Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for March 2nd, 2023. It’s Thursday, and that means we’ve got a fair few new releases to look through today. There’s no big-name stand-out release today, but there are a few games worth considering among the other more dubious titles. We’ve got summaries of all of them, plus the lists of new sales and expiring discounts. Let’s get going!
New Releases
Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star ($49.99)
Well, that’s one way to spice up a series that was at risk of falling into a rut. This is Fitness Boxing, but with a Fist of the North Star theme. You know, you are already dead and all that. Atatatatatatatatatatata, but with calorie burning. I feel like all you need to know with this one is the concept. You’re either sold or you’re not based on that, and nothing else I say will matter.
Dream Park Story ($14.00)
You know, it’s kind of funny that it took Kairosoft as long as it did to get to a theme park simulator. Maybe it was too low-hanging of a fruit for the prolific publisher? Whatever the reason, the only thing that matters is that it is here now. And it is certainly a Kairosoft take on the theme park sim. As always I am obliged to let you know that you can get this in a cheaper and equally playable form on your mobile device. This one is here if you happen to prefer playing on your Switch.
PowerWash Simulator Midgar Special Pack (Free)
PowerWash Simulator is collaborating with Final Fantasy VII for a special free DLC pack featuring iconic locations, vehicles, and more from the world of Final Fantasy VII. Just like the Tomb Raider pack, this one is free and available for all owners of the base game. Our pal Mikhail is working on a review for this one, so stay tuned.
Meg’s Monster ($14.99)
Wow, this is something special. It seems like an ordinary RPG at first, but you’ll quickly realize that the main character, the hulking monster Roy, is practically invincible. But his little friend Meg? When she gets upset and starts crying, very bad things happen. Very, very bad things. So you have to resolve conflicts and other situations in such a way that Meg does not shed tears. Why does Meg have this power? Can Roy get her back to her mother before she destroys the world? I’ll have a review of this one soon, but I really liked it a lot.
Arcade Archives Sky Kid Deluxe ($7.99)
Falling somewhere between a new version of Sky Kid and a sequel, Sky Kid Deluxe improves the graphics and sound while adding a few new levels, some new enemies, and a few other bits and bobs. I don’t know how I feel about this being a separate release from the original game, but it is what it is. If you like Sky Kid, this is more or less the only other game that plays like it.
The Smile Alchemist ($19.99)
Kemco’s latest looks surprisingly like something new for the publisher. Well, not fully new, but a break from the constant stream of vaguely distinct turn-based RPGs. This one is an alchemist simulator, and it has the things you would expect from one. Gather materials, fulfill requests, and so on. The main character is looking to become the best alchemist in the world, and that’s an admirable goal. Go easy on him, Ryza. He’s just a boy.
Live Factory ($14.99)
This is a pretty plain-looking platformer. It doesn’t quite feel like it should be commanding the price it is asking for, but I suppose the market will decide that in the end. You’re exploring an underground factory, doing some jumping around and a bit of light puzzle solving along the way. You can try it for free on your mobile device if you like.
Pretty Girls Breakers! Plus ($6.99)
Another Pretty Girls game, this one taking another swing at the brick-breaker idea. Use your beam saber to send the ball at the bricks to remove them. Do well and the ladies get more naked. Not completely naked; that isn’t allowed on the eShop anymore. But naked enough to serve the purpose, I suppose.
Vanaris Tactics ($9.99)
This is a relatively short and light turn-based tactical RPG that is more than a little inspired by the likes of Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre. It has a big story to tell but not much time to tell it, and you can feel it. Still, I think there is room in this category for a lighter bite, as most strategy RPGs are on the heavier side of the scale. At ten bucks, the price is quite fair too. Certainly a decent competitor for the likes of the Mercenaries games.
