Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for October 25th, 2022. In today’s article, we have a few more reviews for you to dig into. Our pal Mikhail has his thoughts on the recently-released Switch port of animal fighter Them’s Fightin’ Herds, while I’ve got a look at the Warhammer run-and-gun Shootas, Blood & Teef and a late evaluation of Atari’s Gravitar: Recharged. After that, we have a few new releases to summarize, and the usual lists of new and outgoing sales. Let’s get this bird into the sky!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Them’s Fightin’ Herds ($19.99)
When I wrote about the best fighting games to play on Steam Deck a few months ago, I mentioned how the Steam Deck finally got me to play Them’s Fightin’ Herds despite owning it on Steam for a long time. Having now played it on Switch for review and also on other consoles, I’m very impressed with the Switch conversion of Mane6’s fighter, and the wait for a console version has been worth it.
If you’ve not heard of it, Them’s Fightin’ Herds is a 2D fighting game featuring characters designed by My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic creator Lauren Faust. Having only gotten into it earlier this year, I was initially disappointed with the small roster, but having spent some more time with it over the months, the unique movesets make up for this to some degree, and there are more characters coming as paid DLC in the future. Despite the cutesy aesthetic, Them’s Fightin’ Herds is a deep fighting game with an amazing tutorial and superlative online play.
One of the highlights of Them’s Fightin’ Herds is how it can be a brilliant gateway into the world of fighting games. The tutorial and training help ease you into the more complex mechanics, and it honestly is shocking at how much depth this game has. Every character plays differently and you will likely spend hours on each one learning the ropes before jumping into the online modes.
Speaking of online play, as someone who owns every fighting game on Switch in addition to other platforms, I’m used to having the online play being subpar on Switch almost across the board with fighting games on Nintendo’s hybrid system. Some games hold up well online depending on the distance between players, but others are a laggy mess online. In my testing over the last few days with randoms and friends, Them’s Fightin’ Herds has the best online I’ve experienced in a fighting game on Switch. I also want to note that it does support the Switch’s native invite system for the Classic Lobby system.
Having played it on PS5 and Xbox Series X in addition to Switch, the only noticeable difference with the Switch version barring the lower resolution is the load times that are a bit longer. Barring that, it is a conversion that exceeded my expectations. It also works flawlessly with my 8bitdo Arcade Stick on Switch.
Now that it has launched on all consoles with online crossplay support, there has never been a better time to check it out, and I’m shocked at how good it feels to play online on Nintendo Switch. With most fighters, you usually have great experiences on PlayStation and Xbox systems with Switch being a subpar experience. With Them’s Fightin’ Herds, the Switch version is a fantastic port of an excellent fighting game. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood and Teef ($19.99)
Sometimes a good game gets a rough port, and Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef is an example of that. This is a fun, silly, over-the-top run-and gun action game that can be enjoyed alone or with friends. It leans hard into the goofy Ork aesthetic and is very charming. It uses similar controls to other side-scrolling twin-stick shooters, and it plays really well. Or at least it does until you start getting random hitches and framerate drops, at which point it gets a lot less amusing. I can deal with lengthy loading times, and this game certainly has those too. But an action game with random hiccups that go as far as even affecting the audio playback? It’s a big problem.
I think Switch owners have gotten used to dealing with performance issues. It regrettably comes with the territory, even when it doesn’t seem like it should be a problem. If you think you can push past some “worse than Metal Slug 2" slowdown, random bits of stuttering action, audio issues, and lengthy load times, Shootas, Blood & Teef is fun. You have a nice variety of weapons, the levels are fun to navigate, and the shooting is tense and satisfying. But if you have access to another platform, you may want to pursue it there instead. This Switch version just isn’t up to snuff.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Gravitar: Recharged ($9.99)
It occurred to me as I noticed the completely revamped Missile Command: Recharged on the upcoming schedule that I had missed out reviewing one of the games in the series. So here we are, with a quick evaluation of Gravitar: Recharged. Of all of the games in the line to get reimagined, Gravitar is the one I probably played the least of in its original form. It feels like at a certain point the big arcade manufacturers sorted out just how complicated and difficult a game should ideally be to hit that sweet spot between coin intake and player satisfaction, and Gravitar predates that. The arcade version was a disappointment for operators, and Atari quickly cooked up Black Widow as a conversion kit for Gravitar.
