Nintendo Direct Highlights, EGGCONSOLE Review, Game Releases, Sales

Hello gaming enthusiasts, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024. Today's update begins with some exciting news, followed by a game review and a look at a new release. We'll wrap things up with our usual sales lists. Let's dive in!

News

Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap

As predicted by some industry insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct, featuring a combined Partner Showcase and Indie World Showcase totaling 40 minutes. While primarily focusing on third-party titles and indie games, it lacked any major first-party announcements and, as expected, no news on the next-generation Switch console. A detailed summary of the key announcements will follow tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game itself enjoyable, and is it playable without understanding Japanese? Star Trader blends adventure game elements with side-scrolling shooter stages, but neither aspect excels. The adventure sections feature appealing artwork, offering a unique take on narrative-driven shoot 'em ups. Players interact with characters, undertake quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship, a crucial element for navigating the challenging action sequences.

The shooting segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in jerky, choppy gameplay. The game's overall design is unclear, with neither component fully supporting the other. While Star Trader possesses a certain intrigue, its execution falls short. The text-heavy adventure sections are a significant barrier for non-Japanese speakers, hindering both gameplay and enjoyment. While some progress is possible through trial and error, a complete experience is unattainable without understanding the language. It’s an interesting historical artifact, but its accessibility issues limit its appeal.

Star Trader offers a glimpse into a developer's experimentation outside their usual style. However, the significant amount of Japanese text makes it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly. While some might find it engaging, the language barrier significantly impacts the overall experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat, who is banished from the afterlife and tasked with eternal cleaning duties. Players explore, battle enemies with a broom, encounter quirky characters, and overcome bosses. Despite its familiar premise, Crypt Custodian delivers a surprisingly enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shoot 'em ups, the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi are worth considering. Also, don't miss out on 1000xRESIST, Star Wars titles, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider remasters. Check the lists below for more details!

Select New Sales

Return ($10.49 from $13.99 until 9/2)
Summer Daze: Tilly’s Tale ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/9)
Please Fix the Road ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/9)
Ticket to Ride ($26.99 from $29.99 until 9/9)
King ‘n Knight ($9.59 from $11.99 until 9/9)
Spiritfarer ($7.49 from $29.99 until 9/9)
Harpoon Shooter Nozomi ($6.98 from $9.98 until 9/16)
Like Dreamer ($5.99 from $11.99 until 9/16)
Cosmo Dreamer ($4.10 from $8.20 until 9/16)
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate ($8.99 from $59.99 until 9/16)
Gluck ($5.59 from $6.99 until 9/16)
Love Love School Days ($4.19 from $10.49 until 9/16)
Ugly ($6.79 from $19.99 until 9/16)
Replik Survivors ($3.44 from $4.99 until 9/16)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

1000xRESIST ($15.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Citizen Sleeper ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Genesis Noir ($4.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Haiku, The Robot ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Heads Up! Phones Down Edition ($1.99 from $39.99 until 8/28)
Legend Bowl ($18.74 from $24.99 until 8/28)
MythForce ($14.99 from $29.99 until 8/28)
Paradise Killer ($5.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Battlefront Collection ($28.00 from $35.01 until 8/28)
Star Wars Bounty Hunter ($14.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Episode I Racer ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Jedi Academy ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Jedi Outcast ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars KotOR ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars KotOR II: Sith Lords ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Republic Commando ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars The Force Unleashed ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Super Mutant Alien Assault ($1.99 from $9.99 until 8/28)
Suzerain ($4.49 from $17.99 until 8/28)
The Pale Beyond ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Times & Galaxy ($17.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered ($22.49 from $29.99 until 8/28)

That's all for today. Join us tomorrow for a full recap of the Nintendo Direct, along with new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday!