Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for March 21st, 2022. Today is a holiday here in Japan so I haven’t had as much time as usual to dedicate to work. Still, I’ve got a fairly full article for you. There’s a review of the latest table to hit Pinball FX 3, a rare look at some hardware in the form of EPOS’s H3 Hybrid gaming headset, some summaries of the new releases of the day, and our usual lists of new and expiring sales. Let’s get to business!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure ($14.99)
Zen Studios has had the Williams pinball license for quite a while now, and while I’m generally very happy with the quality of each table they’ve released, the release pace has been pretty slow compared to the previous holders of the license. On top of that, outside of a couple of Universal Monsters-themed tables, Zen hasn’t really done anything with the many amazing Williams tables that used licenses. The likes of Terminator 2, The Addams Family, and Star Trek The Next Generation are nowhere to be seen so far, which is a bit disappointing.
For the 100th Zen Pinball/Pinball FX table overall, Zen Studios is making it up in a big way. Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure is a much-beloved table from the Williams catalog, and one that the previous license holders simply couldn’t make happen in any form. This is DLC for Pinball FX 3, naturally. Zen Studios has now brought the table to its platform, and as far as I can tell it is entirely uncompromised. Actor likenesses, voice clips, and the music are all here. Yes, even Sean Connery’s voice and likeness. Wow.
Such things come at a price, no doubt. And that is evident in the price of this table. At $14.99, this is by leaps and bounds the most expensive table available in Pinball FX 3. Keep in mind that Zen Studios is working on its new pinball platform as you read this, and tables will not be transferable this time. Something to consider. If you want Indy’s silverball escapades at home right now, this is the cost. Cheaper than a real table by some measure, but do keep the circumstances in mind. If you don’t own the other Williams tables yet and you want the best bang for your buck, you’ll probably want to grab some of those before venturing into this one.
That isn’t to say this isn’t a cracking good pinball table, though. It covers the original trilogy of movies and features a bunch of cool things from all of them. The layout of the table is easy to read, and it’s quite fair. There are some neat gimmicks, too. A few minigames using the digital display, an extra play area where you need to tilt the piece to help the ball avoid holes, and an absolutely ridiculous six-ball multiball are just a few highlights. It’s not my favorite Williams table, even of the limited selection in Pinball FX 3, but it’s not far from it either. You can play the game as it was, or with Zen’s usual enhancements. Do you want a 3D model of Indy jumping and doing his thing around the table? The occasional airplanes flying over? It’s up to you.
In a vacuum, Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure is a slam-dunk pick-up. It’s a wonderful, beloved table that has never had a home version before. It has all of the licensed bits intact, and that is harder to do with this property than most. It plays well, and has lots of options and features that will keep you coming back. It’s a good value, particularly compared to dropping coins in the real thing. But this isn’t a vacuum. You can get equally good tables like Medieval Madness for a fraction of the price, and that is something you’re going to have to consider before buying this. For both pinball and Indiana Jones die-hards, it’s an easy enough choice. Others will have to weigh their options carefully and hope they do not choose… poorly.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Accessory Highlight
EPOS H3 Hybrid Gaming Headset ($179.00)
The Nintendo Switch has a bit of an awkward system in place for those who want to use voice chat online. It is known, it doesn’t appear to be changing, and that means you can either accept it or try to work around it. For those going with the latter, audio/video company EPOS has a potential solution. The EPOS H3 Hybrid gaming headset allows you to enjoy your game’s audio and use the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app for voice chat at the same time. The company sent one over for me to try out, and I’ve spent the last couple of weeks putting it through its paces. Since I’m not much of an audiophile, I also got my son to spend some time with it. The following review can be taken as an amalgam of our thoughts on the device.
First of all is just how physically comfortable the headset is to wear for lengthy gaming sessions, and I’m happy to say that the EPOS H3 Hybrid fares well here. They’re fairly lightweight, with lots of flexibility to fit both heads big (mine) and normal (my son’s). The ear cups were a little on the small side for me, but they were a perfect fit for my son. The boom mic is removable but if you aren’t using it you will see a dip in quality in the voice output. The headset has a battery so you have freedom to move about without being tethered by a cord. The battery lasts a really long time, so as long as you remember to charge it every couple of days you’ll be all set.
The audio through the headset is quite good. It sounds great across a wide range, and it was easy to hear even small environmental details. The audio depth is clear, and you can control the volume of the game audio and voice chat independently. As to how that works, you connect the headset to the Switch with a 3.5mm wire and to the mobile app via Bluetooth. It’s extremely convenient, and it’s nice not to have to mess around more than necessary with my phone to use voice chat in Switch games. Naturally, this headset works with pretty much any other device you could imagine, and indeed has some nice features for those using it on their PCs in particular. But I’m reviewing it as a Switch accessory, and in that capacity it does what you’d want a headset to do.
