SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘DoDonPachi Resurrection’ Review, Plus ‘Mind Scanners’ and Today’s Other Releases and Sales

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for November 30th, 2021. In today’s article, we’ve got a full review of Live Wire’s superb port of DoDonPachi Resurrection. We’ve also got two new releases to look at, and we’ve got summaries of both of them. There are also some new sales to check out, as well as a list of some of the many, many expiring sales. Seriously, those Cyber Deals are going, going, gone soon. Let’s get down to brass tacks!

Reviews & Mini-Views

DoDonPachi Resurrection ($19.99)

This is the third rerelease of a Cave shoot-em-up by Live Wire in the last few months. It’s safe to say that there are no longer any surprises about these ports, and that’s not a bad thing at all in this case. In most ways that matter, Live Wire’s work in bringing these legendary classics of the genre to the Switch are absolutely top-notch. DoDonPachi Resurrection continues that streak. You get every variant of the game you could ask for, an incredible amount of fidelity to the original, and a wide assortment of options to tweak as you see fit. All that’s really missing is an online leaderboard feature, something that is promised to be on the way soon.

Originally released in 2008, DoDonPachi Resurrection was one of the last few new arcade shoot-em-ups from Cave. As the fifth game in its series, its features and parameters were mostly well-established in previous games. That meant Cave could focus on buffing the mechanics until they shined as bright as possible. It soon received an update known as Resurrection 1.5, which was subsequently ported to iOS and Xbox 360. New modes were added for these versions, including Novice modes and a Black Label variant. This Nintendo Switch version is based on the Xbox 360 mode and includes basically every version and mode from Resurrection 1.5 and on.

That means you get a wide array of vertically-scrolling bullet-hell heaven, with something to offer players of any skill level and familiarity with the game. New to the genre? Hit up the Novice modes, which go easier on you so you can learn the ropes. Want a challenge? The standard Black Label mode has some nice treats to offer you. Feel like mixing it up? Take the ships from DaiOuJou or Ketsui for a spin, complete with slightly different mechanics. You get eight different versions of the game all told, and each of them is worth spending time with. There are lots of options, a training mode, a score attack mode, and instant replays for each variation.

DoDonPachi Resurrection is considered one of the finest examples of its sub-category for good reason. The action is hot and getting a high score takes some real skill, but the mechanics and scoring system are fairly easy to pick up. You can pick between three different ships with their own firing patterns, followed by three different styles for how your bombs and hyper meter work. Your regular shot can be rapid fired with a wider spread, or you can concentrate it for more power at the cost of slowing your ship down. You have bombs that you can use to clear the screen, and a hyper meter than when filled can be activated to make you into a nigh-invulnerable killing machine for a short time. Making good use of your hyper meter is one of the keys to both survival and a higher score.

I feel like a broken record at this point, but Live Wire has pulled off yet another fantastic Nintendo Switch port of an outstanding game. Shoot-em-up fans really should own all of these Cave releases from this developer, as they are easily among the best games in the genre available on the console. While DoDonPachi Resurrection is the last of the trio of titles announced by Live Wire a while back, I certainly hope it is merely the last of the first. I’ll take as many of these top-tier adaptations of legendary classics as these folks are willing to serve up.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

New Releases

Mind Scanners ($16.99)

This is a narrative adventure about a cyberpunk dystopia. You play a psychiatrist and need to diagnose the citizens of this broken metropolis. Once you’ve figured out their problem, you then treat them with timing-based minigames. You’ll also have to manage your time and resources, giving the game a light simulation component. There is definitely a whiff of Papers, Please about it, but neither its story nor its gameplay can hold up to that. The game received a decent reception when it hit computers a while back, though not an overwhelmingly positive one. If you like the sound of it, I think it’s at least worth looking at a little closer.

Tank De La Muerta ($4.99)

Somehow this is a visual novel about a zombie named Enrique who spends every day living in the cemetery and dreams of finding the love of his life. You need to help him do that by making choices in the various situations. Depending on what you do, you’ll reach different endings for our poor little zombie buddy. It certainly has an odd look to it that some of you may find appealing for a fiver.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Not a whole lot in today’s new list, but if you’ve been waiting for another sale on the Atelier Arland games, you’re in luck. Beyond that, it’s mostly the usual suspects. The most important thing sales-related today is that the Cyber Deals are ending really soon. Make whatever final purchases you need to in order to satisfy those consumer urges. The list of expiring sales here is only a tiny slice of those deals, so head to the eShop and see what’s what.

Select New Games on Sale

Urban Flow ($1.99 from $14.99 until 12/6)
WarriOrb ($2.59 from $12.99 until 12/7)
Atelier Totori DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 12/14)
Atelier Rorona DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 12/14)
Atelier Meruru DX ($29.99 from $39.99 until 12/14)
Atelier Arland Series Pack ($67.49 from $89.99 until 12/14)
Atelier Lulua ($29.99 from $59.99 until 12/14)
Super Battle Cards ($1.99 from $5.99 until 12/20)
Sushi Time! ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/20)
Klondike Solitaire ($1.99 from $8.99 until 12/20)
Golf Peaks ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/20)
Breakfast Bar Tycoon ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/20)
Food Truck Tycoon: Asian Cuisine ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/20)
Cooking Tycoons 2: 3 in 1 ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/20)
Monomals ($13.99 from $19.99 until 12/20)
Irony Curtain: FMwL ($2.79 from $19.99 until 12/20)
Grim Legends 2: SotDS ($2.09 from $14.99 until 12/20)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 1st

