Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 4th, 2024! Summer's long, sometimes sweltering, embrace is finally loosening its grip. We shared some great moments, and I'm feeling a bit older and wiser for the experience. Thanks for making it such a memorable summer, everyone! As autumn approaches, I want to express my gratitude for your companionship. Let's dive into today's packed article—reviews galore, fresh releases, and some tempting sales!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection ($39.99)

The Nintendo Switch era has gifted us second chances at many missed opportunities. Trials of Mana, Live A Live, the original Fire Emblem… and now, the final unlocalized Ace Attorney game arrives with the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection. This set includes Miles Edgeworth's two adventures following Trials & Tribulations. This series excels at building upon previous storylines, and the second Investigations title masterfully demonstrates this. It's a sequel that retroactively enhances the original, and its official English release is fantastic.

These Investigations games offer a prosecutor's perspective, a refreshing change. While the core mechanics—searching for clues, questioning witnesses, solving cases—remain largely unchanged, a few new twists keep things interesting. Edgeworth's narration also adds a unique flavor. The pacing is less structured than typical Ace Attorney games, occasionally making some cases feel lengthy, but overall, fans of the main series will appreciate this sub-series. If the first game feels a bit tedious, persevere—the second is significantly better and provides context for the first.

Bonus features are generous, similar to the Apollo Justice set. A gallery showcases art and music; a story mode lets you relax and enjoy the narrative; and you can switch between original and updated graphics/soundtracks. A handy dialog history is included, a welcome addition to this type of game.

The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection offers a compelling contrast between its two games. As a whole, it's a superb experience. The localization of the second game is a major win, and the extra features make it an excellent package. With this release, every Ace Attorney game (excluding the Professor Layton crossover) is now available on Switch. If you've already played the others, this is a must-have.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

A Gimmick! sequel? It's incredibly surprising! Sunsoft's late NES title, Gimmick!, had a limited Western release. Thirty years later, not only is the original more accessible than ever, but we have a sequel. Developed by Bitwave Games without the original creator's involvement, it's remarkably faithful to the original, perhaps too much so for some. But there's nothing wrong with a sequel staying true to its roots.

Six lengthy, challenging physics-based platforming levels await. The difficulty will test you quickly, but an easier mode is now available. The normal difficulty requires a small initial test. Yumetaro's star attack returns, serving as a weapon, vehicle, and puzzle solver. New collectibles provide customization options, rewarding completion of challenging optional sections.

It's not a long game if you rush, but it's tough regardless. This mirrors the original. You'll die often, but generous checkpoints prevent frustration. The charming visuals and music help soften the blow, but don't underestimate Gimmick! 2. It retains the original's challenging spirit. Mastering platforming and using Yumetaro's star cleverly is essential.

Gimmick! 2 defies expectations as an excellent sequel created by a different team. It cleverly builds upon the original without losing its own identity. Fans of the first game will love this. Challenging platformer fans should also check it out. However, if you prefer easier games, be warned—it's as tough as its predecessor, even with the easier mode.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)

Valfaris: Mecha Therion takes a risk by shifting from the original's action-platformer style to a shoot 'em up akin to Lords of Thunder. Surprisingly, it works. The main issue is that the Switch's hardware struggles to deliver optimal performance. However, this isn't a dealbreaker. If it's your only option, you'll still enjoy the intense action, rocking soundtrack, and creepy visuals.

The weapon system creates a fun dynamic. Your main gun weakens when depleted, requiring use of a melee weapon to recharge it. A rotating third weapon adds further variety. Mastering the rhythm of weapon management and dodging is crucial and rewarding.

Don't expect it to be like the first game, but the vibe is similar. It's a heavy metal shoot 'em up with unique style. It avoids many genre pitfalls. Other platforms offer better performance, but the Switch version is perfectly playable.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash ($44.99)

Calling a licensed game "for the fans" is a cliché, but true. Some do it better than others. The key questions are: how much fan service is included, and is there anything for non-fans? Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash delivers enough fan service to satisfy fans. The writing is good, and the meta-systems reward dedicated players.

For non-fans, the answer is less positive. The mini-games are limited and repetitive. Only fans will fully appreciate the story. Even one mini-game offers minimal interaction. The others are better, but lack longevity. The best mini-game is unlockable, but still underwhelming.

Even for fans, Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash feels unbalanced. The visuals, sound, and world are well-represented, and the unlockables might keep fans engaged. But it loses momentum quickly, and non-fans will likely tire of it soon.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection ($9.99)

Western gamers might associate Sunsoft with titles like Blaster Master, Batman, or Fester's Quest. Recently, some lesser-known gems have gained popularity (Ufouria, Gimmick!, Trip World). Even Aero the Acro-Bat is enjoying a resurgence. However, Sunsoft's Japanese catalog is vastly different—charming, rough-around-the-edges 8-bit games. Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection aims to showcase this side, offering three games at a reasonable price.

