SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Pizza Tower’, ‘Castlevania Dominus Collection’, Plus Today’s Other Releases and Sales

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 28th, 2024. Yesterday's presentation was packed with exciting announcements, wasn't it? A flurry of surprise releases means our typically quiet Wednesday is anything but, and that's a welcome change. We've got news, a review of today's eShop additions, and our usual rundown of new and expiring sales. Let's dive in!

News

Partner/Indie World Showcase Delivers Abundant Offerings

The decision to present two smaller showcases was a smart one, resulting in a wave of announcements. While a complete list is beyond this scope, highlights include several surprise releases (detailed in the New Releases section), Capcom Fighting Collection 2, the Suikoden I & II remasters, Yakuza Kiwami, Tetris Forever, MySims, Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition, new Atelier and Rune Factory titles, and much more. I strongly recommend watching the video; even a quick scan will reveal a wealth of appealing titles for diverse gaming preferences.

Select New Releases

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

A third Castlevania compilation emerged as a pleasant surprise from the Direct. This collection features the three Nintendo DS titles: Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia. It also includes the notoriously poor arcade game, Haunted Castle, alongside an M2-developed remake that significantly improves upon the original. As expected from M2, this is a high-quality release boasting excellent emulation and a comprehensive feature set. An incredible value for the price.

Pizza Tower ($19.99)

This Wario Land-inspired, fast-paced platformer makes its Switch debut as another surprise release. Players navigate five expansive floors of the Pizza Tower to demolish it and save their restaurant. Fans of Wario's handheld adventures will especially appreciate this title, but even those without a strong Wario connection who enjoy platformers should consider it. A review is pending.

Goat Simulator 3 ($29.99)

The surprise releases continue – a fitting occurrence for a Wednesday. Without them, this section would be rather sparse. Presenting Goat Simulator 3. The Goat Simulator formula should be familiar by now. While I can't confirm its Switch performance, I'm aware that more powerful systems have experienced occasional difficulties. Proceed with caution, though even poor performance might align with the game's inherently chaotic nature. Ultimately, it's your call. Expect silly goats, silly antics, and an open world that may or may not cause your Switch to overheat.

Peglin ($19.99)

While it's tempting to criticize EA's decision to not bring PopCap games to Switch, I genuinely believe they missed a significant opportunity. Perhaps a collection would have been ideal? Regardless, their absence necessitates alternative options, and for Peggle enthusiasts, Peglin is highly recommended. Already available on mobile, it translates seamlessly to Switch. Essentially a fusion of Peggle and a turn-based RPG roguelite. A review is forthcoming.

Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story ($20.00)

Kairosoft's approach to revitalizing its simulation game formula involves licensing. Doraemon Dorayaki Shop Story exemplifies this, a typical Kairosoft shop simulator featuring characters from the popular Doraemon manga and anime. The license is well-integrated, with appearances by characters from the manga artist's other works as customers. Charming.

Pico Park 2 ($8.99)

More Pico Park for existing fans. Up to eight players can participate via local or online multiplayer. The "more the merrier" principle applies here. Solve puzzle stages requiring collaboration and strategic thinking. A solid addition for those who enjoyed the first game, but not significantly different enough to attract new players. And that's perfectly acceptable.

Kamitsubaki City Ensemble ($3.99)

An affordable rhythm game featuring Kamitsubaki Studio's music. Follow the rhythm, progress through the story, and enjoy the music. Not the most sophisticated experience, but adequately priced.

SokoPenguin ($4.99)

A Sokoban-style crate-pushing puzzle game featuring a penguin. One hundred levels. The decision of whether or not to purchase is entirely yours.

Q2 Humanity ($6.80)

More quirky physics-based puzzles, over three hundred in this instance. Players utilize character abilities and drawing mechanics to solve problems. Up to four players can participate locally or online.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

This week's sales predominantly feature NIS America titles, but deals on Balatro, Frogun, and The King of Fighters XIII Global Match are also available. The list of expiring sales is substantial; careful review is recommended.

Select New Sales

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is retained)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 29th

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is retained)

That concludes today's update. Tomorrow brings another substantial influx of new games, including the new Famicom Detective Club and other notable titles. We'll provide summaries and cover any sales and news that emerge. Have a wonderful Wednesday, and thank you for reading!