Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for June 22nd, 2023. It’s Thursday, and that means it’s the big new release day of the week. Yesterday’s Direct only added a couple of things to the schedule, so we’ve got a modest but not overwhelming amount of titles to check out today. Once we get through those, it’s usual lists of new and outgoing sales. Let’s get to business!
New Releases
Pikmin 1+2 Bundle ($49.99)
Pikmin 1 ($29.99)
Pikmin 2 ($29.99)
The big surprise drop from the Nintendo Direct, Pikmin 1 and Pikmin 2 are now available on Switch. Other than having some brands removed, these are the games as you would remember them if you happened to own them on any of the previous Nintendo home consoles. Help Captain Olimar escape the strange planet he has found himself on with the assistance of some local flora, then do it again but more! A perfect warm-up for the upcoming release of Pikmin 4. I’ll have a review of these games soon.
The Wonderful One: After School Hero ($9.99)
Part of the Kickstarter promises for the recent ports of The Wonderful 101 was for an extra side-scrolling spin-off game, and here it is. Please note that if you own The Wonderful 101 on Switch, this is free DLC. This standalone version is only for people who don’t own the main game. Anyway, you play as Luka, who is a hero in training. He’s practicing every day to make it into the Wonderful 100, and his drills take the form of the game. There are a few different modes, and it’s all very arcade-like and rather enjoyable. I’ll say it again: if you own The Wonderful 101, you do not need to buy this. It is free DLC for that game.
Circuit Superstars ($19.99)
Oh, this is one of those top-down racers. They can be really fun when they’re done well, and this one at least passes the initial smell test. You get thirty two tracks to race on set across fifteen different locations, and there are fourteen distinct vehicles to choose from. It looks mostly to be an arcade-style affair, but there are some additional strategic elements like choosing when to take your pit stop. Up to four players can race together locally, and up to twelve can go online. Wait, this is a Square Enix game? Weird.
Dr. Fetus’ Mean Meat Machine ($9.99)
At first blush you might think this is just a simple riff on SEGA’s Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, aka Puyo Puyo, but Team Meat has put its own spin on things here by introducing a variety of traps and gimmicks in each stage that you’ll have to deal with while doing your piece-matching. Naturally everything is all gross and meaty, too. I’ll have a review of this one soon to let you know if it’s fresh or rancid.
Pretty Princess Magical Garden Island ($39.99)
Expand the farming options in Animal Crossing a bit and make the main character a princess and you’re not too far off from this latest installment in the Pretty Princess series. Do some farming, make some money, make people happy, decorate your island as you like. You can also customize your character’s appearance. Look, I don’t think this is necessarily the greatest choice in this genre for your money, but I’m very aware some kids and adults love the princess theme so much that it will do the job for them. Maybe that is you or someone you know, in which case… here you go.
Valthirian Arc: Hero School Story 2 ($19.99)
The hero school simulation game returns, and at first blush I can’t really see anything seriously new here. I mean, it’s a new story. That alone might be good enough for those who dug the first game, and apparently that was more folks than I would have expected. But my first impressions are that it is largely the same experience. Run your hero school, help develop your students, create parties, and send them out for some hands-on experience. Don’t forget to keep them happy, too. No one likes being knee-deep in slimes all day, every day. I’ll have a review of this one as soon as I can manage it.
Railway Empire 2 – Nintendo Switch Edition ($49.99)
Well, I guess the port of the first Railway Empire hit the spot with Switch owners, because here’s a port of the second game. Like the first, it’s a very detailed railway company simulation game, and this time it builds out its features and content even further. Reviews for this game were slightly rougher than those of the original on other platforms, but it seems to have fallen in more or less the same range. This game isn’t going to be for everyone, but for those with the itch, it will certainly scratch it with glee. Let’s just hope the Switch port is up to snuff.
Arcade Archives Splatterhouse ($7.99)
The original Splatterhouse is already available on Switch via the Namco Museum collection, but this Arcade Archives version offers the usual benefits of Hamster’s approach. Extra modes, tons of options, online leaderboards, and so on. If you’re a big Splatterhouse fan, that stuff will probably give you some good reasons for a double-dip. It’s not like you’ve got a ton of Splatterhouse stuff to buy these days anyway, right?