Really, the only big snag here is in the price. While in the grand scheme of things $179.00 for a headset is a very reasonable price, it may be more than many Switch owners are willing to pay to get around the clumsy Nintendo Switch voice chat set-up. But if you have the extra money to spend and feel like giving yourself and your ears a little treat, the EPOS H3 Hybrid does exactly what it claims to do and does it with style.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
New Releases
Rattyvity Lab ($2.49)
A twenty-stage physics puzzler that mostly revolves around manipulating blocks with various effects. Jump higher, use anti-gravity, fly into the air, or just connect the blocks to make a path forward. Yes, this sure looks like a game that costs a couple bucks. At least it’s original. Not much to lose if you enjoy games of this genre, I suppose.
Jumpy Mia ($8.99)
This is a generic-looking platformer with one hundred levels. It looks more than a little inspired by the adventures of a certain plumber, right down to the odd swimming level. I don’t see much in it, and T-Bull’s efforts in other genres don’t give me much reason to look harder. Perhaps you are feeling more generous.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Definitely some interesting things in the list today. The Ty the Tasmanian Tiger games have never been so cheap. OlliOlli World has its first post-launch sale, and you can get the Horizon Chase Turbo Ayrton Senna bundle at a very low price. Make sure you look through the outbox, as well. Some good RPGs and shooters there, among other titles. Check both lists carefully, as always.
Select New Games on Sale
Jin Conception ($9.90 from $15.00 until 3/24)
City Bus Driving Simulator ($5.59 from $13.99 until 3/25)
Among Us ($3.75 from $5.00 until 3/27)
What the Golf? ($11.99 from $19.99 until 3/27)
Gang Beasts ($20.99 from $29.99 until 3/27)
Clone Drone in the Danger Zone ($12.99 from $19.99 until 3/27)
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger HD ($14.99 from $29.99 until 3/28)
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2 HD ($17.99 from $29.99 until 3/28)
Unravel Two ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/28)
Lost in Random ($14.99 from $29.99 until 3/28)
Plants Vs Zombies BfN CE ($9.99 from $39.99 until 3/28)
FIFA 22 Legacy Edition ($19.99 from $39.99 until 3/28)
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit ($9.99 from $39.99 until 3/28)
Burnout Paradise Remastered ($9.89 from $29.99 until 3/28)
Knockout City ($8.99 from $19.99 until 3/28)
Knockout City Deluxe ($13.49 from $29.99 until 3/28)
XCOM 2 Collection ($4.99 from $49.99 until 3/28)
NBA 2K22 75th Anniversary ($49.99 from $99.99 until 3/28)
WWE 2K18 Deluxe ($26.99 from $89.99 until 3/28)
WWE 2K Battlegrounds Deluxe ($19.99 from $49.99 until 3/28)
PGA Tour 2K21 Deluxe ($17.49 from $69.99 until 3/28)
Borderlands Legendary Collection ($19.99 from $49.99 until 3/28)
BioShock Infinite CE ($7.99 from $19.99 until 3/28)
BioShock The Collection ($19.99 from $49.99 until 3/28)
L.A. Noire ($24.99 from $49.99 until 3/28)
Sid Meier’s Civ VI Platinum ($14.99 from $49.99 until 3/28)
The Outer Worlds ($2399 from $59.99 until 3/28)
Grand Theft Auto The Trilogy DE ($39.99 from $59.99 until 3/28)
OlliOlli World ($23.99 from $29.99 until 3/28)
OlliOlli World Rad Edition ($35.99 from $44.99 until 3/28)
Horizon Chase Turbo ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/28)
Horizon Chase: Senna Edition ($9.35 from $23.39 until 3/28)
Out of the Box ($5.24 from $14.99 until 3/31)
American Fugitive ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/2)
Hue ($1.99 from $9.99 until 4/2)
Serial Cleaner ($2.24 from $14.99 until 4/2)
Motorsport Manager ($4.49 from $14.99 until 4/2)
Hotshot Racing ($3.99 from $19.99 until 4/2)
Embr ($5.99 from $19.99 until 4/2)
For The King ($7.49 from $24.99 until 4/2)
Beholder: Complete Edition ($2.99 from $14.99 until 4/2)
The Swindle ($2.99 from $14.99 until 4/2)
Human: Fall Flat ($5.99 from $19.99 until 4/2)
Smoke and Sacrifice ($3.99 from $19.99 until 4/2)
Bomber Crew ($3.99 from $19.99 until 4/2)
Space Crew: Legendary Edition ($7.49 from $24.99 until 4/2)
The Flame in the Flood ($2.99 from $14.99 until 4/2)
A Knight’s Quest ($4.99 from $24.99 until 4/2)
Pumped BMX Pro ($2.99 from $14.99 until 4/2)
Velocity 2X ($3.99 from $19.99 until 4/2)
