Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for June 7th, 2024. Today’s article has a little slice of all the things we like. Some news, some new releases, some reviews, and a lot of sales. Not a whole ton of the first two categories, but we take what we can get. Our pal Mikhail has a pair of reviews for us today, looking at Megaton Musashi and Hauntii. There’s a lot going on news-wise right now since it is June, but we’ll wait until the dust settles to see what’s what. For now, let’s summarize and go over what’s in front of us. Here we go!
News
Mega Man’s Game Boy Adventures Join Nintendo Switch Online Today
Mega Drive? No, Mega Man! Nintendo dropped a batch of retro games out of the blue again today, and this time it’s really blue. But blue in black and white. Sigh, this is already getting complicated. Let’s get to the point: Mega Man in Dr. Wily’s Revenge, Mega Man II, Mega Man III, Mega Man IV, and Mega Man V have been added to the Game Boy NSO app. The first four games kind of loosely adapt pieces from the NES titles, but the fifth game is fully original and it is spectacular. If you have not played it before, you should. Just update your app and you’re good to go.
Reviews & Mini-Views
Hauntii ($19.99)
I had been looking forward to playing Hauntii ever since I saw it in a Day of the Devs showcase last year. Fast forward to today, Hauntii is available on Switch, PC, and other consoles, and it lived up to all my expectations when it comes to the game itself, but the Switch version is unfortunately not in the best shape right now.
Hauntii is a gorgeous game with striking visuals that combines a few genres to be something special. It brings together puzzles, some platforming, twin-stick shooters, and more that are all complemented by the aesthetic that shines on the Switch’s screen in handheld mode. The twin-stick shooter mechanics aren’t in the way you’d expect though. They are slower here, but still satisfying. Just don’t expect some challenging bullet hell game here, you’re here for the gorgeous world, puzzles, narrative, and music here.
The structure and checkpointing in Hauntii make it quite accessible for pick up and play, but I’m amazed by the creativity showcased in its visuals and interactions. The animation work and music are superb.
Usually, games like this tend to be on the shorter side, but I ended up playing Hauntii for over 9 hours on Switch. It unfortunately has jitter or stutter while getting into new areas, some frame pacing issues, and longer than expected load times. Some of these things give me motion sickness, and I’ve had to pause my play sessions to come back after some time and resume playing. I hope these can be addressed in updates. If you have the option to play Hauntii on Xbox Series X through Game Pass, it is much better there.
Hauntii is an amazing game that needs some more work on Nintendo Switch. The technical issues hold it back, but it is still worth your time and money. I recommend playing it on another platform if you have that option though. If you are ok with some performance issues, it feels right at home on Switch in handheld mode. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED ($59.99)
MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED releasing in the West last month has been quite a journey for Level-5 fans. If you’ve been following the series, MEGATON MUSASHI debuted in Japan as a mech action RPG on Switch and PS4, got loads of content updates, a free-to-play follow-up, more updates, and eventually all of that comes together to give us MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED, a multiplatform international release across Switch, PS5, PS4, and Steam with cross platform progression and online play support.
MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED‘s new international release feels like a culmination of everything before, and it ships with a plethora of quality content across all of its modes. It also helps that this is a fantastic mech action RPG with a surprising amount of the signature Level-5 charm.
Last week, I posted some impressions of how Level-5’s newest release, MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED, feels on Steam Deck. On Switch, MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED runs a lot better than I expected. It isn’t as good as Steam Deck, but this isn’t a situation where I’d be telling you to buy a game on another platform. If you want to play MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED on Switch, you can go ahead. It joins Daemon X Machina as my favorite mech game on Switch, and I’m even more excited to see how Gundam Breaker 4 ends up this year.
The core gameplay loop is excellent as you aim for better loot, progress the story, work towards improving your own Rogue (mech), and more. I was constantly surprised at how many mechanics it introduced during the main story, let alone everything available outside that. Even if you just want to play the main story and not bother with anything else, MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED is worth your time.
So I mentioned how MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED benefited from being the third version/entry that we see as our first release in the West, but the downside is some free to play elements are still present like login bonuses or battle pass stuff. I hate battle passes in every single game, so I was disappointed to see them here even if the rewards aren’t anything meaningful. There is also a lot of paid DLC, but none of it is essential. If you really want to get some DLC, the deluxe pack is decent value, but note that you will need it on all platforms you play on, otherwise the cosmetics will not work on another platform when you sync your save.
As for online, MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED is a solo game for its story, but you can play with others across platforms in the non story missions. In my testing, it works great on both Switch and Steam Deck over wifi, though I stuck to wired and docked when playing with my friends in another country to ensure there were no stability issues. Keep in mind that you will need to link an Epic account to play online across platforms and sync your save.
