Hiya mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for November fifteenth, 2022. In the present day I’ve one other three opinions so that you can take pleasure in. SNK’s NEOGEO Pocket Coloration Choice Vol.2, Thunderful’s Jurassic World Aftermath Assortment, and Microids’ Oddworld: Soulstorm all get their time within the ol’ chair of judgement. After that, it’s time for the brand new releases. There are extra of them than I anticipated, and we’ve obtained summaries of the lot. Lastly, the same old lists of latest and outgoing gross sales. Let’s get to it!
Opinions & Mini-Views
NEOGEO Pocket Coloration Choice Vol.2 ($39.99)
The numbering on the primary NEOGEO Pocket Coloration Choice made it clear that SNK was going to be doing a minimum of yet another, and right here we’re. After seeing what’s right here, nevertheless, I’m undecided if we’ll be seeing a 3rd quantity. There simply doesn’t appear to be sufficient gasoline left within the tank until SNK splashes out for extra of the third-party stuff, and I’m not even positive how a lot of that’s doable. Nicely, issues for an additional day.
With two very notable exclusions, the primary quantity of NEOGEO Pocket Coloration Choice felt prefer it hit many of the well-known notes of the short-lived handheld. A bevy of wonderful handheld fighters, a few Steel Slug video games, the renamed NEO Turf Masters, and even an RPG for some additional spice. Fighter-heavy to make sure, however so was the NEOGEO Pocket Coloration. So the place does that go away this second quantity? Buddies, we’re heading into the wacky zone, and that’s all the time a enjoyable place to be.
First up, there isn’t a single conventional combating sport on right here. SNK exhausted all of these within the first assortment. You’ve obtained the 4 separate releases which were put out because the first quantity got here out: SNK vs Capcom: Card Fighters’ Conflict, Massive Bang Professional Wrestling, Biomotor Unitron, and Mega Man: Battle & Fighters. In order that’s a card-battling RPG of kinds, a wrestling sport, a Monster Rancher-ish RPG, and an arcade area battler. The choice is crammed out with six extra video games: Ganbare Neo Poke-kun, The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise, Baseball Stars, Neo Geo Cup ’98, Pocket Tennis, and Puzzle Hyperlink 2. Three sports activities video games, a celebration/board sport, a digital pet/mini-game assortment, and a puzzle sport. Definitely a range pack.
I gained’t dwell an excessive amount of on the wrapper because it hasn’t seen too many adjustments from earlier releases. There’s a brand new sport choice menu with a catchy remix of the NEOGEO Pocket Coloration’s start-up jingle, however in any other case it’s all very acquainted. You possibly can take a look at the packaging, learn full handbook scans, play totally different area variations of every sport the place accessible, play on the {hardware} mannequin of your alternative, and make use of rewinds and resume saves as wanted. Nonetheless no normal save states you should use to scum, however that’s most likely not going to vary. The emulation stays on-point. The Code Mystics do good work and this isn’t going to buck that pattern.
There may be one main let-down with this bundle, nevertheless. Three of those video games by no means noticed launch exterior of Japan again within the day. Thrilling! New video games for us! Besides that SNK for no matter motive has determined to present us these video games as-is, which is to say in Japanese solely. The manuals have been translated, which is a pleasant gesture, however The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise particularly could be very arduous to take pleasure in if you happen to can’t learn the textual content. If the West is an effective sufficient area to promote into, it ought to be a ok area to localize for, SNK.
Alright, that’s my important gripe. On to the video games. Card Fighters’ Conflict is the spotlight right here. Among the finest video games on the console, and if you happen to didn’t purchase it individually it might carry numerous value of this set alone. You get each Capcom and SNK flavors right here, and may preserve separate save information for every. Neat. The opposite three individually launched video games are… effective. Good to have on a set. I wouldn’t have strongly suggested shopping for any of them on their very own. Mega Man is a port of each arcade video games, and similar to these, it’s a bit skinny on content material. Biomotor Unitron feels just like the bones of a stable RPG, however bones are all you get. Massive Bang is enjoyable, however hardly the best instance of its style.
