Hi there light readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for September 4th, 2023. I suppose it’s a vacation in the present day in america? I’m unsure. I’m working, a minimum of. I’ve 4 critiques so that you can take a look at, overlaying Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles, Taito Milestones 2, Gourmand Warriors, and Virgo Versus the Zodiac. There are some new releases, however don’t get too enthusiastic about them. It’s all bins in the present day. After that, we’ve a ton of latest gross sales to take a look at. Let’s get to the video games!
Evaluations & Mini-Views
Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles ($49.99)
They don’t make them like this anymore. They didn’t make them like this earlier than these video games got here out both, come to think about it. The Rhapsody collection, consisting of three mainline video games and a few puzzle recreation spin-offs, is an odd little duck that ran its total course throughout the span of two years. Solely the primary recreation ever noticed a Western launch up till this assortment. And but the significance of the Rhapsody collection within the historical past of Nippon Ichi Software program can’t be overstated. Up till the discharge of Rhapsody, the corporate was largely recognized for making forgettable mahjong, jigsaw puzzle, and enjoying card video games. Rhapsody was a giant swing for NIS, and one which paid off handsomely.
Following the third and last recreation within the Rhapsody collection, a tactical RPG set in the identical world named La Pucelle Ways was created. That led to yet one more tactical RPG, additionally steered to be set in the identical world, known as Disgaea. And the remainder, as they are saying, is historical past. Every thing Nippon Ichi Software program is in the present day has grown from the seeds of the Rhapsody video games. That’s a part of why I’m so excited to see the video games not solely get a contemporary rerelease, but additionally a world rerelease. Taken with the NIS Classics Vol. 3 set, Western gamers can now simply and affordably play this beautiful little trilogy.
Past the historic, the opposite cause why I’m glad to see this launch is as a result of these are a pair of very nice RPGs. Like within the first recreation, there are many musical numbers in Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess and Rhapsody III: Recollections of Marl Kingdom. In contrast to the primary recreation, the battle methods right here don’t have that tactical RPG taste to them. It’s extra easy RPG fight, although the third recreation’s assist character system permits you to convey an absolute bonkers variety of individuals to the fights. Each of the included video games function largely cheerful tales and a comparatively low stage of problem, so don’t come round in search of a stiff problem. These are extra video games to relax with.
Like the unique recreation, Rhapsody II launched on the PlayStation. It got here out in Japan in late 1999, and is ready twelve years after the occasions of the primary journey. The primary character of the primary recreation, Cornet, married her love Prince Ferdinand, and so they have a daughter named Kururu. She’s bought her mom’s adventurous spirit and want for a fairy story romance. Fortunately, she additionally has her mom’s capability to make use of puppet magic. On this recreation, puppets function assist reasonably than direct individuals in battle. You’ll be battling utilizing human characters this time. Kururu quickly will get pulled into some greater occasions, as is the model in RPGs. It is a very breezy recreation, and by some measure the simpler of the 2.
Rhapsody III was initially a PlayStation 2 recreation, releasing within the console’s first yr in the marketplace. Don’t count on it to flex that ol’ Emotion Engine a lot, although. You get some 3D backgrounds, however the characters are nonetheless 2D sprites. The construction of this recreation is somewhat totally different from the norm. You’ve bought six distinct chapters right here that bounce round within the Marl Kingdom timeline, telling tales with totally different units of characters. As such, the narrative is principally about fleshing out sure characters or occasions, generally providing closure or explanations the place none existed within the earlier two video games. When you performed the DS remake of Rhapsody, a few these tales will possible be acquainted to you. It’s a superb bit shorter than Rhapsody II, however the problem stage is increased. The battle system has once more been adjusted right here, and puppets are again on the menu. Satisfying on the entire, even when it feels extra like an appendix than a full sequel.
Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles is a straightforward advice for anybody who loved the primary recreation. When you favored it, you’ll love these two video games. I’d in all probability suggest newcomers play the unique Rhapsody first even when it isn’t completely essential to get pleasure from these sequels, if solely to be able to absolutely respect all of the little character nods and connections. Those that are in search of an RPG with tooth will wish to maintain shifting, however I believe in the event you’re within the temper for some pure low-friction fluff there aren’t many higher decisions within the Change’s RPG choice.
