Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 21st, 2020. My time is incredibly short today, so I’ll get right to the point with the introduction. There are a bunch of new releases today, a few of them are very good, and there were so many new sales I actually had to trim the fat on the list. No time for news, but that’s okay because this is a seaplane. Let’s check everything out!
New Releases
PGA Tour 2K21 ($59.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Oh, do we get some crumbs from the fancy kids’ table today? Here is PGA Tour 2K21, the latest Switch release from 2K Games. Hop into a massive PGA Tour career mode and see if you can climb to the top of the ranks against more than ten real pros on a bunch of real courses including TPC Sawgrass, East Lake Golf Club, and more. Build your MyPlayer and create your own dream course, or play against other humans in local or online multiplayer. This seems like the real deal, so if you’ve been craving a high-end golf game with all the bells and whistles, your cart has arrived.
Even the Ocean ($14.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Yeah, this is a great platforming adventure. You play as a power plant technician named Aliph who ends up in a pinch while out on a routine call. Using her newfound powers, Aliph has to work with the Mayor to handle an unknown threat and save the city. There’s some good action in here, but you’ll also be exploring towns and talking to various people as well. The game came out a few years ago on other platforms but I barely hear anyone talk about it. Perhaps it will find a bigger audience on the Switch. It really is quite good.
Paratopic ($5.49)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
This is a first-person horror game, and while the Switch certainly isn’t starving for games like that, Paratopic is something special. Its visuals aim for an early 32-bit polygonal feel, giving off a vibe like Silent Hill or Echo Night. It’s not a very long game, running about an hour in length, but its storytelling makes it worth the trip. It will definitely stick with you for a bit after you finish it. For the reasonable asking price, it’s an easy game to recommend for those who are okay with a bit of horror. Beyond that, the less I say about it, the better.
Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time ($39.99)
Well, this is certainly a good advertisement for Apple Arcade, isn’t it? Yes, Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time hits the Switch on the same day it hit Apple’s program, and unless you’ve got a lot of extra money or don’t own a reasonably recent Apple mobile device, it’s very hard to argue that you should spend forty dollars to buy it here when you can subscribe to Apple Arcade for five dollars a month and get the same game along with many others. I mean, the Switch version is fine, but the math just doesn’t work in its favor at all. However you play it, it’s nice to see Samurai Jack back in action in the video game world.
One Line Coloring ($6.99)
This is less of a coloring game and more of a connect-the-dots kind of affair, but that’s fine. You have to join the dots with lines to connect sections and create the intended objects. There are more than 100 puzzles to solve, and a handful of themes that serve as backdrops for the completed objects. It’s not terribly challenging, so it’s a good choice for kids. And while it’s probably not going to tax most adults, it is fairly relaxing to play even without much difficulty.
Inmost ($14.99)
Ah, it’s another Apple Arcade game. We’re going to be seeing a lot of those coming to the Switch in the next few weeks. Inmost is a cinematic puzzle-platformer, and it’s alright. Not great, but alright. Good enough that if you’re into the theme or genre, you might want to give it a shot. But do you want to give it a shot on the Switch instead of on Apple Arcade? That’s a tougher question. There are three main characters, each with their own abilities and play style. The game runs about four or five hours, and there are some interesting secrets to find. I suppose it’s nice to have buttons and if you generally prefer to game on your Switch, this is a fine enough version.
IndyGo ($6.99)
IndyGo is a narrative adventure set in a single room that deals with heavy themes. There is some gameplay stuff here, but the game is mostly focused on telling its story about what it’s like to suffer from depression. This is not a fun game, and it’s not trying to be. But if you want to try to get a better understanding of a particular sort of mental illness, you may find some merit in this experience. There are multiple endings based on what you do during the game, so there’s a bit of replay value in here. Not bad for seven dollars, provided you’re okay grappling with its melancholy atmosphere.
