Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 18th, 2020. Yesterday’s Nintendo Direct Mini had a lot of great games in it, and a few of them dropped immediately after the video. Of course the highlight was Capcom finally bringing some original games to the Switch in the form of Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter Stories 2, but that was far from the only surprise in the video. We quickly summarize that video today before going into the mountain of new releases, and all I can say is that I hope you kept some money aside. Of course, we’ve also got the new sales lists to look at. It’s a big boy today, friends. Let’s get started!
News
‘Monster Hunter Rise’ and More in the Latest Partner Showcase
Yesterday’s Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase delivered quite a bit of news in a small amount of time. It started off with a bang, revealing an all-new original Monster Hunter game for the Switch in the form of Monster Hunter Rise. The game is scheduled for release in March of next year. Monster Hunter Stories 2 will also be coming to Switch, in summer of 2021. Hades, The Long Dark, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps got surprise releases, and Disgaea 6 was announced as a Switch-exclusive release in the West next summer. Sniper Elite 4 was announced, and Balan Wonderland and Rune Factory 5 had more gameplay shown. Empire of Sin also got an extended trailer, and it looks great. Take some time to give it a watch if you haven’t already. The Switch’s 2021 is already shaping up to be something special.
New Releases
Super Mario 3D All-Stars ($59.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
I probably don’t need to say much about this one. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario 3D All-Stars packs three amazing 3D Mario games into one package. Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy are all here with various adjustments and enhancements. While many people are arguing about the extent of those enhancements, the fact remains that you’re getting two of the finest 3D platformers of all-time here, along with one reasonably good one with some interesting ideas. Whether you want it or not, you have six months to decide. At the end of March 2021, both the digital and physical versions of this game will be discontinued.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps ($29.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Seriously? This is one of those games that just feels like witchcraft running on the Switch as well as it does. This is an amazing sequel to the already fantastic Metroidvania-style game Ori and the Blind Forest, and when it launched earlier this year on Xbox One and Windows people more or less figured it was too much for the little ol’ Switch to handle. Well, the developer hammered away at the problem and solved it beautifully. Like, “60 fps" beautiful. The game design makes a lot of thoughtful improvements over its predecessor to make for a much better overall experience. So yes, great game, incredible port, another must-have title for the Switch.
Hades ($24.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
From the makers of Bastion and Transistor comes Hades, a roguelike dungeon crawler that follows the story of the Prince of the Underworld as he tries to escape from the god of the dead. With the support of Olympian gods and the ability to become stronger with each attempt, he’ll surely taste victory sooner or later. This is a terrific game wrapped up in the usual Supergiant style, with excellent action and plenty of replay value. I wish the performance were as solid as the Ori port, but the game definitely struggles in places. Nevertheless, if you have even the smallest amount of interest in the genre Hades is a must-have.
The Long Dark ($34.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
This is an awesome survival game about a bush pilot who crash lands in the Canadian wilderness and needs to stay alive. Unlike many survival games, this isn’t a horror experience. Rather, it’s you versus nature under very tough conditions, making the game feel very different from others in the genre. Its striking presentation only adds to its mystique. It’s not hard to see why many players have fallen in love with this game on other platforms, and I’m sure it will cultivate a strong fanbase on the Switch as well.
World For Two ($13.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Wow, that’s really pretty. This game came out on mobile about a year and a half ago, and it has proven to be quite popular. I believe this enhanced Switch port is the first time it’s been available in English, so that’s already one thing going for it. Anyway, the idea here is that life on Earth is on its last legs. The sole survivor of the catastrophe that caused this situation is a professor who is researching how to bring life back in his underground lab. He needs resources from the outside world, but it’s too dangerous for him to go out. So he builds an android that he sends out into the world to get what he needs. It’s a really gorgeous and fascinating journey, one well worth taking.
