Today's Nintendo Direct Recap, Latest EGGCONSOLE Review

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update begins with some exciting news, followed by a game review and a look at a new release. We'll wrap things up with our usual sales reports. Let's dive in!

News

Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap

As predicted by some industry insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation covered partner showcases and Indie World highlights. While first-party titles were absent, and there was no news on the next-gen Switch console, the show delivered plenty of exciting announcements. You can watch the full presentation above; a detailed summary of the key reveals will be available tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This untranslatated EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game enjoyable, and is it playable without knowing Japanese? Star Trader is intriguing, though not exceptional. Falcom blends an adventure game structure with side-scrolling shooter elements, but neither aspect truly shines. The adventure segments feature appealing artwork, and the shooter's attempt at narrative integration is unique. Players interact with characters, accept quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship, crucial for navigating the shooting stages.

The shooting sections, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in jerky scrolling. Even with smoother visuals, the gameplay might not be top-tier. The game's design is unclear, but Star Trader is more captivating than it is polished. This brings us to the language barrier. The adventure parts are text-heavy, demanding player comprehension for optimal progress. Without understanding Japanese, players miss half the game and struggle to earn enough credits for ship upgrades. While some brute-forcing is possible, the overall experience suffers.

Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer venturing beyond their usual style. Sadly, the extensive Japanese text significantly hinders enjoyment for Western players. While some experimentation is possible, a strong recommendation is difficult.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat banished from the afterlife for misbehaving. Explore, fight enemies with a broom, encounter quirky characters, battle bosses, and upgrade abilities. It's a familiar formula, but executed well. Fans of the genre should definitely check it out.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, consider Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss out on 1000xRESIST – buy it now! Other notable sales include Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and some Tomb Raider titles. Check out the lists below!

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

(List of expiring sales)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a deeper dive into the Nintendo Direct announcements, plus new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!