SwitchArcade Round-Up: Today’s Nintendo Direct, Full Review of ‘EGGCONSOLE Star Trader’, Plus New Releases and Sales

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024. Today's edition starts with some exciting news, followed by a single review of the latest EGGCONSOLE release. Fans of the series will know what to expect. We'll also take a look at one new game release that promises to be a gem. We'll wrap up with our customary lists of new and expiring sales, which are quite decent this time around. The Nintendo Direct tonight remains a mystery to me as I write this, but you'll already know the outcome by the time you're reading. Let's dive in!

News

Check Out Today’s Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase

As predicted by our sometimes-accurate insiders, Nintendo has announced a last-minute Nintendo Direct for August. You can expect a 40-minute presentation split into a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase. Don't hold your breath for first-party announcements or any news on the Switch's successor. By the time you read this, the event will have concluded, but you can catch the replay above. I'll provide a summary of the key highlights in tomorrow's round-up.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

When it comes to untranslated EGGCONSOLE releases, two main questions arise: Is the game itself any good, and can it be enjoyed without understanding Japanese? Star Trader is an intriguing game, though it falls short of greatness. Falcom has combined a Japanese-style adventure game with side-scrolling shoot 'em up stages, but neither aspect shines brilliantly. The adventure segments boast nice artwork, and it's fascinating to see a shoot 'em up attempt to weave a narrative. You'll spend much of your time conversing with characters and taking on quests to earn money for ship upgrades, crucial for surviving the action sequences.

However, the shoot 'em up parts suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in choppy gameplay that doesn't hold up well even if you overlook the technical issues. It's unclear which part of the game is meant to enhance the other, leaving Star Trader more interesting than enjoyable. As for the second question, the adventure game segments are heavily text-based and require player input to progress optimally. Without Japanese proficiency, you'll miss out on half the game and struggle to earn enough credits for upgrades, making the experience less enjoyable.

Star Trader offers a unique glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer experimenting outside their usual genre. Yet, the lack of translation severely hampers the enjoyment for Western players. While it might be worth a look for curiosity's sake, it's challenging to recommend it enthusiastically.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game follows the tale of Pluto, a recently deceased cat banished from the afterlife's palace and tasked with eternal cleaning. Explore the realms, battle enemies with your broom, encounter eccentric characters, tackle bosses, and unlock new abilities. It's a familiar formula, but Crypt Custodian executes it well. Fans of the genre should definitely give it a try.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of vibrant shoot 'em ups with unique twists, the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi are highly recommended. Don't miss out on 1000xRESIST, which is a must-buy. Other noteworthy titles include Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and perhaps some Tomb Raider for a special treat. Be sure to check the lists below!

Select New Sales

Return ($10.49 from $13.99 until 9/2)
Summer Daze: Tilly’s Tale ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/9)
Please Fix the Road ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/9)
Ticket to Ride ($26.99 from $29.99 until 9/9)
King ‘n Knight ($9.59 from $11.99 until 9/9)
Spiritfarer ($7.49 from $29.99 until 9/9)
Harpoon Shooter Nozomi ($6.98 from $9.98 until 9/16)
Like Dreamer ($5.99 from $11.99 until 9/16)
Cosmo Dreamer ($4.10 from $8.20 until 9/16)
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate ($8.99 from $59.99 until 9/16)
Gluck ($5.59 from $6.99 until 9/16)
Love Love School Days ($4.19 from $10.49 until 9/16)
Ugly ($6.79 from $19.99 until 9/16)
Replik Survivors ($3.44 from $4.99 until 9/16)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

1000xRESIST ($15.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Citizen Sleeper ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Genesis Noir ($4.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Haiku, The Robot ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Heads Up! Phones Down Edition ($1.99 from $39.99 until 8/28)
Legend Bowl ($18.74 from $24.99 until 8/28)
MythForce ($14.99 from $29.99 until 8/28)
Paradise Killer ($5.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Battlefront Collection ($28.00 from $35.01 until 8/28)
Star Wars Bounty Hunter ($14.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Episode I Racer ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Jedi Academy ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Jedi Outcast ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars KotOR ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars KotOR II: Sith Lords ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Republic Commando ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars The Force Unleashed ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Super Mutant Alien Assault ($1.99 from $9.99 until 8/28)
Suzerain ($4.49 from $17.99 until 8/28)
The Pale Beyond ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Times & Galaxy ($17.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered ($22.49 from $29.99 until 8/28)

That's all for today, friends. We'll be back tomorrow to discuss the highlights from the Nintendo Direct, along with new game releases, sales, and possibly a few more reviews. Have a wonderful Tuesday, and thank you for reading!