Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 17th, 2021. In today’s article, we finish our look at the new games of the week with the Friday releases. Some fairly big games in the list today, like Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom and TOEM. We’ve got summaries of all of them, along with the expected massive list of new sales. It is matched with a tiny list of expiring sales. It was a tight squeeze for me today as my hospital appointment ran on rather long. Luckily, a little prep time meant that we can still have our feature today. Yay! Let’s go!
New Releases
Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom Prince’s Edition ($59.99)
SwitchArcade Score!
I would say that Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom didn’t have quite the same impact that the original game did, even in the West. It lacks the explicit Ghibli connection the first game had, though a couple of key Ghibli staff were still involved. The premise, following a young king as he tries to save the world from a great evil, also feels a bit more abstract than the “kid from our world falls into another world" set-up of the original. But there’s still a very good RPG here, and it’s interesting to see it come to the Switch. This version of the game includes the base game, all of the expansions, and the Prince’s Equipment pack. Those looking for something to sink their teeth into while waiting for Shin Megami Tensei V will likely be pleased with what Ni no Kuni II has to offer.
Nexomon ($9.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Hey, it’s the original Nexomon. Sure, it’s bargain bin Pokemon. But it’s good bargain bin Pokemon, and I can think of a lot of worse ways to spend ten bucks on a Switch RPG. Choose your starter and head out on an adventure to save the world from the wicked Nexolord. There are more than 300 Nexomon to find, battle, and catch. I’m not sure how much this version differs from the one that sells for a buck on the App Store, but I’d imagine at the very least it has been rebalanced to compensate for the lack of premium currency IAPs.
TOEM ($19.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
You might remember seeing this in an Indie Showcase a little while ago. It’s a hand-drawn relaxing adventure where you wander around the game’s world helping people with their problems by taking photographs. There are also some puzzles to solve, and you will probably not be that surprised to find out that you will have to use your photography skills to deal with them too. Ultimately, it does a pretty good job of doing what it set out to do. It’s a chill, feel-good light adventure with plenty of charm.
Don’t Forget Me ($14.99)
This is a point-and-click style adventure game that follows the story of an amnesiac who gets into the business of diving into people’s memories. Jump into their minds and solve puzzles to try to piece together a variety of mysteries, including one very big conspiracy. Reviews on this were a bit lukewarm on other platforms, but positive or negative most of them seem to agree that the story is good. Apparently it really digs into the concepts of humanity, freedom, and happiness, so if that is your thing you know what to do.
Rift Adventure ($7.99)
You know, I’ve been doing this for a long while. It’s rare for a game to surprise me with its sales pitch at this stage. But I can honestly say that I have never seen a pixel art platformer using tax education as a selling point. That’s just what Rift Adventure promises, however. I’m curious enough that I’m going to be doing a review of this one, so do look forward to that.
Tails of Iron ($24.99)
This is an action-adventure game where you play as a mouse soldier who has to defend their kingdom against the resurgent frog forces. The overall style of the game reminds me of the kinds of animated movies and books that gave kids nightmares in the 1980s. The combat takes inspiration from Dark Souls, as many games do these days. There is a crafting system, and the whole thing is narrated somewhat awkwardly by the voice of Geralt from the Witcher games. If you’re hungry for another 2D Souls-style game, Tails of Iron merits further investigation. Personally, I am not hungry for such a thing. Thus, I will leave the rest of it in your hands.
Dojoran ($4.99)
Ratalaika’s got another nifty little platformer for us this week. You play as a frog who can do all the usual platforming stuff, plus wall-jumping and something the game calls the “Apple Trick". Basically if you eat an apple, the frog will store it in his mouth and can spew it for a one-time double jump. There are 28 levels to play here, with checkpoints and infinite lives making it relatively accessible while still offering a good challenge. Not a bad five-dollar platformer at all.
Love Colors ($3.99)
Do you love colors? Do you, Love Colors? This is pretty much a digital paint-by-numbers coloring book. There are more than 150 pictures to color, and some of them get very big. If your friends are envious of the fun you’re having, they can get in on the action in a four-player local multiplayer mode. Need more pictures to color? In true Qubic Games fashion, there are DLCs here that cost more than the price of the base game, adding a whole ton of extra content.
