Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update begins with some exciting news, followed by a review and a look at the latest releases. We'll wrap things up with the usual sales updates. 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! The 40-minute presentation featured a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase. While primarily showcasing third-party titles and indie games, it lacked any major first-party announcements and, unsurprisingly, no news on the next-generation Switch console. You can watch the full presentation above; a detailed summary of the key highlights will be available tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This unlocalized EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game enjoyable despite the language barrier? Star Trader blends adventure and shoot 'em up elements, but neither aspect truly shines. The adventure sections feature appealing artwork, offering a unique take on storytelling within a shoot 'em up framework. Players interact with characters, undertake quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship – crucial for navigating the challenging action sequences.

However, the shoot 'em up gameplay suffers from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in choppy scrolling. The integration of these two genres feels somewhat disjointed. While Star Trader possesses a certain historical intrigue, its overall quality is somewhat underwhelming. The significant amount of Japanese text makes the adventure sections practically inaccessible to Western players, significantly impacting the overall experience. While some might find enjoyment in experimenting with the game, a strong recommendation is difficult to give.

Star Trader offers a glimpse into a developer's experimentation beyond their usual style. Sadly, the extensive Japanese text severely limits its appeal to a Western audience. While some casual exploration might be possible, a full enjoyment is unlikely without Japanese language skills.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game features Pluto, a recently deceased cat, who finds himself banished from the afterlife and tasked with eternal cleaning duties. Players explore, battle enemies with a broom, encounter quirky characters, and engage in boss fights. It's a familiar formula, but executed well. Fans of the genre should definitely consider this title.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

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

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

(List of sales ending tomorrow)

That's all for today! We'll be back tomorrow with a recap of the Nintendo Direct, new game releases, sales updates, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!