Discover Mobile Gaming Gems in SwitchArcade's Latest Review Roundup

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 5th, 2024. Already Thursday? Time flies! We're diving straight into reviews today, with in-depth looks at Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our contributor, Mikhail, also shares his thoughts on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and the TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. We'll then cover the day's noteworthy new releases and round things off with our usual sales lists. Let's get to it!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)

Resurrecting dormant franchises is the latest trend, it seems. Nintendo's surprise revival of Famicom Detective Club, a series largely known in the West through a brief remake, has yielded a brand-new adventure! This presents a challenge: how faithfully to recreate the original while avoiding outdated gameplay? Emio – The Smiling Man opts for a stylistic blend. The visuals are modern, the story pushes boundaries, yet the gameplay remains old-school. This will be a key factor in your enjoyment.

A student's death, marked by a smiling face, unearths a series of unsolved murders. The legend of Emio, a killer promising eternal smiles, resurfaces. Is it a copycat, or has the original killer returned? The police are stumped, leaving the Utsugi Detective Agency to uncover the truth.

Gameplay involves searching scenes for clues, questioning suspects (often repeatedly), and connecting the dots. Think Ace Attorney investigations. While engaging and well-written, some sections feel cumbersome, lacking clear guidance. The pacing occasionally falters. However, the plot's twists and turns make it a compelling mystery.

Overall, Emio – The Smiling Man is an enjoyable mystery adventure, a departure from typical Nintendo fare. While its mechanics adhere closely to the originals, and the plot has a few minor pacing issues, it's a welcome return for the Detective Club franchise.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is getting a solid collection of TMNT games. Splintered Fate offers a unique blend of beat 'em up and roguelite elements, reminiscent of Hades. Play solo or with up to four players locally or online. The online multiplayer worked well in our testing. The game is enjoyable solo, but multiplayer significantly enhances the experience.

Shredder's mischief unleashes a mysterious power, endangering Splinter. The Turtles must save him, battling Foot Soldiers and utilizing perks and upgrades. Death means restarting, typical of the roguelite genre. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a solid TMNT experience.

While not a must-have for everyone, TMNT fans will appreciate this unique take. The well-implemented multiplayer is a plus. Those seeking top-tier roguelites might find better options, but Splintered Fate holds its own in a competitive market.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food is a playful sandbox experience perfect for those who love food and art. It's an interactive app-like game where you manipulate food items across different stages. While enjoyable on PC, the Switch version suffers from long load times and a lack of touchscreen support, a surprising omission given its nature.

The game's charm lies in its playful interaction and creative possibilities. However, the Switch port's performance issues detract from the overall experience.

Despite its flaws, Nour is worth considering for fans of interactive food-based experiences. The lack of touchscreen support is a major drawback, however. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a long-awaited remaster of the 2004 visual novel. This is arguably the best entry point into the Fate universe, offering a comprehensive story experience. The remaster boasts added features, including English language support and 16:9 widescreen. The low price point is remarkable given the game's length (55+ hours).

The remaster significantly improves the original, enhancing visuals and adding quality-of-life features. Touchscreen support on Switch is a welcome addition. The game also runs well on Steam Deck.

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a must-have for visual novel fans. Its accessibility, features, and value make it a highly recommended title. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK ($49.99)

This twin pack brings two VR titles to Switch. TOKYO CHRONOS follows high school friends in an alternate Shibuya, while ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos offers a more polished experience with a stronger narrative and gameplay beyond the visual novel format.

While the stories are engaging, the Switch version suffers from some camera movement performance issues. However, touchscreen support and rumble features enhance the experience.

Despite minor performance hiccups, TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK is a worthwhile experience on Switch, especially for fans of sci-fi narratives. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Select New Releases

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku ($49.99)

A Fitness Boxing game featuring Hatsune Miku and her songs. If you're a fan of either, this is a straightforward choice.

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

A challenging but faithful sequel to the original Gimmick! A solid platformer for those who enjoy a difficult experience.

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost ($29.99)

A blend of rhythm game and bullet hell shooter. The Touhou theme will appeal to fans of the series.

EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX ($6.49)

Another Hydlide release for completionists.

Arcade Archives Lead Angle ($7.99)

A gallery shooter from 1988.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Notable sales include No Man's Sky. Many other titles are frequently discounted.

Select New Sales

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 6th

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, and sales. Check out Post Game Content for more gaming insights. Have a great Thursday!