Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 24th, 2021. In today’s article, we’ve got a little update news for the excellent Astro Aqua Kitty. We then head into the new release summaries, with the big gun for today being King’s Bounty II. We finish things up with the usual lists of incoming and outgoing sales. It’s a bit shorter than normal today as I’ve just received my second vaccine shot and am trying to chill out a bit. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal within a day or two. Let’s get to the games!
News
‘Astro Aqua Kitty’ Gets a Cool New Mode in a Free Update
I rather enjoyed Tikipod’s Astro Aqua Kitty when it released a little while back. It took the Aqua Kitty concept and beefed it up considerably, making for a rather robust slice of action. But for those who perhaps missed the simple pick-up and play appeal of the original game, you may find a lot to like about the game’s latest update. It adds a brand new mode called Arcade Challenge Mode, which takes the form of a more typical side-scrolling shoot-em-up. This new mode is added via a free update to the game. If you don’t already own the game, it’s currently on sale for 25% off the usual price. I think it is pretty neat.
New Releases
King’s Bounty II ($59.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
A long time ago (about thirty-one years ago), a game called King’s Bounty released on home computers. A lot of people liked it, and its ideas were carried forward into a rather successful series called Heroes of Might & Magic. A while later, a game publisher named 1C Company bought the rights to the name and made several successful spin-offs. And now in 2021, the folks at 1C have brought us a true sequel to the original game, creatively titled King’s Bounty II. Like the original, this game has both turn-based tactical battles and a broader strategic layer, though the latter portion in this game comes off a lot like a regular RPG. This Switch port makes some compromises compared to the other versions, but it does indeed deliver its intended experience. I’ll have a review of this one soon.
Hoa ($14.99)
Depending on what you look for in games, Hoa may very well be right up your alley. It is incredibly gorgeous on the eyes, and the overall presentation is excellent. It’s a little on the brief side, so if you’re looking for something to fill an evening or cozy Sunday afternoon, it will fit the bill. It’s a puzzle-platformer, but neither the puzzles nor the platforming are terribly demanding. This game is more about the experience of playing it, simply enjoying the sights and sounds as you make your way through its world. Those looking for a robust mechanical challenge will want to take a pass on it, however.
Mickey Storm and the Cursed Mask ($17.99)
I’m assuming this is based on a licensed property of some kind. Just has that feeling to it. You play as Mickey or Jenny Storm and try to rescue your parents in an… an evil water park? Is that right? There are seventy-four levels of platforming and watersliding, with sixteen different unlockable rides to help you out. Battle the evil Dr. Fisher in boss battles and try to save your famous spy parents before it’s too late. Pull in a friend or family member to play as the other Storm kid and enjoy some local co-op multiplayer. Hm, a platform game full of waterslides? What could pawsibly go wrong?
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
I really mean ‘Select New Games’ today, friends. Ultimate Games is having a sale on almost all of its games, but I know first-hand that most of them are of very dubious merit and have only included a small selection as a result. If you want to see everything they have going on, just check their publisher page in the eShop. At any rate, there are some good games to be found in the list today. Radical Rabbit Stew is very fun. I’m a big fan of Star Wars Pinball. Devil May Cry and Devil May Cry 3 SE are awesome. Not too much to get excited about in terms of expiring sales, but have a careful look through both of the lists anyway to make sure you’ve gotten everything you want.
Select New Games on Sale
The Persistence ($5.99 from $29.99 until 8/30)
Radical Rabbit Stew ($3.99 from $15.99 until 8/31)
Star Wars Pinball ($17.99 from $29.99 until 8/31)
Devil May Cry ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Devil May Cry 2 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Devil May Cry 3 SE ($11.99 from $19.99 until 8/31)
Big Crown: Showdown ($2.59 from $12.99 until 8/31)
Disjunction ($11.99 from $15.99 until 8/31)
Shadows ($2.39 from $7.99 until 9/2)
Shadows 2: Perfidia ($2.39 from $7.99 until 9/2)
Vampire’s Fall: Origins ($3.89 from $12.99 until 9/2)
Ailment ($2.39 from $7.99 until 9/2)
Tank Mechanic Simulator ($5.39 from $17.99 until 9/2)
Car Mechanic Manager ($2.19 from $3.99 until 9/2)
Car Mechanic Simulator Pocket ($2.99 from $19.99 until 9/2)
Car Trader ($2.19 from $3.99 until 9/2)
Magnus Failure ($2.79 from $3.99 until 9/2)
Metal Commando ($3.49 from $4.99 until 9/2)
Volleyball Challenge ($3.49 from $4.99 until 9/2)
Ships ($2.09 from $13.99 until 9/2)
Down to Hell ($2.99 from $9.99 until 9/2)
WoM: Planar Conquest ($6.79 from $16.99 until 9/2)
Doubles Hard ($2.39 from $5.99 until 9/2)
Climbros ($2.97 from $9.90 until 9/2)
Bus Driver Simulator ($2.99 from $29.99 until 9/2)