Jigsaw Masterpieces EX – Kawaii Cute Goddesses – ($29.99)
More jigsaw puzzles, time with an anime girl theme. There are quite a few in this one, with 120 images in all. You can play each of them on three different difficulty settings. There are a few of the usual assist tools here, and the game can be played both docked and undocked. A little on the expensive side, but comparing quantity like for like with cheaper apps, it’s not bad.
Crypto is Dead ($5.99)
The idea here is that the game imagines a fantastical world where crypto currency has fully taken over and paper money is a thing of the past. But, uh-oh! Something happens that requires paper cash to be brought back into circulation. Unfortunately, people aren’t used to it and only an expert can tell the difference between real notes and fakes ones. That expert… is you. Seems to play a lot like Papers, Please. You have to examine notes carefully and compare with your book to see if they’re legit. Could be amusing.
Pool: 8-Ball Billiards ($5.99)
This is a billiards game where you need to complete more than 200 billiards challenges. You can also play against the computer AI. There’s a training mode and something the game calls 8 Balls Mode. I suppose the challenges could be interesting, but I don’t know if they’re interesting enough to make me care about another billiards game on the Switch. Maybe you will, though?
Marble Parkour ($4.99)
Hey, it’s another one of these games. Roll the ball around obstacles as you try to clear the game’s nineteen stages. There are various traps that will try to knock you off course, and various power-ups that will give you a helpful boost. Apparently there are also some different skins you can unlock for the marble. That’s all there is to it.
Pipe Fitter ($3.99)
Benjamin Kistler has another probable template flip for you that he couldn’t even be bothered to adjust for Switch gameplay standards. Touch controls are required so it’s handheld mode only. And it only plays in portrait mode, because that’s how Benny found the Android template and lacks the ability to do anything about it. Connect the pipes in 250 levels, or spend your four bucks on a game from a developer who actually gives a crap.
Galactic Invasion ($3.99)
And here’s Pix Arts/Benoit Vanasse with his toss-away release for the day. It’s a horizontal shoot-em-up, which has got to be one of the worst genres on the Switch to toss trash-bin efforts like this into. One of the finest selections of shoot-em-ups of any system ever, and Benoit’s out here putting something out that I wouldn’t play if someone paid me handsomely to do so. Well, whatever. It’s bad and flavorless. Not one good thing about it.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Well, there’s a couple hundred new sales to check out. Let’s look and see if there are any rarities. Shadow Gangs, Space Marshals, Dead Cells, and Sumire would be my picks. There are plenty of good games in the list, though. If you don’t believe me, take a look. Heck, even if you do believe me, take a look. Not a whole lot in that weekend outbox, so feel free to focus on the fresh sales instead.
Select New Games on Sale
#Funtime ($5.23 from $14.99 until 9/23)
Battle of Kings ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/23)
Deleveled ($3.94 from $9.99 until 9/23)
I.F.O ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/23)
Space Otter Charlie ($11.16 from $14.99 until 9/23)
The Bridge ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/23)
Roundguard ($8.71 from $19.99 until 9/23)
The Ambassador: FT ($5.92 from $14.99 until 9/23)
Gurgamoth ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/23)
Almost There: The Platformer ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/23)
Tumblestone ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/23)
Breakpoint ($2.41 from $4.99 until 9/23)
Fracter ($3.37 from $6.99 until 9/23)
6180 The Moon ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/23)
Thumper ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Chicken Assassin: Reloaded ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/24)
Moonshades Classic Dungeon RPG ($8.99 from $17.99 until 9/24)
Writhe ($6.99 from $9.99 until 9/24)
Relic Hunters Zero Remix ($9.09 from $12.99 until 9/24)
The Darkside Detective ($5.84 from $12.99 until 9/24)
Darkside Detective Fumble in the Dark ($10.39 from $12.99 until 9/24)
Super Crush KO ($5.99 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Desert Child ($4.79 from $11.99 until 9/24)
Whispering Willows ($2.49 from $9.99 until 9/24)
Get Ogre It ($3.95 from $11.99 until 9/27)
Hidden Folks ($4.79 from $11.99 until 9/27)
Phoenotopia: Awakening ($14.99 from $19.99 until 9/27)
