Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for November 30th, 2023. It’s Thursday, and unlike last Thursday this is a regular-sized big-pants release day. If you like video games, and I have to believe you do, you’ll want to check through the summaries of the many new games hitting the eShop today. After that, we do our usual lists of the latest sales and outgoing discounts. There’s a lot, so let’s get into it!
New Releases
Arcadian Atlas ($19.99)
This is a turn-based tactical RPG that is paying some clear homage to the likes of Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics. That’s not exactly a rare thing in this genre, of course. Somehow this was made by a tiny team of individuals, and it’s certainly respectable in light of that. I’ll be doing a full review of this one soon, but what I will say for now is that the game’s somewhat mixed reception on other platforms is not unearned. Well, maybe it will pull up in the end.
Trip World DX ($19.99)
Oh, is this finally coming out? It kept on missing its release dates, so I was wondering if this one was going to slide too. Anyway, this is a rare and expensive Game Boy game made by Sunsoft. It’s a platformer, and a fairly decent one even though it’s pretty short. It’s running in Limited Run Games’ Carbon Engine, which has so far been quite reliable for Game Boy games. What’s cool about this release is that the developers have created a new color version of the game in cooperation with one of the old-school Sunsoft directors. It also packs in a ton of extra content in the form of the Museum mode, and you know that’s something I like to see in retro releases. The price might seem a little high, and solely on the merits of the game itself it might be, but I think the work has been done here to make this feel like a premium release.
Cattails: Wildwood Story ($19.99)
Did you like Cattails? If so, here is another Cattails. It looks very similar in terms of presentation and gameplay mechanics, and that might be good thing or bad thing depending on how you felt about the original. Hunt prey, build your cat town, make friends with other cats and maybe even romance one, build a family, and so on. It’s basically a life simulation/farming sim but with cats instead of humans. But part two!
Arcade Archives Scramble Formation ($7.99)
This week’s Arcade Archives release is Taito’s 1986 vertical shoot-em-up Scramble Formation. It’s fairly typical of its era, with a fairly high level of difficulty and enemies in the air and on the ground taking pot shots at you most of the time. You can pick up extra planes and switch them between various formations to change your shot pattern, or sacrifice them to use as bomb attacks. The game will take you on a tour around 1986 Tokyo, which is actually kind of interesting. Not a must-have or anything, but if you like Tiger Heli you’ll find this a fairly agreeable attempt to ape its style.
Corbid! A Colorful Adventure ($11.99)
Explore huge gardens and use your ability to eat, mix, and shoot colors to solve puzzles and defeat enemies in this vibrant 3D platformer. It looks cute and it seems to be aimed at all ages, which might be of note for some of you who have little ones. I haven’t been able to play it yet, so that’s really all I can say about it right now. Might be worth taking a closer look at if you enjoy the genre.
Orten Was The Case ($14.99)
This is an adventure game of sorts, similar to the likes of Machinarium if I can compare it to anything. It’s a time-loop game about a guy named Ziggy from Orten, a fictional Swedish neighborhood brimming with detail and character. After a huge explosion, Ziggy finds himself back before it all happened. Can he figure out how to escape the loop and save the day? You’ll find plenty of puzzles to solve and a number of side activities to engage in. I’m going to be reviewing this one, but I’ll say at this point that it’s a very charming affair.
Genseisuikoden Plus ($21.99)
I don’t know if this is based on the same classic novel as that other Suikoden game, but if it is then a few more liberties have been taken. It is nevertheless a turn-based RPG, following a martial artist named Ataho who lives in the mountains. An event occurs that brings him out of his seclusion, and he soon finds himself fist-to-fist with some other well-trained fighters. This doesn’t look like the fanciest dinner, reminding me of KEMCO’s RPGs more than anything, but you might want to take a punt on it if you like the martial arts theme. We don’t get a ton of that in the genre.
Metro PD: Close to You ($29.99)
An otome visual novel about hunky police officers and one lucky lady who will probably end up smooching one or more of them. Oh yes, and there is some kind of case to solve, too. Catching some kind of culprit or other. But which dude will you lock lips with? That’s the real mystery, and only your choices will lead to the conclusion.
Wildshade: Unicorn Champions ($39.99)
This is a unicorn racing game. I think that will make some sales all on its own. Up to four players can join in via local multiplayer, and it has a lot of the things you expect to see in a racing game. There are tournaments to complete, equipment and horses to unlock, and a whopping forty courses to race on. It also has a few things you wouldn’t expect to see, like a breeding component that allows you to try to create your ultimate unicorn racer.
