Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for April 30th, 2021. In today’s article, we take a look at the remaining releases for the week. That includes some big titles like New Pokemon Snap and R-Type Final 2, but also a lot of lower-profile releases that may catch your fancy. We’ve also got a lot of new sales to comb through, and some outgoing sales to consider. Let’s head into battle!
New Releases
New Pokemon Snap ($59.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
It’s been a solid couple of decades since Pokemon Snap released. It was at its core a short, on-rails “point-and-shoot" game that was as much about seeing Pokemon doing things in the wild as it was about playing it. While it got some criticism at the time for its brevity, appreciation only grew for it over time. So here we are, a proper sequel. A gorgeous proper sequel. And a surprisingly robust one too, at least in terms of content. The actual mechanics aren’t much different from the first game, and the fact that there’s just so much more to work your way through here means some are probably going to find it a little repetitive. But with twenty years of interest built up, I can think of worse problems than there being too much content in the game.
R-Type Final 2 ($39.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
Okay, I’m pretty mixed about this. On the one hand, R-Type is back! It is perhaps not the best R-Type, but it is certainly R-Type. Really nice to be playing a brand new entry in this classic series, and one that seems to have been a serious passion project at that. However, I would be remiss in my duties if I failed to mention that this Switch version is quite rough. The framerate bounces up and down depending on what’s happening on-screen, and the load times are significant, even between deaths. Those are two things you really don’t want to see in a shoot-em-up in particular. Can you still have fun with it? Sure, if you can tolerate framerate dips and generally iffy technical performance, there’s a good shooter in here. But if you have any other option, you should take it.
Ultimate Custom Night ($7.99)
SwitchArcade Highlight!
So this is sort of like Five Nights At Freddy’s Maker, when you get down to it. The setting is a familiar one. You’re in an office with two side doors, two vents, and two air hoses. You can choose any assortment of characters drawn from the entire series, with 50 of the haunted animatronics available in total. You then set their difficulty from 0-20 and see if you can survive. You’ll need to manage a variety of tools and switches, watch the cameras, and react accordingly. You can also collect Faz-Coins that can be used to buy things from the Prize Counter. There are unlockable office skins and cutscenes you can earn by playing, and sixteen themed challenges to complete. If you can’t get enough of this series, you pretty much have to play this one.
Angels with Scaly Wings ($9.99)
It’s a visual novel with romance elements, and also dragons. And you romance the dragons. There are more than five characters to romance (probably six then), and your decisions will lead you to one of thirteen different endings. The setup is that you are a human ambassador to the world of dragons. You’ll learn about this newly-discovered culture, and also try to get to the bottom of what your human colleague is up to. A conspiracy is afoot that may threaten all of dragonkind! How can a person think about getting smooches with this much on the line? And yet, here we are. Let’s face it: you’re either already sold on this, or you never will be.
Mafia Slots ($5.99)
It’s a completely and utterly basic slots game with a mafia theme. Don’t worry, it’s a cute cartoon animal mafia. Bet up to nine lines, and try to win some virtual chips. Use them to keep playing. Maybe you’ll win more virtual chips. You can find far more elaborate and enjoyable slots games for free on your mobile device. Or, hey, if you own Dragon Quest XI you can play the slots in there. I don’t see a whole lot of point in this kind of release, but it’s not the first basic-butt slots game on Switch so there must be an audience. Maybe you’re in that audience and think I’m a jerk. Maybe you’re already calling the cute cartoon animal mafia on me. Um, I’ll be over here packing my suitcase.
Super Arcade Soccer 2021 ($8.00)
It’s been a couple of years since the original Super Arcade Soccer released, and I guess it must have done alright for itself because it’s back with a fresh new installment. The amount of content here is quite a step up from the previous version, with a whopping 100 clubs, 60 international teams, and 1800 players that are as based on the real thing as an unlicensed game can get. While last time only two players could get in on the fun, this time four players can play two-on-two via local multiplayer. Play in leagues, cups, or just have a friendly match to kill a bit of time. If you’re hankering for an affordable new soccer game or just really enjoyed the last installment in this series, Super Arcade Soccer 2021 might be what you’re looking for.