Over to sports activities. Baseball Stars is great. A type of baseball video games that even non-fans can take pleasure in, and followers will actually take pleasure in. Neo Geo Cup ’98 and Pocket Tennis are first rate takes on their respective sports activities, although not terribly excellent. I believe I benefit from the tennis sport greater than the soccer sport, however I might. I’m simply not that into soccer. Nonetheless, enjoyable video games with an excellent handheld vibe to them. They could all be sports activities video games however they play very in a different way from one another and provide distinct experiences.
Lastly, the potpourri class. Ganbare Neo Poke-Kun is a unusual sport. You’re form of taking good care of a digital pet, but in addition simply messing with it and observing it. Neo Poke-Kun does all types of issues, and typically it really works on making video games. Quite simple video games. When it finishes each, you may play it. This one is Japanese solely however you must be capable to muddle your approach by. I can’t promise you’ll perceive it, although.
Puzzle Hyperlink 2 is a stable matching puzzle sport. It jogs my memory of video games like Puzzle Bobble and Magical Drop, although I wouldn’t say it’s fairly nearly as good as both of them. You principally need to make connections between matching items to take away them from the board. Each handheld wants its personal puzzle sport, and I suppose this may be the NEOGEO Pocket Coloration’s. Then we’ve obtained The King of Fighters: Battle de Paradise. It’s a Mario Occasion-style board sport with mini-games, however until you may learn Japanese you gained’t be capable to perceive what the objects do or be capable to learn the numerous different messages that come up throughout occasions. Hearth this one up on the monochrome mannequin for a enjoyable shock.
I’ve my share of points with NEOGEO Pocket Coloration Choice Vol.2. The untranslated video games are a bummer. It’s extraordinarily doubtless that if you happen to’re on this, you’ve already purchased a number of the separately-released video games. However as an entire, even counting out a number of video games for lack of translation or double-dipping, that is nonetheless a extremely sturdy set of video games that present what the street less-traveled seemed like on the hand-held. The oddball nature of the line-up offers it a robust enchantment for these searching for one thing just a little totally different, warts and all.
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Oddworld: Soulstorm ($49.99)
In earlier opinions of Oddworld video games right here at TouchArcade, I believe I’ve painted the image of my previous with the collection pretty nicely. On the time of its launch, I didn’t actually get into the unique Abe’s Oddysee. I skipped on taking part in Abe’s Exoddus in consequence. I wasn’t very into Munch’s Oddysee, and I assumed Stranger’s Wrath was an absolute top-shelf sport. I moderately loved New ‘n’ Tasty, and I don’t know the way a lot of that got here all the way down to the standard of the remake or simply my tastes altering over the many years.
Right here now we have the newest Oddworld sport, Oddworld: Soulstorm, making its solution to the Swap after debuting on different platforms some time again. It retells the story of Abe’s Exoddus, however it wouldn’t be right to name it a remake as a result of it truly is doing its personal factor nearly throughout the board. And you understand what? I respect that. Oddworld goes to get to a brand new chapter within the story sooner or later right here, and the extra follow the staff picks up doing these revamps, the higher. That stated, at its core that is nonetheless a puzzle-platformer just like the unique two video games and New ‘n’ Tasty. You’re as soon as once more taking part in as Abe, and also you’re going to wish to information your fellow Mudokans to maintain them protected from those that would prey on them.
So sure, a number of barely awkward platforming, some stealthing about, and loads of puzzles to resolve. The story carries the same old Oddworld themes concerning the risks of extreme consumption, environmental destruction, and exploitation. Nicely informed, and sadly extra resonant as time goes on. However that is additionally a extra private story about Abe and the way he suits into all the pieces. A solution to solidify his character earlier than the collection strikes into installments that aren’t nearly him. The plot is well the sturdy level of the sport, even when it may be a bit heavy-handed at instances.
