Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade roundup for August 12, 2024. We do this because there aren’t any new releases! Well, some days that’s what it is. On the review list, there are Tomba! special edition, Viking Volga IIand the latest JALEColle launches Yokai Club. After that, we get a regular list of new and expiring sales. We’ve had a busy Monday, but let’s keep working hard!
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Tumba! Special Edition ($19.99)
Sometimes I struggle with retro reissue scores. Which is more important, the quality of the original game, or the quality of the presentation and overall packaging? in the case of Tumba! special editionI’m a bit lucky. This game is a real rough gem that requires your patience at times but gives you an incredibly engaging experience. Overall, the Carbon Engine wrapper didn’t hinder this, although I did experience a crash or two during gameplay. The extras are decent, with a physical museum filled with art and some fun videos, a music player, and both original soundtracks and new arrangements to choose from.
tomb is a strange game that mixes 2.5D platforming and adventure game-style inventory puzzles that may not match some monster world series. When it was first released on PlayStation, it came during one of the worst periods for 2D gaming, but it managed to build enough of an audience for a sequel. A story for another day, that day. The platforming is a little clunky, but only a little, and the puzzles and missions range from annoying to fun. It’s a game that I absolutely love, but I’m not unaware that its quirky nature makes it unsuitable for some people. But hey, this isn’t the first weird game I’ve recommended.
In terms of simulation, the Carbon Engine seems to perform best here. I noticed something was off, but nothing substantial. As mentioned, I did experience a few crashes while playing the game and I couldn’t really figure out what was causing them. But hey, nothing to wake the neighbors. As far as functionality goes, that’s the norm here. Some save states, some display options, a rewind function, some selectable borders, and a vibration toggle. As I reviewed the nitty-gritty details of the extra content, I really appreciated all the scans for Museum Mode. It’s not digital eclipse level or anything, but it’s better than basic brown paper bag wrappers.
Like the original game itself, Tumba! special edition While not perfect, it’s a game that’s hard not to like. It’s a game that feels like it’s been forever searching for its due, and perhaps this multi-platform version might help make that happen. If you’re looking for a platformer that’s a little different from the regular games, or an older game tomb Fans looking for a way to rekindle your happy memories, this is a great option.
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Viking Volga II ($19.99)
Viking Volga II This is a game that I don’t have much to say about it, which is weird considering how much I enjoyed it. Just like the first game, this is a very tough 2D action game. In some ways this is to be expected, but it’s not hard to imagine a world where developers were influenced by the zeitgeist to make subsequent titles a sort of Soulstroidvania. No! All that’s done here is make the stages longer and add some checkpoints to offset that. Also, if you fail too many times, the game makes you invincible for the rest of the game, which is probably what you want at the time, but gives you a bad ending. No one likes a bad ending, so try not to continue too often.
Otherwise this would be more vulgar. You have the same limited but versatile set of moves at your disposal, the same three power-ups you can collect to increase your strength and durability, and will fight many familiar foes. Of course, there are some new enemies and bosses to fight, and the new stage layout is delightfully diabolical. As with the first game, you’ll have to show some patience and skill if you want to see the second half of the game. Except this time, if you just want to visit it, you can indeed rely on the Bad Ending Zombie Volga feature. This kind of defeats the point of the game, at least to me, but it’s nice to see some kind of option for those who want it.
Although I know some vulgar I think fans in general were a little put off by the longer stages Viking Volga II Will be welcomed by those who enjoyed the mastery challenge of the original game. It doesn’t mess with the formula too much, and its one concession to those who were frustrated by the first formula is that there’s enough going on to retain the core spirit of the series. A well-made, serious action game might be just the medicine you’re looking for.
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
JALECOlle Famicom Edition Yokai Club ($7.99)
The second game is at jellecolle The series also happened to be the first product line we didn’t see in the West at the time. In some ways, it’s not hard to see why. On a platform full of 2D action platformers, Monster Club Just another one. However, the game had Japanese folklore themes and role-playing game elements, two elements that many publishers were trying to avoid at the time. There’s also plenty of Jaleco-specific stuttering at play. Still… there’s something about it, and enough that I’m glad it was fished out and re-released.
It’s a six-stage event that’s roughly linear, but the stages have vertical elements and some cubbies where you can find extra energy. Defeating enemies and collecting the items they leave behind will earn you experience, which will eventually level you up and provide you with more powerful weapons. There are also items that can be used at your leisure. This version of the game is good enough to have turbo fire options mapped for your attacks, which when combined with save states and rewind should be reasonably clear to most players.
You’ll get the same features we saw marble taskminus of course the option to choose the regional variant you want to play. After all, there is only one. This means achievements, manual and packaging scans, some widgets on the edge of the screen, and more. These widgets are especially helpful here, as they remind you what each item is for and how close you are to leveling up. The collision detection in this game is a little weird, and the physics of jumping take a while to get used to, but all the accessibility features here helped me stick around long enough to enjoy it. Mission accomplished?
If you’re interested in exploring retro gaming and looking for great games that have been lost in the shuffle of history, I have a hunch jellecolle This will be a great series for you. Monster Club It certainly helped sell the concept, as it was a game we’d never seen outside of Japan at the time, dressed up and presented with care. Is it great? No, it’s very much an in-between thing. But there’s enough here to like, and those with curiosity and a bit of patience should enjoy a play or two.
SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5
sales volume
(North American e-store, US prices)
Some Sunsoft sales, some Inti-Creates sales, and a few other little things worth considering. In the mailbox, this is where you buy Koei Tecmo and sam and max Games are cheaper. Don’t sleep on this Rally 3 Sales, either. That was a really good game and for four bucks it was a steal. Check these lists!