Motesolo: No Girlfriend Since Birth ($19.99)
Gosh, that’s some title. This is an FMV game about a thirty year old guy who has yet to have a relationship in his life. He’s wading into the dating market, and believe me when I say he’s going to need all the help you can give him. Kimo Kang is on a blind date with Yumi Kim, and your choices will determine if it’s a success or horrible disaster. Well, good luck with all of that.
Toasterball ($9.99)
This looks like one of those cheap Bin Bunch basketball games, but you play as toasters. Somehow, that changes a lot. Things are lot more chaotic, and the developer has leaned hard into that aspect. It has also loaded the game up with modes and content, which should come in handy if you decide to take advantage of the four-player local multiplayer support. I don’t know, it looks amusing enough for what it is.
Speed or Death ($7.99)
Another less-than-fancy dinner, but I suppose it’s affordable enough that some won’t care. This is an arcade-style racer that goes over the top in its course designs. You get four circuits to race on, twenty different cars to drive, and a dragon that breathes fire all over the track. That’s cool, right? No multiplayer, so you’ll have to go it alone out there.
This Means Warp ($19.99)
Take an FTL-style space survival adventure and throw in a bit of Overcooked-esque manic co-op, and you’ll be in the neighborhood of what This Means Warp has to offer. It’s a decent game when you play alone, but the game really comes alive when you pull in some friends or strangers to play via local or online multiplayer. Up to four can join in on the fun, doing their best to survive in a hostile procedurally generated universe. If you like the sound of all that and you have some people to play with, it’s worth looking into.
Wall World ($9.99)
A world of walls? It’s more likely than you’d think. This is a roguelite game that sees you mining and engaging in some tower defense. Dig into the walls, find resources, and fend off the enemies that attack your camp. You can get lots of weapons and upgrades as you gather more valuable loot. I’m not really into this kind of thing, but if you are then you might find something to enjoy here.
Space Junk Seekers ($1.99)
Another highly affordable, charming little game from a developer that has honed its skills in creating such. You’ve got four stages where you’re tasked with gathering space junk to sell. Fire your shots to the rhythm, or just bash those buttons. Either way, you’ll want to survive as long as you can and keep your eyes open for upgrades for your suit. Some story bits between stages help stitch the experience together and give it some extra personality.
Pixel Cafe ($12.99)
Baltoro definitely put some extra work into this one to make it look different from the pack of other time management cooking games, but when you get to the gameplay it’s about as traditional as it gets. Serve up the orders before people get mad and leave. There’s also a decorating component that is quite similar to what we see in a lot of modern mobile puzzle games. Still, I’ll give them points for trying. If you like games of this sort, it’s unusual to see one that is trying to dress things up a little.
Crashy Laps ($6.99)
You know, we don’t see enough games in the Super Sprint style these days. You get sixteen tracks in this one, and up to four players can race against each other in local multiplayer. There are a few different modes along with a few other options to mix things up. I wish someone would rip off Danny Sullivan’s Indy Heat. Now that’s a game I really miss. The winner is… Danny Sullivan’s team! Well, I suppose this is close enough to lessen the pangs for a few brief moments before they return again.
Teravit (Free)
This looks interesting. At first I assumed it was just a Minecraft clone, and to some extent it is. But it’s also a tool for making your own game scenarios and sharing them. You can put together little RPGs, racing games, and so on by using the various blocks and tools. The catch, and you know there is one because it’s free, is that there are in-game purchases that include random items, and that seems a bit counter-productive for a piece of creation software. Hey, it’s free. Give it a shot and if the monetization is egregious feel free to launch it into the bin yourself.
Ortheo ($1.99)
Look, this was a bit close but it does seem to be a truly earnest effort. It’s a 3D platformer with three worlds and a boss, and it has a bunch of coins and gears scattered around to collect. It won’t entertain you for very long, but for a couple of bucks does it really have to?
The Bin Bunch
Super Prehistoric World Adventure ($9.99)
Basketball Arcade ($1.99)
Hentai Tales Vol. 2 ($3.99)
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Oh, Hazelnut Hex. That’s a fun shoot-em-up. Beyond that there are a bunch of other decent indies in the list, but nothing that jumps out at me enough to specifically call out. Strangely, I feel the same way about the outbox list. That’s just how some days are. Hopefully you’re feeling more energetic than I am and can check those lists on your own.