Ladders by POWGI ($7.99)
The latest puzzle game from the folks at Lightwood Games challenges you to transform one word into another, one letter at a time. You’re given the first word and the final word, along with a ladder that represents how many steps you’ll need to take. Each step on the ladder, you change one letter. It must result in a real word of its own, naturally. If all goes well, you’ll have the right chain of words to get you to the target. You then get a bad dad joke to see you on your way to the next puzzle. There’s quite a bit of content here for fans of word puzzles, so you’ll certainly get your money’s worth out of it.
Sky Roll! ($4.99)
This has the feel of a Super Monkey Ball-style game on a budget. You tilt the levels to roll the ball to the goal, collecting coins as you go along. Each of the 120 stages has three red coins placed in hidden or hard-to-reach spots to give you an extra target to shoot for. There is a good mix of obstacles and there’s a fair bit of visual variety, so I think if you’re into the concept it’s not a bad pick-up.
War Dogs: Red’s Return ($3.99)
Here’s a low-cost beat-em-up from the folks at QUByte. It’s 2.5D and it involves dog-people, which is kind of weird but not the weirdest thing I’ve seen today. Apparently this is just the first part of the story, with more levels coming soon? Anyway, single-player. Dog-people punching and kicking dog-people, emulating the baser elements of the humans they once called masters. A bunch of cosmetics and items you can pick up to customize your character. I’ve played a bit of it. It has a lot of rough edges, but for a four-dollar game that will likely be on sale often, it’s competent enough.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Some big publishers are having sales on many of their games today. Square Enix has just about its full line on sale, including Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory, Romancing SaGa 3, and even Balan Wonderworld. Atlus has its two releases discounted, with Persona 5 Strikers having its first post-launch sale. NIS America, FDG Entertainment, and Abylight also have most of their prices reduced. Blizzard Arcade Collection has a modest discount but is definitely worth it in light of its most recent update. In the outbox, Ubisoft and Limited Run Games are wrapping up their latest campaigns among a few others. Have a careful look through both lists, friends.
Select New Games on Sale
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory ($40.19 from $59.99 until 5/5)
Trials of Mana ($24.99 from $49.99 until 5/5)
Collection of Mana ($19.99 from $39.99 until 5/5)
Collection of SaGa FFL ($17.99 from $19.99 until 5/5)
Romancing SaGa 2 ($12.49 from $24.99 until 5/5)
Romancing SaGa 3 ($14.49 from $28.99 until 5/5)
SaGa Scarlet Grace Ambitions ($14.99 from $29.99 until 5/5)
I Am Setsuna ($19.99 from $39.99 until 5/5)
Lost Sphear ($19.99 from $49.99 until 5/5)
Oninaki ($24.99 from $49.99 until 5/5)
Spelunker Party! ($14.99 from $29.99 until 5/5)
Final Fantasy VII ($7.99 from $15.99 until 5/5)
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered ($9.99 from $19.99 until 5/5)
Final Fantasy IX ($10.49 from $20.99 until 5/5)
Final Fantasy XII Zodiac Age ($24.99 from $49.99 until 5/5)
Final Fantasy XV Pocket ($14.99 from $29.99 until 5/5)
World of Final Fantasy Maxima ($19.99 from $39.99 until 5/5)
Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon ($19.99 from $39.99 until 5/5)
Star Ocean First Departure R ($10.49 from $20.99 until 5/5)
Balan Wonderworld ($40.19 from $59.99 until 5/5)
Catherine Full Body ($24.99 from $49.99 until 5/6)
Persona 5 Strikers ($41.99 from $59.99 until 5/6)
Blizzard Arcade Collection ($16.99 from $19.99 until 5/6)
Billion Road ($17.99 from $29.99 until 5/6)
Rune Factory 4 Special ($23.99 from $39.99 until 5/6)
Dungeon and Puzzles ($7.49 from $9.99 until 5/6)
Radio Commander ($11.24 from $14.99 until 5/6)
Bouncing Hero ($3.49 from $4.99 until 5/6)