Moon Raider ($4.49 from $9.99 until 9/27)
Touhou Spell Bubble ($38.39 from $54.99 until 9/27)
Ruvato: Original Complex ($11.99 from $14.99 until 9/27)
Lotus Reverie: First Nexus ($11.99 from $15.99 until 9/27)
Timothy vs the Aliens ($12.91 from $16.99 until 9/27)
Naught ($5.99 from $19.99 until 9/27)
GRID Autosport ($19.99 from $34.99 until 9/28)
Dicey Dungeons ($5.09 from $14.99 until 9/29)
Collection of SaGa FF Legend ($14.99 from $19.99 until 9/30)
Diamond Girl ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/30)
Nevaeh ($6.49 from $12.99 until 9/30)
MachiKnights: Blood Bagos ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Wonder Boy Returns Remix ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Nekopara Vol.3 ($5.99 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Nekopara Vol.4 ($11.99 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Princess Maker Go Go Princess ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Princess Maker Faery Tales Come True ($17.99 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Sacred Stones ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/30)
Space Marshals ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Space Marshals 2 ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Spitlings ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Legend of Kay Anniversary ($8.99 from $29.99 until 9/30)
de Blob ($10.49 from $29.99 until 9/30)
de Blob 2 ($10.49 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Yumemidori Nostalgia ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/30)
Byakko-tai Samurai Boys ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/30)
Hotel Sowls ($6.39 from $7.99 until 9/30)
A Street Cat’s Tale ($6.39 from $7.99 until 9/30)
Amazing Brick Breaker ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/30)
Princess Closet ($17.49 from $24.99 until 9/30)
QV ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Fairy Knights ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/30)
Monochrome World ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/30)
Silent World ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/30)
MazM: Jekyll & Hyde ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/30)
MazM: Phantom of the Opera ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/30)
Dotori ($2.00 from $11.99 until 9/30)
Kingdoms of Amalur: Rereckoning ($29.99 from $39.99 until 9/30)
Destroy All Humans! ($31.99 from $39.99 until 9/30)
Battle Chasers: Nightwar ($11.99 from $39.99 until 9/30)
The Raven Remastered ($9.89 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Sphinx & the Cursed Mummy ($9.89 from $29.99 until 9/30)
The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 ($9.89 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Darksiders Warmastered ($13.49 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Darksiders II Deathinitive ($13.49 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Darksiders Genesis ($17.99 from $39.99 until 9/30)
SpongeBob Squarepants: BfBB ($20.09 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Titan Quest ($13.19 from $39.99 until 9/30)
Stunt Kite Party ($2.99 from $9.99 until 9/30)
Battle Worlds Kronos ($10.49 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Chronos: Before the Ashes ($22.49 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Inversus Deluxe ($2.24 from $14.99 until 9/30)
This is the Police ($8.99 from $29.99 until 9/30)
This is the Police 2 ($8.99 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Rebel Cops ($3.29 from $9.99 until 9/30)
Paint the Town Red ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/30)
Galaxy Champions TV ($1.99 from $6.99 until 9/30)
My Bewitching Perfume ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/30)
Wicce ($6.39 from $7.99 until 9/30)
Black Book ($18.74 from $24.99 until 9/30)
Kwaidan: Azuma Manor Story ($9.99 from $24.99 until 10/1)
Police Stories ($2.99 from $14.99 until 10/1)
I Saw Black Clouds ($11.04 from $12.99 until 10/1)
Breathedge ($14.99 from $24.99 until 10/1)
12 is Better Than 6 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/1)
Standby ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/1)
Barrier X ($2.09 from $2.99 until 10/1)
Peace, Death! Complete ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/1)
Dead Cells ($16.24 from $24.99 until 10/1)
Johnny Turbo’s Heavy Burger ($2.49 from $9.99 until 10/1)
Johnny Turbo’s Arcade, Assorted ($1.99 from $7.99 until 10/1)
Rift Adventure ($5.99 from $7.99 until 10/1)
VOEZ ($12.50 from $25.00 until 10/1)
DEEMO ($14.99 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Cytus Alpha ($24.99 from $49.99 until 10/1)
Implosion ($5.99 from $11.99 until 10/1)
