Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 6th, 2019. With all of yesterday’s releases, you’d think today might be a bit of a slow one. I suppose it is, relatively speaking, but we’ve still got plenty to talk about. There are a handful of news items, mostly concerning updates. We’ve also got several new releases to summarize, and a big list of sales to dig through. Let’s swim out into the shiny blue sea, friends!
News
The New Content for ‘Celeste’ Will Be Available September 9th
It’s been a bit of a wait, but fans of the wonderful platformer Celeste will have something good to look forward to at the start of next week. The Chapter 9 DLC is finished and will be available from September 9th, offering more than 100 new levels, a whole lot of new music, and new mechanics and items. On the story side, you’ll get a little extra time with many of the characters as something of a final farewell. To access this content, you’ll need to have finished Chapter 8, so make sure you go ahead and do that little thing if you haven’t already.
Buddy Up with the Latest ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ Event
There was something a little off this past Wednesday. A disruption in my routine. An imbalance in the Force, if you will. There was no announcement of the weekend Super Smash Bros. Ultimate event! Now that we know what its theme is, it’s easy to see why. The Ultimate Partnership tournament is here to celebrate Banjo and Kazooie joining the fight, and it focuses on characters that work in teams. The better you do in the tournament, the higher quality spirits you can earn. The event is running during the usual time period, which means it should have started by the time you read this and will run for the duration of the weekend.
‘A Dark Room’ Has Returned to the eShop, Minus the Code Editor
I’m a fan of A Dark Room, the oddball little game that had a break-out success on mobile several years back. It was really cool to see the game come to Switch, where it had a chance to connect with a whole new audience. Unfortunately, a hidden Easter egg that hadn’t been disclosed to Nintendo ended up with the game being pulled from the eShop not long after its release. I honestly wasn’t sure if the game was going to come back or not, as it was kind of a messy situation for all involved. Well, it seems like things have been sorted out. A Dark Room is once again available to purchase on the Switch eShop, naturally without the secret code editor that put the game in hot water.
‘Tetris 99’ Update Adds New Themes and More
To coincide with the release of the retail package of Tetris 99, a new update has arrived that adds some new modes and extras to the game. One such feature is the new ticket system. Complete daily challenges to earn tickets. Once you have enough of them, you can exchange them for a nice new theme. There are several new themes to pick up, including one based on The Legend of Zelda and another based on Donkey Kong. There’s a new gameplay mode for people who have previously earned first place at least once, letting the top players pick on each other a bit more. Finally, the rest of the DLC content is now available, giving access to the 2P Share Battle mode and the Local Arena mode. These modes allow you to play two players locally against CPU opponents and have an eight-player local wireless battle respectively.
NES Nintendo Switch Online App Updates With New Features
No, this isn’t a major update. No, there aren’t any new NES games. Given we just got twenty Super NES games, it’s likely we won’t be getting any new 8-bit titles in September. But that Super NES Switch Online app launched with a couple of nifty new features that the NES app didn’t have. Namely, there are a bunch of new sorting options, and the ability to turn off the controls being displayed at the bottom of the screen during gameplay. Well, worry not. By updating your NES Nintendo Switch Online app, you will now have access to those lovely options. Mmm, sorting.
New Releases
Creature in the Well ($14.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
This is basically a dungeon crawler mashed up with a Break Out-style brick-breaker mechanic, and it works out really nicely all around. In order to make your way through the stages, you need to solve puzzles that generally work out to you smacking energy balls into the right locations. You’ll earn new items and abilities along the way, and since the stage order isn’t fixed initially, there’s a nice non-linear feel to parts of the game. It doesn’t hurt that the game is stylish as heck, with some really eye-catching art design. It’s not a flawless experience by any means, but I think it’s good enough that it’s worth taking a chance on if you find its basic concept appealing.
NBA 2K20 ($59.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Okay, first of all, that video isn’t the Switch version. I couldn’t find a good screenshot so I’ve just gone and put in the promotional video they used for the game. That business set aside, we can now look at the latest in 2K’s line of basketball titles for the Switch. Unlike certain competitors, the publisher has treated this Switch version like a proper new release, adding in new modes and features while updating the gameplay and rosters. Safe to say that if you enjoyed the previous games in this line, you’ll probably get into this one, but there is a demo if you want to play it safe. Now 2K, can we maybe get an NHL 2K revival on Switch? The others guys don’t seem very interested in giving me handheld hockey.
Molecats ($12.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
This is a cute little puzzle game where you need to guide strange little creatures called molecats through some seriously gorgeous environments. You can’t directly control the molecats, so you need to manipulate the environment to present the path and tools they need to move forward. There’s no way to get a game over, but if you mess up things can get a lot more complicated pretty quickly. The difficulty isn’t too high on the whole, making this a rather pleasant little romp. There are lots of neat little secrets to find if you go looking around in nooks and crannies, as well. Cool game, thumbs up.
