News

SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory’ Announced, ‘Across the Grooves’ and Today’s Other New Releases, Plus the Latest Sales

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for June 17th, 2020. In today’s article, we’ve got two announcements of games coming to Switch, summaries of all of today’s new releases, and the usual list of incoming and outgoing sales. Oddly, most of the games that hit the eShop today are adventure games. Well, that’s cool. Oh, there could also be some Pokemon news through the Pokemon Presents thing that has already happened by the time this is posted, but I am writing this from the past so we’ll have to catch up tomorrow. Let’s go with what we’ve got!

News

‘Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory’ Coming to Switch in 2020

Well, Kingdom Hearts is finally coming to the Switch, but probably not in the form most were guessing or hoping for. Square Enix has announced a 2020 worldwide release, for multiple consoles including the Switch, of Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory. It’s a rhythm game that looks a lot like Theatrhythm from a different point of view, and it seems to be looking back on events and scenes from previous games. It’s said to include more than 140 songs and four gameplay modes, including an online mode. Apparently that list will include some Disney music, so that’s nice. Oh, and it will naturally include critical story information that you’ll probably need to know in order to understand whatever the heck Nomura comes up with for Kingdom Hearts 4. Sure, I’m up for this.

Hail to the King! ‘Duke Nukem 3D’ Hits Switch on June 23rd

Not that long ago the Switch saw the release of Ion Fury, an homage to classic first-person shooters that even went as far as using an updated version of the Build Engine. But if you want the game that made the Build Engine’s name on your Switch, well, Gearbox is ready to accommodate you. Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour is coming to the Switch on June 23rd for the reasonable price of $9.99. There’s a pre-order discount on the game that cuts that price in half. If Duke 3D isn’t worth a fiver to you, I don’t know what to say. Switch-specific enhancements include gyroscopic aiming, motion controls, and HD Rumble support. Otherwise, this is very similar in content and form to its versions on other platforms.

The Latest ‘Super Smash Bros.’ Event Makes Another Point

Okay, there was an easier title I could have used, but I try to keep things moderately family-friendly around here. Anyway, it’s Wednesday, and thus it is time for the announcement of this weekend’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate event. Kicking off this Friday and running for three days through the weekend, the latest dust-up is a Spirit Board event dedicated to characters with horns. Defeat them and you’ll earn some extra snacks. It is taking literally everything in my power to not make rude jokes right now. You have no idea.

New Releases

Across the Grooves ($16.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

This is a French-developed visual novel that sends you into a mystery that is kicked off with the arrival of an old vinyl record in the mail. It sees main character Alice set off on a journey spanning Europe, packed full of references to classic rock. You’ll make choices here and there that will lead you to one of a number of very different conclusions, but most of the playtime will be spent reading. Fortunately, it’s a rather compelling tale that is well-written and filled with interesting characters. Very fresh and enjoyable stuff.

Edna & Harvey: The Breakout – Anniversary Edition ($19.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Daedalic Entertainment’s classic Edna & Harvey: The Breakout is back in a spiffy Anniversary Edition. Everything is done up in higher resolution, but the core point-and-click style adventure is just as you may remember. It follows the story of Edna, who wakes up in a sanatorium with no memories but a strong desire to escape. Her talking stuffed bunny, Harvey, is fully on-board with this plan. The sanatorium head Dr. Marcel is pulling out all the stops to keep her from leaving, but why? And what’s the deal with that memory loss? You’ll find out the answers as you make your way through this 20-hour adventure. If you like this genre and somehow haven’t played this one yet, the Switch version is a good way to do that.

Colt Canyon ($14.99)

Checking in as the first top-down twin-stick roguelite shooter to release on the Switch this week, Colt Canyon‘s claim to fame comes from its slick Wild West theme. You get your sepia-toned (well, outside of the blood) visuals, a soundtrack evocative of spaghetti westerns, gunslingers and vicious bandits around every corner, all mixed in with the usual elements of this popular sub-genre. I’ll admit that I’m rather fond of Colt Canyon just because I’m a sucker for the theme. The gameplay is quite ordinary for this sort of game, but the unique style may push it over the edge for you, too.