Dynamite Fishing ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/7)
Stunt Kite Party ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/7)
Deployment ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/7)
Lode Runner Legacy ($5.99 from $11.99 until 5/7)
R-Type Dimensions EX ($7.49 from $14.99 until 5/7)
Hatsune Miku Logic Paint S ($12.60 from $14.00 until 5/9)
SNK 40th Anniversary Collection ($19.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
Labyrinth of Refrain: CoD ($19.99 from $49.99 until 5/10)
Disgaea 1 Complete ($19.99 from $49.99 until 5/10)
Disgaea 4 Complete ($29.99 from $49.99 until 5/10)
Disgaea 5 Complete ($19.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? ($14.99 from $19.99 until 5/10)
Prinny 2: Operation Panties, Dood! ($14.99 from $19.99 until 5/10)
God Wars The Complete Legend ($9.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
The Longest Five Minutes ($9.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
Penny-Punching Princess ($9.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
Void Terrarium ($14.99 from $24.99 until 5/10)
Mad Rat Dead ($27.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
RPG Maker MV ($34.99 from $49.99 until 5/10)
Liar Princess & the Blind Prince ($9.99 from $19.99 until 5/10)
Happy Birthdays ($9.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
The Alliance Alive HD ($24.99 from $49.99 until 5/10)
Destiny Connect: Tick-Tock Travelers ($11.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
The Lost Child ($14.99 from $49.99 until 5/10)
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of DANA ($23.99 from $59.99 until 5/10)
TLoH: Trails of Cold Steel III ($35.99 from $59.99 until 5/10)
Lapis x Labyrinth ($9.99 from $29.99 until 5/10)
Yomawari Long Night Collection ($14.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
The Caligula Effect: Overdose ($19.99 from $49.99 until 5/10)
Langrisser I & II ($29.99 from $49.99 until 5/10)
Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories ($32.99 from $59.99 until 5/10)
The Princess Guide ($9.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
Psikyo Shooting Stars Alpha ($23.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
Psikyo Shooting Stars Bravo ($23.99 from $39.99 until 5/10)
LEGO Harry Potter Collection ($12.49 from $49.99 until 5/11)
Qbics Paint ($2.99 from $4.99 until 5/12)
Hyper Light Drifter: Special ($11.99 from $19.99 until 5/12)
Super Hydorah ($11.99 from $19.99 until 5/12)
Cursed Castilla ($8.39 from $13.99 until 5/12)
Speed Dating for Ghosts ($2.37 from $6.99 until 5/13)
Sea King Hunter ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/13)
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? ($22.49 from $29.99 until 5/13)
Monkey Wall ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/13)
Soul Axiom Rebooted ($7.79 from $12.99 until 5/13)
Dead or School ($11.99 from $29.99 until 5/13)
Rotating Brave ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/13)
Lost Artifacts: Time Machine ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/13)
Destruction ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/13)
Assault Gunners HD Edition ($4.99 from $9.99 until 5/13)
MXGP3: Official Motocross ($2.99 from $29.99 until 5/13)
Standby ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/14)
War Dogs: Red’s Return ($1.99 from $3.99 until 5/14)
Skate City ($9.99 from $14.99 until 5/14)
Peace, Death! Complete ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/14)
Draw Chilly ($2.09 from $2.99 until 5/14)
Quell ($1.99 from $7.99 until 5/14)
Quell Zen ($1.99 from $7.99 until 5/14)
Corridor Z ($1.99 from $7.99 until 5/14)
Highrise Heroes: Word Challenge ($1.99 from $7.99 until 5/14)
Barrier X ($2.09 from $2.99 until 5/14)
Gibbous: A Cthulhu Adventure ($5.99 from $19.99 until 5/14)
Swapperoo ($1.99 from $7.99 until 5/14)
12 is Better Than 6 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/14)
Spheroids ($1.99 from $7.99 until 5/16)
