Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 5th, 2024. Already Thursday? Time flies! We're diving straight into reviews today, with two in-depth analyses: Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our contributor, Mikhail, also shares his thoughts on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and the TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. Following this, we'll highlight the day's notable new releases and round up the latest sales, both new and expiring. Let's begin!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)

Resurrecting dormant franchises is the latest trend, mirroring Hollywood's practices. Nintendo's unexpected revival of Famicom Detective Club, primarily known in the West through a brief remake, leads to a brand-new entry – a significant event.

The challenge in reviving old IPs lies in balancing faithfulness to the original with modern sensibilities. Emio – The Smiling Man leans towards the style of recent remakes, creating a unique blend. The visuals are contemporary, and the narrative pushes boundaries beyond what 90s Nintendo would have attempted, yet the gameplay remains old-school. This aspect heavily influences the overall enjoyment.

The game centers on a student's death, linked to unsolved murders featuring a similar "smiling face" calling card, introducing the Emio urban legend. Players, as detectives, investigate, gather clues, and interrogate witnesses, reminiscent of Ace Attorney's investigative sections. The gameplay's pacing and signposting might frustrate some players.

Despite some minor narrative criticisms, the story is engaging, intricate, and well-crafted. Its strengths lie in its captivating plot and thrilling climax. While certain plot points might not resonate universally, the experience is best enjoyed without spoilers.

Emio – The Smiling Man is atypical for Nintendo, yet its execution is polished. While its mechanics adhere closely to the originals, and the plot has occasional pacing issues, it remains a highly enjoyable mystery adventure. Welcome back, Detective Club!

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is seeing a surge of TMNT titles, including classics, modern beat 'em ups, and now Splintered Fate, a blend of beat 'em up and roguelite elements reminiscent of Hades. Solo or up to four-player local/online multiplayer is supported.

The story involves Shredder, a mysterious power, and Splinter's predicament, requiring the Turtles to save him. Gameplay involves combat, tactical dashing, perk acquisition, and permanent upgrades, with permadeath adding a roguelite twist. While not groundbreaking, it's solid and enhanced by the multiplayer.

Splintered Fate isn't essential, but TMNT fans will appreciate this unique take. The well-implemented multiplayer is a significant plus. While other superior roguelites exist, Splintered Fate holds its own in a competitive genre.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food is a playful sandbox experience ideal for those who appreciate food and art. It combines interactive elements with artistic expression. While enjoyable on PC, the Switch version has drawbacks.

The absence of touchscreen support is disappointing. Performance compromises are evident, with noticeable load times.

Despite these issues, Nour remains a worthwhile experience for its unique blend of food, art, and interactivity. The Switch port, however, isn't its optimal platform. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a remaster of the 2004 visual novel, serving as an excellent entry point into the Fate universe. Its extensive length (55+ hours) and low price point make it a remarkable value proposition.

Improvements include English language support, 16:9 aspect ratio, and enhanced visuals. Touchscreen support on Switch enhances the experience. The game also performs well on Steam Deck.

The game's quality is undeniable, and the addition of touchscreen support on Switch is a significant plus. The lack of a physical Switch release is the only notable drawback. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK ($49.99)

This twin pack offers two visual novels, TOKYO CHRONOS and ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos. ALTDEUS stands out with superior production values, storytelling, and character development.

The Switch version features touchscreen support and haptic feedback, enhancing immersion. However, some camera movement issues exist.

Despite minor narrative shortcomings and performance quirks, the inclusion of touch controls and rumble makes this a compelling package on Switch. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Select New Releases

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku ($49.99)

A Fitness Boxing title featuring Hatsune Miku, including her music and tracks from the Fitness Boxing series. Mechanically similar to previous entries.

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

A challenging yet rewarding platformer, a faithful sequel to the original.

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost ($29.99)

Combines rhythm game and bullet hell shooter elements within the Touhou universe.

EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX ($6.49)

Another Hydlide release in the EGGCONSOLE series, this time the MSX version.

Arcade Archives Lead Angle ($7.99)

A gallery shooter from 1988, a decent example of the genre.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Notable sales include No Man's Sky, along with other frequently discounted titles.

Select New Sales

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 6th

That concludes today's round-up. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, and sales. Thank you for reading!