Rusty Gun ($4.99)
Maybe I’ve been around in the mobile gaming scene for too long, but there’s something oddly nostalgic for me about a simple, pixel-art run-and-gun game. And that is basically what you get with Rusty Gun. Is it good? Does it have lots of secrets? I don’t know, I’m afraid. But it’s cheap and it seems earnest. Perhaps that’s enough in this wild world of ours. Anyway, you’re some weird guy with a gun who needs to battle aliens to save Earth. Well, okay. His main goal is just to be able to get back to his fishing, which the alien invasion has dramatically disrupted. Well, whatever gets you off the sofa.
4×4 Dirt Track ($11.99)
Yeah, this is another one of those BoomBit driving games, this time with an off-road theme. There are 75 levels with goals to accomplish, and 15 different vehicles to drive. A variety of weather conditions and some physics that many players will be familiar with by now. The whole thing is set in a reasonably open forest environment with a fair bit of bio-diversity. You can try it out for free on your mobile device if you want to get the general idea. There aren’t any IAPs in the Switch version but you should be able to get a sense of whether or not you like it from playing that mobile version.
Aokana: Four Rhythms Across the Blue ($29.99)
With the sheer number of visual novels based around young romance, you almost have to have a gimmick of some kind in your premise in order to stand out. In Aokana‘s case, it’s that this is a world where everyone can fly thanks to anti-gravity shoes. Uh, sure. Let’s be real: once we allowed the pigeons in maid outfits into the pool, we lost our right to criticize silly premises. Anyway, you’re a coach of a sport that sees people racing in the sky. You’ll meet four different girls and can choose to develop a romance with your favorite. There are choices to make and multiple endings to reach based on what you do. I’ve heard decent enough things about this one, though I’m having trouble buying into a world where everyone just casually flies but girls still wear skirts. Also, do they get a lot of bugs flying in their unprotected faces? Questions, friends. I have questions.
FuzzBall ($18.49)
Sure, let’s have another local-only multiplayer party game. This one revolves around fluffy little creatures called FuzzBalls who need to try to bounce each other off of seven different stages. Up to four players can join in, and there are three different modes to help mix things up. I feel like we’ve seen a few games like this already, but for what it is it seems to be rather well-made. It doesn’t really do much to jump out at me, particularly at a near-twenty dollar price point. But if you like the look of it and play local multiplayer games often enough, you may be keener on it.
Gryphon Knight Epic: Definitive Edition ($12.99)
A horizontal shoot-em-up with a fairly fresh theme, Gryphon Knight Epic sees you playing as a knight who has already saved the world once before. When former allies start going on a rampage, Sir Oliver hops on the back of a gryphon and sets out on one more adventure to get to the bottom of things. You’ll shoot your way through nine levels, defeating bosses and claiming their weapons for your own. I really like the pixel art in this game, though the action itself doesn’t quite match up. It’s decent but if you’re all full up on shooters this one doesn’t do anything to merit throwing on your pile.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
I knew a big summer sale was coming soon. I could feel it in my bones. Here it is! And it’s so big that I gave up on including everything and instead focused on the big stuff. I mean, the cut-off was generous so there’s still a ton here, but there’s even more if you head to the eShop. I wish your wallets, bank accounts, and sofa cushion coins the best of luck in dealing with it all. There’s also the outbox, but that definitely shouldn’t be your priority today.
