Latest Nintendo Direct: Switch Arcade Headlines

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 a new release. We'll wrap things up with the usual sales lists. Let's dive in!

News

Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap

As predicted by some insightful insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation, featuring both Partner and Indie World Showcases, is now available for viewing above. Expect a detailed summary of the key announcements 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 can it be played without knowing Japanese? Star Trader, a blend of adventure and side-scrolling shooter elements, is intriguing but not exceptional. The adventure sections feature attractive artwork, offering a unique take on narrative-driven shooting. Players interact with characters, accept quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship, crucial for progressing through the action sequences.

However, the shooting segments suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in choppy scrolling that detracts from the experience. The game's structure is unclear, with neither genre fully supporting the other. While Star Trader holds some interest, its quality is questionable. This leads to the second question: The text-heavy adventure portions are practically unplayable without Japanese comprehension, hindering both the adventure and shooter elements. While some brute-forcing is possible, the overall experience is significantly diminished.

Star Trader represents a fascinating historical artifact, showcasing a developer venturing beyond their usual style. Sadly, the abundance of Japanese text severely limits its appeal to Western audiences. While some might find limited enjoyment, a strong recommendation is difficult to give.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game casts you as Pluto, a recently deceased cat banished to eternal janitorial duties. Explore, battle enemies with your broom, meet quirky characters, and upgrade your abilities. A solid entry in the genre, definitely worth considering for fans.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shooters, check out the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss the sale on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other notable sales include Star Wars titles, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and Tomb Raider games. Browse the full lists below!

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

(List of expiring sales)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a deeper dive into the Nintendo Direct announcements, along with new releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday!