SwitchArcade Round-Up: The Latest Nintendo Direct Brought Surprises, ‘Saint’s Row IV: Re-Elected’ and Today’s Other New Releases, the Latest Sales, and More

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for March 27th, 2020. Well, yesterday sure was neat, wasn’t it? We now have a better picture of what titles we can look forward to in the next few months, and there were even a few surprise releases. Add in the stuff that was on the schedule and we’ve got a rather lengthy list of titles to summarize. We’ve also got some sales to check out. Let’s get to work!

News

Surprise! There Was a Nintendo Direct Yesterday

After a lot of speculation and anticipation, Nintendo kind of dropped a mini Nintendo Direct out of nowhere yesterday. Too late for me to include it in yesterday’s article, but oh well. Lots of good stuff in it, like a release date for Xenoblade Chronicles (May 29th!), the release of a demo for Bravely Default II, the announcement of Bioshock, Borderlands, and XCOM 2 sets from 2K, and much more. If you haven’t already watched it, give it a bit of your time and see what we have to look forward to this summer.

New Releases

Saint’s Row IV: Re-Elected ($39.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

The Switch doesn’t have any Grand Theft Auto games, and it’s also pretty light on open-world superhero games. Why not pick up Saint’s Row IV: Re-Elected and solve both problems at once? The fourth game in the popular series makes a far smoother transition to the Switch than the previous game did, with fewer technical hitches and plenty of content that was available as DLC in previous versions. It’s big, stupid fun for all adult girls and boys, and if you aren’t having a good time with it by the time you’re a half-hour into it, I don’t know what to say. I have a review of this one coming early next week if you need more details. But seriously, super-powered gang leader-turned-US president saves the world from an alien invasion. I don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of content I need right now.

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy ($19.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Wow, here’s a golden oldie. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy puts you in the role of a student at Luke Skywalker’s school. Customize your character, build your own lightsaber, and choose whether you’ll follow the teachings of the light side or give in to your hate and join the dark side. This version includes the popular online multiplayer component of the game, allowing up to 16 players to battle it out in six different modes. I have a lot of good memories of playing the multiplayer mode of this game. I’m sure it’s still a good bit of fun even if it has almost certainly aged.

Shinsekai Into the Depths ($19.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

A whole new world, at least if you haven’t already played it on Apple Arcade. This is Capcom’s underwater Metroidvania and was one of the gems of the early line-up of Apple Arcade. Now you can pay one lump sum and have the game subscription-free, which I know some people prefer. It’s a pretty good game, so if you like the idea of exploring the friendly depths, you should give this game a try on one platform or another. Maybe this one!

Panzer Dragoon: Remake ($24.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

This one is getting a highlight more because of its fame than its quality, I’m afraid. To be honest, I’ve already put a few hours into the game since it hit the eShop and I kind of wish I didn’t buy it. It looks pretty good, even if it has a very different feel from the exceptionally unique style of the original SEGA Saturn game. But the way it plays feels very wrong to me. The lock-on attack in particular seems very off, and the view change ability that is so necessary for playing properly appears to be laggy. I mean, it’s not without merit. The core game still kind of comes through here, and it’s regarded as a classic for a reason. I was hoping it would be the best way to play the game, but after giving it a hard think? It’s probably the worst way.

One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 ($59.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Looking for your next Warriors fix? Here you go! One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 is the latest game in the series of One Piece brawlers, giving you more than 40 characters from the series to play with. While the Switch version of the game probably isn’t going to hold a candle tech-wise to the versions on other platforms, this is your only choice if you want a portable fix. It’s a known quantity by now how well Omega Force’s Warriors engine runs on the Switch, so if you’ve been okay with previous games that use it you’ll probably be okay with this one too.

Good Job! ($19.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Another one of those surprise small game releases from Nintendo, Good Job! puts you in the role of a CEO’s child who has to work their way up in the company one job at a time. Each level is something of a puzzle that involves using various elements of the environment to perform various tasks. You can bring in another player to help you, and I’d imagine that’s the ideal way to play. These kinds of games always make for a nice family experience, and I expect that’s an appealing prospect to many of us at the moment.

Children of Zodiarcs ($17.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Look, I like RPGs with card-based strategic battles as much as the next math-lord, but this is something like the fourth one in the last few days to hit the Switch. You know what’s even more annoying? It’s awesome. Totally awesome. I’m not saying you have to buy it today, because today is already a whopper, but you should at least wishlist it for a rainy day. It has an interesting story, good characters, and really enjoyable combat mechanics. And it doesn’t look and sound half-bad, either. I sure hope this doesn’t slip under the radar, but looking at the rest of the releases this week, it very well might.

Duck Souls+ ($4.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Ha, cute title. If I was recommending games solely based on titles, this would be today’s winner for sure. Anyway, it’s an ultra-tough action-platformer full of mean-spirited traps and deaths. There are 100 levels in total, and you’ll need to have a fair bit of patience to see them through. You can also collect 20 different hats to customize your duck with. If you’re looking for some entertainment on a budget today and don’t mind tough games, I think you’ll have a good time with Duck Souls.

Gigantosaurus the Game ($39.99)

I guess this is based on a Disney show for younger kids, but I’m not familiar with the brand. I can say right away that this game is obviously aimed at the younger set, and while it’s not the highest-quality thing around, the four-player couch co-op gameplay makes it a great choice for families to play together. The most enjoyable part for more experienced players is probably going to be the racing bits, but kids will likely have a blast just exploring the environments as their favorite characters from the show. It’s licensed fare, no doubt, but not awful licensed fare. The multiplayer option elevates it just a bit, and I suspect many parents will appreciate that aspect. Roarsome? Uh, yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?

Repressed ($7.99)

Well, this game has a really cool concept, I’ll give it that. It’s an adventure game where you play as a shadow exploring your own mind to uncover your lost memories. The art style is bold, and it gives you some hope that you’re in for a neat trip. You are not in for a neat trip. You are in for a boring, unpleasant trip. Do not take this trip. The game can’t even manage to pull its story together properly, so there really isn’t much going for it at all. Shame it couldn’t deliver on its ideas, but that’s show business.

Copperbell ($6.99)

This is a mighty rough-looking puzzle platformer featuring a walking copper bell with a face. It’s about an hour long, so don’t count on it entertaining you for much more than an evening. The art sometimes looks nice, but there’s a bit of clash between many of the sprites and the backgrounds. The controls are a little stiff, but in a somewhat familiar way, I suppose. Not so much a bad game as an imminently forgettable one. On the positive side, it won’t take up space on your Switch for very long even if you do opt to pick it up.

Arcade Archives Ikari III – The Rescue ($7.99)

This 1989 third installment in the Ikari series isn’t exactly a fond memory for many players, but it has its fans. It moves away from the wild shooting action of the first two games for a more zoomed-in, melee-focused brand of combat. It comes off like an overhead beat-em-up, and while it’s amusing enough to drop a coin or two into, it’s probably not something you’re going to play all that often. Even if you do want the game, you’re better off buying the SNK 40th Anniversary Collection, which includes this and around 20 other games. It’s a far better value unless you’re truly only interested in playing Ikari III.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

You know, I expected this list to be bigger. It usually is! But I’m not going to complain, as there are already too many things to blow money on today. I’d say the most interesting things in today’s list include Star Wars Jedi Knight 2, the freshly-updated Tangledeep, and the rarely-discounted Donut County. There are lots of other great games in there, so take a careful look through and see what you can find. This weekend’s outbox has some good games in it, but most of it will likely be on sale again before too long. So don’t sweat it too much if you’re out of spending cash.

Select New Games on Sale

Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast ($7.99 from $9.99 until 4/2)
eSports Legend ($10.19 from $11.99 until 4/16)
Galaxy Warfighter ($4.89 from $6.99 until 4/15)
Gunbrick: Reloaded ($11.99 from $14.99 until 4/9)
Card Game Bundle Vol. 1 ($7.19 from $23.99 until 4/15)
Indie Darling Bundle Vol 2 ($6.99 from $29.99 until 4/15)
MouseCraft ($7.99 from $9.99 until 4/2)
Monster Energy Supercross 3 ($34.99 from $49.99 until 4/9)
Ultimate Racing 2D ($6.99 from $9.99 until 4/9)
SoccerDie: Cosmic Cup ($0.97 from $6.99 until 4/16)
Cube Creator X ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/15)
64.0 ($1.49 from $2.99 until 4/15)
Vortex Attack EX ($5.99 from $9.99 until 4/2)
The Legend of Dark Witch ($5.59 from $6.99 until 4/9)
Where the Bees Make Honey ($0.99 from $9.99 until 4/2)

3D MiniGolf ($15.99 from $19.99 until 4/9)
Island Flight Simulator ($15.99 from $19.99 until 4/9)
AeternoBlade ($4.99 from $14.99 until 4/15)
Heroes of the Monkey Tavern ($3.99 from $9.99 until 4/8)
Brave Dungeon + Dark Witch Story ($7.19 from $8.99 until 4/9)
Qbics Paint ($2.49 from $4.99 until 4/9)
Candleman ($9.99 from $14.99 until 4/9)
Sudoku Universe ($3.49 from $4.99 until 4/15)
What Remains of Edith Finch ($13.99 from $19.99 until 4/2)
Artifact Adventure Gaiden DX ($6.99 from $9.99 until 4/15)
PixARK ($19.99 from $39.99 until 4/16)
Monster Puzzle ($0.99 from $4.99 until 4/2)
HexaGravity ($0.99 from $1.99 until 4/2)
Joe Jump Impossible Quest ($0.99 from $2.99 until 4/2)
Slabwell ($1.99 from $7.99 until 4/13)

AngerForce: Reloaded ($6.66 from $9.99 until 4/9)
Agartha-S ($0.99 from $7.99 until 4/9)
Tangledeep ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/2)
Cursed Castilla ($6.99 from $13.99 until 4/9)
Donut County ($6.49 from $12.99 until 4/2)
3D Billiards Pool & Snooker ($15.99 from $19.99 until 4/9)
Dexteritrip ($1.99 from $6.99 until 4/13)
Super Hydorah ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/9)
The Room ($3.39 from $9.99 until 4/5)
Valrithian Arc ($6.74 from $14.99 until 4/9)
Legendary Fishing ($4.99 from $29.99 until 3/31)
Hyper Light Drifter ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/9)
Flood of Light ($2.49 from $4.99 until 4/15)
Pirate Pop Plus ($2.49 from $4.99 until 4/9)

Sales Ending This Weekend

Happy Animals Bowling ($2.49 from $4.99 until 3/28)
Never Stop ($3.99 from $4.99 until 3/28)
Roundguard ($17.99 from $19.99 until 3/28)
Welcome to Primrose Lake ($5.99 from $7.99 until 3/28)
88 Heroes – 98 Heroes ($8.98 from $29.95 until 3/29)
Almightree ($7.99 from $19.99 until 3/29)
Battle Group 2 ($0.99 from $9.99 until 3/29)
Bridge Constructor Ultimate ($11.24 from $14.99 until 3/29)
Conga Master Party! ($1.99 from $9.99 until 3/29)
Giga Wrecker Alt ($17.49 from $24.99 until 3/29)
Hello Kitty Kruisers ($22.46 from $29.95 until 3/29)
Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?! ($10.49 from $14.99 until 3/29)
Holy Potatoes! We’re In Space?! ($10.49 from $14.99 until 3/29)
Lumo ($11.97 from $19.95 until 3/29)
M.A.C.E. Tower Defense ($1.99 from $3.99 until 3/29)

My Time at Portia ($14.99 from $29.99 until 3/29)
Ninja Shodown ($5.98 from $14.95 until 3/29)
Overland ($17.49 from $24.99 until 3/29)
Red’s Kingdom ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/29)
Riot – Civil Unrest ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/29)
Solo: Islands of the Heart ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/29)
Storm in a Teacup ($1.19 from $2.99 until 3/29)
Super Destronaut: Land Wars ($3.99 from $4.99 until 3/29)
Tesla vs Lovecraft ($5.99 from $14.99 until 3/29)
The Count Lucanor ($2.99 from $14.99 until 3/29)
Trailblazers ($14.99 from $29.99 until 3/29)
Unbox: Newbie’s Adventure ($5.99 from $29.99 until 3/29)
Vambrace: Cold Soul ($17.49 from $24.99 until 3/29)
Vaporum ($8.74 from $24.99 until 3/29)
Windscape ($9.99 from $19.99 until 3/29)
Word Mesh ($3.49 from $6.99 until 3/29)
Worms W.M.D ($10.19 from $29.99 until 3/29)
Yoku’s Island Express ($6.79 from $19.99 until 3/29)
Yooka-Laylee ($13.59 from $39.99 until 3/29)

That’s all we’ve got for today and this week, friends. Next week has plenty of interesting stuff on the schedule already, so don’t look for this train to slow down anytime soon. I hope you all have plenty of goodies to keep you busy this weekend as we continue to try to get through these difficult times. Have as good of a weekend as you can, and as always, thanks for reading!