Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for October 7th, 2022. In today’s article, we’ve got a couple of news items to look over. After that, it’s new release time. A whole bunch of them! A few good! A few interesting! A few very, very dubious! Yes, it’s a normal Friday, in other words. After that, we’ve got the lists of new and expiring sales for today. Let’s get to it!
News
Check Out the Latest ‘Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’ Video
We’re just over a month away from the release of the latest mainline Pokemon games, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The marketing machine is gearing up, and part of it is the release of this latest video about the game. It explains some new features and shows off some new Pokemon. Nothing I say here is going to describe this stuff better than the video does, so just go ahead and give it a watch if you are interested.
‘Pilotwings 64’ Hits the Switch Online Expansion Pack Next Week
Nintendo has released a trailer announcing the date of the next release for the Nintendo 64 app, included in the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. In case you don’t have time to watch it (but you should, because it’s kind of amusing), Pilotwings 64 will be hitting the service next week on October 13th. I’m reasonably sure this is the first time this game has ever seen a rerelease, so that’s pretty cool. You have to be a subscriber to the Expansion Pack to get at it of course.
New Releases
No Man’s Sky ($59.99)
This feels like one of those games that really doesn’t need much of an introduction, but let’s try. It’s a space exploration/survival game with an infinite procedurally-generated universe. You can travel through space, you can land on the planets, and you can play it in a variety of ways. This Switch version lacks the multiplayer features that can be found in the other versions these days, but you can still have a really good time just exploring and seeing what odd stuff you can come across.
Prodeus ($24.99)
I had gotten used to calling this kind of thing a boomer shooter, but I guess some people don’t care for that term now. So let’s call this a classic-style first-person shooter. It has a cool single-player campaign as well as some multiplayer modes you can enjoy online. By most accounts, this is a very good one of these, so if you enjoy games like DOOM, Quake, or Duke Nukem 3D, you will likely find plenty to like here. I’m hoping to be able to do a review for this one, but we’ll see how things shake out.
Chaos;Head Noah ($24.99)
Chaos;Child ($24.99)
The good news: this gets the first and fourth entries in the Science Adventure series of visual novels out there officially in English for the first time. The connective tissue between these stories and, say, Steins;Gate is indeed quite loose, but it’s good to finally be caught up. The bad news: the localization in these two games isn’t up to the standards of other releases, and indeed is kind of bland and charmless in a way that doesn’t do justice to the original script. I’ll be reviewing these but at this stage I am inclined to point you towards the PC releases if only because they can be modded with a better script prepared by fans. Still, if a Switch is all you’ve got and you love this series, this is much better than nothing.
Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles ($12.99)
Frogwares has made some very cool Sherlock Holmes games, but they weren’t always fancy 3D affairs. The developer has dug into its back catalog and pulled out this hidden object adventure that, I think, represents its first attempt at a game featuring the famous detective. Note that despite the title, it’s mostly an original tale. A very weird one. Mechanically it doesn’t do much that you won’t have seen in other games of this sort, but it plays fine enough if you like this genre. Not my kind of thing, but it’s neat to see it here if only for completion’s sake.
Endless Memories ($19.99)
At last, a dark indie Metroidvania with Souls-like elements! One with massive maps to explore that will take you at least a dozen hours to explore! And… randomized loot! Okay, yes, we have rather a lot of games like Endless Memories already. Its clever dream-hopping premise kicks off a game that is extremely familiar in the mechanical sense, and I believe that is either going to sell you on it or drive you away. For those who don’t have an immediate hunch as to whether or not they want it, I’ll have a review ready for you early next week.
A Frog’s Job ($4.99)
Take a relatively normal 2D puzzle-platformer with a time manipulation mechanic, skew the viewing angle a little, and you’ve got A Frog’s Job. Recover the forty Frog Souls as you make your way through four different world types. It’s a dirty job, and apparently some frog’s got to do it.
Splatter – Zombiecalypse Now ($7.99)
Ah, it’s top-down shooter time again, eh? This one has sixteen levels and folks seem to have been rather keen on it on other platforms. Blast your way through tons of zombies and other monsters using a massive arsenal of weapons, meeting odd characters and completing side missions along the way. There are a few different modes to play, along with online leaderboards so you can compete with the scores of your friends. Personally, I’m tired of a lot of the elements this game presents, but I know some of you will have a great time with it.