Just Die Already ($5.99 from $14.99 until 4/2)
Narcos Rise of the Cartels ($5.99 from $29.99 until 4/2)
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind ($4.99 from $24.99 until 4/2)
Manual Samuel ($1.99 from $9.99 until 4/2)
When Ski Lifts Go Wrong ($2.24 from $14.99 until 4/2)
The Game is ON ($1.99 from $4.99 until 4/4)
Pure Chase 80’s ($4.49 from $14.99 until 4/8)
112 Operator ($1.99 from $19.99 until 4/8)
Train Station Simulator ($2.19 from $21.99 until 4/8)
City Driving Simulator 2 ($6.99 from $13.99 until 4/8)
Driving World: Nordic Challenge ($6.99 from $13.99 until 4/8)
Toki Tori ($1.99 from $4.99 until 4/9)
Toki Tori 2+ ($1.99 from $14.99 until 4/9)
Swords & Soldiers ($1.99 from $7.49 until 4/9)
RIVE: Ultimate Edition ($1.99 from $14.99 until 4/9)
Swap This! ($1.99 from $4.99 until 4/9)
Squeakers II ($1.99 from $2.99 until 4/9)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 22nd
16-Bit Soccer ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/22)
9-Ball Pocket ($2.69 from $5.99 until 3/22)
A Day Without Me ($2.49 from $5.99 until 3/22)
Adventure Field 4 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/22)
Airfield Mania ($1.99 from $5.99 until 3/22)
Baldur’s Gate I & II EE ($9.99 from $49.99 until 3/22)
Battle Group 2 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 3/22)
BeatTalk ($11.79 from $17.99 until 3/22)
Birds and Blocks ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/22)
Bounty Battle ($4.99 from $24.99 until 3/22)
Buildings Have Feelings Too! ($5.99 from $19.99 until 3/22)
Candle: The Power of the Flame ($3.99 from $19.99 until 3/22)
Catlateral Damage Remeowstered ($10.04 from $14.99 until 3/22)
Cloudpunk ($9.99 from $24.99 until 3/22)
Crimson Keep ($3.99 from $19.99 until 3/22)
Croc’s World ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/22)
Croc’s World 2 ($1.99 from $5.99 until 3/22)
Croc’s World Run ($1.99 from $5.99 until 3/22)
Danmaku Unlimited 3 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/22)
Divine Ascent ($3.49 from $4.99 until 3/22)
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot ($29.99 from $59.99 until 3/22)
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot UE ($50.99 from $84.99 until 3/22)
Dragon Marked For Death AA/FF ($8.24 from $14.99 until 3/22)
Flip the Buddy ($2.39 from $2.99 until 3/22)
Fly Punch Boom! ($5.99 from $14.99 until 3/22)
Foreclosed ($5.99 from $19.99 until 3/22)
Glam ($1.99 from $3.99 until 3/22)
Grand Prix Rock ‘N Racing ($1.99 from $9.99 until 3/22)
HoPiKo ($1.99 from $9.99 until 3/22)
Isolation Story ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/22)
Jewel Fever 2 ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/22)
Jewel Rotation ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/22)
Kiai Resonance ($3.49 from $4.99 until 3/22)
Madorica Real Estate ($8.99 from $14.99 until 3/22)
Mind Scanners ($12.74 from $16.99 until 3/22)
Morbid: The Seven Acolytes ($9.99 from $24.99 until 3/22)
Neverwinter Nights EE ($9.99 from $49.99 until 3/22)
Pacific Wings ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/22)
Pato Box ($2.24 from $14.99 until 3/22)
Phantom Breaker: Omnia ($35.99 from $39.99 until 3/22)
Planescape Torment & Icewind Dale EE ($9.99 from $49.99 until 3/22)
Power Racing Bundle 3 ($4.99 from $24.99 until 3/22)
Rock ‘N Racing Off Road DX ($1.99 from $9.99 until 3/22)
Shieldwall Chronicles SotN ($2.99 from $7.99 until 3/22)
Spirit of the North ($12.49 from $24.99 until 3/22)
SpongeBob Krusty Cook-Off ($4.94 from $14.99 until 3/22)
Standed Sails: EotCI ($9.99 from $24.99 until 3/22)
Stone ($7.49 from $14.99 until 3/22)
Stranded Deep ($17.49 from $24.99 until 3/22)
Suicide Guy ($1.99 from $7.99 until 3/22)
Suicide Guy: Sleepin Deeply ($1.99 from $5.99 until 3/22)
Super Arcade Soccer ($1.99 from $6.99 until 3/22)
The Count Lucanor ($2.99 from $14.99 until 3/22)
War of Stealth Assassin ($3.99 from $9.98 until 3/22)
Water Balloon Mania ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/22)
Wild Pinball Bundle ($3.59 from $8.99 until 3/22)
WildTrax Racing ($1.99 from $7.99 until 3/22)
Yellow Fins ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/22)
That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new releases, more sales, a review or two, and any big news that rolls in. I hope you all have a magnificent Monday, and as always, thanks for reading!