MO: Astray ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/1)
SGC: Short Games Collection 1 ($15.99 from $19.99 until 10/1)
DEEMO: Reborn ($15.00 from $25.00 until 10/1)
The Almost Gone ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/1)
Galak-Z: The Void Deluxe ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/1)
Skulls of the Shogun ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/1)
99Vidas: Definitive Edition ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/1)
Zen Chess Collection ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/1)
UBERMOSH:OMEGA ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/1)
Dungeon Solver ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/1)
Suzerain ($14.39 from $17.99 until 10/1)
War Dogs: Red’s Return ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/1)
Dogurai ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/1)
Retro Machina ($11.99 from $14.99 until 10/2)
Shadow Gangs ($17.99 from $23.99 until 10/5)
MechaNika ($3.29 from $5.99 until 10/6)
Agatha Knife ($6.59 from $11.99 until 10/6)
TENS! ($2.49 from $9.99 until 10/6)
Ploid ($1.99 from $2.99 until 10/6)
Ploid Saga ($2.39 from $11.99 until 10/6)
Reknum Cheri Dreamland ($1.99 from $6.99 until 10/6)
Sumire ($9.89 from $14.99 until 10/7)
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? ($19.49 from $29.99 until 10/7)
Sudoku Relax 5 Full Bloom ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Robox ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
#SinucaAttack ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Macrotis: A Mother’s Journey ($8.39 from $11.99 until 10/7)
Beat Them All ($3.99 from $4.99 until 10/7)
S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored ($10.61 from $12.49 until 10/7)
Death’s Gambit: Afterlife ($17.99 from $19.99 until 10/7)
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl ($39.99 from $49.99 until 10/7)
The TakeOver ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/7)
Null Drifter ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Classic Logical Battle 4in1 ($7.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Chef’s Tail ($9.19 from $11.49 until 10/7)
Ruinverse ($10.49 from $14.99 until 10/7)
Red Death ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Wizards of Brandel ($7.79 from $12.99 until 10/7)
Asdivine Kamura ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/7)
Zombie’s Cool ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/7)
Ghoulboy ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Mushroom Heroes ($2.99 from $5.99 until 10/7)
Drunken Fist ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/7)
Kingdom of Arcadia ($3.59 from $5.99 until 10/7)
Poker Pretty Girls Battle: TH ($4.79 from $5.99 until 10/7)
Poker Pretty Girls Battle: FWE ($3.89 from $5.99 until 10/7)
Space Commander: War & Trade ($6.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Archlion Saga ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Everdark Tower ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Yodanji ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Elemental Knights R ($2.00 from $8.64 until 10/7)
Alvastia Chronicles ($6.49 from $12.99 until 10/7)
Takotan ($2.79 from $6.99 until 10/7)
Bud Spencer & Terence Hill: S&B ($2.99 from $19.99 until 10/7)
Dungeon of Crawl ($3.99 from $4.99 until 10/8)
Love Colors ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/8)
Haustoria ($8.44 from $12.99 until 10/8)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Biped ($8.24 from $14.99 until 9/18)
Castle of No Escape 2 ($2.79 from $6.99 until 9/18)
Get Me Outta Here ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/18)
LocO-SportS ($1.99 from $5.99 until 9/18)
Mexican Train Dominoes Gold ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/18)
Odium to the Core ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/18)
Basketball Pinball ($2.00 from $2.99 until 9/19)
Hammer 2 Reloaded ($4.79 from $5.99 until 9/19)
League of Champions Soccer ($4.79 from $5.99 until 9/19)
Legendary Eleven ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Pony World 3 ($4.19 from $6.99 until 9/19)
Rainbows, Toilets & Unicorns ($4.19 from $6.99 until 9/19)
Space Wars ($2.39 from $2.99 until 9/19)
Tcheco in the Castle of Lucio ($2.99 from $4.99 until 9/19)
The House of Da Vinci ($3.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. Today’s hospital visit went okay. Blood test and CT scan both looked okay. Next Tuesday I’m getting a slightly more invasive test done. Necessary if we’re going to find any answers, I’m afraid. So I’m going to spend my weekend playing some good games and not thinking about that upcoming procedure. I hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
