Nintendo Direct Delivers Game & Release Updates

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 review and a look at a new release. We'll wrap things up with our 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 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 or news about the next-generation Switch console. A detailed summary of the key announcements will be available tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: game quality versus the language barrier. Star Trader is an intriguing, albeit not exceptional, title. Falcom blended adventure game elements with side-scrolling shooter stages, but neither aspect shines particularly brightly. The adventure sections feature appealing artwork, and the shooter's attempt at narrative integration is unique. Players interact with characters, undertake quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship – crucial for navigating the challenging shooter segments.

The shooting sections, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in jerky, choppy gameplay. Even with smoother scrolling, the overall experience might not be top-tier. The game's structure is unclear, with neither part fully supporting the other. Ultimately, Star Trader is more interesting conceptually than it is enjoyable to play. This leads to the second question: the game's heavy reliance on Japanese text makes it nearly unplayable for non-Japanese speakers. While some progress can be made through trial and error, the lack of comprehension significantly hinders the experience. Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, but its significant language barrier makes it difficult to recommend wholeheartedly.

Star Trader is a fascinating historical artifact showcasing a developer venturing outside their typical genre. However, the substantial Japanese text significantly diminishes its appeal for Western players. While some casual enjoyment might be possible, 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, who is banished from the afterlife and tasked with eternal cleaning duties. Explore, battle enemies with a broom, meet eccentric characters, defeat bosses, and enhance abilities. While familiar in its genre conventions, Crypt Custodian is surprisingly well-executed and recommended for fans of the genre.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, consider the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss the sale on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other noteworthy sales include Star Wars titles, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and the Tomb Raider remastered collection. Check the lists for more details!

Select New Sales

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

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, and thanks for reading!