It found more success in its Atari 2600 form, and it’s not hard to see why. While the game is certainly part of the lineage of the “thrust game" genre, Gravitar is altogether more complex than the likes of Asteroids. It takes some time to even pick up the basic gameplay loop, and mastering it takes a lot of practice and patience. Not particularly well-suited to a noisy arcade floor. Somewhat more suited to an Atari 2600. And absolutely ripe for a Recharged re-do.
When you start the game you’ll find yourself flying around in a solar system. It’s presented differently from the original, more in scale with your ship and with some random bits of rock and stuff you can shoot at. Various points of interest are in orbit around the sun, and you need to catch up with them so that you can take on a variety of missions involving them. Sometimes you have to make your way into a base and blow up a reactor. Sometimes you just need to take out some targets on the surface of a planet. Whatever the mission, you’ll need to make careful use of your thrusters to navigate the terrain, a task made trickier by the varying degrees of gravity. Complete all the missions and you’re off to the next solar system. Finish off all the missions in all the solar systems and you’ve won. Good luck with that.
Gravitar; Recharged eschews the house style of the Recharged line seen up until its release, carving its own faux-retro style that works very well. The soundscape is familiar, and so are the power-ups, but the way all of the pieces come together gives this game a very different flavor from previous Recharged games. It’s less arcade-ish and more like an adventure you’re meant to conquer. It still has leaderboards and co-op and all of that, but there’s a lot of appeal here even for those who aren’t interested in chasing scores or having some cheap arcade thrills with a buddy.
Just like how things went with the arcade original, Gravitar: Recharged sometimes feels at odds with some of the baggage it has to carry. In this case, it’s the baggage of being part of the Recharged line, where players will probably be trained to expect quick, arcade-style action with a focus on beating mini-challenges and racking up high scores. Gravitar: Recharged isn’t really that kind of game, though it incorporates many of those elements. Instead this is something you hunker down with and try to pick your way through, one aggravating death after another. Not for everyone, but if you’re looking for something with arcade roots but home game teeth, it might be up your alley.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
New Releases
Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx ($49.99)
It really goes to show how much the business has changed that a show as popular as Miraculous is only now getting its first Switch game. Ladybug and Cat Noir have to battle the forces of the evil Hawk Moth and save the city in this 3D action-platformer. You can choose your favorite character and go it alone, or bring along a friend for some local co-op multiplayer. You can explore Paris, unlock new gadgets, learn new moves, and build the friendship between Marinette and Adrian. I doubt it’s a paragon of quality or anything, but I’m sure fans will be happy to have something like this to play.
Pompom: The Great Space Rescue ($9.99)
Heck, that is some cute pixel art. I love it. So the idea of this game is that Pompom is on his way to take down the wicked Captain Cat and bring his friend home, and while he’s a very energetic fellow he isn’t so good with details. He just rushes forward without a thought, and your job as the player is to place and move platforms and items to make sure Pompom gets where he’s going safely. If you’re looking for a different spin on the usual platformer, this certainly offers that.
Yomawari: Lost in the Dark ($39.99)
The Yomawari series of horror adventure games returns with this new chapter, Lost in the Dark. Explore a town littered with ghosts and hunt for your lost memories to break a curse that has been placed on you. Spirits are stalking the streets, so you’ll have to make careful use of hiding places and use good timing to get around safely. I’d imagine if you liked the previous games then you’ll probably enjoy this one.
Super Mabus Mania ($7.89)
Mabus is a gamer. Mabus is a collector. Mabus’s wife has tossed his collection of retro games to make some space in their house. Now Mabus needs to get them back by going through sixty single-screen stages spread across ten different worlds. Collect all the games on each stage and bring them to the computer to move on to the next one. It seems okay from what I’ve played so far, but do keep in mind this is developed by Nape Games and certainly feels like it.
