Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for July 14th, 2023. In today’s article, our pal Mikhail has his detailed review of the highly unexpected but very fun SpongeBob SquarePants Special Pack for Futurlab’s PowerWash Simulator. After that, we have several new releases to look at. Nothing particularly great today, but such is the ebb and flow of the eShop. Finally, we’ve got sales. Those are pretty good, with some new low prices on specific Square Enix titles that you won’t want to miss. Let’s get to the games!
Reviews & Mini-Views
PowerWash Simulator SpongeBob SquarePants Special Pack ($7.99)
After reviewing and loving both PowerWash Simulator and the Midgar Special Pack DLC, I was curious to see what Futurlab would bring next to PowerWash Simulator. I did not expect a collaboration between PowerWash Simulator and SpongeBob SquarePants, but here we are. As the game’s first paid DLC following two generous free DLC packs, I wanted to see what Futurlab had in store for me as a fan of the game and SpongeBob Squarepants.
PowerWash Simulator SpongeBob SquarePants Special Pack has multiple new locations and fanservice from the world of SpongeBob SquarePants included. It unfortunately doesn’t bring a whole set of sound effects and music from the brand, but feels like the Midgar DLC did, but for SpongeBob SquarePants. On paper that isn’t a bad thing, but this is the game’s first paid DLC pack, so I was hoping to see more on that front.
The levels themselves are excellent including the vehicles, but I wish the developers had included the insides of certain locations here. Unlike prior DLC packs, the PowerWash Simulator SpongeBob SquarePants Special Pack also includes new achievements on supported platforms if that is something you care about.
My review of PowerWash Simulator SpongeBob SquarePants Special Pack took a bit longer because I was on holiday last week, but it is the only game I played on my Switch while on holiday so that should tell you how much I like it as a fan of both properties. If you aren’t a fan of SpongeBob SquarePants, you can still find some enjoyment here with new levels, but it really is for fans. A lot of care went into it, and I can’t wait for the next DLC pack.
If you’re a fan of both PowerWash Simulator and SpongeBob SquarePants, the PowerWash Simulator SpongeBob SquarePants Special Pack is a no brainer purchase. It is a bit expensive for what it offers, but I’ve enjoyed my time with it on Switch and Steam Deck already. I’m now playing it on PS5 as well. If you, like me, enjoy PowerWash Simulator and want to keep supporting it while getting new levels, this DLC is worth grabbing. It is just a shame that gyro support is yet to be added into the Nintendo Switch and PS5 versions of the game. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
New Releases
Ultra Goodness ($4.99)
Rough Friday, all things considered. Anyway, here’s Ratalaika with a port of Ultra Goodness, a top-down shooter with a bizarre theme. We already have the second one on the Switch, so now you can see how the saga began. If, you know, that’s a thing you care about. I imagine most don’t. It’ll scratch your twin-stick shooter itch today without breaking your bank, at least.
Puzzle by Nikoli S Hitori ($4.99)
Another one of these interesting logic puzzlers from Hamster. As usual with these, it’s probably easier for you to learn the game by playing it than by me trying to explain it. Essentially it’s another one of those games where you have to fill in cells according to particular rules, and while it takes a little while to click, once it does? You’ll have a great time working through its puzzles.
Hollenburg ‘Hell Castle’ ($14.99)
This is a fairly clear homage to Castlevania, and if nothing else it certainly seems to be an earnest effort. I’m not sure if it’s going to present a great value for fifteen bucks, as the competition for side-scrollers is quite fierce on the Switch. Might be worth keeping an eye on for a deep sale, though.
Summer Party Time ($9.50)
Another SAT-BOX minigame collection intended for group consumptions. Up to six players can get in on it locally, and up to four online. There are a handful of games to play here, including racing, river rafting, swinging from vines, and so on. I’m not really sure what kind of theme it’s aiming for here. Tropical island fun? Let’s go with that. If you like the look of it, there’s a demo available on the eShop that you can try.
Eroblast: Waifu Dating Sim ($14.99)
It’s weird that there are a handful of match-3 puzzler/lewd dating sim hybrids, but I guess if there’s an audience then there will be a show. The stats that matter: two hundred puzzle stages to play, thirteen women to romance, thirty-plus routes for each, and more than seventy risque pictures to unlock. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you if this is your kind of thing or not. If you like what you get here, there’s additional DLC that adds more content to the feedbag.
The Bin Bunch
Race Boat Simulator – 3D Stunt Racing Driving Ship Ocean Action Fly ($12.99)
Subway Simulator – Underground Train Ride Station Ultimate Driving Games ($11.99)
Road Bustle 2 ($0.99)
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Some really great prices on Square Enix games at the moment. I’ve included what I felt were the best ones, but there’s more there if you care to look. EA is also doing a sale, and if you want to grab the last FIFA game on the Switch, now is the moment. As for the rest of it, Cassette Beasts and Mr. Sun’s Hatbox are enjoying their first post-launch sales. Could be worth looking at. Over in the outbox, City Connection’s latest sale is wrapping up. Now is your chance to grab some Saturn games, laggy shooters, and even some laggy Saturn shooters!