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Taito Milestones 2 ($39.99)
Taito Milestones 2, like the primary set, brings collectively ten of the legendary arcade firm’s traditional titles. These are based mostly on the Arcade Archives releases, however have had some options like Caravan Mode eliminated. The presentation is as no-frills because it will get, and Hamster’s menus really feel nearly medical of their design. You do get entry to on-line leaderboards for the principle play mode in every recreation, so that you’re not completely blanked out of the pleasing aggressive jostling of the Arcade Archives video games. The emulation high quality is nice, and you’ll nonetheless mess with the entire choices to customise your expertise. With the package deal itself being this naked bones, all of it falls on the video games. Let’s discuss these, then.
The oldest of the included video games, Ben Bero Beh, launched in 1984. It’s a unusual recreation the place you’re tasked with combating fires as you make your method by means of flooring of a burning constructing to rescue somebody trapped by the blaze. It’s a bit sluggish and clunky, however you probably have a fascination for these off-beat early arcade video games that had been fumbling at the hours of darkness looking for new genres, you may get into it. I favored it however didn’t like it.
The Legend of Kage, which hit arcades in 1985, might be one of many extra well-known titles on this set. You play as a ninja that may catch quantities of air that might make Michael Jordan blush. You’ve bought an infinite provide of shuriken and your useful blade at your disposal to defeat the numerous enemy ninjas that assail you. Battle by means of the phases and rescue the princess, then do it another time. The character’s motion takes some getting used to, however when you do this can be a actually good time.
Representing 1986, Kiki Kaikai is a top-down multi-directional shooter that kicked off the collection recognized to Western gamers as Pocky and Rocky. You play as a shrine maiden who has to make use of her talismans and employees to thrust back supernatural enemies and save the land. Positive, the sequels turned up the warmth considerably, however this primary recreation is sort of pleasing all by itself.
One other of the extra well-known names from this assortment, The NewZealand Story (generally generally known as Kiwi Kraze) got here out in 1988 in arcades however might be finest recognized for its big selection of residence console and laptop ports. You play as somewhat kiwi hen named Tiki who should make his method by means of a wide range of multidirectional scrolling phases to, you guessed it, save his girlfriend. It’s as powerful and various as it’s cute, and my buddies, it’s very cute. It’s arduous to not have a superb time right here, even when the problem stage is aggravating in locations.
It’s all a matter of tastes after all, however for my cash Darius II is the spotlight of this set. That is the three-screen model of the 1989 shoot-em-up, which was ignored of the Darius Cozmic Assortment. Nicely, right here it’s, and it’s wonderful. This is among the three video games on this set that’s not but out there by way of the usual Arcade Archives line. Anyway, what might be stated? Fly your ship by means of trippy phases and battle area sea monsters. Get pleasure from some odd banter out of your navigator, who all the time wished a factor known as tuna sashimi. A terrific, atmospheric shooter.
Liquid Youngsters, launched in 1990, is the perfect sleeper recreation within the set. It’s not a giant identify, however I can’t think about anybody not having a minimum of some enjoyable with it. You play as a hippo named Hipopo that may throw water bombs at enemies. You must work your method by means of a wide range of side-scrolling phases as a way to (sure) rescue your girlfriend from an evil hearth demon. It has plenty of that Bubble Bobble power to it, and in the event you haven’t performed it earlier than you might be in for a deal with.
Gun Frontier additionally got here out in 1990, and it kicked off a free trilogy of video games from kind of the identical crew at Taito. It is a vertically scrolling shooter set in a world the place every part is gun. Weapons are in all places, pick-ups are bullets, your tremendous transfer is fueled by your ammo, and the enemies take the type of varied weapons stapled to different issues. It’s gun wild. A gun bonanza. Fairly first rate recreation all-around, one that ought to please shoot-em-up followers effectively sufficient.
The next yr noticed the discharge of Steel Black, a side-scrolling shooter from the crew that did Gun Frontier. The primary gameplay gimmick on this one comes out of your beam assault. Choose-ups will improve the ability of your weapon, however you possibly can select to discharge it everytime you like. That can convey your weapon again right down to its default state, however it is going to do this by letting out a beam that will increase in measurement based mostly on what number of pick-ups you’ve grabbed. You need to use this beam to push again the beams of bosses if it’s large enough. One other enjoyable recreation with an odd theme, and one which was essential within the development of future Darius video games. Once more, shoot-em-up followers needs to be joyful.
Solitary Fighter is the second of the three video games on this set which you could’t discover but in Arcade Archives. It’s a combating recreation that got here out in 1991, which suggests it ran immediately into the freight prepare generally known as Road Fighter II. The presentation is sort of good on this recreation, however the gameplay itself is reasonably poor. You may have somewhat enjoyable with one other participant, however I don’t suppose I’d topic any of my buddies or household to that.