House Flipper ($9.99 from $24.99 until 9/2)
Garage Mechanic Simulator ($2.09 from $6.99 until 9/2)
Catch a Duck ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/2)
Swords & Sandals: Spartacus ($2.72 from $12.99 until 9/2)
The Mims Beginning ($2.69 from $8.99 until 9/2)
Feathery Ears ($2.99 from $9.99 until 9/2)
Go Fishing 3D ($4.49 from $14.99 until 9/2)
The Long Return ($2.69 from $8.99 until 9/2)
Selma & the Wisp ($2.99 from $9.99 until 9/2)
One Line Coloring ($2.09 from $6.99 until 9/7)
Hexologic ($2.00 from $2.99 until 9/7)
Broken Lines ($4.99 from $24.99 until 9/12)
The Wonderful 101: Remastered ($27.19 from $39.99 until 9/12)
Vambrace: Cold Soul ($8.32 from $24.99 until 9/13)
Torn Tales: Rebound Edition ($3.19 from $7.99 until 9/13)
Overlanders ($1.99 from $24.99 until 9/13)
Azurebreak Heroes ($1.99 from $6.99 until 9/13)
Escape From Tethys ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Retro Game Pack ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/13)
Breeder Homegrown: DC ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/13)
Syder Reloaded ($7.79 from $11.99 until 9/13)
Dead End Job ($4.24 from $16.99 until 9/13)
Rift Keeper ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Bridge Constructor Portal ($4.99 from $14.99 until 9/13)
Earth Atlantis ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/13)
In Between ($1.99 from $11.99 until 9/13)
Doodle Derby ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/13)
North ($1.99 from $2.99 until 9/13)
7th Sector ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/13)
Super Loop Drive ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/13)
Active Neurons: Puzzle Game ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/13)
Active Neurons 2 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/13)
Active Neurons 3 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/13)
Demon’s Rise: Lords of Chaos ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/13)
GraviFire ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/13)
Multi Quiz ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Escape from Life Inc ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Super Blackjack Battle 2 TE ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/13)
The Inner World ($2.39 from $11.99 until 9/13)
The Inner World: Last Wind Monk ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/13)
Super Treasure Arena ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
A Winter’s Daydream ($2.99 from $5.99 until 9/13)
Stellatum ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Miniature: The Story Puzzle ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/13)
The Mooseman ($3.49 from $6.99 until 9/13)
Drowning ($1.99 from $2.99 until 9/13)
Toby: The Secret Mine ($1.99 from $11.99 until 9/13)
History 2048 ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/13)
Blood Waves ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Truberbrook ($9.99 from $29.99 until 9/13)
Dragon Pinball ($2.00 from $2.99 until 9/13)
Titans Pinball ($2.00 from $2.99 until 9/13)
Just Black Jack ($1.99 from $2.99 until 9/13)
Tied Together ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/13)
Speedway Racing ($2.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
The Tower of Beatrice ($2.99 from $5.99 until 9/13)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 25th
Balthazar’s Dream ($2.80 from $8.00 until 8/25)
Bit Dungeon Plus ($3.14 from $8.99 until 8/25)
Black Jack World Tour ($2.39 from $3.99 until 8/25)
Death Road to Canada ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/25)
Die for Valhalla! ($2.39 from $11.99 until 8/25)
Enter Digiton: HoC ($6.39 from $7.99 until 8/25)
Fear Effect Sedna ($1.99 from $19.99 until 8/25)
Forgotton Anne ($7.99 from $19.99 until 8/25)
Greak: Memories of Azur ($17.99 from $19.99 until 8/25)
Heroes of the Monkey Tavern ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/25)
Ice Cream Surfer ($2.80 from $8.00 until 8/25)
Immortal Planet ($5.99 from $14.99 until 8/25)
In Celebration of Violence ($7.79 from $12.99 until 8/25)
Jump King ($6.49 from $12.99 until 8/25)
Manticore: Galaxy on Fire ($3.99 from $19.99 until 8/25)
Mushroom Heroes ($2.09 from $5.99 until 8/25)
Octahedron: Transfixed Edition ($6.49 from $12.99 until 8/25)
Oh My Godheads: Party Edition ($2.99 from $14.99 until 8/25)
Pachi Pachi on a Roll ($4.19 from $6.99 until 8/25)
Relicta ($11.99 from $19.99 until 8/25)
STAB STAB STAB! ($3.99 from $9.99 until 8/25)
Steamburg ($1.99 from $4.99 until 8/25)
Summer Paws ($3.49 from $4.99 until 8/25)
Super Hiking League DX ($3.99 from $4.99 until 8/25)
Tetsumo Party ($1.99 from $4.99 until 8/25)
The Town of Light: Deluxe ($3.99 from $9.99 until 8/25)
Vostok Inc ($3.29 from $14.99 until 8/25)
Windbound ($14.99 from $19.99 until 8/25)
Wingspan ($13.39 from $19.99 until 8/25)
That’s all for today, friends. We should be back tomorrow with some news, new releases, and fresh sales. I say “should be" because I still don’t know how I’ll be feeling, but as long as I can make the keyboard work I should be here. How about that trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home, eh? I’m not sure I could be any more hyped, but the next few months will probably test that limit. I hope you all have a thrilling Tuesday, and as always, thanks for reading!
