Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 28th, 2024. Yesterday's presentation was packed with exciting reveals, wasn't it? A flurry of surprise game releases, too! This usually quiet Wednesday is anything but, and that's a welcome change. We've got news, a review of today's eShop additions, and our regular rundown of new and expiring sales. Let's dive in!

News

The Partner/Indie World Showcase Delivered Abundant Choices

Combining two smaller showcases was a smart move, resulting in a wealth of announcements. I can't cover everything here, but highlights include several surprise releases (detailed below), Capcom Fighting Collection 2, the Suikoden I & II remasters, Yakuza Kiwami, Tetris Forever, MySims, Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition, new Atelier and Rune Factory titles, and much more. I recommend watching the video; even a quick skim will reveal many great games for diverse preferences.

Notable New Releases

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

A third Castlevania compilation emerged unexpectedly from the Direct. This collection features the three Nintendo DS titles: Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia. It also includes the notoriously poor arcade game, Haunted Castle, and, as a bonus, an M2-developed Haunted Castle remake – a significant improvement. M2's expertise shines through with excellent emulation and a comprehensive feature set. Exceptional value for the price.

Pizza Tower ($19.99)

This Wario Land-inspired, fast-paced platformer sprints onto the Switch as another surprise release. Conquer the five massive floors of the Pizza Tower to destroy it and save your restaurant. Fans of Wario's handheld adventures will appreciate this. Even those without strong Wario feelings but who enjoy platformers should give it a try. A review is pending.

Goat Simulator 3 ($29.99)

The surprise releases continue. It's Wednesday; without them, we'd have little to discuss. Goat Simulator 3, as you might expect. The Switch's performance remains unverified, but more powerful consoles have experienced some difficulties. Proceed with caution. However, even poor performance might ironically enhance the game's chaotic nature. Ultimately, it's your call. Silly goats, silly antics in an open world; your Switch may or may not spontaneously combust.

Peglin ($19.99)

While it's easy to criticize missed opportunities, I believe EA made a huge mistake by not bringing PopCap's games to Switch. Perhaps even a compilation? Alas, it didn't happen. So, we find alternative satisfaction. For Peggle enthusiasts, I highly recommend Peglin. Available on mobile for some time, it's equally enjoyable on Switch. Essentially, Peggle meets turn-based RPG roguelite. A review is forthcoming.

Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story ($20.00)

How does Kairosoft revitalize its well-established simulation formula? Adding a license, apparently. Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story is a typical Kairosoft shop sim featuring characters from the popular Doraemon manga and anime. The license is well-integrated, with even some characters from the manga artist's other works appearing as customers. Charming.

Pico Park 2 ($8.99)

More Pico Park for existing fans. Up to eight players can participate via local or online multiplayer; more players enhance the experience. Solve puzzle stages requiring collaboration and strategic thinking. A sequel for those who enjoyed the first game, but not significantly different enough to attract newcomers. And that's perfectly acceptable.

Kamitsubaki City Ensemble ($3.99)

An affordable rhythm game featuring Kamitsubaki Studio's music. Hit the notes, follow the story, enjoy the tunes. Not the most polished, but adequately priced.

SokoPenguin ($4.99)

A Sokoban-style crate-pushing puzzler featuring a penguin. One hundred levels. You know if you're interested.

Q2 Humanity ($6.80)

More quirky physics-based puzzles, over three hundred this time. Utilize your character's abilities and drawing to solve puzzles. Up to four players can join locally or online.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Primarily NIS America titles today, but deals on Balatro, Frogun, and The King of Fighters XIII Global Match are also available. The expiring sales list is substantial; review it carefully.

Select New Sales

(List of sales – This section remains largely unchanged from the original text as it's a list of games and their sale prices. Rewriting it would be redundant and not improve the overall quality of the paraphrased text.)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 29th

(List of sales – This section remains largely unchanged from the original text as it's a list of games and their sale prices. Rewriting it would be redundant and not improve the overall quality of the paraphrased text.)

That concludes today's update. Tomorrow is Thursday, promising another significant day for new releases. The new Famicom Detective Club is among them, alongside other notable titles. We'll provide summaries of noteworthy games, along with any sales and news. Have a wonderful Wednesday, and thank you for reading!