Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for June 11th, 2020. A whole bunch of news is slipping out, and not all of it seems to be hitting at the time its publishers originally intended. That’s how it goes some days. We’ve got a few cool retro-bits to talk about before we go into the usual new release summaries. I’ve also gathered up all of the new sales that have hit since yesterday and added a bunch more from the Summer Sale for good measure. It’s a big one, friends. Let’s enjoy it!
News
‘Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX’ Announced for Switch
In recent years, SEGA has taken to loaning out its properties to outside developers and publishers to generally high success. The gorgeous yet faithful remake of Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap. The incredible sequel that fans had waited decades for, Streets of Rage 4. The not-quite-finished-at-launch-but-getting-there Panzer Dragoon Remake. And of course, the dazzling crowd-pleaser Sonic Mania, featuring SEGA’s long-running mascot. But what about the ex-mascot? The guy Sonic replaced? Whither Alex Kidd?
Well, Merge Games and developer Jankenteam are giving the little fellow with the big ears another chance at the spotlight in Alex Kidd in Miracle World DX, which is due to launch on the Switch and other platforms in the first quarter of 2021. All of the classic levels return, along with some new ones. There are also new modes, alternative boss fights, and of course a complete overhaul to the presentation. Pining for the old look and sound? Worry not, there will be a Classic Mode included that allows you to play the game just as you remember from your Master System days.
‘Darius Cozmic Collection’ Releases in the West on June 16th
Warning! A huge retro collection is approaching! Taito’s Darius series has been getting more attention of late thanks to its inclusion in both the Genesis Mini and TurboGrafx-16 Mini consoles. A set containing several games from the series was released on the Switch in Japan a while back, and it’s now finally hitting the eShop in the West on June 16th courtesy of ININ Games and Taito. Just like the Japanese release, there are two separate collections here. Darius Cozmic Collection Arcade includes three versions of the original arcade Darius, three versions of the arcade sequel Darius II/Sagaia, and the arcade version of Darius Gaiden.
Darius Cozmic Collection Console contains the Genesis and Master System ports of Darius II/Sagaia, Darius Twin for the Super NES, Darius Force/Super Nova for the Super NES, Darius Alpha for the PC Engine, and Darius Plus for the PC Engine. Both Japanese and overseas versions are included in many cases. Alas, no sign of the Game Boy version of Sagaia that served as an Amazon Prime Day exclusive pre-order bonus in Japan, but that’s more of a novelty than anything. Both collections were handled by the wizards at M2, so you can expect excellent quality and just about all of the options you could ask for. No word on pricing as of yet, but let’s hope they’re a bit cheaper than the Japanese versions.
‘Namco Museum Archives: Volume 1 and 2’ Confirmed for Release June 18th
A while back, Bandai Namco announced the Japanese release of Namcot Collection, an assortment of titles drawn from its NES catalogue. As some of the games were never localized into English, it wasn’t clear what form if any this collection would take in the West. Well, now we know. Instead of having a free app with each additional game being its own DLC, Western Switch owners instead get two separate volumes containing pretty much all of the games that don’t have any localization issues. Going under the title Namco Museum Archives, both sets will launch on June 18th, and hey, they’ve been handled by M2. Those folks sure get around. Extra features include rewind, save states, and wide screen support.
Anyway, Volume 1 contains the NES/FC versions of Dig Dug, Dragon Buster, Dragon Spirit, Galaxian, Mappy, Pac-Man, Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti, Sky Kid, The Tower of Druaga, and Xevious. It also includes a bonus game in the form of a special 8-bit demake of Pac-Man Championship Edition. Volume 2 includes the NES/FC versions of Battle City, Dig Dug II, Dragon Buster II, Galaga, Legacy of the Wizard, Mappy-Land, Mendel Palace, Pac-Land, Rolling Thunder, and Super Xevious. Its bonus game is an 8-bit version of Gaplus, the third game in the Galaga series. No pricing has been announced yet, but if the Japanese prices are any indication, you can probably expect each volume to come in anywhere between $20 to $30.
New Releases
Arcade Archives Sunset Riders ($7.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Heck yes. Now this is what I’ve been waiting for from the Arcade Archives line-up. As much as I love all those 1980s classics Hamster puts out, the 1990s were also incredible years for the market. This one comes from 1991, when Konami was basking in the afterglow of making roughly a bajillion dollars off of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Simpsons arcade games. As such, Sunset Riders is a colorful action game that up to four players can enjoy, albeit one with more of a shooting element than a punching one. Kind of like if Contra and TMNT had a baby. It’s an awesome game, and it has never had an arcade-perfect home port until now. Pick it up, cowboys and cowgirls.
Project Warlock ($14.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
No, I’m not tired of throwback first-person shooters yet. This one is quite excellent, particularly with consideration to the size of the developer. You get 60 levels set across five different environments, 38 different kinds of weapons to use, and a nice array of nasty enemies to blow to pieces. There are some light RPG elements in here, but for the most part it’s a very straightforward action game. It also benefits from its incredibly striking visual style which looks quite unlike any other FPS I’ve played. Good stuff.