Select New Games on Sale
Lost in Random ($5.99 from $29.99 until 7/22)
EA Sports FIFA 23 Legacy Edition ($9.99 from $39.99 until 7/22)
Fe ($4.99 from $19.99 until 7/22)
It Takes Two ($29.99 from $39.99 until 7/22)
Mr. Sun’s Hatbox ($11.24 from $14.99 until 7/24)
Townscaper ($2.99 from $5.99 until 7/24)
GONNER2 ($2.59 from $12.99 until 7/24)
GONNER2 Deluxe Bundle ($3.99 from $19.99 until 7/24)
Kingdom Two Crowns ($3.99 from $19.99 until 7/24)
Cassette Beasts ($15.99 from $19.99 until 7/24)
Cassette Beasts: Deluxe ($17.84 from $29.99 until 7/24)
ProtoCorgi ($2.09 from $6.99 until 7/24)
Spelunker Party! ($5.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
Balan Wonderworld ($7.99 from $39.99 until 7/27)
Final Fantasy VII ($7.99 from $15.99 until 7/27)
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered ($9.99 from $19.99 until 7/27)
Final Fantasy IX ($10.49 from $20.99 until 7/27)
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster ($24.99 from $49.99 until 7/27)
Voice of Cards Trilogy ($39.99 from $49.99 until 7/27)
Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory ($29.99 from $59.99 until 7/27)
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line ($37.49 from $49.99 until 7/27)
Collection of SaGa FF Legend ($11.99 from $19.99 until 7/27)
SaGa Frontier Remastered ($12.49 from $24.99 until 7/27)
Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song ($19.99 from $24.99 until 7/27)
SaGa Scarlet Grace ($8.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
The DioField Chronicle ($29.99 from $59.99 until 7/27)
NEO: The World Ends With You ($29.99 from $59.99 until 7/27)
Various Daylife ($14.49 from $28.99 until 7/27)
Actraiser Renaissance ($17.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
Octopath Traveler II ($44.99 from $59.99 until 7/27)
Harvestella ($29.99 from $59.99 until 7/27)
Tactics Ogre: Reborn ($29.99 from $49.99 until 7/27)
NieR Automata The End of YoRHa ($29.99 from $39.99 until 7/27)
Powerwash Simulator ($19.99 from $24.99 until 7/27)
Legend of Mana ($14.99 from $29.99 until 7/27)
Collection of Mana ($19.99 from $39.99 until 7/27)
Trials of Mana ($24.99 from $49.99 until 7/27)
Space Blaze ($7.49 from $29.99 until 7/28)
Garden Simulator ($17.54 from $26.99 until 7/28)
Lost Artifacts: Time Machine ($2.09 from $2.99 until 7/28)
For the Warp ($4.49 from $17.99 until 7/28)
Airport Simulator Day & Night ($8.74 from $34.99 until 7/28)
Metro Simulator ($4.99 from $19.99 until 7/28)
Pineview Drive ($4.99 from $19.99 until 7/28)
Forestry: The Simulation ($4.99 from $19.99 until 7/28)
Joe’s Diner ($4.99 from $19.99 until 7/28)
Professional Farmer ($9.99 from $39.99 until 7/28)
Professional Farmer: American Dream ($9.99 from $39.99 until 7/28)
Firefighters: Airport Heroes ($9.99 from $39.99 until 7/28)
TheNightfall ($9.99 from $39.99 until 7/28)
Antigravity Racing ($2.24 from $8.99 until 8/2)
FPV Simulator ($1.99 from $9.99 until 8/2)
Cue Sports ($1.99 from $5.90 until 8/2)
Gear.Club Unlimited 2 ($3.99 from $24.99 until 8/3)
Syberia 3 ($3.99 from $24.99 until 8/3)
Pizza Tycoon ($4.49 from $14.99 until 8/3)
XEL ($5.69 from $18.99 until 8/3)
Avia Corporation ($13.60 from $16.00 until 8/3)
Sales Ending This Weekend
Abarenbo Tengu & Zombie Nation ($7.19 from $11.99 until 7/15)
Acalesia ($1.99 from $4.99 until 7/15)
Cleopatra Fortune S-Tribute ($8.99 from $14.99 until 7/15)
Cotton 2 – Saturn Tribute ($10.79 from $17.99 until 7/15)
Cotton Boomerang Saturn Tribute ($10.79 from $17.99 until 7/15)
Deathsmiles I-II ($31.99 from $39.99 until 7/15)
Dragon Blaze ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute ($8.99 from $14.99 until 7/15)
Front Mission 1st Remake ($27.99 from $34.99 until 7/15)
Game Tengoku CruisinMix Special ($8.99 from $29.99 until 7/15)
Guardian Force – Saturn Tribute ($10.79 from $17.99 until 7/15)
Gunbarich ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
Gunbird ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
Gunbird2 ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
Hot Gimmick Cosplay-jong ($6.00 from $20.00 until 7/15)
Lanternium ($1.99 from $9.99 until 7/15)
Layer Section & Galactic Attack S-Tribute ($17.99 from $29.99 until 7/15)
Lord of the Click ($1.99 from $4.99 until 7/15)
Negative Nancy ($3.74 from $14.99 until 7/15)
Of Tanks & Demons III ($1.99 from $4.99 until 7/15)
Oliver’s Adventures in the Fairyland ($1.99 from $6.99 until 7/15)
Path of Giants ($3.14 from $8.99 until 7/15)
Rune Lord ($1.99 from $6.99 until 7/15)
Samurai Aces ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
Samurai Aces III: Sengoku Cannon ($5.99 from $9.99 until 7/15)
Sol Divide ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
Startup Company Console Edition ($10.39 from $12.99 until 7/15)
Strikers 1945 III ($5.99 from $9.99 until 7/15)
Strikers1945 ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
Strikers1945 II ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
Tad the Lost Explorer ($25.99 from $39.99 until 7/15)
Taimumari: Complete Edition ($1.99 from $14.99 until 7/15)
Tengai ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
The Last Worker ($13.99 from $19.99 until 7/15)
Zero Gunner 2- ($4.79 from $7.99 until 7/15)
King Jister 3 ($2.99 from $5.99 until 7/16)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with more new games, more sales, more reviews, and probably more news too. I’m going to relax this weekend by playing through the original Zelda on NES, I think. What are you all going to get up to? I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