Select New Games on Sale
Luigi’s Mansion 3 ($41.99 from $59.99 until 8/31)
ARMS ($41.99 from $59.99 until 8/31)
1-2-Switch ($34.99 from $49.99 until 8/31)
The Stretchers ($13.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Monster Boy & Cursed Kingdom ($17.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
Bloodstained: CotM 2 ($11.99 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove ($27.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Catherine: Full Body ($39.99 from $49.99 until 8/31)
Puyo Puyo Champions ($3.99 from $9.99 until 8/31)
Puyo Puyo Tetris ($17.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Mario & Sonic at the Olympics ($39.99 from $59.99 until 8/31)
SEGA AGES Inchidant-R ($3.99 from $7.99 until 8/31)
SEGA AGES Gain Ground ($3.99 from $7.99 until 8/31)
SEGA AGES Virtua Racing ($5.99 from $7.99 until 8/31)
Star Wars Ep 1 Racer ($11.24 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Star Wars Jedi Academy ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
SpongeBob SquarePants: BfBB ($26.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Burnout Paradise Remastered ($34.99 from $49.99 until 8/31)
Super Mega Baseball 3 ($35.99 from $44.99 until 8/31)
Jay & Silent Bob: Mall Brawl ($9.99 from $14.99 until 8/30)
Mousecraft ($6.99 from $9.99 until 8/27)
Vitamin Connection ($13.99 from $19.99 until 8/30)
Mighty Switch Force Collection ($13.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
River City Girl ($20.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
MotoGP 20 ($23.99 from $39.99 until 9/3)
Saints Row: The Third ($19.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Saints Row IV: Re-Elected ($25.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Darksiders Genesis ($27.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Darksiders Warmastered ($14.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Darksiders II Deathinitive ($14.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Red Faction Guerrilla ($16.49 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Hypercharge Unboxed ($13.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Warhammer 40k: Space Wolf ($11.69 from $17.99 until 9/2)
Gunma’s Ambition ($6.99 from $9.99 until 9/9)
Garfield Kart Furious Racing ($11.99 from $29.99 until 8/26)
Cube Creator X ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/9)
Just Dance 2020 ($19.99 from $39.99 until 9/8)
Harvest Moon: Mad Dash ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
A Hat in Time ($20.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Overwatch: Legendary ($19.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled ($23.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Diablo III: Eternal Collection ($29.99 from $59.99 until 8/31)
Fight’N Rage ($12.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Dead By Daylight ($26.39 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Inferno 2 ($1.49 from $4.99 until 8/31)
GRID Autosport ($24.49 from $34.99 until 8/31)
Puzzle Quest: The Legend Returns ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Castle Crashers Remastered ($8.99 from $14.99 until 8/31)
LEGO Jurassic World ($11.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
LEGO NinjaGo Movie Video Game ($12.49 from $49.99 until 8/31)
LEGO Worlds ($8.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
LEGO Harry Potter Collection ($12.49 from $49.99 until 8/31)
LEGO DC Super-Villains ($11.99 from $59.99 until 8/31)
LEGO The Incredibles ($17.99 from $59.99 until 8/31)
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 ($8.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
LEGO Movie 2 Videogame ($9.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
LEGO City Undercover ($8.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Rebel Cops ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/31)
Divinity: Original Sin 2 ($34.99 from $49.99 until 8/31)
Heave Ho ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/31)
Songbird Symphony ($11.89 from $16.99 until 8/31)
Lethal League Blaze ($13.99 from $19.99 until 8/30)
Blazing Chrome ($8.49 from $16.99 until 8/31)
Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization ($14.99 from $49.99 until 8/31)
Rock of Ages 2 ($5.99 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Cuphead ($15.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!! ($6.49 from $12.99 until 8/31)
Unravel Two ($4.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Assault Android Cactus+ ($7.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Iron Crypticle ($2.99 from $9.99 until 8/31)
Aqua Kitty UDX ($2.69 from $8.99 until 8/31)
Sphinx & the Cursed Mummy ($14.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Pikuniku ($3.24 from $12.99 until 8/31)
