Nintendo Direct Highlights SwitchArcade

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update starts with some exciting news, followed by a review and a look at a fresh release. We'll wrap things up with the usual sales reports. 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, divided between a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase, delivered a mix of announcements. While primarily focusing on third-party titles and indie games, it steered clear of major first-party reveals or any hints about the next-generation Switch console. You can watch the full presentation above; a detailed summary of the key announcements will be available tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This untranslatable EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game itself enjoyable, and is it playable without understanding Japanese? Star Trader is intriguing but not exceptional. Falcom blends a Japanese-style adventure game with side-scrolling shooter segments, neither of which are particularly polished. The adventure sections feature appealing artwork, and the shooter's attempt at narrative integration is unique. Players primarily engage in conversations, accepting quests to earn money for ship upgrades – crucial for navigating the game's action sequences.

The shooter segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in jerky scrolling. Even with smoother movement, the gameplay might not be stellar. The game's structure is unclear, but Star Trader proves more interesting than truly good. This leads to the second question: the text-heavy adventure sections require player comprehension for optimal progress. Without understanding Japanese, players miss half the game and likely struggle in the other half due to insufficient credits. While brute-forcing is possible, it won't be a satisfying experience.

Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer venturing outside their usual style. However, the extensive Japanese text significantly hinders enjoyment for Western audiences. While some might find limited entertainment, a strong recommendation is difficult to justify.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat banished from the afterlife for misbehavior. Pluto's eternal punishment? Cleaning! Players explore, battle enemies with a broom, meet quirky characters, fight bosses, and upgrade abilities. It's a familiar formula, but executed well. Fans of the genre should definitely give it a try.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, I suggest checking out the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss out on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other notable titles on sale include Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider remastered collection. 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! Join us tomorrow for a recap of the Nintendo Direct, along with new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!