Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 23rd, 2021. In today’s article, we’ve got a snap Nintendo Direct announcement to cover before we get into the big list of new releases for the day. The most noteworthy titles at this time include Diablo II: Resurrected, Beast Breaker, and Suzerain, but there are a lot of interesting games to check out. We finish up with a decent list of new sales and a normal list of expiring sales. Let’s get to work!
News
A Nintendo Direct is Incoming Today
There were murmurs and rumors and all kinds of other ers, but Nintendo last night confirmed that it would be having a Nintendo Direct today. Yes, today! And there’s a good chance it hasn’t actually happened at the time you’re reading this, as it’s set for a 3:00 PM PT start time. The presentation will run about 40 minutes, and in Nintendo’s own words will focus “mainly on Nintendo Switch games launching this winter". Mainly, eh? I like the sound of that. I’ll be waking up early to watch it, and we’ll talk about it a little tomorrow.
New Releases
Beast Breaker ($15.00)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
This game looks like a… wait a sec. This is a game from Asher Vollmer? Asher Vollmer of Threes! and Puzzlejuice fame? You have my attention. This is a turn-based action-adventure game where you fling a heroic mouse at great beasts. Attacking works a bit like Monster Strike, where you pick an attack, aim your shot, and launch. There are four different fighting styles, a crafting system using drops you get from the beasts, and powerful allies to meet during your quest. Yes, I’m in. You had me at “Asher Vollmer“.
Suzerain ($17.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Yeah, this is a cool game. It’s part narrative adventure, part president sim. There are lots of choices to make, lots of strategic thinking required, and a lot of manipulations to manage if you want to lead your nation well. You’ve just been elected as the first president after a twenty-year dictatorship, and your decisions will determine the fate of this fledgling democracy. How far are you willing to sell your principles to achieve your goals? Who can you trust? If you think this concept sounds cool, you’ll probably like this game.
Diablo II: Resurrected ($39.99)
Diablo Prime Evil Collection ($59.99)
While it could be arriving under far better circumstances, Diablo II: Resurrected is now here. You can buy it by itself, or go in big for the Diablo Prime Evil Collection, which includes Diablo II, Diablo III, and some DLC for both games. Vicarious Visions has done a great job with this remake, and it’s unfortunate that the significant issues with Activision and Blizzard are going to make buying this or not such a hard choice for some people. Do what you will, friends.
Staxel ($24.99)
Do you have room for another farming game right now? Staxel hopes you do. The idea here is along the lines of Stardew Valley or Story of Seasons, but with a voxel-ish Minecraft look. It seems well-liked on other platforms, so I imagine it will find some fans on Switch too. You get the usual stuff here: farming, harvesting, meeting and spending time with the local villagers, and exploring the world. You’re responsible for building up the town, all the way down to the houses your neighbors live in. Something to look at if you’ve exhausted your existing supply of slow life games, I suppose.
Embr ($19.99)
A short sweet game where you beat the heat with your fire-fighting technique. Up to four players can play together via online multiplayer. It’s a light-hearted take on firefighting where you need to answer the calls of clients and fight fires in their homes. It’s good silly fun, at least for a while. It seems to have gotten a decent enough reception on other platforms, though it seems many agree with me that it burns out a bit too quickly. Good for an evening or two, at least.
Hampuzz ($6.99)
Not much ham in this one, but it does have a hamster. The puzz? Well, that’s just referring to the matching puzzles you’ll be solving. But don’t worry, this is no Candy Crush or Bejeweled knock-off. It’s more like side-scrolling Sokoban. You’re trying to reach the goal flag, and sometimes blocks are in your way. Push three of them together, and boom, they’re gone. Typical Sokoban rules apply: you can only push the blocks, and you can only push one at a time. Your hamster also has the amazing power to climb up one step. There are fifty stages in all. I don’t think it’s going to be for everyone, but I kind of like it.
Splatter ($4.98)
Ah, here’s a nice example of a five-dollar Switch platformer for today. The gimmick is that you can’t see the paths without splattering paint all over the place. There are fifty levels to play through here, and things heat up pretty quickly. You aren’t always going to be able to see the platforms, so you kind of have to intuit where they might be at times, and just go with the flow at other times.