Journey of the Broken Circle ($8.00)
Hmm, that broken circle looks vaguely familiar somehow. Anyway, this is a brief adventure about an imperfect circle who seeks to become whole. You’ll meet a variety of characters, some of whom will accompany you on your adventure. It takes about four or five hours to clear the game from start to finish, and there is naturally some kind of point to the whole affair that you’re meant to pick up on. Rather nice for what it is. If you’re feeling like picking up a relatively breezy experience game today, this might fit the bill.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds ($39.99)
If you were hoping for this to be anything other than a casual arcade-style take on pro wrestling, let me disabuse you of that notion: this is nowhere near a simulation the way most other wrestling games are. But it’s still quite a bit of fun to play, and that’s the main thing. There are tons of different wrestlers in here, but you’re going to have to grind like wild to earn them all. There’s also really only a few different character types that all of those wrestlers end up getting sorted into, so a lot of the personality of the individuals is lost. You can’t help but feel like the game was designed to be a microtransaction-selling machine, which would be fine if this were a free-to-play title, but it’s not. Well, it’s better than WWE 2K18, if nothing else.
Saboteur SiO ($10.99)
Oh, neat. Some of you probably remembering seeing the two classic Saboteur games released on the eShop a while ago. Pretty neat to see games of that vintage and origin show up on the Switch. But it turns out those releases were leading up to a brand-new Saboteur game! Saboteur SiO was made in collaboration with Clive Townsend, the original creator, and seeks to merge the old and the new in a fresh installment of the series. It’s definitely more modern than the previous two games in look and feel, but not so modern that it feels out of place with those games. Probably a little too odd for most players, but if you have warm fuzzies for Saboteur this is like a dream come true.
GORSD ($16.99)
I’m sure it’s the intended effect, but wow do I find the art style of this game ghastly. Just… repulsive on a very fundamental level. Well, no matter. The idea here is that you need to paint the whole level in your colors. This is tough because there are other characters on the field that are painting over the stuff you already painted. Luckily, you have a bullet. Just one. You can shoot it, direct it, and then pick it back up again. Be careful, because you can absolutely shoot yourself if you’re not careful. There’s a lengthy single-player campaign to dig into, but the real meat is in the multiplayer. Up to four players can join in locally, with a bunch of different modes and rules to keep things lively.
The Secret Order: Return to the Buried Kingdom ($14.99)
It is Artifex Mundi adventure game time again, friends. The newest chapter of The Secret Order, Return to the Buried Kingdom sees you heading to the titular location only to find it in dire straits indeed. The balance between peace and chaos has been lost, and the dragons are starting to go wild. What is the source of all of this trouble? It’s up to you to find out. You know how this works by now: explore lush locales, solve any puzzles you come across, and keep your eyes peeled for hidden objects. A moderately entertaining story keeps you moving along. I say this a lot, but you probably already know how you feel about Artifex Mundi games. You don’t need me to tell you if this is for you or not.
Tamiku ($4.99)
A funny observation: in the West, this game has a vaguely Japanese-sounding name. But in Japan, it’s called Balloon Boy. That amusing trivia aside, this is an arcade-style game from the developer of Zeroptian Invasion. You need to inflate and pop all of the balloons on each level without getting killed. There are eight different worlds and sixteen levels in total, and clearing them all is quite the challenge. It’s a very simple game, but it nails down that early 1980s arcade feeling fairly well. I do wish that it had a two-player mode like many of the games it’s paying homage to, though.
Georifters ($29.99)
This is a platformer featuring vibrant visuals and a wide variety of playable characters, each with their own abilities and skills. You can play solo or with another player in local co-op. Much of the gameplay involves manipulating the terrain around you to do things like spin walls around, twist tunnels to change their direction, or even just to smack around enemies. There’s a lot to do in each of the game’s 30 levels, set across six different worlds that have distinctive themes. Not the first platformer I’d recommend from today’s releases, but it’s more than competent and particularly enjoyable when playing with a friend or family member.
Grisaia Phantom Trigger 04 ($14.99)
The visual novel series Grisaia Phantom Trigger continues with this fourth chapter of the story. In this chapter, a new student named Sengoku Taiga aims to join the team. She’s allowed to transfer in, but she’s under the direct supervision of Chris. While the two clash initially, they soon start to understand each other. Then all heck breaks loose, and… well, you’ll have to play the game to find out what happens. Suffice it to say, you’ll like this one if you’ve enjoyed the previous chapters. And if you haven’t played the previous chapters, you really shouldn’t start with this one.