I Dream of You and Ice Cream ($4.99)

This quirky point-and-click style adventure game posits a grim future where humanity has been enslaved by a doll-like creature. A scientist is building a machine while the clock is ticking on the ultimate fate of humankind, and that’s pretty much where you come in. Interestingly, the game does not feature any dialogue. It’s all symbols and emotions. Its unusual premise and low price certainly make it an enticing game to take a punt on if you’re into experimental adventure games.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

It looks like the eShop is taking itself a little break after that huge Summer Sale. There isn’t a whole lot of good new stuff today, though Smash TV fans might want Galaxy Champions TV and grabbing Duke 3D for half-off is an easy pick-up. AkSys is finishing up its discounts soon, so games like Code: Realize and Death Mark will be back up to their regular prices. That really nice sale on Monster Boy is also wrapping up, so be sure to grab it if you like good games and haven’t bought it yet.

Select New Games on Sale

Galaxy Champions TV ($1.49 from $6.99 until 6/29)
I, Zombie ($0.99 from $4.99 until 7/1)
Ludomania ($0.60 from $4.00 until 7/6)
Flowlines VS ($0.49 from $4.99 until 7/6)
Food Truck Tycoon ($1.49 from $4.99 until 7/6)
Bubble Cats Rescue ($0.79 from $3.99 until 7/6)
Adrenaline Rush – Miami Drive ($0.79 from $3.99 until 7/7)
Colt Canyon ($13.49 from $14.99 until 6/22)
Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary ($4.99 from $9.99 until 7/6)
Ghost Grab 3000 ($4.49 from $4.99 until 7/3)
Singled Out ($4.49 from $4.99 until 7/3)
Round Guard ($12.99 from $19.99 until 6/25)
Gurgamoth ($0.49 from $9.99 until 6/25)
Almost There: The Platformer ($0.49 from $9.99 unti 6/25)
Tumblestone ($1.79 from $14.99 until 6/25)
The Bridge ($1.39 from $9.99 until 6/25)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Thursday, June 18th

Adventure Pinball Bundle ($4.49 from $8.99 until 6/18)
Another Sight ($23.99 from $39.99 until 6/18)
Blue Rider ($3.99 from $9.99 until 6/18)
Code: Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~ ($27.99 from $39.99 until 6/18)
Death Mark ($19.99 from $49.99 until 6/18)
Defend Your Castle ($1.74 from $4.99 until 6/18)
Double Cross ($4.99 from $19.99 until 6/18)
EQQO ($2.00 from $6.00 until 6/18)
Fun! Fun! Animal Park ($14.99 from $29.99 until 6/18)
Ghost Parade ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/18)
Habroxia ($3.19 from $7.99 until 6/18)
Indiecalypse ($10.91 from $11.99 until 6/18)
Joggernauts ($3.74 from $14.99 until 6/18)
Kawaii Deathu Desu ($3.99 from $4.99 until 6/18)
Little Dragons Cafe ($17.99 from $59.99 until 6/18)


Lydia ($2.00 from $4.00 until 6/18)
Mable & The Wood ($3.74 from $14.99 until 6/18)
Mad Games Tycoon ($23.99 from $39.99 until 6/18)
Many Faces ($3.99 from $4.99 until 6/18)
Monster Boy & Cursed Kingdom ($17.99 from $39.99 until 6/18)
Mushroom Wars 2 ($7.99 from $19.99 until 6/18)
Null Drifter ($3.49 from $4.99 until 6/18)
Polyroll ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/18)
Project Starship ($3.49 from $4.99 until 6/18)
Quad Fighter K ($3.99 from $7.99 until 6/18)
Red Death ($3.49 from $4.99 until 6/18)
Refreshing Sideways Hammer ($22.39 from $27.99 until 6/18)
Safari Pinball ($1.49 from $2.99 until 6/18)
Soccer, Tactics & Glory ($23.99 from $39.99 until 6/18)
Soul Searching ($1.99 from $9.99 until 6/18)


Spirit Hunter: NG ($24.99 from $49.99 until 6/18)
Stardust Galaxy Warriors ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/18)
The Adventures of 00 Dilly ($8.99 from $14.99 until 6/18)
The King’s Bird ($4.99 from $19.99 until 6/18)
The Low Road ($5.24 from $14.99 until 6/18)
Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late cl-r ($27.99 from $39.99 until 6/18)
WildTrax Racing ($5.99 from $7.99 until 6/18)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with a massive amount of new releases, whatever interesting news comes from that Pokemon Presents, and hopefully some decent sales. I hope you all have a great Wednesday, and as always, thanks for reading!