Alice Sisters ($5.99)
A cute puzzle platformer where you take control of two sisters, each with their own abilities, to help them make their way through twenty-eight levels spread across four worlds in order to rescue their mother. You can play alone, swapping between the sisters as needed, or pull in a friend or family member for some local co-op fun. Seems alright for what it is.
Rice Bowl Restaurant ($14.99)
All you need to do is look at that screenshot and I’m sure you’ll have a near-perfect idea of what this game is. Customers come up with their orders, you have to prepare the food and serve it before they get mad and walk away. Kind of gutsy to charge fifteen bucks for a game like this at this stage of the Switch’s life, but I do wish them luck.
Marble Ball Friends ($3.99)
This is apparently a Corinth-like game? I know that’s a board game, but I’ve never played it so I really can’t say how valid that claim is. I do know this features a bunch of minigames and animal friends you can unlock. It also features online multiplayer for up to five players, which is pretty wild in a four-dollar game. If you’re curious, it’s at least not the most expensive of punts.
Unimime – Unicycle Madness ($4.99)
If you like trying to balance things with wacky physics in play, this might be of interest to you. You play as a mime riding a unicycle through ninety tricky hand-built levels, trying not to wipe out as you roll your way around the various obstacles and gimmicks found in each. You can unlock some extra characters for some added fun, too. I’m going to have a review of this one soon just as a little palate cleanser between some of the bigger things, so do watch for that.
Auralux: Constellations ($7.99)
This is a minimalistic real-time strategy game. It’s a follow-up to a game simply known as Auralux which was not released on the Switch because the Switch didn’t exist eleven or twelve years ago, and it has a demo that you should be able to try by the time you read this. Heck, this sequel has been out for several years on other platforms. It seems to have a decent following elsewhere, and I imagine it will find some fans here as well. It features one hundred and fifty levels to play, and it supports local multiplayer for up to two players and online multiplayer for up to four players.
Princess Closet – Fashion and Love Will Change Me – ($19.99)
This is a rerelease of Princess Closet, minus the voices but plus Japanese language support. It’s also at a lower price. The original game has been delisted now, so this is the only option to get it. But do keep in mind that the content here is unchanged from the previous game outside of having the voices stripped out, so be careful you don’t double dip. It’s not a sequel.
Neko Secret Homecoming ($9.99)
A combination of simple 3D exploration and those silly tile-swapping puzzles that seem to be all the rage in low-cost lewd games these days. There are also a few minigames in here like playing darts and picking locks. You can customize your character as you like with a variety of options, and naturally there are some images you can unlock and view in the gallery. About what we’ve come to expect from eastasiasoft, more or less. It has a niche and it knows how to serve it.
Earthen Dragon ($9.90)
This is a rather dubious-looking action RPG starring a dragon. You can use your dragon breath, wield magic, or get more hands-on with enemies if you feel like. As you play through the game you’ll learn new breath attacks and magic, and can meet and assist various NPCs. It has so many rough edges it would make sandpaper blush, but I know some people like poking at games like this just to enjoy the jank.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Looks like ININ Games is having a pleasingly spicy sale on its offerings. Some of those prices are absolutely bonkers, like Clockwork Aquario for three bucks and Cotton Fantasy for fourteen. Over in the outbox, a lot of indie sales are finishing up. You know the usual chorus, pals: check those lists!