The Plane Effect ($14.99)
This puzzle adventure game has a real mood to it, friends. I’m sure the developer has absolutely nailed the style it was going for here, so all that really remains are those puzzles. Of course, if you just want to enjoy the atmospheric journey of the main character trying to get home from another soul-crushing day at work, you can get all kinds of hints and assists to help you out. Looks neat, but I haven’t had a chance to play it yet so that is really all I can say about it.
Mountain Bike Hill Climb Race: Real 2D Arcade Dirt Racing Games ($19.99)
Look at that absolutely ridiculous SEO-bait title. And the game pretty much matches it, looking very much like a low-grade port of a completely unremarkable game from the bowels of the App Store. Twenty dollars for this? Get out of here with this nonsense.
Fisti-Fluffs ($19.99)
This is a physics-based fighting game with feline fighters battling while their owner is out. Up to four players can join in via local multiplayer. There are five different modes to play to mix things up, and you can customize your kitty with various cosmetic items. This game apparently originates on Android, and the price has been cranked up as always here. I assume some improvements have been made to compensate. It seems more like something silly you pick up for a tenner and goof around with than a full-on twenty dollar party game, but perhaps others will find more in it.
S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored ($12.49)
Set a few months after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor meltdown, this game sees you entering a top-secret facility that was kept off the books. It’s a first-person horror game packed full of jump scares and abstract puzzles. It seems to be fairly well-liked on Steam, so if you’re into the premise and like this kind of game, you may want to give it a closer look. I personally shall keep on walking. Getting too old for jump scares.
Kirakira Stars Idol Project Memories ($28.00)
I thought this was a new game in the series, but it’s actually just a collection of the three previous releases: Project Ai, Project Nagisa, and Project Reika. If you are feeling all-in on this series of visual novels without even playing one, this is the bundle for you. Just mind that the individual releases aren’t on sale for a lower total price than this bundle.
Sakura Swim Club ($9.99)
Hey, another Sakura game. You’ve seen enough of these to understand the routine by now, I’m sure. A normal guy meets some beautiful girls and for some reason they fawn all over his average butt. But it’s okay, because that normal guy is the character you play. It’s a visual novel where you make some choices that determine who, if anyone, you end up with. The differentiating factor here is that the girls wear swimsuits. The writing is still pretty bad, but I doubt anyone is coming to the Sakura series for the scripts.
Chef’s Tail ($11.49)
From the makers of Pooplers comes Chef’s Tail, a game about a cat chef. Gather ingredients, go fishing, cook up some dishes, and learn new recipes to wow your patrons. Oh yeah, your restaurant is in the underworld. I guess you’re making food for the deceased? Strangely popular topic these days, the whole “taking care of the departed" thing. Also, your cat isn’t human-ish at all. It looks like a very normal cat. Anyway, you know how this goes. Get the ingredients, make the food, make the money, repeat.
MageQuit ($14.99)
This is a multiplayer arena battler with a wizard theme. You can play up to eight players via local multiplayer, up to ten via online multiplayer, or by yourself against AI-controlled bots. There are sixty-three different spells to use, and a variety of modes to play. This was a fun game on other consoles, and I expect party-loving Switch players to take to it well.
The Mean Greens – Plastic Warfare ($9.99)
If I’m understanding correctly, this is an online multiplayer-only third person shooter for up to ten players. The concept is fun: toy soldiers battling each other in various household environments, somewhat reminiscent of the old Army Men games from 3DO. But a multiplayer-only game is only as good as the active community, and I feel like betting on there being a decent population in a niche Switch game that requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is a bit of a stretch.
Mandalas ($3.99)
Benjamin Kistler has a coloring app for you. Color in thirty different mandalas. Ben can’t decide if they are called mandalas or manadals. I find that amusing. You can probably do better than this, even if Benjamin can’t.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
A whole lot of Atelier is going on in today’s sales, friends. I really like the Ryza games, but they all have their charms. If you want something less fluffy and more stabby, the Ninja Gaiden Master Collection is also on sale. Over in the outbox, Bandai Namco’s latest sales are wrapping up. Grab what you will, though most of it should be back on sale soon enough. The Star Wars games, on the other hand, could be a bit longer before their next discounts. Check both lists and choose accordingly!
