.99 from $19.99 until 6/7)
The Card: Poker, Blackjack ($1.49 from $4.99 until 6/17)
The Golf ($3.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)
ATV Drift & Tricks ($6.99 from $34.99 until 6/17)
Sheltered ($3.74 from $14.99 until 6/7)
Mecho Wars: Desert Ashes ($0.99 from $9.99 until 6/10)
War Theatre ($0.99 from $9.99 until 6/10)
Knock ‘Em Down! Bowling ($5.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Bard’s Gold ($1.79 from $8.99 until 6/17)
AngerForce: Reloaded ($6.99 from $9.99 until 6/11)
Dyna Bomb ($1.59 from $7.99 until 6/16)
Metaloid: Origin ($5.59 from $6.99 until 6/16)
Kotodama: 7 Mysteries of Fujisawa ($0.99 from $29.99 until 6/15)
Lines X ($0.19 from $1.99 until 6/17)
Lines Infinite ($0.19 from $1.99 until 6/17)
Candleman ($10.49 from $14.99 until 6/11)
Wayout ($0.29 from $2.99 until 6/17)
Omega Labyrinth Life ($39.59 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Sudoku Universe ($3.49 from $4.99 until 6/11)
64.0 ($1.49 from $2.99 until 6/11)
The Big Journey ($0.49 from $4.99 until 6/17)
Animus: Harbinger ($3.99 from $7.99 until 6/17)
Sudoku Relax 3 Autumn Leaves ($3.75 from $5.00 until 6/17)
Garfield Kart Furious Racing ($11.99 from $29.99 until 6/17)
TheNightfall ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/11)
Blacksad: Under the Skin ($19.99 from $49.99 until 6/3)
JDM Racing ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)
SELF ($4.89 from $6.99 until 6/11)
Sorry, James ($0.49 from $4.99 until 6/17)
SEN: Seven Eight Nine ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/11)
Heaven Dust ($5.59 from $7.99 until 6/11)
Ghost Sweeper ($3.99 from $4.99 until 6/16)
Wenjia ($5.59 from $7.99 until 6/11)
The Complex ($10.39 from $12.99 until 6/11)
Sunless Sea: Zubmariner ($14.99 from $19.99 until 6/10)
Resolutiion ($17.99 from $19.99 until 6/4)
Ant-Gravity: Tiny’s Adventure ($0.49 from $0.99 until 6/11)
Turmoil ($11.99 from $14.99 until 6/11)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Battle Princess Madelyn ($4.99 from $19.99 until 5/30)
Battle Princess Madelyn Royal ($12.74 from $14.99 until 5/30)
Battleship ($9.99 from $19.99 until 5/30)
Clue ($14.99 from $29.99 until 5/30)
Clumsy Rush ($1.24 from $4.99 until 5/30)
Deployment ($0.99 from $9.99 until 5/30)
Gigantosaurus The Game ($29.99 from $39.99 until 5/30)
Ice Age: Scrat’s Adventure ($27.99 from $39.99 until 5/30)
Jumanji: The Video Game ($27.99 from $39.99 until 5/30)
Party Crashers ($2.25 from $15.00 until 5/30)
Party Golf ($2.25 from $15.00 until 5/30)
Roundguard ($13.99 from $19.99 until 5/30)
Squidgies Takeover ($2.25 from $15.00 until 5/30)
Achtung! Cthulhu Tactics ($12.49 from $24.99 until 5/31)
Aragami: Shadow ($14.99 from $29.99 until 5/31)
Chess Ultra ($6.24 from $12.49 until 5/31)
Crazy Strike Bowling EX ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/31)
Do Not Feed the Monkeys ($10.39 from $12.99 until 5/31)
Ironcast ($6.49 from $12.99 until 5/31)
Mugsters ($1.49 from $14.99 until 5/31)
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 ($7.49 from $29.99 until 5/31)
Portal Dogs ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/31)
Regalia: Of Men & Monarchs ($3.74 from $24.99 until 5/31)
Silk ($5.19 from $12.99 until 5/31)
Snooker 19 ($17.49 from $34.99 until 5/31)
Sparklite ($14.99 from $24.99 until 5/31)
Sumer ($11.99 from $14.99 until 5/31)
The Spectrum Retreat ($6.49 from $12.99 until 5/31)
Them Bombs! ($9.79 from $13.99 until 5/31)
Yooka-Laylee & the Impossible Lair ($20.99 from $29.99 until 5/31)
That’s all that’s good for today, this week, and this month. Wow, is it June already? I feel like the year is just flying by, as though I haven’t done anything but work and stay inside playing games the whole time. Hmm. Well, next week will bring more new releases for those who finish… all of that up there over the weekend. Games like The Outer Worlds, Clubhouse Games, and many more will be waiting for us all. There is no escape. I hope you all have a nice weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