Select New Games on Sale
Trinity Trigger ($39.99 from $49.99 until 7/6)
Ninja JaJaMaru: The Great Yokai Battle ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/6)
Ninja JaJaMaru: Retro Collection ($7.49 from $14.99 until 7/6)
Ninja JaJaMaru: The Lost RPGs ($6.49 from $12.99 until 7/6)
Turrican Flashback ($9.89 from $29.99 until 7/6)
Turrican Anthology Vol. 1 ($19.94 from $34.99 until 7/6)
Turrican Anthology Vol. 2 ($19.94 from $34.99 until 7/6)
WitchSpring3 Re:Fine ($13.99 from $39.99 until 7/6)
Ultracore ($1.99 from $19.99 until 7/6)
Spelunker HD Deluxe ($4.99 from $24.99 until 7/6)
Cotton 100% ($2.99 from $14.99 until 7/6)
Panorama Cotton ($2.99 from $14.99 until 7/6)
Cotton Fantasy ($13.99 from $39.99 until 7/6)
Space Invaders Invincible Collection ($19.79 from $59.99 until 7/6)
Umihara Kawase BaZooKa ($2.99 from $29.99 until 7/6)
Clockwork Aquario ($2.99 from $19.99 until 7/6)
Cannon Dancer – Osman ($19.79 from $29.99 until 7/6)
My Universe: My Baby Dragon ($17.99 from $29.99 until 7/12)
Asterix & Obelix: Slap Them All ($9.99 from $24.99 until 7/12)
Oddworld Soulstorm ($24.99 from $49.99 until 7/12)
Scrap Riders ($11.99 from $19.99 until 7/12)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, June 23rd
1971 Project Helios ($7.99 from $19.99 until 6/23)
Air Battle ($3.49 from $6.99 until 6/23)
Albacete Warrior ($5.99 from $9.99 until 6/23)
Animal Shelter ($10.49 from $14.99 until 6/23)
Bee in the Valley ($3.49 from $4.99 until 6/23)
BlackSmith Hit ($3.49 from $4.99 until 6/23)
Blue Fire ($6.79 from $19.99 until 6/23)
Castle Renovator ($10.14 from $14.49 until 6/23)
Clunky Hero ($8.99 from $14.99 until 6/23)
Darker Skies ($3.59 from $17.99 until 6/23)
Demolish & Build Classic ($4.49 from $14.99 until 6/23)
Divination ($2.99 from $4.99 until 6/23)
Drill Deal Oil Tycoon ($7.49 from $14.99 until 6/23)
Farming Life ($2.99 from $9.99 until 6/23)
Hundred Fires TRoRS Episode 2 ($2.39 from $5.99 until 6/23)
Hyper-5 ($7.49 from $9.99 until 6/23)
Johnny Rocket ($2.74 from $4.99 until 6/23)
Kuroi Tsubasa ($3.99 from $4.99 until 6/23)
Lila’s Sky Ark ($2.99 from $14.99 until 6/23)
Little Kite ($5.49 from $9.99 until 6/23)
Marble Maid ($6.49 from $9.99 until 6/23)
Motorcycle Mechanic Simulator 2021 ($5.99 from $19.99 until 6/23)
Pocoyo Party ($11.99 from $29.99 until 6/23)
Repentant ($5.49 from $9.99 until 6/23)
Restless Soul ($2.99 from $14.99 until 6/23)
Retro City Rampage DX ($4.99 from $14.99 until 6/23)
Road Builder ($6.29 from $8.99 until 6/23)
Roller Katz BF Episode 1 ($1.99 from $4.99 until 6/23)
Scrap Games ($2.24 from $4.49 until 6/23)
Shakedown Hawaii ($4.99 from $19.99 until 6/23)
Shuttlecock-H ($5.99 from $7.99 until 6/23)
Ski Resort Driver ($6.49 from $12.99 until 6/23)
Steal It ($1.99 from $3.99 until 6/23)
Super Cyborg ($2.48 from $6.99 until 6/26)
Tauronos ($3.84 from $6.99 until 6/23)
Teslagrad 2 ($15.99 from $19.99 until 6/23)
Teslagrad Power Pack ($23.98 from $29.98 until 6/23)
Teslagrad Remastered ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/23)
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion ($5.09 from $14.99 until 6/23)
Waifu Discovered 2 Medieval Fantasy ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/23)
Wings of Bluestar ($10.49 from $14.99 until 6/23)
Youmandriver ($5.99 from $11.99 until 6/23)
That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new releases to close out the week, plus some sales and maybe some news. We’ll see how that goes. Not sure how much news could be left at this point in the week. I hope you all have a terrific Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!