Select New Games on Sale
Kaze & the Wild Masks ($20.99 from $29.99 until 10/4)
Truck Driver ($29.99 from $49.99 until 10/4)
Adam’s Venture: Origins ($6.99 from $39.99 until 10/4)
Monstrum ($6.99 from $29.99 until 10/4)
Among the Sleep ($6.99 from $24.99 until 10/4)
Gods Remastered ($2.99 from $9.99 until 10/4)
Xenon Racer ($2.99 from $29.99 until 10/4)
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Ninja Gaiden: MC Deluxe Edition ($37.49 from $49.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Meruru DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Rorona DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Totori DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Arland Series Deluxe Pack ($67.49 from $89.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Sophie DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Firis DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Lydie & Suelle DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack ($67.49 from $89.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Shallie DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Escha & Logy DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Ayesha DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Dusk Trilogy Deluxe Pack ($67.49 from $89.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Lulua ($29.99 from $59.99 until 10/5)
Nelke & the Legendary Alchemists ($23.99 from $59.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Ryza ($32.99 from $59.99 until 10/5)
Atelier Ryza 2 ($41.99 from $59.99 until 10/5)
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV ($41.99 from $69.99 until 10/5)
Fairy Tail ($39.59 from $59.99 until 10/5)
Jenny LeClue Detectivu ($5.99 from $24.99 until 10/6)
Megadimension Neptunia VII ($11.99 from $29.99 until 10/7)
Mary Skelter 2 ($19.99 from $39.99 until 10/7)
Super Neptunia RPG ($15.99 from $39.99 until 10/7)
Arc of Alchemist ($9.99 from $39.99 until 10/7)
Beast Breaker ($12.00 from $15.00 until 10/8)
Spaceland ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/9)
Niffelheim ($3.99 from $19.99 until 10/9)
The Tiny Bang Story ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/9)
Braveland Trilogy ($2.99 from $14.99 until 10/9)
Foreclosed ($13.99 from $19.99 until 10/11)
Spellkeeper ($1.99 from $5.99 until 10/13)
Leisure Suit Larry: WDDD ($5.99 from $39.99 until 10/13)
Leisure Suit Larry: WDDT ($19.99 from $39.99 until 10/13)
Deadly Days ($3.79 from $18.99 until 10/13)
Shakes on a Plane ($3.99 from $19.99 until 10/13)
The Innsmouth Case ($2.99 from $14.99 until 10/13)
Power Racing Bundle 2 ($5.94 from $16.99 until 10/13)
Sound Waves ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/13)
Lumione ($11.69 from $12.99 until 10/13)
Evoland Legendary Edition ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/14)
Ghost Blade HD ($4.49 from $14.99 until 10/14)
Northgard ($13.99 from $19.99 until 10/14)
Trigger Witch ($11.99 from $14.99 until 10/14)
Bishoujo Battle Mahjong Solitaire ($4.19 from $5.99 until 10/14)
Hentai vs. Evil ($7.99 from $9.99 until 10/14)
2in1 App Driver & Serial Killer/Sniper ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/14)
Squad Killer ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/14)
Project Starship X ($4.99 from $9.99 until 10/14)
Sense: A Cyberpunk Ghost Story ($9.99 from $19.99 until 10/14)
Robozarro ($2.44 from $6.99 until 10/14)
Dune Sea ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/27)
OMG Police: Car Chase TV Sim ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/30)
Nirvana Pilot Yume ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/30)
Clumsy Rush ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/30)
Cyber Protocol ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/30)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, September 24th
#pinocchio, Super Puzzles Dream ($1.99 from $5.99 until 9/24)
7 Years From Now ($7.99 from $9.99 until 9/24)
Anima: Gate of Memories ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Anima: GoM – Nameless Chronicles ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Awe ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/24)
Captain Tsubasa: RoNC ($19.79 from $59.99 until 9/24)
Cargo Crew Driver ($5.99 from $11.99 until 9/24)
Castaway Paradise ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Chicken Assassin: Reloaded ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/24)
Ciel Fledge ($4.49 from $9.99 until 9/24)
Crazy Strike Bowling EX ($3.99 from $9.99 until 9/24)
Darkside Detective Fumble in the Dark ($10.39 from $12.99 until 9/24)
Death Crown ($11.69 from $12.99 until 9/24)
Desert Child ($4.79 from $11.99 until 9/24)
Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth CE ($19.99 from $49.99 until 9/24)