Railway Islands – Puzzle ($3.99)
Simple as it gets. You have fifty stages to play here, and your aim in each is to rotate the tiles so that the trains can get where they need to go. You’ve probably played something like this before, but if you’re just looking for some low-pressure puzzles to solve over a quiet evening or three, this isn’t a bad way to spend four bucks.
Chess Pills ($2.99)
This is a set of a few thousand chess puzzles. You just have to find the best move to make, but you’re given a very short amount of time to do it. So what’s the deal with the pills in the title? They’re just little helpers. One freezes time for ten seconds, and the other gives you a hint about where to move. I can’t argue with the quantity here for those who enjoy chess puzzles.
Aery – Calm Mind 3 ($9.99)
Well, it’s more Aery. There are about a dozen of these by now so you probably have some kind of opinion of them already. Absolutely nothing special about this one, just some new locations to leisurely explore. Do what you will.
Hike Valley ($4.99)
Yes, Ultimate Games really does seem to like this concept. Just go hiking around the forest and have a relaxing time. I don’t know how many of these we need, but Ultimate seems to think it’s at least one more.
Midnight Drifter-Drift Racing Car Driving Simulator 2023 Speed Games ($4.99)
More Midnight Works trash. It’s a terrible racing game that you have to play in handheld mode because Midnight Works couldn’t be bothered to add button controls to this Android port. Save your fiver.
Rider Among Dead – Mad Zombie Killer Machine Survival ($4.99)
Oh, we have a new garbage game challenger! Welcome, GOGAME CONSOLE PUBLISHER. I am sure you have never heard of INSTAGAMEANDMARKETING or Midnight Works or VG Games or any of these other idiots who throw low-effort trash onto the eShop with absurd SEO titles. But you wouldn’t know it by looking at this game, which is a bigger waste of five dollars than buying The Scorpion King on HD-DVD.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
A surprisingly large inbox for this time of the day, and that makes me worry about what I will wake up to tomorrow. Anyway, a bunch of Dotemu games on sale. That’s always nice. Some PQube sales, though the prices aren’t as nice as we’ve seen at other times. Little Noah is at a new low price and I recommend it whole-heartedly. Not much in the outbox to get too concerned about, but feel free to check that list while you’re at it.
Select New Games on Sale
ToeJam & Earl Back in the Groove ($2.24 from $14.99 until 3/7)
A Fox and His Robot ($53.99 from $59.99 until 3/8)
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge ($19.99 from $24.99 until 3/15)
Young Souls ($14.99 from $24.99 until 3/15)
Ys Origin ($7.99 from $19.99 until 3/15)
Windjammers ($5.99 from $14.99 until 3/15)
Windjammers 2 ($12.99 from $19.99 until 3/15)
Pang Adventures ($3.99 from $9.99 until 3/15)
Wonder Boy The Dragon’s Trap ($7.99 from $19.99 until 3/15)
Blazing Chrome ($6.79 from $16.99 until 3/15)
Gravity Heroes ($5.99 from $14.99 until 3/15)
The Plane Effect ($7.49 from $14.99 until 3/15)
Phantom Breaker Omnia ($9.99 from $39.99 until 3/15)
7 Years From Now ($3.99 from $9.99 until 3/15)
Adventure Academia: TFC ($33.99 from $39.99 until 3/15)
Lair Land Story ($11.99 from $14.99 until 3/15)
Quantum Replica ($3.99 from $9.99 until 3/15)
Tears of Avia ($8.99 from $14.99 until 3/15)
Supermarket Shriek ($5.99 from $19.99 until 3/15)