Tachyon Project ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/16)
Super Toy Cars ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/16)
Reknum Cheri Dreamland ($5.94 from $6.99 until 5/18)
Amnesia: Collection ($8.99 from $29.99 until 5/19)
39 Days to Mars ($10.04 from $14.99 until 5/19)
Ninja Village ($8.40 from $14.00 until 5/19)
Grand Prix Story ($8.40 from $14.00 until 5/19)
Home Run High ($8.40 from $14.00 until 5/19)
The Ramen Sensei ($8.40 from $14.00 until 5/19)
Flat Heroes ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/19)
Old Man’s Journey ($1.99 from $9.99 until 5/19)
Monster Boy & the Cursed Kingdom ($15.99 from $39.99 until 5/20)
Oceanhorn: MoUS ($5.99 from $14.99 until 5/20)
Oceanhorn 2: KotLR ($22.49 from $29.99 until 5/20)
Blossom Tales ($5.99 from $14.99 until 5/20)
Venture Kid ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/20)
Slayin 2 ($4.79 from $11.99 until 5/20)
Colossus Down ($13.49 from $17.99 until 5/20)
Sudoku Relax 4 Winter Snow ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/20)
Sales Ending This Weekend
99Moves ($2.00 from $2.99 until 5/1)
99Seconds ($2.00 from $2.99 until 5/1)
Abyss ($2.00 from $2.99 until 5/1)
Assassin’s Creed: Rebel Collection ($19.99 from $39.99 until 5/1)
Color Zen Kids ($3.19 from $3.99 until 5/1)
Cook, Serve, Delicious 2 ($2.59 from $12.99 until 5/1)
Cook, Serve, Delicious 3 ($12.99 from $19.99 until 5/1)
Cosmic Star Heroine ($5.99 from $14.99 until 5/1)
Cthulhu Saves Christmas ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/1)
Cube Life: Island Survival ($11.99 from $14.99 until 5/1)
Darts Up ($2.00 from $2.99 until 5/1)
Double Switch 25th Anniversary ($5.99 from $14.99 until 5/1)
EQI ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/1)
Family Feud ($14.99 from $29.99 until 5/1)
Horror Pinball Bundle ($2.96 from $8.99 until 5/1)
Hunting Simulator 2 ($23.99 from $39.99 until 5/1)
Immortals Fenyx Rising ($29.99 from $59.99 until 5/1)
Just Dance 2021 ($19.99 from $49.99 until 5/1)
Mario + Rabbids KB Gold ($19.99 from $79.99 until 5/1)
Night Trap 25th Anniversary ($5.99 from $14.99 until 5/1)
Pixel Action Heroes ($3.99 from $4.99 until 5/1)
Police Stories ($4.49 from $14.99 until 5/1)
Power Racing Bundle ($5.94 from $16.99 until 5/1)
Purrs in Heaven ($2.02 from $6.99 until 5/1)
Rally Rock ‘N Racing ($2.99 from $9.99 until 5/1)
Revenge of the Bird King ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/1)
Rock ‘N Racing Bundle GP&R ($5.99 from $19.99 until 5/1)
Saturday Morning RPG ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/1)
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World ($11.99 from $14.99 until 5/1)
Starlink: BfA Deluxe ($23.99 from $79.99 until 5/1)
Stitchy in Tooki Trouble ($9.74 from $12.99 until 5/1)
Tangle Tower ($11.99 from $19.99 until 5/1)
Touchdown Pinball ($2.01 from $2.99 until 5/1)
Adrenaline Rush: Miami Drive ($1.99 from $3.99 until 5/2)
Die for Valhalla! ($2.39 from $11.99 until 5/2)
Freecell Solitaire Deluxe ($1.99 from $8.99 until 5/2)
Immortal Planet ($5.99 from $14.99 until 5/2)
Jurassic World Evolution Complete ($32.99 from $59.99 until 5/2)
Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Complete ($19.49 from $29.99 until 5/2)
Stab Stab Stab! ($3.99 from $9.99 until 5/2)
Steamburg ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/2)
Struggling ($8.24 from $14.99 until 5/2)
Tetsumo Party ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/2)
Thea: The Awakening ($7.19 from $17.99 until 5/2)
That’s all for today, this week, and this month. Technically I should be taking time off next week for Golden Week, but I love to work so I’ll still be doing my daily Round-Ups as usual. I don’t see any massive titles on the schedule for next week, but I’m sure there will be a few surprises in some form or another. If nothing else, we can catch up on some reviews. I hope you all have a nice weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
