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

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update starts with some exciting news, followed by a game review and a look at a fresh release. We'll wrap things up with the usual sales lists. 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 both partner titles and indie games. While primarily showcasing third-party releases, it was a packed show. You can watch the full presentation above; we'll provide a detailed summary of the key announcements tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

The usual questions arise with untranslated EGGCONSOLE releases: Is the game enjoyable, and is it playable without knowing Japanese? Star Trader is intriguing, though not exceptional. Falcom blended an adventure game with side-scrolling shooter elements, but neither aspect shines. The adventure portion features appealing artwork, and the shooter's narrative approach is unique. Players mainly interact with characters, accept quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship – crucial for navigating the action sequences.

The shooting segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limited scrolling capabilities, resulting in a choppy experience. The game's balance is unclear, but Star Trader is more captivating than truly great. This leads to the second question: The adventure sections are text-heavy, demanding player comprehension for optimal progress. Without understanding Japanese, you'll miss half the game and struggle in the other half due to insufficient credits. While brute-forcing is possible, it won't be a pleasant experience.

Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer's experimentation outside their usual style. However, the extensive Japanese text significantly hinders enjoyment for Western players. While some might find it engaging, a strong recommendation is difficult due to the language barrier.

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 a mishap. He's sentenced to eternal cleaning! Explore, battle with a broom, meet quirky characters, defeat bosses, and enhance your 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 the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss out on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other noteworthy titles on sale include various Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and some Tomb Raider titles. Check 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 Direct recap, new game coverage, sales updates, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!