This collection includes Firework Thrower Kantaro's 53 Stations of the Tokaido, Ripple Island, and The Wing of Madoola. All three games include save states, rewind, display options, manual scans, and art galleries. Remarkably, all three are fully localized, a first for these titles.

The games are varied. 53 Stations is frustrating due to its weapon mechanics, but charming thematically. Ripple Island is a good adventure game. The Wing of Madoola is ambitious but inconsistent. None are top-tier NES games, but none are bad either.

Sunsoft fans and those who enjoy obscure titles will appreciate Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection. The care taken with each game and the localization make it a worthwhile purchase. Hopefully, this is the first of many such collections.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Cyborg Force ($9.95)

If you enjoy run-and-gun action, consider Cyborg Force. It's a challenging game in the style of Metal Slug and Contra, with solo and local multiplayer options. It's been available on other platforms, so reviews are readily available. Fans of the genre should enjoy it.

Billy’s Game Show ($7.99)

While it might resemble a Five Nights at Freddy's clone, it's actually a game where you search for items while evading a stalker. You must hide or run; there's no way to fight back. You also need to avoid traps and keep generators running. Not for everyone, but it might appeal to some.

Mining Mechs ($4.99)

The title says it all: use mechs to mine, collect ores, sell them, buy upgrades, and progress deeper underground. The deeper you go, the more dangerous it becomes. The story progresses as you reach certain profit levels. Not the most visually stunning, but a decent value for the price.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The inbox is sparse this week, but the outbox offers some interesting deals. I'll let you explore those lists. Sometimes, a little self-discovery is beneficial.

Select New Sales

Nora: The Wannabe Alchemist ($1.99 from $19.99 until 9/10) Deflector ($1.99 from $22.99 until 9/10) Sky Caravan ($1.99 from $19.99 until 9/10) The Blind Prophet ($1.99 from $24.99 until 9/10) They Know ($1.99 from $6.99 until 9/10) Conjured Through Death ($4.49 from $14.99 until 9/15) Dark Days ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/24) Another Bar Game ($3.89 from $5.99 until 9/24) Cook Serve Delicious ($4.41 from $12.99 until 9/24) Blood Will Be Spilled ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/24) Feudal Alloy ($3.39 from $16.99 until 9/24)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 5th

Adventure Bar Story ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/5) Akiba’s Trip: Undead & Undressed ($14.99 from $29.99 until 9/5) Anomaly Agent ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/5) Avenging Spirit ($2.99 from $5.99 until 9/5) Bug & Seek ($11.24 from $14.99 until 9/5) Burst Hero ($5.99 from $11.99 until 9/5) Cat Quest II ($3.74 from $14.99 until 9/5) Corpse Party ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/5) Deadcraft ($5.99 from $19.99 until 9/5) Dice Make 10! ($3.59 from $3.99 until 9/5) Eldgear ($12.99 from $19.99 until 9/5) Evil God Korone ($3.35 from $3.95 until 9/5) F1 Manager 2024 ($27.99 from $34.99 until 9/5) Fairy Elements ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/5)

Freedom Planet 2 ($18.74 from $24.99 until 9/5) Genso Chronicles ($9.74 from $14.99 until 9/5) Gibbon: Beyond the Trees ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/5) Hide & Dance! ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/5) Magical Drop VI ($14.99 from $29.99 until 9/5) Marchen Forest ($6.99 from $34.99 until 9/5) Mom Hid My Game! ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/5) Mom Hid My Game! 2 ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/5) My Brother Ate My Pudding! ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/5) Port Royale 4 ($17.49 from $49.99 until 9/5) SCHiM ($17.49 from $24.99 until 9/5) Silent Hope ($13.99 from $39.99 until 9/5) Super Toy Cars Offroad ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/5) The Sinking City ($5.99 from $49.99 until 9/5) Untitled Goose Game ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/5) Wing of Darkness ($5.99 from $29.99 until 9/5) WitchSpring R ($35.99 from $39.99 until 9/5) Yggdra Union: WNFA ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/5)

That's all for today, friends! More reviews are coming this week, and plenty of new eShop releases are expected in the next few days. Let's aim to reconvene tomorrow. If you can't find me, check out my personal blog, Post Game Content (it's rarely updated, but I hope to change that soon). Have a fantastic Wednesday, and thanks for reading!