Himno ($4.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
This is a really fun little pick-up-and-play platformer. It’s not the longest game around, but the randomized levels will keep you coming back if you want to get a bit more out of it. The tight controls and chill soundtrack make this a real pleasure to just fire up and mess around in. It definitely skews more towards being relaxing rather than challenging, as there aren’t any enemies or deaths to worry about, but I think there’s room for something like that now and then. If you want to try the game out first, it’s free to play on computers. I think the game is definitely worth the meager five dollars to have it on you to play whenever and wherever you and your Switch are, though.
Remothered: Tormented Fathers ($29.99)
This is a well-crafted survival horror game, especially given the size of its developer. It was apparently intended to be a spiritual successor to Clock Tower, and it certainly has that vibe around it. I feel like the first half of the game is a bit stronger than the second half, but if you’re looking for a bit of survival horror on your Switch and don’t want to replay a Resident Evil game for the nth time, this is probably one of the better options. Your character is weak, the threats are serious, and the game is more than willing to do what it takes in order to scare the crap out of you. It’s an old-school example of the genre in many ways, but if that’s what you’re craving, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with Remothered as a game. I haven’t been able to check this Switch port yet, though, so I can’t vouch for how well it runs.
Arcade Archives Vigilante ($7.99)
Outside of its attractive graphics, Irem’s Vigilante felt like a dying breed even back in 1988 when it first came out. Something of a spiritual successor to Kung Fu Master, this single-plane beat-em-up is probably best known for its appearance in the North American launch line-up of the TurboGrafx-16. Trudge across stages as you get accosted by enemies from all angles, stopping to pick up the occasional set of nunchucks that will quickly be lost. Do your best to defeat some ridiculously cheap bosses, and keep on feeding in those virtual coins. I’m not a fan of Vigilante, clearly, but if you are? Hamster did a nice job with this as usual.
Super Jumpy Ball ($4.99)
Is that $4.99 how much it costs to buy the game, or how much it cost to make it? Ha ha, Shaun, you absolute cad. Yes, Super Jumpy Ball looks cheaper than candy cigarettes, and if you guessed it originated as a free-to-play mobile game, you’d be correct. There are a bunch of mini-games and modes, and you can play locally with up to eight players, so it may have some value as a party game. I don’t know, this feels to me like something people are going to buy in droves when it inevitably has a 90% off sale or something, but even at the low price of a fiver I think there are probably better games on the eShop to buy.
Sales
So many sales, so little worth caring about. Fans of word games and logic puzzles may want to grab one or more of the Lightwood Games titles while they’re half-off, with the Pic-a-Pix titles in particular being very nice, content-rich Picross-style games. It may perhaps be better to focus on the outbox, as the excellent Nicalis sales are coming to a close this weekend.
New Games on Sale
Asdivine Menace ($11.69 from $12.99 until 9/13)
Astro Duel Deluxe ($0.79 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Violett ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Super Beat Sports ($9.74 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Frederic: Resurrection of Music ($0.59 from $5.99 until 9/25)
Frederic 2: Evil Strikes Back ($0.49 from $4.99 until 9/25)
Pic-a-Pix Deluxe ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Word Search by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Fill-a-Pix: Phil’s Epic Adventure ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Word Puzzles by POWGI ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Word Sudoku by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Pic-a-Pix Pieces ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Block-a-Pix Deluxe ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Word Wheel by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Qbik ($0.49 from $4.99 until 9/25)
Millie ($0.49 from $4.99 until 9/25)
Detention ($5.19 from $12.99 until 9/19)
Super Toy Cars ($4.99 fom $9.99 until 9/23)
Spy Chameleon ($5.59 from $7.99 until 9/25)
Sparkle Zero ($0.49 from $4.99 until 9/25)
Sparkle 3 Genesis ($0.49 from $4.99 until 9/25)
No Thing ($0.19 from $1.99 until 9/25)
Animated Jigsaws: Japanese Scenery ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Goetia ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Glaive: Brick Breaker ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Timberman VS ($0.19 from $1.99 until 9/25)
The Adventures of Elena Temple ($2.99 from $4.99 until 9/25)
Them Bombs! ($9.79 from $13.99 until 9/25)
Defoliation ($7.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Chameleon Run Deluxe ($2.99 from $5.99 until 9/25)