On the much less nice facet of issues, this sport is typically arduous for the improper causes. The controls are unwieldy, Abe’s motion is a bit stiff, and the AI is simply form of horrible. I don’t thoughts that the sport makes some powerful asks, however while you rise as much as the problem solely to lose due to one thing silly that was exterior of your management, it’s not nice. The Oddworld video games of this type have all tended to endure from these things to a point or one other, however it’s notably dangerous right here. Throw in a number of of the anticipated technical points that come from the transition to Swap, and also you’ve obtained one thing that’s actually only for the hardcore Oddworld followers with no different platform choices.
I loved Oddworld: Soulstorm extra typically than I didn’t. The moments of frustration had been intense, however more often than not I used to be simply having an excellent time rolling by this journey. The efficiency points are each anticipated and unlucky, however I suppose it might have been an entire lot worse. That is nonetheless nearly as playable as the opposite variations of the sport. That stated, when you’ve got the choice of a extra highly effective platform, I might take it. An honest sufficient sport to not let down the collection, however not one I might suggest to anybody however those that are all-in on the Odd.
SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5
Jurassic World Aftermath Assortment ($29.99)
I hope I’m not saying something too controversial if I say that VR video games up to now are inclined to lean closely on the gee-whiz issue inherent to the expertise. A sport doesn’t should be sophisticated to be enjoyable while you’re taking part in with the form of immersion VR affords. Certainly, typically it’s a difficulty if a sport is simply too sophisticated. I suppose that’s an ominous set-up for a evaluation of a former VR sport that has made its solution to the Swap, however I believe we want that to be on the market. Being inside Jurassic Park/World is an incredible novelty that many followers have dreamed of for the previous few many years, and this sport does an excellent job of that. Take away the VR components, and it loses numerous its shine.
That being stated, I believe if you happen to’re an enormous fan of the model you would possibly take pleasure in this anyway. Its trendy comedian book-style visuals look nice, the voice appearing is top-notch, and also you undoubtedly get the sensation of being on a Jurassic Park journey. What hurts the sport is the general lack of selection within the gameplay and the way far it tries to unfold what’s right here. The gameplay is simply too easy. A budget scares get just a little previous, and a budget deaths get very previous. Not a whole catastrophe, however finally solely of curiosity to followers.
SwitchArcade Rating: 3/5
New Releases
RWBY: Arrowfell ($29.99)
WayForward is the developer behind the newest sport based mostly on the RWBY franchise. Take management of all 4 important members of the staff and use their distinctive expertise on this side-scrolling motion sport. There are some gentle journey components right here and the areas are pretty non-linear with some additional upgrades and such to seek out. I’ll be doing a full evaluation of this one quickly.
The Oregon Path ($29.99)
The moderately wonderful Apple Arcade rendition of The Oregon Path makes its solution to the Swap. I’m glad to report that it didn’t die from dysentery alongside the best way. I’m keen on this one, as I discover it builds on the unique sport thoughtfully and respectfully. Is it value shopping for for thirty bucks right here over simply subscribing to Apple Arcade and taking part in it there? I’ll be doing a evaluation quickly to let you understand my ideas on the matter.
Let’s Sing 2023 ($39.99)
It’s about that point of the yr for an additional Let’s Sing, and right here it’s proper on schedule. As all the time, you may obtain the smartphone app to make use of your cellphone as a mic if you happen to don’t have one useful. You get thirty songs together with hits from Ed Sheeran, Lil Nas X, Billie Eilish, BTS, and even Canadian Queen Avril Lavigne herself. Laborious to get a extra recognized amount than this, which is why I gained’t be reviewing it, but when it really works it really works.
The Bounty Huntress ($4.99)
A reasonably middling Metroidvania-style motion sport. I’ve performed worse, I’ve performed considerably higher, however this one is just 5 {dollars} so maybe it’s the suitable one for you as we speak. Discover a fortress with seven totally different areas and rescue the kidnapped townspeople.
Garfield Lasagna Occasion ($39.99)
I suppose if one feels the necessity to shovel out a Garfield sport, making it a celebration sport isn’t the worst alternative of genres. As much as 4 gamers through native multiplayer can take pleasure in thirty-two totally different mini-games that includes the favored characters from the long-running comedian. There are three totally different modes of play, and the winner takes all (the lasagna).