Ultra Mega Xtra Party Challenge ($24.99)
From what I can gather, this is a Wario Ware-style party game aimed at multiplayer fun. It has ninety-nine minigames to play, and they tend to lean into the weird and wacky for their themes. Up to four players can join in via local multiplayer, and you won’t be able to play in handheld mode which suggests you’re going to be using those motion controls a fair bit. There’s a single-player story mode here as well, and I imagine the off-beat humor will make for a fun play even if you are flying solo.
L.O.L. Surprise! B.B.s Born to Travel ($39.99)
Oh, Outright Games. That means this one probably isn’t aimed at old guys like me. This is the third L.O.L. Surprise game on the Switch, so I assume there’s a serious audience out there among the non-old guys. The premise of this one sees you making L.O.L. Surprise balls for fans in each of the thirty stages, and you can play alone or with up to four players in local multiplayer. The weird thing is that this is pretty much an Overcooked knock-off. There are some other bits in here, but the main gameplay is Overcooked to a tee. Not really the worst idea, given the broad appeal of that concept.
My Life: Pet Vet ($29.99)
I guess even vet games are open world now. Explore the open world, travel on foot or by horseback or car, and treat seven different animal species for fifty different illnesses. You’ll have to examine each animal, diagnose their illness, and then treat them. You’ll also have to do some after care to ensure they’re feeling 100% before you send them on their way. If nothing else, this certainly seems ambitious.
Trash Sailors ($19.99)
It feels like this has been on the schedule for ages now, but I guess it’s finally out now. The world has been flooded and you need to use the trash that litters the sea for various purposes while avoiding all the usual marine hazards like toxic sharks, arctic pirates, and so on. Up to four players can work together via local or online multiplayer, and that’s probably the way to go if you mean to enjoy this one. It doesn’t have much to offer those who are flying solo.
Ammo Pigs: Armed and Delicious ($7.99)
I’m not sure if I have my Ammo Pigs sorted out, but I think this is the predecessor to Ammo Pigs game that already released on the Switch a little while back. Well, regardless of which came first, this is a fun little action game. It has a lot of that old Apogee feel to it, and that’s not a bad thing at all.
Blaloon Blalympia ($6.99)
Blaloon Blalympia 2 ($9.99)
I’m not sure of the wisdom in releasing a game and its sequel on the same day on the eShop, but I’m not Captain Business or anything. Anyway, both titles are party games for up to four players in local multiplayer, and they do require motion controls so handheld mode is out. Each game contains four different minigames to play. The sequel seems a little fancier, but only marginally so. Don’t count on these holding their appeal very long compared to meatier affairs.
Super Dino ($9.99)
You know that mermaid-themed jigsaw puzzle game from earlier this week? Here’s another one from the same developer, but with a dinosaur theme.
Black Widow: Looking for Love ($3.99)
That isn’t subtle at all, Cooking & Publishing. Oh well. This is another one of those games where you get asked a bunch of questions that you have to answer, then get asked them again and need to make sure you use the same answers lest you be caught in a lie. Basically the same junk this publisher has shoveled out several times already but with a slightly different lick of paint.
Kawaii Solitaire 3 in 1 ($2.99)
Oh goodie, Benjamin Kistler is back. Putting in the same effort he always does, too. Look at that. He took what is almost certainly a template for a portrait-mode Android solitaire game, stuck giant honking borders on it, couldn’t even be bothered to add button controls, and called it a job well-done. You get three variants of solitaire here, and there isn’t even the smallest shred of kawaii to it. Kistler should be banned from ever watching anime again for this criminal misuse of the term.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
You know, I expected that list to be bigger somehow. Well, it is what it is. My personal recommendations: A Short Hike, Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe, and Xeno Crisis. But have a look through the list yourself as there are quite a few worthy games in there. The weekend outbox is pretty slim, and I don’t see anything particularly pressing in it. But check it while you’re at it, I suppose.