Bomber Fox ($4.99)
I was expecting this to be another game that’s a little too heavily inspired by Bomberman, but it’s different enough to be considered its own thing. Granted, it is a top-down puzzle/action thing involving using bombs, but there’s a stronger puzzle element happening here. There are almost 100 levels to play, and it naturally includes a local multiplayer mode for up to four people. With several modes to choose from, you should be able to keep the party going a while. Not too bad at all for the price, really.
Battle of Kings ($9.99)
This is a fairly standard tower defense game in the vein of things like Kingdom Rush. Battle enemies in waves by building and upgrading towers, deploying units, and using special skills. You get a single-player campaign and a battle mode where you can either take on the AI opponent or go against another player over the internet. Nothing about this one really stands out to me, but it also doesn’t look particularly bad for what it is. If you’re into the genre, give it a look.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
To tell the truth, there aren’t as many new sales today as I was expecting. Still, there are some corkers in the list. Rayark is having a big sale on its games, allowing you to pick up amazing titles like VOEZ, DEEMO, Cytus, and Implosion for incredible prices. The Deponia games are available at new low prices, and Capcom has put Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate down to its lowest price yet in celebration of the announcement of Monster Hunter Rise. The only saving grace of today for our poor cash-strapped pockets is that the weekend outbox is fairly small.
Select New Games on Sale
VOEZ ($12.50 from $25.00 until 10/8)
DEEMO ($14.99 from $29.99 until 10/8)
Cytus Alpha ($34.99 from $49.99 until 10/8)
Kamiko ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/8)
Fairune Collection ($4.99 from $9.99 until 10/8)
Lanota ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/8)
Implosion ($4.79 from $11.99 until 10/8)
OPUS: Day We Found Earth ($2.00 from $5.00 until 10/8)
OPUS: Rocket of Whispers ($3.59 from $8.99 until 10/8)
JCB Pioneer: Mars ($12.49 from $24.99 until 10/8)
House of Golf ($4.99 from $9.99 until 10/8)
Atomicrops ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/23)
Syberia 1 & 2 ($9.99 from $34.99 until 9/23)
Duel Hand Disaster: Trackher ($0.09 from $9.99 until 9/23)
Tower of Babel ($0.89 from $5.99 until 10/7)
Escape Trick: 35 Enigmas ($9.79 from $19.99 until 10/7)
Pool ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
The Number Puzzle ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Party Trivia ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Air Hockey ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Darts ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Chess ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Golf ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
SpyHack ($6.69 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Mini Island Challenge ($6.69 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Pooplers ($4.49 from $8.99 until 10/7)
Final Light, The Prison ($1.04 from $6.99 until 10/7)
Earthlock ($14.95 from $29.90 until 10/7)
My Butler ($7.99 from $9.99 until 10/7)
Dangerous Relationship ($11.99 from $14.99 until 10/7)
Despotism 3k ($4.39 from $10.99 until 10/7)
Sudoku Relax 3 ($3.74 from $4.99 until 10/7)
BQM: Block Quest Maker ($4.99 from $14.99 until 10/7)
X-Morph: Defense ($2.99 from $19.99 until 10/7)
Zombie Driver Immortal ($2.24 from $14.99 until 10/7)
Xtreme Club Racing ($1.48 from $9.89 until 10/7)
Enchanting Mahjong Match ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Frontline Zed ($8.03 from $11.99 until 10/7)
Retro Tanks ($4.01 from $5.99 until 10/7)
Tyd wag vir Niemand ($5.49 from $9.99 until 10/7)
‘n Verlore Verstand ($1.39 from $13.99 until 10/7)
Bomber Fox ($4.49 from $4.99 until 10/7)
Liege Dragon ($13.49 from $14.99 until 10/1)
State of Mind ($7.99 from $39.99 until 10/1)
Shift Happens ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/1)
Silence ($7.99 from $39.99 until 10/1)
Deponia ($3.99 from $39.99 until 10/1)