That brings us to the most recent and final recreation within the set, 1992’s Dinorex. It is a one-on-one fighter from the oldsters who created Gun Frontier and Steel Black. All the playable characters are dinosaurs, and they’re certainly some savage beasties. The T-Rex is purple, so you can also make Barney jokes that nobody will get since Barney was 1,000,000 years in the past. I wished to love this. I tried so arduous to love this. I approached it by itself phrases as an alternative of making an attempt to play it like Road Fighter II. But it surely’s simply not excellent. Nothing works the way in which you need it to, and in the event you take the time to be taught it, you’re rewarded with little or no certainly. It’s bizarre as heck, and that’s the foremost factor it has going for it. Some startling revelations within the ending, to make certain. I can’t think about many individuals will spend a lot time with it although.
So the place does that go away Taito Milestones 2 as a complete? Its extra trendy collection of titles will in all probability attraction higher than the primary quantity, and shoot-em-up followers specifically will discover so much to love right here. There are a few outright clunkers within the choice, however I’ll a minimum of grant that they’re attention-grabbing clunkers. Actually extra good than unhealthy, and in the event you get pleasure from enjoying arcade classics I believe you’ll get your kicks right here. That stated, if only some video games within the record attraction to you, there could be some benefit in testing the person Arcade Archives releases as an alternative.
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Gourmand Warriors (QUByte Classics) ($9.99)
QUByte has been bringing us a wide range of retro video games from Piko Interactive’s intensive catalog of odds and ends for some time now, to blended outcomes. Typically emulation points convey down the expertise. Typically the video games themselves simply aren’t all that good or attention-grabbing. I believe Gourmand Warriors represents one thing of a “better of each worlds” for this line. The sport in query is comparatively obscure, fairly good, and charmingly weird. The wrapper is identical plain brown bag QUByte makes use of each time, with the identical restricted set of choices. It’s maybe my inexperience with the unique recreation in query right here, however I didn’t discover any apparent emulation points. QUByte has all the time been hit and miss with Tremendous NES video games, however this one appears positive.
Gourmand Warriors is a side-scrolling beat-em-up initially launched on the Tremendous Famicom again in 1995. On the time, it had no abroad launch. Piko Interactive picked up the rights to the sport and introduced it out globally a couple of years in the past with a full English localization. The primary gimmick right here is that you just decide up components from defeated enemies which you’ll be able to then combine up into tasty dishes between phases. The secondary gimmick is that there’s a button that makes your character flex and pose. It doesn’t do something for you, nevertheless it’s humorous. In any other case, this can be a pretty plain brawler within the mechanical sense. The bonkers theme and wild enemies assist it stand out, and I respect that it doesn’t actually drop the ball in any severe methods.
When you get pleasure from a superb traditional beat-em-up and respect it when video games don’t take themselves too severely, you may wish to look into Gourmand Warriors. I believe there’s nonetheless plenty of room for enchancment right here when it comes to how these QUByte Classics are packaged, however in the event you simply wish to benefit from the recreation this greater than will get the job finished.
SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5
Virgo Versus the Zodiac ($19.99)
I actually loved the principle character on this recreation. She’s such a ache within the neck for everybody who has to place up together with her, and that’s plenty of enjoyable. There’s plenty of persona in Virgo Versus the Zodiac, and that’s in all probability its highest quality. In any other case, what you get here’s a reasonably strange indie RPG that makes use of the energetic timing-based button-pressing fight stylings of video games like Paper Mario. I’m not an enormous fan of that type of factor at the perfect of instances, nevertheless it’s so much worse right here than standard due to the spotty efficiency of this Change model. It desires you to have good timing, nevertheless it’s arduous to swing that when the sport is stuttering unpredictably.
I may see myself recommending Virgo Versus the Zodiac if it weren’t for the technical points on this Change model, however they’re the worst type as they intrude with the gameplay in a really possible way. Maybe the developer will patch it some day, however in its present type as of this writing, I can solely commend the writing and counsel gamers maybe test it out on different platforms.
SwitchArcade Rating: 3/5
New Releases
The Bin Bunch
The Thief Simulator 2023 – From Criminal to Boss ($13.99)
Truck Simulator 2023 – Driver Europe ($13.99)
Farming Tractor Simulator 2023: Drive Mix & Vans ($14.99)
Gross sales
(North American eShop, US Costs)
Not lengthy after I put the Friday version to mattress, a large sale popped on the eShop. The next is only a collection of the numerous video games on provide, so examine your wishlists to see if something you’ve been ready for popped up. Given the scale of the record, I don’t actually have any particular call-outs. Scan it fastidiously, buddies. And examine the little outbox record when you’re at it, too.