30-in-1 Game Collection ($11.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
890B ($3.99 from $4.99 until 12/1)
AeternoBlade ($2.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
AeternoBlade II ($4.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Aloof ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Another Sight ($15.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
AO Tennis 2 ($23.99 from $59.99 until 12/1)
Apocalipsis Wormwood Edition ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/1)
Aqua Moto Racing Utopia ($7.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Asdivine Dios ($7.79 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Asdivine Hearts ($7.79 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Asdivine Hearts II ($7.79 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Asdivine Menace ($7.79 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Banner of the Maid ($10.19 from $16.99 until 12/1)
Baobabs Mausoleum Ep.1 ($2.99 from $5.99 until 12/1)

Baobabs Mausoleum Ep.2 ($3.49 from $6.99 until 12/1)
Baobabs Mausoleum Ep.3 ($2.99 from $5.99 until 12/1)
Baobabs Mausoleum Grindhouse ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
BATTLLOON ($3.49 from $6.99 until 12/1)
Bee Simulator ($11.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Big Pharma ($5.99 from $29.99 until 12/1)
Bloody Zombies ($5.24 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Brunch Club ($2.02 from $14.49 until 12/1)
Caveblazers ($2.09 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Caveman Tales ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Chiki-Chiki Boxy Racers ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Chroma Quaternion ($10.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Chronus Arc ($6.49 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Conarium ($4.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Crazy Strike Bowling EX ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)

Cubers Arena ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Drink More Glurp ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Escape from the Universe ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Evoland Legendary Edition ($4.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Fobia ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
From Shadows ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/1)
GALAK-Z: The Void Deluxe ($2.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Game Dev Story ($7.00 from $14.00 until 12/1)
Glam’s Incredible Run ($1.99 from $7.99 until 12/1)
Golazo! ($3.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Golf Story ($6.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Green Phoenix ($1.99 from $3.49 until 12/1)
Gunkid 99 ($5.24 from $6.99 until 12/1)
Gunman Clive HD Collection ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/1)
Headsnatchers ($3.74 from $14.99 until 12/1)

Helheim Hassle ($6.79 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Help Will Come Tomorrow ($4.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Hero Hours Contract ($1.99 from $3.99 until 12/1)
Heroes of the Monkey Tavern ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Hunting Simulator 2 ($15.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
ICEY ($6.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Immortal Realms Vampire Wars ($15.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Inversus Deluxe ($2.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Johnny Turbo’s Arcade Heavy Burger ($2.49 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Johnny Turbo’s Arcade, Assorted ($1.99 from $7.99 until 12/1)
Juicy Realm ($10.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Kaptain Brawe: Brawe New World ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Killer Queen Black ($13.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Kingdom Tales ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Kingdom Tales 2 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)

Liege Dragon ($10.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Mechstermination Force ($1.99 from $11.99 until 12/1)
Monochrome Order ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Monster Truck Championship ($15.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Morphite ($3.74 from $14.99 until 12/1)
My Universe: My Baby ($11.99 from $29.99 until 12/1)
My Universe: Pet Clinic ($19.49 from $29.99 until 12/1)
Myths of Orion: LftN ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Necrosphere Deluxe ($3.99 from $7.99 until 12/1)
Northgard ($13.99 from $34.99 until 12/1)
Oh!Edo Towns ($8.40 from $14.00 until 12/1)
Pako Caravan ($2.39 from $7.99 until 12/1)
Penguin Wars ($3.74 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Pocket Clothier ($8.40 from $14.00 until 12/1)
Pocket Stables ($8.40 from $14.00 until 12/1)

Psyvariar Delta ($7.49 from $29.99 until 12/1)
Railway Empire ($21.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Real Heroes: Firefighter ($2.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Roarr! Jurassic Edition ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/1)
Silver Falls Episode Prelude ($5.99 from $7.99 until 12/1)
Skulls of the Shogun: Bone-A-Fide ($3.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Skyhill ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/1)
Snow Moto Racing Freedom ($7.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
Soldam: Drop Connect Erase ($1.99 from $7.99 until 12/1)
Space Marshals ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Space Marshals 2 ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Stela ($6.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Still There ($5.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Subdivision Infinity DX ($3.74 from $14.99 until 12/1)
Super Punch Patrol ($1.99 from $4.99 until 12/1)

Tales From Dragon Mountain ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Tales from Dragon Mountain 2 ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Tallowmere ($3.49 from $6.99 until 12/1)
TENS! ($2.49 from $9.99 until 12/1)
The Last Days ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
The Last Survey ($1.99 from $14.99 until 12/1)
The Man With the Ivory Cane ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
The Midnight Sanctuary ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
The Rainsdowne Players ($1.99 from $3.99 until 12/1)
The Unholy Society ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
The Wonderful 101: Remastered ($17.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
This is the Zodiac Speaking ($3.99 from $12.99 until 12/1)
Tiny Metal ($7.49 from $14.99 until 12/1)
To The Moon ($8.39 from $11.99 until 12/1)
Tokyo Dark: Remembrance ($9.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Tropico 6 ($27.49 from $49.99 until 12/1)

Truck Racing Championship ($11.99 from $39.99 until 12/1)
TT Isle of Man ($9.99 from $49.99 until 12/1)
TT Isle of Man RotE 2 ($17.99 from $59.99 until 12/1)
Wanderjahr TryAgainOrWalkAway ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
War of Stealth Assassin ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
War Tech Fighters ($4.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
We. The Revolution ($5.99 from $19.99 until 12/1)
Where Angels Cry ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
Where Angels Cry: TotF CE ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)
WRC 9 The Official Game ($19.99 from $49.99 until 12/1)
Zotrix Starglider ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/1)

Plus all of the Cyber Deals!

That’s all for today and this month, friends. We’ll be starting off the month tomorrow with a bit of a quiet one. I don’t see any games on the schedule currently, but there could be some surprises. We will have some new sales to check out, maybe some news, perhaps a review if it seems a little too thin. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as always, thanks for reading!