Chaos on Deponia ($6.79 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Goodbye Deponia ($6.79 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Deponia Doomsday ($6.79 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Edna & Harvey: The Breakout ($13.39 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Edna & Harvey: New Eyes ($6.79 from $19.99 until 10/1)
The Long Dark ($31.49 from $34.99 until 10/1)
AER Memories of Old ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/1)
The Long Journey Home ($7.49 from $29.99 until 10/1)
Felix the Reaper ($6.24 from $24.99 until 10/1)
Hand of Fate 2 ($14.99 from $29.99 until 10/1)
Tallowmere ($3.49 from $6.99 until 10/1)
Lost Artifacts: Golden Island ($2.99 from $9.99 until 10/1)
The Forgotten Land ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/1)
REZ PLZ ($11.99 from $14.99 until 10/1)
Bite the Bullet ($11.99 from $14.99 until 10/1)
The Savior’s Gang ($2.99 from $4.99 until 10/1)
Double Cross ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Mini Motor Racing X ($15.99 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Ice Cream Surfer ($1.60 from $2.00 until 10/1)
Joggernauts ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/1)
The King’s Bird ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Mable & The Wood ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/1)
Boom Ball: Boost ($1.29 from $12.99 until 10/1)
Late Shift ($6.49 from $12.99 until 10/1)
Working Zombies ($13.99 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Super Korotama ($2.99 from $4.99 until 10/1)
Maria the Witch ($0.99 from $4.99 until 10/1)
Quest of Dungeons ($4.49 from $8.99 until 10/1)
Liberated ($13.39 from $19.99 until 10/1)
Gear.Club Unlimited ($4.99 from $14.99 until 9/30)
The Unholy Society ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/30)
Escape From the Universe ($2.99 from $9.99 until 9/30)
Vosaria: Lair of Forgotten ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/30)
Escape Game Fort Boyard ($23.99 from $29.99 until 9/30)
Shalnor Legends: Sacred Lands ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/30)
ATV Drift & Tricks ($4.89 from $34.99 until 9/30)
STAY ($0.99 from $11.99 until 9/30)
Guns, Gore and Cannoli ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/25)
Hidden Through Time ($5.59 from $7.99 until 9/25)
Heart&Slash ($4.49 from $14.99 until 9/27)
Hades ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/24)
Unruly Heroes ($11.59 from $19.99 until 9/24)
PuPaiPo Space Deluxe ($2.99 from $4.99 until 9/24)
Door Kickers: Action Squad ($5.24 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Rad Rodgers Radical ($7.49 from $29.99 until 9/24)
Aperion Cyberstorm ($3.44 from $14.99 until 9/24)
The Tenth Line Special ($6.49 from $12.99 until 9/24)
You Died But a Necromancer… ($4.49 from $8.99 until 9/24)
Rival Megagun ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/24)
Clouds & Sheep 2 ($2.49 from $9.99 until 9/24)
Monster Hunter Generations ($15.99 from $39.99 until 10/2)
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen ($14.99 from $29.99 until 10/2)
Power Rangers: Battle for Grid ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/29)
Super Toy Cars 2 ($8.99 from $11.99 until 10/5)
eCrossminton ($9.89 from $14.99 until 9/28)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Deployment ($0.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Caveman Chuck ($2.00 from $4.00 until 9/20)
Cubicity ($4.80 from $6.00 until 9/20)
Dark Tower: RPG Puzzle ($2.50 from $5.00 until 9/20)
Horror Pinball Bundle ($4.49 from $8.99 until 9/20)
Magic Nations ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/20)
Pop the Bubbles ($3.99 from $7.99 until 9/20)
Skybolt Zack ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/20)
Spirit of the North ($17.49 from $24.99 until 9/20)
Stellar Interface ($1.49 from $12.99 until 9/20)
Super Street: Racer ($24.99 from $39.99 until 9/20)
Tesla vs Lovecraft ($5.24 from $14.99 until 9/20)
Touchdown Pinball ($1.50 from $3.00 until 9/20)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. But really, what more could you ask for from a week of releases? Are you not entertained? So… which game is occupying your weekend this time? Let me know in the comments. I’ll hopefully be spending some time with Mario, but we’ll see if work intervenes. I hope you all have a great weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