Visually, the watercooler description I’d give MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED is “what if Level-5 meets Gundam Breaker“. That might sound jarring and vague, but that’s all I could think about. The character designs, animation work, and story feel like the best of Level-5, while the combat and customization remind me of Gundam Breaker. This combination works out very well, and I really wish it had a nice retail release in the West, because the game more than deserves it.
On the audio side, MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED has an excellent soundtrack and superb voice acting across the board. The sheer amount of voiced dialogue is incredible, and not something you usually see for games like this. My only complaint with the music is that some areas felt like they could’ve done with more music.
In future updates, I’d love it if the developers could add a touchscreen option to progress dialog on Switch. I used the touchscreen on Steam Deck quite a bit during the story sections. Other than that, the Switch version is basically everything I wanted and more. It even has good HD Rumble in combat.
MEGATON MUSASHI W: WIRED feels unreal in a good way. Not only is it one of Level-5’s best games in years, but it is a fantastic mech action game packed with tons of quality content. The fact that it even has cross platform save letting me take my progress across Switch and Steam Deck only sweetens the deal. I hope it gets a demo so that more folks can try and see why it is so good before committing to the full priced purchase though. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Select New Releases
Sociable Soccer 24 ($24.99)
The latest soccer game from Jon Hare, the creator of Sensible Soccer, sports a FIFPRO license married to the fast and accessible sports action this creator is known for, and it’s a fine blend. It has a cross-platform online league system, and also supports local two-player gameplay. The game is absolutely jam-packed with stuff to mess around with and enjoy, so if you’re looking for an alternative to EA Sports’ take on the beautiful game I think you’ll be happy with what’s on offer here.
Airhead ($19.99)
It’s time for another Metroidvania-style game. This time the gimmick is that you have a head that is constantly deflating, and you have to periodically refill it as you explore the world. There are some solid puzzles in here, which is always nice to see. I don’t think it’s going to convince anyone who is tired of this genre, but if you’re still hungry this will provide a meal.
Rider’s Spirits ($5.99)
Super Mario Kart pretty much kicked off a whole genre of its own, and even as early as 1994 you saw games trying to ride in its wake. Rider’s Spirits is one such game, and up until now this Super Famicom title has only been available in Japan. When you play it, you’ll probably understand why. Well, it’s nice to see the ol’ Mode 7 doing its thing if nothing else. I’ll have a review of this soon where I go into what works and doesn’t work in it, so look forward to that.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
The Big Video Game News Month sale has officially kicked off, and this time Nintendo is calling the Super Turbo Champion Edition EX Gold Plus Alpha Sale or some such nonsense. Anyway, lots of sales. More than 1500, in fact. I’m doing a separate article with what I think are the absolute best of the bunch, but I’m not shirking on my chores here. All of the first party sales, and select sales from major third parties and indies are included here. Have a gander! But remember, there are tons more games on sale besides these. Check your wishlists and the eShop for further details.
Select New Sales
First Party Games
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Xenoblade Chronicles DE ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Fire Emblem Engage ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Tokyo Mirage Sessions ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Kirby & the Forgotten Land ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze ($39.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Super Mario Odyssey ($39.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe ($39.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Splatoon 3 ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Advance Wars 1 + 2 Reboot Camp ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Bayonetta 3 ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Bayonetta Origins ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Astral Chain ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido ($34.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
DC Super Hero Girls: Teen Power ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
“Big Third Party” Titles
Dragon Quest XI S: DE ($34.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Dragon Quest Builders ($34.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Dragon Quest Builders 2 ($34.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Live A Live ($34.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Triangle Strategy ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Bravely Default II ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Fashion Dreamer ($34.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Daemon X Machina ($41.99 from $59.99 until 6/17)
Dark Souls Remastered ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/17)
No More Heroes 3 ($24.99 from $49.99 until 6/17)
Tomb Raider I – III Remastered ($22.49 from $29.99 until 6/20)
The Lara Croft Collection ($19.99 from $24.99 until 6/20)
Persona 5 Strikers ($17.99 from $59.99 until 6/20)
Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Alien: Isolation ($14.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Disney Classic Games: Aladdin & Lion King ($6.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Jack Jeanne ($34.99 from $49.99 until 6/20)