Sundered: Eldritch ($4.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Kingdom Two Crowns ($13.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Guacamelee! Super Turbo ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/30)
Guacamelee! 2 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/30)
Coffee Crisis ($1.99 from $9.99 until 8/31)
Asterix & Obelix XXL 2 ($8.99 from $29.99 until 8/26)
Horizon Chase Turbo ($5.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Mother Russia Bleeds ($3.74 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Road Redemption ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/30)
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! ($14.99 from $49.99 until 8/31)
Tricky Towers ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Armello ($7.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Ultimate Chicken Horse ($8.99 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Scribblenauts Mega Pack ($9.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Scribblenauts Showdown ($9.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Surgeon Simulator CPR ($6.49 from $12.99 until 8/31)
Shadow Fight 2 ($9.99 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Broforce ($3.74 from $14.99 until 8/31)
de Blob ($11.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
de Blob 2 ($11.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Titan Quest ($15.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Go Vacation ($34.99 from $49.99 until 8/31)
Sausage Sports Club ($4.50 from $15.00 until 8/30)
Runbow ($3.74 from $14.99 until 9/9)
Legend of Kay Anniversary ($11.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Runner3 ($1.99 from $19.99 until 9/3)
Wizard of Legend ($7.99 from $15.99 until 8/31)
Battle Chasers: Nightwar ($15.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 ($11.99 from $39.99 until 8/31)
Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm ($7.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 ($7.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 ($7.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Jotun: Valhalla ($3.74 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Wild Guns Reloaded ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Pac-Man Championship 2 Plus ($7.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Tales of the Tiny Planet ($10.49 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Super Meat Boy ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Enter the Gungeon ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/31)
Golf Story ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/1)
Severed ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/30)
Swimsanity! ($18.74 from $24.99 until 8/31)
Graceful Explosion Machine ($6.49 from $12.99 until 8/27)
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Digerati Dungeon Crawl Bundle ($7.87 from $52.49 until 9/9)
Runestone Keeper ($8.99 from $9.99 until 8/27)
Ellipsis ($3.49 from $4.99 until 9/8)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Almost There ($1.49 from $9.99 until 8/22)
Animal Rivals ($0.39 from $3.99 until 8/22)
Gurgamoth ($1.49 from $9.99 until 8/22)
Planetary Defense Force ($0.59 from $5.99 until 8/22)
Strike! Ten Pin Bowling ($7.49 from $9.99 until 8/22)
The Bridge ($1.99 from $9.99 until 8/22)
The House of Da Vinci ($7.49 from $9.99 until 8/22)
Tumblestone ($2.99 from $14.99 until 8/22)
Alteric ($0.99 from $4.99 until 8/23)
Awesome Pea ($2.03 from $5.99 until 8/23)
Balance Blox ($1.49 from $2.99 until 8/23)
Bubble Shooter DX ($1.49 from $2.99 until 8/23)
Crashbots ($3.39 from $9.99 until 8/23)
Deep Ones ($1.69 from $4.99 until 8/23)
Energy Cycle Edge ($0.99 from $4.99 until 8/23)
Energy Invasion ($1.01 from $2.99 until 8/23)
Grab the Bottle ($1.69 from $4.99 until 8/23)
Grass Cutter – Mutated Lawns ($2.37 from $6.99 until 8/23)
Jet Lancer ($11.24 from $14.99 until 8/23)
Let’s Go Nuts ($1.49 from $9.99 until 8/23)
Marble Power Blast ($1.49 from $2.99 until 8/23)
Metropolis: Lux Obscura ($2.71 from $7.99 until 8/23)
Never Give Up ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/23)
One Eyed Kutkh ($1.69 from $4.99 until 8/23)
OVIVO ($2.37 from $6.99 until 8/23)
Perry Pig Jump ($1.49 from $2.99 until 8/23)
Planet RIX-13 ($1.69 from $4.99 until 8/23)
Save the Ninja Clan ($0.99 from $4.99 until 8/23)
SkyTime ($1.01 from $2.99 until 8/23)
Spiral Splatter ($0.99 from $4.99 until 8/23)
State of Anarchy: MoM ($2.71 from $7.99 until 8/23)
Super Space Snake ($1.99 from $4.99 until 8/23)
Swamp Defense 2 ($1.49 from $2.99 until 8/23)
Where Are My Friends? ($1.01 from $5.99 until 8/23)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. I’ve got a busier than usual schedule at my regular job right now, so I don’t know how much gaming time I’ll be able to get in beyond the needed stuff for work. Ah well, I’ll have free time again someday. Someday. I hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