Select new sales
Snufkin: The Melody of Moominvalley ($16.99 before 8/17, original price $19.99)
Luna and Monster Tower Defense ($12.99 before August 17, now $2.56)
Mistakes and pursuits ($11.99 before 8/17, original price $14.99)
Wenba ($9.74 before 8/18, original price $14.99)
One ride unites ($10.49 before 8/19, original price $14.99)
house cleaning survival (From $23.99 to $2.39 through August 19)
Sunsoft Mahjong Solitaire ($10.79 before 8/19, original price $17.99)
Travel World DX ($12.99 before 8/19, original price $19.99)
Shadow Claw ($17.49 until August 23, originally $24.99)
puzzle mix ($2.99 before 8/23, original price $3.99)
Gunvolt Records: Cychronicle ($10.49 until August 23, originally $14.99)
Suncatcher Juhani: Deep Blue Flame ($20.39, $29.99, as of August 23)
Gar Guardian: Demonic Purge ($13.74 until August 23, originally $24.99)
Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 ($14.99 from $29.99 until August 23)
Luminous Avengers iX 2 ($12.49 until August 23, originally $24.99)
Blaster Master Zero 3 ($14.99 before August 23, now $7.49)
Death Marked Dragon ($14.99 before August 23, now $7.49)
Curse of the Bloodstained Moon 2 ($5.99 until August 23, originally $14.99)
All rookies must die (Previously $12.99 on 8/24, now $1.99)
Venali escape room adventure (Previously $5.99 on 8/24, now $4.19)
Right, Down and Dice ($11.99 before August 24, now $5.99)
Full Metal Man (Previously $9.99 on 8/24, now $7.99)
Mystery Academy: Escape Room ($5.49 before 8/24, originally $10.99)
long darkness ($17.49 until August 26, originally $34.99)
Slime Rancher: Drawable ($9.99 for $24.99 until August 26)
Kotengumi: Sakamoto’s Thief ($2.99, starting at $9.99, ends August 26)
Audio tapes: Uncovering memories ($19.99 before August 26, now $5.99)
SOL Search for Light (Previously $19.99 on 8/26, now $14.99)
Obakdoro ($9.99 before 8/30, original price $19.99)
Dark Quest 3 ($7.59 until August 31st, originally $18.99)
hot wheels released ($5.99 until August 31st, originally $39.99)
Hot Wheels launches GotY edition ($11.99 for $79.99 until August 31)
Operation wolf returns ($10.49 for $29.99 until August 31)
Strange world soul storm ($17.49 until August 31st, originally $49.99)
geometry survivor ($1.99 until August 31st, originally $4.99)
Frog Detective: The Whole Mystery ($19.95 before September 1, now $13.96)
Sale ends tomorrow, August 12th
The origins of agnosticism ($16.24 until August 13, originally $24.99)
Arland’s Atelier Deluxe Pack ($58.49 until August 13, originally $89.99)
Studio Twilight Trilogy Deluxe Pack ($58.49 until August 13, originally $89.99)
lulua workshop (Starting at $29.99, $59.99 until August 13)
Atelier Marie Remastered Edition (Starting at $29.99, $49.99 until August 13)
Atelier Marie Remastered Deluxe Edition ($41.99 before 8/13, original price $69.99)
Studio Mystery Trilogy Deluxe Pack ($58.49 until August 13, originally $89.99)
lyssa studio (Starting at $23.99, $59.99 until August 13)
Atelier Lysa 2 (Starting at $29.99, $59.99 until August 13)
Atelier Lysa 3 ($59.99 before August 13, now $38.99)
Sophie Workshop 2 (Starting at $29.99, $59.99 until August 13)
Blue reflection: second light (Starting at $23.99, $59.99 until August 13)
Cooking, service, deliciousness ($5.19 until August 13, originally $12.99)
Deflector ($1.99 for $22.99 until August 13)
Dynasty Warriors 8 XL Ultimate Edition ($27.99, $39.99, as of August 13)
Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires ($59.99 before August 13, now $35.99)
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Dark Waters (Starting at $27.99, $39.99 until August 13)
Fatal Frame: Eclipse Mask ($34.99 before 8/13, original price $49.99)
Destiny/Samurai Ruins ($59.99 before August 13, now $38.99)
jelly ($9.79 until August 13, originally $13.99)
mirror soul (Previously $14.99 on 8/13, now $1.99)
Monster Ranch Master 1 & 2 DX ($20.99, $29.99, as of August 13)
Nelke and the legendary alchemists ($19.79 before 8/13, original price $59.99)
Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection ($26.79, $39.99, as of August 13)
Nora who wants to be an alchemist ($1.99 before 8/13, original price $19.99)
Rally 3 ($14.99 before August 13, now $3.99)
Sam and Max transcend time and space ($11.99 before 8/13, original price $19.99)
Sam and Max save the world ($11.99 before 8/13, original price $19.99)
Samurai Warriors 5 (Starting at $29.99, $59.99 until August 13)
sky caravan ($1.99 before 8/13, original price $19.99)
Space Tail: Every journey is home ($9.99 before 8/13, now $6.99)
quarrel ($9.99 before August 13, now $4.99)
blind prophet ($1.99 for $24.99 until August 13)
they know ($1.99 before 8/13, original price $6.99)
UDO Unidentified Drilling Object ($5.99 before 8/13, original price $14.99)
Warrior Orochi 3 Ult. Deluxe Room ($41.99 before 8/13, original price $69.99)
Warrior Orochi 4 Ultimate Edition ($59.99 before August 13, now $35.99)
That’s all for today, friends. We should be back tomorrow with some new games, more sales, more reviews, and maybe some news. I say “should” because I had to go to the hospital for a checkup and the symptoms didn’t go away despite the medication I took. So hopefully I didn’t check it all out, eh? , as always, thank you for reading!