Gal*Gun 2 ($14.99 from $29.99 until 3/15)
Gal*Gun Double Peace ($25.99 from $39.99 until 3/15)
Gal*Gun Returns ($19.99 from $49.99 until 3/15)
Warborn ($3.74 from $24.99 until 3/15)
Zengeon ($8.99 from $19.99 until 3/15)
Gun Gun Pixies ($24.99 from $49.99 until 3/15)
Raging Loop ($14.99 from $29.99 until 3/15)
Save Room ($2.99 from $4.99 until 3/16)
Concept Destruction ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/16)
Gleylancer ($4.89 from $6.99 until 3/16)
Gynoug ($4.89 from $6.99 until 3/16)
Parasite Pack ($3.99 from $7.99 until 3/16)
Castle Formers ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/16)
Dandy & Randy DX ($2.79 from $6.99 until 3/16)
Little Noah: SoP ($9.74 from $14.99 until 3/16)
Little Noah: SoP Special Edition ($12.99 from $19.99 until 3/16)
Quest for Infamy ($3.99 from $9.99 until 3/16)
Super Sunny Island ($2.99 from $4.99 until 3/16)
Avenging Spirit ($4.19 from $5.99 until 3/16)
Runout ($2.99 from $4.99 until 3/16)
The Bounty Huntress ($2.99 from $4.99 until 3/16)
Slime’s Journey ($2.99 from $4.99 until 3/16)
Roar of Revenge ($2.99 from $4.99 until 3/16)
Caffeine: Victoria’s Legacy ($10.79 from $17.99 until 3/16)
Moto Roader MC ($4.89 from $6.99 until 3/16)
Montgomery Fox & TCotDN ($11.24 from $14.99 until 3/21)
Montgomery Fox & TRoVD ($11.24 from $14.99 until 3/21)
Montgomery Fox & TCotMB ($11.24 from $14.99 until 3/21)
Tankorama ($2.99 from $9.99 until 3/21)
Chronicles of Albian TMC ($10.19 from $11.99 until 3/21)
Ki11er Clutter ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/21)
Clutter 12: It’s About Time CE ($12.74 from $14.99 until 3/21)
First Time in Rome CE ($8.99 from $11.99 until 3/21)
First Time in Paris CE ($3.99 from $9.99 until 3/21)
Faircroft’s Antiques TML CE ($3.99 from $9.99 until 3/21)
I Love Finding More Pups CE ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/21)
Finding America The Heartland CE ($7.49 from $9.99 until 3/21)
Match Ventures ($9.59 from $11.99 until 3/21)
Puzzle Vacations Ireland ($9.59 from $11.99 until 3/21)
Waku Waku Sweets ($1.99 from $39.99 until 3/22)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, March 3rd
Animal Golf: Battle Race ($7.19 from $7.99 until 3/3)
Assault ChaingunS KM ($6.99 from $9.99 until 3/3)
Bike Clash ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/3)
Blade of Darkness ($7.49 from $14.99 until 3/3)
Camper Van Simulator 2 ($6.49 from $12.99 until 3/3)
De: Yabatanien ($9.79 from $13.99 until 3/3)
Donut Dodo ($3.99 from $4.99 until 3/3)
Eagletalon vs Horde of the Flies ($6.29 from $8.99 until 3/3)
Go! Go! PogoGirl ($3.99 from $4.99 until 3/3)
Hollow World: Dark Knight ($3.99 from $7.99 until 3/3)
Hot Wheels Unleashed ($12.49 from $49.99 until 3/3)
Jurassic World Aftermath Collection ($23.99 from $29.99 until 3/3)
MotoGP 22 ($9.99 from $39.99 until 3/3)
Otoko Cross Klondike Solitaire ($4.89 from $6.99 until 3/3)
Raiden IV x Mikado remix ($14.99 from $29.99 until 3/3)
Raiden V Director’s Cut ($8.99 from $29.99 until 3/3)
Sea Horizon ($11.99 from $14.99 until 3/3)
Seven Pirates H ($31.99 from $39.99 until 3/3)
Tetra ($8.04 from $11.49 until 3/3)
That’s all for today, friends. Tomorrow will have several more releases, and I remain rather concerned about how many sales could come in. We’ll have summaries of all the new stuff plus whatever interesting sales and big news items roll in as well. I hope you all have an excellent Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!