Ducky Quacky ($4.99)
Ah, Weakfish Studio. Sigh. Okay, this is a 3D platformer about a duck. There are twenty levels and you need to collect the keys in each of them to open the way to the next. There are also apples scattered around and you can collect those and trade them to merchants for clothing items and such. I mean, it’s five dollars. There might be some rough charm to it that certain folks might like given the meager buy-in price. I don’t know.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Some really nice ones today, friends. Grapple Dog for half-price? Yes please. It’s been ages since the last sale on the Universal Monsters and The Walking Dead table DLC for Pinball FX3, so silverball fans may want to grab those now too. Also hitting a new low is the rather enjoyable John Wick Hex. But the outbox may be what grabs the most attention. The big Try Before You Buy sale is wrapping up soon, so get what you need before you miss out. Some of that stuff may never see a discount again, while large chunks of it will go months before another sale. Check those lists!
Select New Games on Sale
Death Coming ($2.79 from $6.99 until 10/30)
The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day ($5.99 from $14.99 until 10/30)
Time Loader ($5.99 from $14.99 until 10/30)
Secret Files: Tunguska ($2.69 from $14.99 until 10/31)
Secret Files 2: Puritas Cordis ($2.69 from $14.99 until 10/31)
Secret Files 3 ($2.69 from $14.99 until 10/31)
Lost Horizon ($2.69 from $14.99 until 10/31)
Lost Horizon 2 ($2.69 from $14.99 until 10/31)
Pinball FX3 Universal Monsters DLC ($4.99 from $9.99 until 10/31)
Pinball FX3 Walking Dead DLC ($1.19 from $2.99 until 10/31)
BATS Bloodsucker Anti-Terror Squad ($4.99 from $9.99 until 11/1)
John Wick Hex ($5.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Milanoir ($2.59 from $12.99 until 11/1)
Apparition ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/1)
Alder’s Blood DE ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/1)
Creepy Tale ($2.49 from $9.99 until 11/1)
Creepy Tale 2 ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Inner Voices ($3.19 from $7.99 until 11/1)
Grapple Dog ($7.49 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Wallachia: Reign of Dracula ($3.74 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Pandemic Shooter ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/1)
OlliOlli: Switch Stance ($2.99 from $14.99 until 11/1)
Jin Conception ($7.50 from $15.00 until 11/1)
Carrion ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/2)
Death’s Door ($9.99 from $19.99 until 11/2)
Stories Untold ($1.99 from $9.99 until 11/2)
Witcheye ($1.99 from $4.99 until 11/2)
Nine Witches: Family Disruption ($6.79 from $19.99 until 11/7)
Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm ($4.99 from $19.99 until 11/7)
Kingdom Rush Frontiers ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/7)
Kingdom Rush ($2.99 from $9.99 until 11/7)
Kingdom Rush Origins ($4.49 from $14.99 until 11/7)
Dragon Caffi ($6.39 from $7.99 until 11/7)
Super Dragon Ball Heroes WM ($8.99 from $59.99 until 11/7)
Rogue Lords ($14.99 from $24.99 until 11/14)
Roguebook: Deluxe ($20.99 from $34.99 until 11/14)
Knights & Guns ($1.99 from $14.99 until 11/14)
Tennis World Tour Legends Edition ($3.49 from $34.99 until 11/14)
TT Isle of Man ($4.99 from $49.99 until 11/14)
WRC 10 Deluxe Edition ($17.99 from $59.99 until 11/14)
Pure Chase 80’s ($1.99 from $14.99 until 11/14)
My Little Riding Champion ($2.99 from $29.99 until 11/14)
Hunting Simulator 2: Bear Hunter ($14.99 from $49.99 until 11/14)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Wednesday, October 26th
Absolute Tactics: Daughters of Mercy ($22.49 from $24.99 until 10/26)
Aegis Defenders ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Ape Out ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/26)
ARMS ($41.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Assassin’s Creed III: Remastered ($14.79 from $39.99 until 10/26)
Assassin’s Creed The Ezio Collection ($19.99 from $39.99 until 10/26)
Assassin’s Creed The Rebel Collection ($14.79 from $39.99 until 10/26)
Attack on Titan 2 ($29.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 ($23.99 from $29.99 until 10/26)
Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery ($10.39 from $12.99 until 10/26)
Black Bird ($13.29 from $18.99 until 10/26)
Blue Reflection: Second Light ($35.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
BOXBOY! + BOXGIRL! ($6.99 from $9.99 until 10/26)