The Wonderful 101 Remastered ($17.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Streets of Rage 4 ($11.24 from $24.99 until 6/20)
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge ($16.74 from $24.99 until 6/20)
TMNT: Cowabunga Collection ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Dragon Ball FighterZ: FighterZ Edition ($14.39 from $89.99 until 6/20)
LEGO 2K Drive ($9.89 from $29.99 until 6/20)
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration ($27.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Quantum Recharged ($5.49 from $9.99 until 6/20)
Berzerk Recharged ($5.99 from $9.99 until 6/20)
Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope ($19.79 from $59.99 until 6/20)
Tempest 4000 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom ($11.99 from $29.99 until 6/20)
Immortals Fenyx Rising ($7.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Hatsune Miku: Project DiVA Mega Mix ($19.69 from $39.39 until 6/20)
We Love Katamari Reroll ($7.49 from $29.99 until 6/20)
Assassin’s Creed: Ezio Collection ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Samba de Amigo: Party Central ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Sonic Origins Plus ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Sonic Frontiers ($20.99 from $59.99 until 6/20)
Unicorn Overlord Monarch Edition ($52.49 from $69.99 until 6/20)
Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium Bundle ($15.99 form $39.99 until 6/20)
WRC Generations ($7.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II ($34.99 from $49.99 until 6/20)
Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition ($9.99 from $49.99 until 6/20)
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen ($4.99 from $29.99 until 6/20)
Return to Monkey Island ($12.49 from $24.99 until 6/20)
Alan Wake Remastered ($14.99 from $29.99 until 6/20)
Contra: Operation Galuga ($31.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Apollo Justice: AA Trilogy ($39.99 from $49.99 until 6/21)
Mushihimesama ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/27)
Espgaluda II ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/27)
DoDonPachi Resurrection ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/27)
Indies
1000xRESIST ($17.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Balatro ($13.49 from $14.99 until 6/20)
COCOON ($14.99 from $24.99 until 6/20)
Outer Wilds ($14.99 from $24.99 until 6/20)
Rogue Legacy 2 ($14.74 from $24.99 until 6/20)
Sea of Stars ($26.24 from $34.99 until 6/20)
Rose & Camellia Collection ($14.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Risen ($20.99 from $29.99 until 6/20)
The Case of the Golden Idol ($10.79 from $17.99 until 6/20)
Trek to Yomi ($6.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Tunic ($14.99 from $29.99 until 6/20)
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap ($5.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Bugsnax ($8.74 from $24.99 until 6/20)
Night in the Woods ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
moon ($13.29 from $18.99 until 6/20)
Crossing Souls ($1.99 from $14.99 until 6/20)
Goat Simulator: The GOATY ($5.99 from $29.99 until 6/20)
Aggelos ($3.74 from $14.99 until 6/20)
Nexomon Extinction ($8.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Gargoyles Remastered ($10.49 from $14.99 until 6/20)
Slay the Spire ($8.49 from $24.99 until 6/20)
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark ($7.49 from $29.99 until 6/20)
Blazing Chrome ($5.77 from $16.99 until 6/20)
Kentucky Route Zero TV Edition ($9.99 from $24.99 until 6/20)
Huntdown ($3.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Doki Doki Literature Club Plus ($11.24 from $14.99 until 6/20)
Bustafellows ($5.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Axiom Verge 2 ($7.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut ($11.99 from $39.99 until 6/20)
Death’s Gambit: Afterlife ($10.99 from $19.99 until 6/20)
Ion Fury ($6.24 from $24.99 until 6/20)
TEVI ($26.24 from $34.99 until 6/20)
The Sushi Spinnery ($4.62 from $14.00 until 6/26)
Forest Golf Planner ($6.00 from $12.00 until 6/26)
Rabi-Ribi ($13.99 from $19.99 until 6/27)
The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa ($8.99 from $14.99 until 6/27)
Dead Cells ($12.49 from $24.99 until 6/27)
20XX ($5.39 from $17.99 until 6/27)
30XX ($13.99 from $19.99 until 6/27)
Berserk Boy ($15.00 from $20.00 until 6/27)
Sales Ending This Weekend
High Noon Revolver ($1.99 from $2.99 until 6/8)
Rune Factory 3 Special ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Rune Factory 4 Special ($14.99 from $29.99 until 6/8)
Rune Factory 5 ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Asterix & Obelix XXL: Romastered ($5.99 from $19.99 until 6/9)
Asterix & Obelix XXXL: TRFH ($11.99 from $39.99 until 6/9)
Equestrian Training ($5.99 from $19.99 until 6/9)
Mega Party: A Tootuff Adventure ($1.99 from $14.99 until 6/9)
My Universe: Doctors & Nurses ($5.99 from $29.99 until 6/9)
My Universe: My Baby ($1.99 from $24.99 until 6/9)
My Universe: Pet Clinic Cats & Dogs ($1.99 from $24.99 until 6/9)
My Universe: School Teacher ($4.99 from $24.99 until 6/9)
Risky Chronicles & the Curse of Destiny ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/9)
Who Wants to be a Millionaire: New Edition ($10.49 from $34.99 until 6/9)
XIII ($5.99 from $19.99 until 6/9)
That’s all for today and this week, friends. We’ll be back next week with more new releases, more sales, more reviews, and probably a fair bit of news. I’ve got quite a weekend of work ahead of me thanks to some commitments I made. Well, nothing to it but through it. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and as always, thanks for reading!