Super Volley Blast ($7.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Star Story: The Horizon Escape ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Darts Up ($1.49 from $2.99 until 9/25)
NoReload Heroes ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Shut Eye ($0.39 from $3.99 until 9/25)
Tiny Hands Adventure ($0.79 from $7.99 until 9/25)
Persian Nights: Sands of Wonders ($1.49 from $14.99 until 9/25)
Behind The Screen ($7.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Realpolitiks ($2.49 from $24.99 until 9/25)
The Mahjong Huntress ($0.49 from $4.99 until 9/25)
My Brother Rabbit ($1.49 from $14.99 until 9/25)
Fly O’Clock ($0.19 from $1.99 until 9/25)
Startide ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Puzzle Wall ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Destruction ($7.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Viviette ($7.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
The Keep ($8.99 from $17.99 until 9/25)
Abyss ($1.49 from $2.99 until 9/25)
99Seconds ($1.49 from $2.99 until 9/25)
99Moves ($1.49 from $2.99 until 9/25)
Clock Simulator ($0.39 from $3.99 until 9/25)
Grab Lab ($0.49 from $4.99 until 9/25)
Neko Navy – Daydream ($9.74 from $12.99 until 9/25)
Bedtime Blues ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Dying: Reborn ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
IHUGU ($0.39 from $3.99 until 9/25)
Fishing Universe Simulator ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Bad Dream: Coma ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Doodle God: Evolution ($4.54 from $6.99 until 9/18)
Doodle God: Crime City ($4.54 from $6.99 until 9/18)
Hyperide ($0.19 from $1.99 until 9/25)
Merchants of Kaidan ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Estiman ($0.19 from $1.99 until 9/25)
Hard West ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Dungeons & Aliens ($0.39 from $3.99 until 9/25)
UNI ($0.49 from $4.99 until 9/19)
Jungle Z ($9.09 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Risky Rescue ($0.49 from $4.99 until 9/25)
Beyond Enemy Lines: Covert Operations ($9.79 from $14.99 until 9/12)
Dig Dog ($2.99 from $3.99 until 9/19)
Phantom Doctrine ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Rally Rock ‘N Racing ($7.49 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Wayout ($0.74 from $2.99 until 9/25)
Forklift – The Simulation ($6.99 from $9.99 until 9/12)
Jim Is Moving Out! ($6.99 from $14.99 until 9/25)
Gunpowder on The Teeth: Arcade ($3.34 from $4.99 until 9/25)
Smoots Summer Games ($7.49 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Lost Castle ($7.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Inferno 2 ($4.49 from $4.99 until 9/19)
The Eyes of Ara ($12.74 from $14.99 until 9/26)
39 Days to Mars ($11.99 from $14.99 until 9/20)
Tactical Mind ($0.99 from $2.99 until 9/15)
Mad Carnage ($0.99 from $4.99 until 9/15)
FunBox Party ($0.99 from $1.99 until 9/15)
Ludomania ($0.99 from $3.99 until 9/25)
Mech Rage ($1.49 from $9.99 until 9/15)
Flowlines VS ($3.74 from $4.99 until 9/26)
Food Truck Tycoon ($3.49 from $4.99 until 9/26)
Atomic Heist ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/27)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Dead Cells ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Find The Balance ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/7)
Hand of Fate 2 ($17.99 from $29.99 until 9/7)
Hardway Party ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/7)
Blade Strangers ($19.99 from $39.99 until 9/8)
Cave Story+ ($14.99 from $29.99 until 9/8)
Code of Princess EX ($19.99 from $39.99 until 9/8)
Crystal Crisis ($14.99 from $19.99 until 9/8)
Deployment ($2.49 from $9.99 until 9/8)
Energy Balance ($1.01 from $2.99 until 9/8)
Energy Cycle ($1.01 from $2.99 until 9/8)
Energy Invasion ($1.01 from $2.99 until 9/8)
Feudal Alloy ($13.59 from $16.99 until 9/8)
Gnomes Garden ($2.99 from $4.99 until 9/8)
Ikaruga ($9.99 from $14.99 until 9/8)
Magic Nations ($1.50 from $3.00 until 9/8)
Mecha Storm ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/8)
Metropolis: Lux Obscura ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/8)
North ($1.49 from $2.99 until 9/8)
Planet RIX-13 ($3.24 from $4.99 until 9/8)
Redout ($29.99 from $39.99 until 9/8)
RemiLore ($29.99 from $39.99 until 9/8)
Spiral Splatter ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/8)
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ ($19.99 from $39.99 until 9/8)
The End Is Nigh ($4.99 from $14.99 until 9/8)
Tiny Barbarian DX ($9.99 from $29.99 until 9/8)
Umihara Kawase Fresh! ($29.99 from $39.99 until 9/8)
That’s all that’s good for this week, friends. Next week should be another busy one, with Tokyo Game Show kicking off on Thursday and running through the weekend. Next week will also see a bunch of cool new releases, including titles like Star Wars Pinball, Daemon X Machina, Blasphemous, and more trickling out through the week. I hope you all have a great weekend, and I’ll see you all on Monday. As always, thanks for reading!