Smurfs Kart ($39.99)
I suppose if one feels the necessity to shovel out a Smurfs sport, making it a kart racing sport isn’t the worst alternative of genres. As much as 4 gamers through native multiplayer can take pleasure in twelve tracks of Smurfy racing motion that includes the favored characters from the long-running comedian. There are twelve totally different Smurfs to select from, every with their very own kart and particular means to make use of. I’m being just a little cute right here however that is really a good kart racer. Not an important one, barely an excellent one, however first rate.
The Kingdom of Gardenia ($7.99)
Right here’s one other farming sport. This one is coming in on the decrease finish of the value spectrum, a minimum of. You are taking a job because the groundskeeper and interim steward of the West Backyard of the Kingdom of Gardenia. The persons are relying on you to develop crops and serve up some tasty meals, and perhaps exhibit just a little of your adorning expertise alongside the best way. It appears to have a number of followers over on Steam, so I suppose if you happen to’re searching for an inexpensive life sim repair this could possibly be what you’re after.
Martial Knight ($6.43)
That man appears form of like Marshall from How I Met Your Mom. Perhaps that is really Marshall Knight? Anyway, it is a moderately shabby health sport. You possibly can’t play in handheld mode, like with most train video games. Put the cash in the direction of Ring Match if you happen to don’t have already got that. In the event you do… go play that as an alternative of losing your money on this.
Gross sales
(North American eShop, US Costs)
Some little lists as we speak. Euro-shmup followers can get the Jets’n’Weapons video games at very low costs, and Kao the Kangaroo is as low-cost because it has been since launch. Within the outbox, dungeon crawling RPG followers ought to take into consideration including Demon Gaze to their library, whereas those that are driving a Platinum excessive from Bayonetta 3 could need to give The Fantastic 101 Remastered a go.
Choose New Video games on Sale
Jets’n’Weapons 2 ($5.99 from $14.99 till 11/22)
Jets’n’Weapons ($2.79 from $6.99 till 11/22)
Silent Sector ($11.04 from $12.99 till 11/22)
Attentat 1942 ($7.74 from $15.49 till 11/22)
Svoboda 1945: Liberation ($12.59 from $17.99 till 11/22)
Evoland Legendary Version ($4.99 from $19.99 till 11/28)
Depth of Extinction ($3.74 from $14.99 till 12/2)
Kao the Kangaroo ($20.99 from $29.99 till 12/5)
Kao the Kangaroo DLC ($5.59 from $6.99 till 12/5)
Knights & Weapons Prolonged Version ($1.99 from $16.49 till 12/5)
Challenge Highrise: AE ($7.99 from $39.99 till 12/5)
Warhammer 40k Mechanicus ($9.99 from $39.99 till 12/5)
Outbreak: Contagious Recollections ($10.49 from $29.99 till 12/5)
Outbreak: Limitless Nightmares ($6.99 from $19.99 till 12/5)
Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, Wednesday, November sixteenth
3000th Duel ($4.49 from $14.99 till 11/16)
Battlloon ($3.49 from $6.99 till 11/16)
Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers ($4.99 from $9.99 till 11/16)
Demon Gaze Additional Deluxe ($38.99 from $64.99 till 11/16)
Halloween Shooter ($1.99 from $9.99 till 11/16)
Logic Pic ($5.19 from $7.99 till 11/16)
Necrosphere Deluxe ($3.99 from $7.99 till 11/16)
Ravenous Devils ($3.49 from $4.99 till 11/16)
Romeow: To the Cracked Mars ($1.99 from $2.99 till 11/16)
Supaplex Squares ($4.49 from $14.99 till 11/16)
Tremendous Mabus Mania ($7.10 from $7.89 till 11/16)
The Fantastic 101 Remastered ($17.99 from $39.99 till 11/16)
Tiny Steel ($7.49 from $14.99 till 11/16)
Tokyo Darkish Remembrance ($9.99 from $19.99 till 11/16)
That’s all for as we speak, associates. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra new releases, extra gross sales, and maybe a bit of stories. No extra opinions from me for this week, I have to relaxation my eyes. I hope you all have an important Tuesday, and as all the time, thanks for studying!
