"SwitchArcade Round-Up: 'Emio – The Smiling Man' Reviewed, New Releases and Sales Today"

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 5th, 2024. Can you believe it's already Thursday? Time flies when you're having fun with games! Today, we're diving deep into reviews, featuring Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our friend Mikhail also joins us with his takes on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. We'll then explore the latest releases and wrap up with a look at new and expiring sales. Let's get started!

Reviews & Mini-Views

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

The trend of reviving dormant franchises is in full swing, and Nintendo's decision to bring back Famicom Detective Club is both surprising and exciting. This series, primarily known in the West through a brief remake on the Switch, now boasts a new entry for the first time in decades. Emio – The Smiling Man strikes a balance between homage and innovation, maintaining the visual and storytelling style of the recent remakes while embracing a somewhat old-school gameplay approach.

The narrative kicks off with a chilling discovery: a student found dead with a paper bag featuring a smiling face. This eerie scene echoes an unsolved case from 18 years prior, stirring up whispers of the urban legend, Emio, the killer who promises an eternal smile. As a detective from the Utsugi Detective Agency, your mission is to unravel the mystery by exploring scenes, interrogating characters, and piecing together clues—much like the investigation segments in Ace Attorney.

While the gameplay can feel dated at times, the engaging storyline more than compensates for it. The twists and turns keep you hooked, and the writing is top-notch, though the pacing can occasionally falter. Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is a solid return for the franchise, delivering a compelling mystery adventure.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The TMNT franchise continues to thrive on the Switch, offering a variety of experiences from classic arcade beat 'em ups to modern takes like Shredder’s Revenge and Wrath of the Mutants. Splintered Fate adds to this collection with a roguelite twist, blending the beloved TMNT action with the addictive gameplay of Hades.

The premise is straightforward: Shredder's up to no good, and Splinter needs rescuing. You'll slice through enemies, dodge attacks, and collect perks to enhance your current run, all while amassing currency for permanent upgrades. Whether playing solo or with up to three friends online or locally, Splintered Fate delivers a fun, if not groundbreaking, experience.

While Splintered Fate might not be a must-have for everyone, TMNT fans will appreciate this fresh take on the genre. The multiplayer aspect is a highlight, ensuring the game stays true to the spirit of teamwork that defines the Turtles.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food is a unique experimental art experience that blends food and creativity. Initially released on PC and PS5, its absence from the Switch and mobile platforms was notable given its suitability for touchscreens. While the Switch version lacks this feature, it still offers a playful sandbox experience for those who enjoy food and art.

The game lets you interact with various foods across different stages, accompanied by engaging music and whimsical elements. Though the Switch version may feel a bit heavy and suffer from long load times, Nour remains a delightful experience. It's a perfect complement to more traditional gaming genres, offering a fresh and fun break.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

The long-awaited English release of Fate/stay night REMASTERED on Nintendo Switch and Steam is a dream come true for fans of the series. This remaster of the 2004 visual novel follows Emiya Shirou's journey through the Holy Grail war, serving as an ideal entry point into the expansive Fate universe.

With over 55 hours of content and a surprisingly low price, Fate/stay night REMASTERED offers exceptional value. The remaster enhances the original with English translation, 16:9 support, and touchscreen functionality on the Switch. While it may not match the visual splendor of Tsukihime's remake, the improvements are significant and well-executed.

For visual novel enthusiasts and Fate fans alike, Fate/stay night REMASTERED is an essential experience, and its availability in English is a testament to the dedication of its developers.

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

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

Originally acclaimed in VR, TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK now brings its captivating stories to the Switch. TOKYO CHRONOS offers a familiar narrative of high school friends in an alternate Shibuya, while ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos elevates the experience with superior production values and a blend of visual novel and interactive elements.

Though the Switch version experiences some performance issues with camera movement, the addition of touchscreen controls and rumble enhances immersion. ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos stands out as the stronger of the two, but together, they form a compelling package for fans of sci-fi storytelling.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Select New Releases

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku ($49.99)

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku is exactly what it sounds like: a fitness boxing game featuring the virtual idol, Hatsune Miku. With 24 songs from Miku and an additional 30 from the Fitness Boxing series, this title offers plenty of rhythm to keep you moving. If you're a fan of both fitness and Miku, this is a must-have.

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

Gimmick! 2 is a faithful sequel to the cult classic, maintaining the original's challenging gameplay while introducing a polished new look. If you enjoy tough platformers, this game is worth checking out, though be prepared for a significant challenge.

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost ($29.99)

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost combines rhythm gaming with bullet hell shoot 'em up action, offering two distinct modes under the beloved Touhou theme. While the gameplay may feel disjointed, the music and thematic elements will appeal to fans of the series.

EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX ($6.49)

EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX is another version of the classic Hydlide game, offering a middle ground between the PC-8801 and NES releases. While it may not offer much new for those who've played other versions, die-hard fans might appreciate the additional perspective.

Arcade Archives Lead Angle ($7.99)

Arcade Archives Lead Angle, a 1988 gallery shooter from Seibu Kaihatsu, provides a nostalgic trip back to the genre's heyday. While it may not have been a standout at the time, it remains a solid choice for fans of classic shooters, especially with its unique gangster theme.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales list may not be particularly thrilling, but No Man’s Sky is always a solid pick. Other titles on sale are frequently discounted, so feel free to grab them if you haven't already. The expiring sales are similarly familiar, so make your decisions accordingly.

Select New Sales

No Man’s Sky ($23.99 from $59.99 until 9/17)
The Last Campfire ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/17)
XALADIA: Rise of the Space Pirates X2 ($8.09 from $17.99 until 9/18)
Scars of Mars ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/18)
Die for Valhalla ($3.59 from $11.99 until 9/25)
Moonlighter ($3.74 from $24.99 until 9/25)
Thea: The Awakening ($5.39 from $17.99 until 9/25)
Children of Morta ($5.49 from $21.99 until 9/25)
Dungeon of the Endless ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Yes, Your Grace ($2.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Hypnospace Outlaw ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Nowhere Prophet ($2.49 from $24.99 until 9/25)
Soccer Story ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
Family Man ($1.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)
South of the Circle ($6.49 from $12.99 until 9/25)
Wingspan ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/25)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 6th

Ambition: A Minuet in Power ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/6)
Dance of Death: Du Lac & Fey ($2.39 from $15.99 until 9/6)
Fear Effect Sedna ($1.99 from $19.99 until 9/6)
Galak-Z The Void Deluxe ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/6)
Kingdom Rush ($5.49 from $9.99 until 9/6)
Kingdom Rush Frontiers ($5.49 from $9.99 until 9/6)
Kingdom Rush Origins ($8.24 from $14.99 until 9/6)
My Time at Portia ($4.49 from $29.99 until 9/6)
PowerWash Simulator ($17.49 from $24.99 until 9/6)
Skulls of the Shogun ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/6)
Suhoshin ($4.49 from $14.99 until 9/6)
The House of Da Vinci 2 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/6)
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 4 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/6)
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger HD ($10.49 from $29.99 until 9/6)
Violet Wisteria ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/6)
What the Fork ($4.49 from $17.99 until 9/6)

That's all for today, folks. We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, and sales to wrap up the week. Don't forget to check out my blog, Post Game Content, which will be active again soon. Have a fantastic Thursday, and thank you for reading!