Select New Sales
Hazelnut Hex ($5.59 from $7.99 until 12/9)
Haven ($12.49 from $24.99 until 12/10)
Furi ($7.99 from $19.99 until 12/10)
Furi – Onnamusha DLC ($3.49 from $6.99 until 12/10)
Furi – Modore Edition ($9.99 from $24.99 until 12/10)
Jenny LeClue: Detectivu ($2.99 from $24.99 until 12/11)
Retro Rollers Bundle ($2.99 from $9.99 until 12/19)
LocO-SportS ($2.15 from $5.99 until 12/20)
The Swindle ($2.24 from $14.99 until 12/20)
Serial Cleaner ($2.24 from $14.99 until 12/20)
Just Die Already ($3.74 from $14.99 until 12/20)
Hotshot Racing ($2.99 from $19.99 until 12/20)
American Fugitive ($2.99 from $19.99 until 12/20)
Motorsport Manager ($3.74 from $14.99 until 12/20)
Velocity 2X ($2.99 from $19.99 until 12/20)
Space Crew: Legendary Edition ($7.49 from $24.99 until 12/20)
Human: Fall Flat ($5.99 from $19.99 until 12/20)
Smoke and Sacrifice ($2.99 from $19.99 until 12/20)
A Knight’s Quest ($3.74 from $24.99 until 12/20)
Manual Samuel ($2.49 from $9.99 until 12/20)
You Suck at Parking ($13.99 from $19.99 until 12/20)
Bomber Crew ($2.99 from $19.99 until 12/20)
Pumped BMX Pro ($2.24 from $14.99 until 12/20)
Beholder: Complete Edition ($2.24 from $14.99 until 12/20)
From Space ($6.74 from $14.99 until 12/20)
Autonauts ($6.79 from $19.99 until 12/20)
For The King ($6.24 from $24.99 until 12/20)
Embr ($4.99 from $19.99 until 12/20)
Hue ($2.49 from $9.99 until 12/20)
When Ski Lifts Go Wrong ($2.24 from $14.99 until 12/20)
Chenso Club ($6.69 from $9.99 until 12/20)
Space Warrior ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/20)
Cattails: Wildwood Story ($17.99 from $19.99 until 12/21)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, December 1st
A Robot Named Fight ($7.79 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Bot Gaiden ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Breakers Collection ($14.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Don’t Sink ($5.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Draw a Stickman: Epic ($4.19 from $6.99 until 12/1)
Draw a Stickman: Epic 2 ($4.19 from $6.99 until 12/1)
Draw a Stickman: Epic 3 ($5.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Duke of Defense ($8.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Faerie Afterlight ($13.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Fight Crab ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Finding Paradise ($8.39 from $11.99 until 12/1)
Firefighters: Airport Fire Department ($9.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Firefighters: The Simulation ($9.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Freedom Finger ($3.99 from $7.99 until 12/1)
Gardenia ($10.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Hello Kitty & Friends Happiness Parade ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Ministry of Broadcast ($8.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Mountain Rescue Simulator ($9.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
No One Lives Under the Lighthouse ($8.39 from $11.99 until 12/1)
Panda’s Village ($3.59 from $5.99 until 12/1)
Pretty Girls Tile Match ($2.99 from $5.99 until 12/1)
Professional Construction: The Simulation ($9.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Quantum Storm ($3.49 from $4.99 until 12/1)
Quest of Dungeons ($2.89 from $8.99 until 12/1)
Rayland ($3.49 from $4.99 until 12/1)
RiffTrax: The Game ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Risky Woods QUByte Classics ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Saboteur II: Avenging Angel ($5.60 from $8.00 until 12/1)
Saboteur SiO ($7.69 from $10.99 until 12/1)
Saboteur! ($5.60 from $8.00 until 12/1)
Sakura Alien ($7.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Splash Cars ($2.09 from $6.99 until 12/1)
Stay Out of the House ($12.59 from $17.99 until 12/1)
Sudoku Universe ($1.99 from $6.99 until 12/1)
Super Impossible Road ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Super Mega Zero ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
The Red Exile: Survival Horror ($3.24 from $4.99 until 12/1)
Time Of War, Arkano ’90 ($2.69 from $14.99 until 12/1)
To the Moon ($8.39 from $11.99 until 12/1)
Unbound: Worlds Apart ($5.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Unepic ($2.49 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Visco Collection ($16.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
What the Dub?! ($3.99 from $7.99 until 12/1)
That’s all for today and this month, friends. I’ll be back tomorrow with the remaining releases of the week, and it’s quite the list already. My stomach isn’t feeling great right now, so cross your fingers for me that I don’t need to head back to the hospital soon. I hope you all have a thrilling Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!