Ancestors Legacy ($39.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
This is a Viking-themed RTS, and wouldn’t you know it? It’s a good one. Play as one of four different nations: Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Germans, or Slavs. Make the most of the terrain to gain a tactical advantage and conquer the lands like you mean it. This one is single-player only, but there’s quite a bit to chew on in its hefty campaign. It also has some fancy camera angles for battles that you’ll enjoy gawking at until you get one hundred percent focused on the strategy and have no time for such trifles anymore. I still don’t feel like RTS games and console controls go together terribly well, but if you’re on a different page from me you’ll probably have a great time with Ancestors Legacy.
Pity Pit ($4.99)
Warming up the seat for Mr. Driller, I see. Ah, I’m just kidding. This is a digging game, though. It has procedurally-generated caves that you’ll need to shovel and pickaxe your way through in order to rescue your kidnapped wife. You can use the ore you collect to craft new tools and bombs, and there are random power-ups along the way that can also give you a boost. The whole thing runs for just five levels, so I wouldn’t expect to get dozens of hours of it or anything, but for five dollars it seems fine.
Evan’s Remains ($6.99)
There are so many puzzle platformers around these days that you really have to do something if you want to stand out. Evan’s Remains adds visual novel elements, and if that sounds like chalk and cheese, well… it kind of is. The story is decent and will probably keep most people interested to the end, while the puzzle platforming bits are competent if not anything particularly special. If you just want to follow the story, you can skip the platforming bits at your leisure. Not bad, especially with its relatively low price of entry, but you’re not missing much if you pass on it either.
Glass Masquerade Double Pack ($21.99)
As you would predict from the title, this is a bundle of both of the Glass Masquerade games. They’re quite lovely games thanks to the stained glass motif, and as puzzlers they’re entertaining enough without being overly taxing. As I say every time one of these bundles comes along, do be mindful of the pricing. Both of these games are regularly on sale, and this bundle likely will be too. Always check and see what your cheapest options are.
Magazine Mogul ($14.00)
Twelfth verse, same as the first. Kairosoft has ported over another one of its mobile sims, this time the magazine publisher-flavored Magazine Mogul. It works pretty much the same as all of the other Kairosoft business sims, so it’s a nice smooth ride where you can’t really lose. If you’re not sick of these yet, you’ll enjoy this one. If you’re burnt out, this doesn’t make any important changes that will bring you back. And as usual, it’s almost three times the price of the mobile version and doesn’t particularly benefit from having physical buttons. Do what you will with it.
Lost Horizon 2 ($14.99)
The next game in the Lost Horizon series from many of the same people that brought you the popular Secret Files series of adventure games. Set in the mid-1950s, it follows the story of a British Army scout named Fenton whose daughter has been kidnapped and brought across enemy lines. With the help of a Nazi hunter named Anna, Fenton has to venture behind the Iron Curtain and try to rescue his daughter while trying to keep Cold War tensions from exploding. In terms of gameplay, this is a point-and-click style adventure game as you would expect. If you liked the Secret Files games or, you know, the first Lost Horizon, you’ll probably enjoy this one.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Okay, so when I woke up today I saw that only a handful of new sales had arrived overnight. And that makes sense, as roughly half of the entire Switch library is on sale at the moment. But how paltry would it be if I only included those few new discounts? Surely there was more gold to mine from the Summer Sale? Yeah. I don’t think it was a very good idea, either. But here we are. At least there isn’t much in the outbox to worry about.