Captain Tsubasa RoNC ($14.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Card Shark ($14.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Child of Light Ultimate ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Children of Morta ($6.59 from $21.99 until 10/26)
Children of Morta Complete ($10.79 from $26.99 until 10/26)
Daemon X Machina ($41.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Deadcraft ($14.99 from $24.99 until 10/26)
Deadly Days ($2.08 from $18.99 until 10/26)
Depth of Extinction ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/26)
Dragon Quest XI S ($34.99 from $49.99 until 10/26)
Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires ($41.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Encodya ($2.99 from $29.99 until 10/26)
Etherborn ($5.43 from $16.99 until 10/26)
Family Feud ($9.89 from $29.99 until 10/26)
Fitness Boxing 2 ($34.99 from $49.99 until 10/26)
Freedom Planet ($4.49 from $14.99 until 10/26)
Hungry Shark World ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/26)
Immortals Fenyx Rising ($14.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Immortals Fenyx Rising Gold ($24.99 from $99.99 until 10/26)
Jeopardy ($7.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Jessika ($2.09 from $14.99 until 10/26)
Just Dance 2022 ($19.99 from $49.99 until 10/26)
Kirby Fighters 2 ($13.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Klonoa Phantasy Reverie ($27.99 from $39.99 until 10/26)
Legendary Fishing ($4.49 from $29.99 until 10/26)
Leisure Suit Larry Wet Dreams Saga ($6.49 from $64.99 until 10/26)
Mega Man 11 ($9.99 from $29.99 until 10/26)
Metroid Dread ($41.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Miitopia ($34.99 from $49.99 until 10/26)
Mon Amour ($6.29 from $8.99 until 10/26)
Monopoly Madness ($14.99 from $29.99 until 10/26)
moon ($13.29 from $18.99 until 10/26)
Moonlighter ($4.99 from $24.99 until 10/26)
Moonlighter Complete ($5.79 from $28.99 until 10/26)
Moving Out ($6.24 from $24.99 until 10/26)
Mutazione ($13.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Ori & the Blind Forest ($9.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
PixelJunk Monsters 2 ($2.24 from $14.99 until 10/26)
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon RT DX ($41.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Pro Gymnast Simulator ($1.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Rabbids: Party of Legends ($23.99 from $39.99 until 10/26)
Rain World ($9.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Rayman Legends ($9.99 from $39.99 until 10/26)
Relic Hunters Zero Remix ($7.79 from $12.99 until 10/26)
Research & Destroy ($9.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
RISK Global Domination ($7.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World CE ($4.94 from $14.99 until 10/26)
Shakes on a Plane ($1.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
South Park The Fractured But Whole ($14.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
South Park The Stick of Truth ($11.99 from $29.99 until 10/26)
Spinch ($8.99 from $14.99 until 10/26)
Spiritfarer ($9.89 from $29.99 until 10/26)
Sports Party ($7.99 from $39.99 until 10/26)
Starlink Battle for Atlas ($11.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Starlink BfA Deluxe ($19.99 from $79.99 until 10/26)
Sushi Striker ($34.99 from $49.99 until 10/26)
The Darkside Detective ($4.15 from $12.99 until 10/26)
The Darkside Detective: AFitD ($9.09 from $12.99 until 10/26)
The Forbidden Arts ($2.99 from $14.99 until 10/26)
The Innsmouth Case ($2.09 from $14.99 until 10/26)
Trials Rising ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Trials Rising Gold ($8.99 from $29.99 until 10/26)
Triangle Strategy ($41.99 from $59.99 until 10/26)
Trivial Pursuit Live ($7.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Trivial Pursuit Live 2 ($12.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
UNO ($3.99 from $9.99 until 10/26)
Valiant Hearts The Great War ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
WarioWare: Get It Together ($34.99 from $49.99 until 10/26)
What the Golf? ($8.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
Wheel of Fortune ($7.99 from $19.99 until 10/26)
That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with some new releases, some sales, perhaps some news, but we’ll have to see. I’ve been playing so much Bloodstained the last few days that my eyes are a bit sore. But I must persist; Halloween is soon, after all. From November 1st it’s a solid couple of months of playing Christmas NiGHTS on my Saturn every day. Just kidding! Or… am I? I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as always, thanks for reading!
