Rather than appearing months later, the Switch iteration of Wolfenstein: Youngblood is launching alongside the PC, PS4 and Xbox One versions on Friday. If only Bethesda could have wangled a Labo VR rendition of Wolfenstein: Cyberpilot, we would be entirely smitten.
Critics claim Wolfenstein: Youngblood is a bit of a hard sell for solo gamers due to the new focus on co-op play, but generally it’s a blast, and the new elements Dishonored developer Arkane Studios has brought to the table – including more open locations – are much appreciated.
The PC version currently has a 77% Metacritic, with scores varying between 7 and 8. A handful of 6/10s too. GameInformer’s 8.5 is the highest score so far, incidentally.
Thankfully there’s a trial version, which should help with a potential purchasing decision.
Reviews of Fire Emblem: Three Houses are live as well, and it’s going down like a bucket of ice cream on a hot summer’s day. Games Radar awarded it 5/5 while claiming it’s the best the franchise has ever been. IGN opted for an equally lofty 9.5 meanwhile. “Its tense battles are made all the more harrowing thanks to new strategy elements, and the colorful cast of troops you send into the fray are incredibly charming,†they said.
It also gained 9/10s from both GameSpot and Nintendo Life. The Metro found it to be a step in the wrong direction, however, calling it “disappointingly clumsy†and describing the UI as “horribleâ€. Their final score was a 7/10.
Anime tie-in Kill la Kill The Game: IF has received surprisingly positive reviews, likened to Dragon Ball Fighterz in terms of quality. Game Grin felt the Switch version deserved an 8.5.
Then we have a double-whammy of shoot’em ups – Raiden V: Director’s Cut and Pawarumi.
We’ve always had a soft spot for Raiden V – specifically the online cheer system, which allows you to congratulate other players – and we’re pleased to report this Switch conversion holds up well, restoring the co-op mode.
Pawarumi shouldn’t be overlooked either, bagging an 8/10 from Nintendo Life. “This is an easy recommend for fans of the genre looking for a proper challenge,†they said.
The exceedingly colourful brawler Fantasy Strike is worth a look too. It’s designed with accessibility in mind while still offering a bevvy of online tournament modes for competitive play. Nintendo World Report found much to enjoy: “As someone who is primarily a casual fighting game fan, Fantasy Strike scratches an itch in a different way than Street Fighters and the like do.“
From PQube comes Songbird Symphony, a 2D pixel art platformer with a musical streak. “A sweet story, fun musical stages and captivating animation make this avian adventure worth taking under your wing,†chirped The Indie Game Site.
The full Switch roster for this week is below. Other highlights include Team 17’s puzzle/strategy futuristic kitchen planner Automachef, top-down zombie splatterer Zombie Driver Immortal Edition, WayForward’s surprise Mighty Switch Force! Collection, and Gunpowder on The Teeth: Arcade – a gritty retro shooter launching at a low, low, price.
New Switch eShop releases
Wolfenstein: Youngblood Standard Edition (International Version) – £24.99
Wolfenstein: Youngblood is the first modern co-op Wolfenstein adventure. Wolfenstein: Youngblood features the most open-ended Wolfenstein experience to date. From a new base of operations located deep in the heart of the Paris catacombs, plan how and when to attack and dismantle the Nazi regime.
Wolfenstein: Youngblood Deluxe Edition (International Version) – £34.99
The Deluxe Edition includes:- The Cyborg Skin Pack- The Buddy Pass, allowing you and a friend to play the entire game together, even if they don’t own the game themselves. Note: Players need to have the Trial Edition to play the full game with the person they receive the Buddy Pass from. The Buddy Pass only works if both players have the same version, i.e. both international or both German.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses – £49.99
Shape the future of a continent on the verge of war in Fire Emblem: Three Houses for Nintendo Switch. Lead the students of one of three prestigious houses through their academic lives and in tactical, turn-based battles filled with new, strategic twists to overcome.
Seeders Puzzle Reboot – £6.99
Seeders Puzzle Reboot is a 2D puzzle-platformer with funky physics, tight and responsive controls, and really challenging puzzles.
Titans Pinball – £2.69
Get ready for Titans Pinball, a pinball machine where you have to beat mythologic creatures. The cyclops, Medusa, The minotaur, and many more are waiting for you inside the temple.
Hoggy2 – £4.99
The pink slime called Hoggy is back and a whole new wonderful adventure awaits. Except this time around, Hoggy isn’t on his own, as Hogatha is keen to join him and the two must work together to rescue their slime-mold children from the evil Moon Men that kidnapped them!
Tetsumo Party – £4.49
Tetsumo Party is a game where sumo warriors gather to join an unconventional contest, inspired by Japanese TV shows. They need to fit into the funny-shaped holes in an approaching bamboo wall, otherwise… well, let’s say that it will result in rather ridiculous manner.