Select New Games on Sale
SEGA AGES Phantasy Star ($5.99 from $7.99 until 6/17)
SEGA AGES Lightening Force ($3.99 from $7.99 until 6/17)
Lost Horizon 2 ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/16)
Hyper Sentinel ($0.07 from $7.99 until 6/17)
Mystery of Woolley Mountain ($1.29 from $12.99 until 6/17)
Duel Hand Disaster: Trackher ($0.99 from $9.99 until 6/16)
Silk ($5.19 from $12.99 until 6/17)
8-Ball Pocket ($1.97 from $5.99 until 6/30)
Conjuror Andy’s Repeatable Dungeon ($6.79 from $7.99 until 6/23)
Snow Moto Racing Freedom ($11.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
Aqua Moto Racing Utopia ($11.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
Death Road to Canada ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Wizard of Legend ($7.99 from $15.99 until 6/17)
Fox n Forests ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)
Battle Chasers: Nightwar ($11.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
Framed Collection ($3.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)
Little Nightmares: Complete ($9.89 from $29.99 until 6/17)
6180 the moon ($2.79 from $3.99 until 6/17)
Legend of Kay Anniversary ($8.99 from $29.99 until 6/17)
ICEY ($6.99 from $9.99 until 6/23)
Happy Birthdays ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
Creepy Road ($5.19 from $12.99 until 7/1)
Yet Another Zombie Defense HD ($0.99 from $4.99 until 6/17)
Lanota ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
The Lost Child ($19.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Limbo ($6.49 from $9.99 until 6/17)
Survive! Mr. Cube ($2.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Anima: Gate of Memories ($7.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Burnstar ($0.29 from $2.99 until 6/17)
Nekopara Vol.1 ($8.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Ultra Battle Space Brawl ($1.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Squids Odyssey ($5.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Pato Box ($4.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
The Lion’s Song ($5.99 from $9.99 until 6/16)
Hunting Simulator ($11.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
Bomb Chicken ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop! ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/16)
Touhou Gensou Wanderer Reloaded ($19.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Adventure Time: Pirates ($11.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
Sausage Sports Club ($4.50 from $15.00 until 6/17)
Mega Man X Legacy Collection ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Crossing Souls ($3.74 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Not a Hero: Super Snazzy ($2.59 from $12.99 until 6/17)
Flipping Death ($3.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Minit ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)
SubaraCity ($2.50 from $5.00 until 6/17)
Okami HD ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
The Walking Dead: Final Season ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
State of Mind ($9.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
Red’s Kingdom ($2.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)
Next Up Hero ($4.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Bad North ($8.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Prison Architect ($7.49 from $29.99 until 6/17)
Fernz Gate ($7.14 from $12.99 until 6/17)
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate ($19.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
The VideoKid ($1.49 from $4.99 until 6/17)
God Wars The Complete Legend ($14.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
Ninjin: Clash of Carrots ($1.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)
Broforce ($3.74 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Monkey King: Master of Clouds ($1.99 from $4.99 until 6/17)
Broken Age ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Labyrinth of Refrain: Coven of Dusk ($24.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Reigns: Kings & Queens ($3.99 from $7.99 until 6/17)
MagiCat ($1.24 from $4.99 until 6/17)
Valkyria Chronicles 4 ($14.99 from $29.99 until 6/17)
South Park: The Stick of Truth ($11.99 from $29.99 until 6/17)
Wandersong ($7.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Pilot Sports ($4.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Batman: The Enemy Within ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Disgaea 1 Complete ($24.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Guacamelee! Super Turbo ($5.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Starlink: Battle for Atlas Deluxe ($23.99 from $79.99 until 6/17)
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 ($7.49 from $29.99 until 6/17)
The Room ($2.49 from $9.99 until 6/17)
Gal Metal ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Transistor ($3.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Machinarium ($4.49 from $14.99 until 6/17)
GRIP ($9.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
Road Redemption ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Crashlands ($11.99 from $14.99 until 6/17)
The Bug Butcher ($3.99 from $7.99 until 6/17)
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI ($29.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Mother Russia Bleeds ($3.74 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Kingdom Two Crowns ($13.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Pang Adventures ($3.99 from $9.99 until 6/16)
Onimusha: Warlords ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Sphinx & the Cursed Mummy ($11.99 from $29.99 until 6/17)
Wargroove ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/17)
Iron Crypticle ($3.99 from $9.99 until 6/17)
Trials Rising Gold ($11.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
V-Rally 4 ($14.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Overwhelm ($3.49 from $9.99 until 6/17)
Katana Zero ($10.04 from $14.99 until 6/17)
Miles & Kilo ($1.59 from $7.99 until 7/2)
Flip Over Frog ($0.99 from $7.50 until 7/2)
Conduct Together! ($0.01 from $19.99 until 7/2)
Goonya Fighter ($0.99 from $24.99 until 7/2)
Pity Pit ($3.99 from $4.99 until 7/2)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, June 12th
Astro Bears ($0.99 from $6.99 until 6/12)
BE-A Walker ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/12)
Die for Valhalla! ($5.99 from $11.99 until 6/12)
Earthworms ($0.39 from $7.99 until 6/12)
Happy Animals Bowling ($2.49 from $4.99 until 6/12)
Immortal Planet ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/12)
Knight Squad ($13.49 from $14.99 until 6/12)
Mars Power Industries ($0.99 from $3.99 until 6/12)
Spoiler Alert ($0.10 from $4.99 until 6/12)
Stab Stab Stab! ($7.49 from $9.99 until 6/12)
The Way Remastered ($0.99 from $14.99 until 6/12)
Thea: The Awakening ($8.99 from $17.99 until 6/12)
VSR: Void Space Racing ($0.39 from $4.99 until 6/12)
Warborn ($19.99 from $24.99 until 6/12)
911 Operator ($3.74 from $14.99 until 6/12)
911 Operator Deluxe ($15.39 from $21.99 until 6/12)
That’s all for today, friends. The new releases were a bit light today, but I suspect tomorrow will be a more usual sort of day. I guess we’ll see what the new day brings. I hope you all have an excellent Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!
