News

SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Banjo-Kazooie’ Comes to Switch Online Tomorrow, Plus Today’s New Releases and Sales

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for January 19th, 2022. After a couple of big-pants articles in recent days, today is somewhat of a lighter one. We’ve got a little news to go over, a small handful of new releases to summarize, and several new discounts to check out. But that’s fine, because tomorrow has almost twenty new releases on the schedule already. I’ll enjoy the break while I can. Let’s get to work!

News

‘Banjo-Kazooie’ Hits Nintendo Switch Online Tomorrow

Last month when Paper Mario hit the Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo 64 app, Nintendo announced that the next game, Banjo-Kazooie, would be arriving in January. We’re starting to run out of January, so it was only a matter of time before a release date was announced. And here we are! The release date is, in fact, tomorrow. Hey, that’s soon. No idea if we’ll be getting an announcement of the next game at that time, but it’s still rather neat to see Banjo-Kazooie back on a Nintendo platform after so long. Naturally, you’ll need a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online with the Expansion Pack to play it.

New Releases

Vivid Knight ($14.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

This is a roguelite dungeon-crawler with a simple combat system that borders on being an auto-battler. Collect gems to unleash the characters within and have them join your side in combat. As you play, you’ll unlock more characters which can actually make the game a little harder as it increases how much luck plays a factor in your success. There’s a bit of a casual feel to it all, but it’s not a bad feel at all. Easy to pick up, a decent amount of strategy mixed in with the random elements, and overall a very enjoyable game.

Guild of Ascension ($16.99)

This is a turn-based strategy game with a bit of an odd quirk. When it is your turn, you’re given a limited amount of time in which you can act. During this time, it feels like an action-RPG. You can do combos, move around, and so on. Head into the tower, battle some foes, collect some loot, do some crafting, and repeat the process as you make your way up. Make your way to the top of the tower and you may find something glorious waiting for you. Not a bad little game at all.

Queeny Army ($4.99)

A simple run-and-gun action game for a reasonable price. The main hook here is that you can pick your playable character from a cast of twelve different women, each with their own abilities. Other than that, it seems pretty similar to a half-dozen other games on the eShop. It might scratch the itch for you anyway.

AnShi ($17.99)

I don’t know why this is getting re-released, as it already came out on February 22nd of last year. I guess I’ll just repeat what I said then. This is an experience game about riding a hoverboard on an alien world. The obvious comparison here is to games like Journey, and while it’s not as amazing or unique as that game, it’s definitely an interesting thing to poke at as it guides you along its narrative. There’s a really good soundtrack backing the game, which adds tremendously to the atmosphere. This one is only for one player, and I’m not sure how much replay value it has. But if you know what you’re getting into, you’ll probably be okay with what you get out of it.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel (Free)

The latest Yu-Gi-Oh! card game for Switch opts to go for a free-to-play model, allowing you to collect cards and play against the computer or another person. It can link up with the mobile Yu-Gi-Oh! Neuron, although what precisely that entails is not something I know. And yes, the game sells IAPs. Random draws, at that. Well hey, if you don’t like the monetization, there are still a couple of pay-up-front Yu-Gi-Oh! games on Switch.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Wow, that is a seriously rough list. This week hasn’t been great for new sales so far, and this may be the worst batch yet. Really nothing at all worth buying in the inbox. The outbox at least has a few things to talk about. Cursed Castilla very rarely goes on sale, so you might want to pick it up if you’ve had your eye on it. Cris Tales for half-off is a nice pick-up. Have a little look through the list of expiring sales, if nothing else.

Select New Games on Sale

X-Force Genesis ($4.90 from $7.00 until 2/3)
Pacific Wings ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/8)
Croc’s World Run ($1.99 from $5.99 until 2/8)
Croc’s World ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/8)
Croc’s World 2 ($1.99 from $5.99 until 2/8)
9-Ball Pocket ($2.69 from $5.99 until 2/8)
Airfield Mania ($1.99 from $5.99 until 2/8)
Birds and Blocks ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/8)
16-Bit Soccer ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/8)
Super Arcade Soccer ($1.99 from $6.99 until 2/8)
Water Balloon Mania ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/8)
Wild Pinball Bundle ($4.49 from $8.99 until 2/8)
Jewel Rotation ($1.99 from $5.99 until 2/8)
Jewel Fever 2 ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/8)
Yellow Fins ($1.99 from $4.99 until 2/8)


Grand Prix Rock ‘N Racing ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/8)
Rock ‘N Racing Off Road DX ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/8)
Power Racing Bundle 3 ($4.99 from $24.99 until 2/8)
Rock ‘N Racing Bundle OR&R ($2.99 from $19.99 until 2/8)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Thursday, January 20th

Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers ($3.99 from $19.99 until 1/20)
Cris Tales ($19.99 from $39.99 until 1/20)
Cursed Castilla ($8.39 from $13.99 until 1/20)
Dangerous Relationship ($7.49 from $14.99 until 1/20)
Destiny’s Princess ($7.49 from $14.99 until 1/20)
Disease: Hidden Object ($5.35 from $7.99 until 1/20)
Dream ($4.99 from $9.99 until 1/20)
Enchanting Mahjong Match ($1.99 from $4.99 until 1/20)
Funghi Explosion ($9.99 from $19.99 until 1/20)
Gakuen Club ($16.74 from $24.99 until 1/20)
Gleamlight ($3.99 from $19.99 until 1/20)
Heroine Anthem Zero Ep 1 ($6.49 from $12.99 until 1/20)
Kirakira Stars Idol Project Ai ($4.00 from $10.00 until 1/20)
Kirakira Stars Idol Project Nagisa ($4.00 from $10.00 until 1/20)
Kirakira Stars Idol Project Reika ($4.00 from $10.00 until 1/20)
Knock ‘Em Down! Bowling ($2.09 from $14.99 until 1/20)


Kuukiyomi 3: Father to Son ($3.74 from $4.99 until 1/20)
My Secret Pets! ($7.49 from $14.99 until 1/20)
NoReload Heroes Enhanced Edition ($2.49 from $24.99 until 1/20)
Office Lovers ($7.49 from $14.99 until 1/20)
Override 2: Super Mech League ($9.99 from $39.99 until 1/20)
Pub Encounter ($8.49 from $16.99 until 1/20)
Qbics Paint ($2.99 from $4.99 until 1/20)
Rustler ($17.99 from $29.99 until 1/20)
Secrets of Me ($7.49 from $14.99 until 1/20)
Strikey Sisters ($2.99 from $9.99 until 1/20)
Sudoku Relax 5 Full Bloom ($1.99 from $4.99 until 1/20)
Tennis ($1.99 from $7.99 until 1/20)
The Amazing Shinsengumi ($4.19 from $11.99 until 1/20)
The Charming Empire ($16.74 from $24.99 until 1/20)
THE Number Puzzle ($1.99 from $4.99 until 1/20)
Toridama: Brave Challenge ($1.99 from $4.99 until 1/20)
Trine: Ultimate Collection ($9.99 from $49.99 until 1/20)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with a ton of new releases including Windjammers 2, RPGolf Legends, and many more. In fact, I think I’m going to get started on them right now. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday, and as always, thanks for reading!