Choose New Video games on Sale
Full Quiet ($8.99 from $9.99 till 9/9)
F.I.S.T.: Solid in Shadow Tech ($14.99 from $29.99 till 9/10)
Saint Kotar ($12.99 from $34.99 till 9/11)
We Love Katamari Reroll ($19.79 from $29.99 till 9/11)
Seduction: A Monk’s Destiny ($3.19 from $7.99 till 9/11)
Hentai vs. Evil ($3.99 from $9.99 till 9/11)
Practice Valley ($4.19 from $11.99 till 9/11)
Starlink: Battle for Atlas Deluxe ($11.99 from $79.99 till 9/11)
Alchemist Journey ($6.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
Raiden III x Mikado Maniax ($23.99 from $29.99 till 9/11)
Skelattack ($2.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
Gal*Gun Double Peace ($19.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Taiko no Tatsujin Rhythm Competition DE ($29.69 from $54.99 till 9/11)
Tremendous Rooster Jumper ($2.99 from $4.99 till 9/11)
Scrumptious! Fairly Ladies Mahjong Solitaire ($2.99 from $5.99 till 9/11)
Aztech Forgotten Gods ($8.99 from $29.99 till 9/11)
Jail Tycoon: Beneath New Administration ($17.49 from $24.99 till 9/11)
TLoH: Trails to Azure ($29.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
TLoH: Trails to Zero ($27.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Lemon Cake ($14.99 from $29.99 till 9/11)
Bunny Park ($7.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
Technique of Elimination ($27.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Shadowrun Returns ($4.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
Shadowrun Dragonfall ($4.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
Shadowrun Hong Kong ($4.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
QuickSpot ($4.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
World Championship Boxing Supervisor 2 ($10.49 from $14.99 till 9/11)
Journey Academia: Fractured Continent ($27.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Monark ($29.99 from $59.99 till 9/11)
The Merciless King & the Nice Hero ($14.99 from $29.99 till 9/11)
Minit Enjoyable Racer ($2.00 from $2.99 till 9/11)
Tremendous Mega Baseball 4 ($29.99 from $49.99 till 9/11)
Captain Tsubasa RoNC ($9.59 from $59.99 till 9/11)
Skycadia ($6.99 from $9.99 till 9/11)
Pirates Outlaws ($10.19 from $16.99 till 9/11)
The Pillar: Puzzle Escape ($1.99 from $9.99 till 9/11)
Yurukill: The Calumniation Video games ($19.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
The Final Good friend ($5.99 from $14.99 till 9/11)
Parkasaurus ($16.24 from $24.99 till 9/11)
Yomawari: Misplaced within the Darkish ($19.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Retro Machina ($6.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
JoJo’s Weird Adv. All-Star Battle R DE ($34.99 from $49.99 till 9/11)
Breathedge ($7.49 from $24.99 till 9/11)
Sword Artwork On-line Alicization Lycoris DE ($44.99 from $89.99 till 9/11)
McPixel 3 ($3.99 from $9.99 till 9/11)
Final Command ($13.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
MLB The Present 23 ($20.39 from $59.99 till 9/11)
MLB The Present 23 Digital Deluxe ($29.99 from $99.99 till 9/11)
Charon’s Staircase ($12.99 from $34.99 till 9/11)
Misplaced in Random ($4.49 from $29.99 till 9/11)
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning ($19.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Chronos: Earlier than the Ashes ($14.99 from $29.99 till 9/11)
SpongeBob SquarePants: BfBB ($13.49 from $29.99 till 9/11)
Moero Crystal H ($19.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Loop Hero ($5.24 from $14.99 till 9/11)
Sea Horizon ($9.74 from $14.99 till 9/11)
Demise’s Door ($7.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
Rogue Legacy 2 ($17.49 from $24.99 till 9/11)
Scorching Wheels Unleashed ($7.49 from $49.99 till 9/11)
Scorching Wheels Unleashed GotY Version ($13.49 from $89.99 till 9/11)