Select New Games on Sale
A Short Hike ($5.35 from $7.99 until 10/13)
Freshly Frosted ($8.29 from $9.99 until 10/13)
Roundguard ($6.97 from $19.99 until 10/13)
Falling Out ($11.99 from $14.99 until 10/13)
Chasm ($9.99 from $19.99 until 10/13)
Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe ($3.99 from $19.99 until 10/14)
Sparklite ($6.24 from $24.99 until 10/17)
Alex Kidd Miracle World DX ($6.99 from $19.99 until 10/17)
Slaycation Paradise ($13.99 from $19.99 until 10/17)
Monster Harvest ($6.99 from $19.99 until 10/17)
The Lightbringer ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/17)
Sticks Collection ($1.99 from $2.99 until 10/20)
Asdivine Kamura ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/20)
Asdivine Hearts ($6.49 from $12.99 until 10/20)
Asdivine Hearts II ($6.49 from $12.99 until 10/20)
Asdivine Menace ($6.49 from $12.99 until 10/20)
Alvasita Chronicles ($6.49 from $12.99 until 10/20)
Wizards of Brandel ($6.49 from $12.99 until 10/20)
The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 ($8.99 from $29.99 until 10/20)
Battle Worlds: Kronos ($8.99 from $29.99 until 10/20)
de Blob ($8.99 from $29.99 until 10/20)
de Blob 2 ($8.99 from $29.99 until 10/20)
Legend of Kay Anniversary ($8.99 from $29.99 until 10/20)
MX vs ATV All Out ($19.99 from $39.99 until 10/20)
SpongeBob SquarePants BfBB ($14.99 from $29.99 until 10/20)
Battle Chasers Nightwar ($11.99 from $39.99 until 10/20)
Titan Quest ($11.99 from $39.99 until 10/20)
Kingdoms of Amalur RR ($23.99 from $39.99 until 10/20)
Wreckfest ($31.99 from $39.99 until 10/20)
Xeno Crisis ($9.99 from $19.99 until 10/21)
Coromon ($13.99 from $19.99 until 10/21)
Glo ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/21)
Black Wolf ($2.09 from $2.99 until 10/21)
Project Starship ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/21)
Red Death ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/21)
Metal Tales Overkill ($11.99 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Dark Deity ($14.99 from $24.99 until 10/21)
Cat Cafe Manager ($14.99 from $19.99 until 10/21)
Many Faces ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/21)
Pity Pit ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/21)
Crawlco Block Knockers ($3.59 from $8.99 until 10/21)
Rayland ($3.49 from $4.99 until 10/21)
Yeah Yeah Beebiss II ($7.49 from $9.99 until 10/27)
39 Days to Mars ($10.04 from $14.99 until 10/27)
XEL ($13.29 from $18.99 until 10/27)
CosmoPlayerZ ($7.99 from $10.99 until 10/27)
sCATch: The Painter Cat ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/27)
Game Dev Story ($7.00 from $14.00 until 10/27)
Venture Towns ($7.00 from $14.00 until 10/27)
Burger Bistro Story ($11.20 from $14.00 until 10/27)
Cafeteria Nipponica ($7.00 from $14.00 until 10/27)
Pocket Harvest ($8.40 from $14.00 until 10/27)
The Ramen Sensei ($7.00 from $14.00 until 10/27)
Goetia 2 ($2.49 from $9.99 until 10/27)
Criminal Expert ($6.69 from $9.99 until 10/27)
The Sokoban ($8.99 from $17.99 until 10/27)
Sherlock Holmes Bundle ($24.99 from $49.99 until 10/27)
The Sinking City ($9.99 from $49.99 until 10/27)
The TakeOver ($3.99 from $19.99 until 10/27)
Myastere Ruins of Deazniff ($15.99 from $19.99 until 10/27)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Anthill ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/8)
Azurebreak Heroes ($1.99 from $6.99 until 10/8)
Blackguards 2 ($7.99 from $14.99 until 10/8)
Bloo Kid 2 ($3.49 from $4.99 until 10/8)
Firegirl: Hack ‘n Splash Rescue DX ($14.39 from $17.99 until 10/8)
Lost in Play ($12.99 from $19.99 until 10/8)
Say No! More ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/8)
SteamWorld Dig ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/8)
SteamWorld Dig 2 ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/8)
SteamWorld Heist UE ($3.99 from $19.99 until 10/8)
SteamWorld Quest ($8.74 from $24.99 until 10/8)
Top Run ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/8)
Door Kickers: Action Squad ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/9)
Draw Rider Remake ($4.49 from $14.99 until 10/9)
Rise: Race the Future ($8.24 from $16.49 until 10/9)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with more reviews, news, new releases, and sales. I have a lot of games I need to play for work, but I also want to play NieR: Automata. It’s a real dilemma; wish me luck solving it. I hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