Disney Tsum Tsum Festival ($19.99 from $49.99 until 9/24)
Doraemon Story of Seasons ($12.49 from $49.99 until 9/24)
Dragon Ball FighterZ ($9.59 from $59.99 until 9/24)
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 ($7.99 from $49.99 until 9/24)
Dungeonoid ($2.02 from $6.99 until 9/24)
Extreme Car Driver ($8.99 from $11.99 until 9/24)
Freaky Awesome ($4.54 from $12.99 until 9/24)
God Eater 3 ($11.99 from $59.99 until 9/24)
Godstrike ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Gravity Heroes ($11.99 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Harvest Life ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Horned Knight ($4.19 from $5.99 until 9/24)
Jetboard Joust ($6.99 from $9.99 until 9/24)
Katamari Damacy Reroll ($7.49 from $29.99 until 9/24)
Leopoldo Manquiseil ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/24)
Little Nightmares Complete ($7.49 from $29.99 until 9/24)
Little Nightmares II ($20.09 from $29.99 until 9/24)
Maid of Sker ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/24)
Monster Energy Supercross ($4.49 from $29.99 until 9/24)
Moonshades Classic Dungeon RPG ($8.99 from $17.99 until 9/24)
Mr. Driller DrillLand ($7.49 from $29.99 until 9/24)
Muddledash ($2.99 from $5.99 until 9/24)
Multilevel Parking Driver ($7.19 from $11.99 until 9/24)
My Hero One’s Justice ($9.59 from $59.99 until 9/24)
My Hero One’s Justice 2 ($20.99 from $59.99 until 9/24)
Namco Museum ($7.49 from $29.99 until 9/24)
Namco Museum Archives Vol 1 ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Namco Museum Archives Vol 2 ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm ($5.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 ($5.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 ($5.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 ($24.99 from $49.99 until 9/24)
Ni no Kuni: WotWW ($12.49 from $49.99 until 9/24)
One Piece Pirate Warriors 3 ($6.39 from $39.99 until 9/24)
One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 ($17.99 from $59.99 until 9/24)
One Piece Unlimited World Red ($6.39 from $39.99 until 9/24)
Pac-Man CE 2 Plus ($5.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Pets No More ($2.99 from $4.99 until 9/24)
PlataGO Platform Game Maker ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Puzzle Car ($2.99 from $3.99 until 9/24)
Quantum Replica ($7.99 from $9.99 until 9/24)
RAD ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Razed ($5.99 from $11.99 until 9/24)
Relic Hunters Zero Remix ($9.09 from $12.99 until 9/24)
Rogue Singularity ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Smashing The Battle Ghost Soul ($13.49 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Sports Pinball Bundle ($4.94 from $8.99 until 9/24)
Star Wars Episode I Racer ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Star Wars Jedi Academy ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Star Wars Jedi Outcast ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/24)
Star Wars: Republic Commando ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Super Crush KO ($5.99 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Super Dragon Ball Heroes WM ($8.99 from $59.99 until 9/24)
Sword Art Online: FB Complete ($11.99 from $59.99 until 9/24)
Sword Art Online: HR Deluxe ($7.49 from $49.99 until 9/24)
Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum n Fun ($9.99 from $49.99 until 9/24)
Taiko no Tatsujin: RA Pack ($24.99 from $49.99 until 9/24)
Tales of Vesperia DE ($12.49 from $49.99 until 9/24)
The Darkside Detective ($5.84 from $12.99 until 9/24)
The Forgotten Land ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/24)
The Unexpected Quest ($9.00 from $15.00 until 9/24)
Thumper ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Truck Simulator 2 ($7.79 from $11.99 until 9/24)
Typoman ($5.19 from $12.99 until 9/24)
Urban Trial Tricky ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Vampire: The Masquerade CoNY ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/24)
Vampire: The Masquerade SoNY ($7.79 from $12.99 until 9/24)
Virtuous Western ($3.99 from $4.99 until 9/24)
Whispering Willows ($2.49 from $9.99 until 9/24)
WildTrax Racing ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/24)
Writhe ($6.99 from $9.99 until 9/24)
That’s all for today, friends. I have literally no idea what to expect in this Nintendo Direct, so tomorrow could have anything. Even in the unlikely case nothing else unexpected drops, tomorrow has several games on the schedule including Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot and Spacebase Startopia. We’ll also catch up a bit on the Nintendo Direct news, fit in as many sales as we can, and that should be the lot. I hope you all have a great Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!