Vagante ($5.99 from $14.99 till 9/11)
Dragon Ball Z Kakarot ($14.99 from $59.99 till 9/11)
Inscryption ($11.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
Grocery store Shriek ($2.99 from $19.99 till 9/11)
Zengeon ($6.59 from $19.99 till 9/11)
Get-A-Grip Chip ($5.99 from $9.99 till 9/11)
Oxide Room 104 ($7.49 from $24.99 till 9/11)
Crusing Period ($21.24 from $24.99 till 9/11)
Mr. Driller DrillLand ($4.79 from $29.99 till 9/11)
Strayed Lights ($17.49 from $24.99 till 9/11)
Peppa Pig: World Adventures ($27.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Sifu ($23.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Ys VIII Lacrimosa of DANA ($19.99 from $39.99 till 9/11)
Zero Pressure ($1.99 from $9.99 till 9/11)
Lively Life Outside Problem ($9.99 from $49.99 till 9/11)
.hack//G.U. Final Recode ($14.99 from $49.99 till 9/11)
Digimon Survive ($29.99 from $59.99 till 9/11)
Seven Doorways ($3.49 from $4.99 till 9/11)
Chained Echoes ($19.99 from $24.99 till 9/11)
The Pink Strings Membership ($4.49 from $14.99 till 9/11)
Angelo & Deemon: One Hell of a Quest ($3.74 from $14.99 till 9/11)
Ten Dates ($11.19 from $15.99 till 9/11)
Amongst Us ($3.00 from $5.00 till 9/14)
Sky Mercenaries Redux ($1.99 from $15.00 till 9/18)
Octo Curse ($5.99 from $9.99 till 9/21)
Muddle 12: It’s About Time ($4.49 from $14.99 till 9/21)
Astalon: Tears of the Earth ($9.99 from $19.99 till 9/21)
Faircroft’s Antiques: Mountaineer’s Legacy ($1.99 from $9.99 till 9/21)
Discovering America: The Heartland ($2.99 from $9.99 till 9/21)
Match Ventures ($3.59 from $11.99 till 9/21)
Puzzle Holidays: Eire ($3.59 from $11.99 till 9/21)
Chronicles of Albian TMC ($3.59 from $11.99 till 9/21)
Bundle Inc ($2.49 from $4.99 till 9/21)
First Time in Paris ($1.99 from $9.99 till 9/21)
First Time in Rome ($3.59 from $11.99 till 9/21)
I Love Discovering Birds ($8.99 from $14.99 till 9/21)
I Love Discovering Extra Pups ($1.99 from $9.99 till 9/21)
Montgomery Fox & TCotMB ($4.49 from $14.99 till 9/21)
Montgomery Fox & TRoVD ($4.49 from $14.99 till 9/21)
Montgomery Fox & TCotDN ($4.49 from $14.99 till 9/21)
Onion Assault ($3.19 from $7.99 till 9/22)
Gastro Power ($5.59 from $6.99 till 9/22)
Suicide Man: The Misplaced Desires ($5.59 from $7.99 till 9/22)
TT Isle of Man RotE 3 ($29.99 from $49.99 till 9/23)
Chef Life: A Restaurant Sim ($19.99 from $39.99 till 9/23)
WRC Generations ($15.99 from $39.99 till 9/23)
Roguebook: Deluxe Version ($6.99 from $34.99 till 9/23)
V-Rally 4 ($4.99 from $49.99 till 9/23)
WRC 8 Deluxe Version ($5.99 from $59.99 till 9/23)
Road Energy Soccer ($2.99 from $29.99 till 9/23)
Practice Life: Orient Specific Version ($15.99 from $39.99 till 9/23)
RiMS Racing: EM Deluxe Version ($11.99 from $59.99 till 9/23)
RiMS Racing: JM Deluxe Version ($11.99 from $59.99 till 9/23)
Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, Tuesday, September fifth
A Little Golf Journey ($4.00 from $19.99 till 9/5)
A Little to the Left ($10.49 from $14.99 till 9/5)
Blossom Tales II: The Minotaur Prince ($9.74 from $14.99 till 9/5)
Chants of Sennaar ($17.99 from $19.99 till 9/5)
Demon Turf ($12.49 from $24.99 till 9/5)
For The Warp ($3.59 from $17.99 till 9/5)
Lil Gator Sport ($11.99 from $19.99 till 9/5)
Swords & Bones 2 ($1.99 from $9.99 till 9/5)
The Oregon Path ($23.99 from $29.99 till 9/5)
Wildfrost ($17.99 from $19.99 till 9/5)
Xiaomei & the Flame Dragon’s Fist ($10.49 from $14.99 till 9/5)
Yooka-Laylee ($3.99 from $39.99 till 9/5)
That’s all for in the present day, buddies. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra new releases, extra gross sales, a evaluation or two, and perhaps some information. We will see what the day brings. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday, and as all the time, thanks for studying!