Garage Mechanic Simulator – £6.29
Now you can own and operate your own auto repair service with Garage Mechanic Simulator. Garage Mechanic Simulator gives you the behind the scenes view of the daily dealings at local garages and dealership repair shops.
Remothered: Tormented Fathers – £TBA
Psychology plays a huge role within the game: heroes and enemies are atypical and the line between good and evil is blurred. The plot is rich of unpredictable twists, but touching at the same time. The development of the game is similar to that of a film narration, where the player perfectly identifies himself with the character. The soundtrack, composed by Nobuko Toda and Luca Balboni, enhances the terrifying atmosphere of the game.
Sheep in Hell – £2.69
You’re a wolf and you’ve been bad. That’s why you’ve been put in the deepness of a hell plagued with your most hated enemies: the sheep! But they’re not normal sheep. No… They’re possessed demonic sheep and won’t hesitate to try to kill you!
KILL la KILL – IF – £49.99
Perform devastating combos, destroy your opponents, and relive the anime with your favourite scenes from the original series, revived with stunning visuals and cinematics! Discover a brand new story through the eyes of Satsuki as she becomes the protagonist for the very first time!
Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition – £23.89
The Ultimate Edition on the Nintendo Switch includes the complete set of Super Mega Baseball 2 content, fully featured online play, and runs at 60 fps in both docked and handheld modes.
Woodle Tree 2: Deluxe – £11.69
Explore the wonderful lands and find a way to restore balance in this new Open World Platformer Adventure with RPG elements.
Smoots Summer Games – £8.99
Smoot Summer Games is a sports arcade game for 1-4 players where you can play 18 athletics events. Play with your favorite Smoot character in practice, Special Challenge and Championship game modes.
Zombie Driver Immortal Edition – £13.49
Insane mix of cars, speed, explosions, blood, and zombies! Fight through an epic narrative campaign or test yourself in the Slaughter and Blood Race modes. Engage huge bosses, save survivors, drive crazy vehicles such as a bulldozer, fire truck or even a tank and smash everything in your way. Take part in the Blood Race tournament – chase other cars and take them down without mercy on brutal racing tracks. Jump into the Slaughter mode and survive as long as possible on specially crafted arenas.
Fobia – £8.99
Fobia is a hard puzzle-platformer adventure game, where you will have an adventure in a mysterious world full of dangerous situations, enemies and challenging puzzles. Anything in the game can kill you. Everything is not what it seems.
The Drama Queen Murder – £8.99
As the new crime investigator in town, it is your job to unravel this tale of love, passion and intrigue to unmask a murderer. Interrogate suspects, search for clues and run DNA checks; Find fingerprints, hair samples, and a mask.
Animal Fight Club – £3.99
Invent new creatures by mixing real or legendary animals in thousands of possible combinations, create an army and get ready to fight!
Songbird Symphony – £13.99
A heart-warming journey of discovery, as orphaned chick ‘Birb’ sets off to find his true origins. Follow this cheerful little bouncing bird who revels in singing, and guide him through this magical journey of stunning pixel art and gorgeous animation that shapes itself to your musical interactions! Chirp to activate platforms, and sing to the residents of the forest, learning new notes to aid you in captivating rhythm battles against the creatures of this sprawling, enchanting world.
Raiden V: Director’s Cut – £26.99
Arcade hit Raiden first left its mark on the shooting genre 25 years ago. The easy to learn, hard to master series comes to Nintendo Switch in its most modern and advanced form yet! Join the war for Earth’s future-where the tide of battle holds constant surprises.
PICROSS LORD OF THE NAZARICK – £8.99
A collaboration between Picross and Overlord. Experience the series Overlord as you solve Picross puzzles together with characters from the series.
Mighty Switch Force! Collection – £15.99
In Mighty Switch Force! and its HD remake, Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition, you’ll zap foes while “switching†blocks from the foreground to the background (and vice versa) as you track down the delinquent Hooligan Sisters in each stage.
Collide-a-Ball 2 – £4.49
Use gimmicks and objects available in each stage to guide the balls to their goal! However, they have to reach the goal at the same time and crash into each other.
Arcade Archives ROAD FIGHTER – £6.29
“ROAD FIGHTER” is a racing game released by KONAMI in 1984. Control your monster machine at speeds of up to 400 km/h, avoiding enemy cars and oil spills to finish all 6 stages faster than anyone else. If you start to swerve off-course, countersteer and use your driving techniques to power through it!
Kiai Resonance – £4.49
You take part in online or offline combats, as well as several challenges and mini games to perfect your abilities. The player can change his katana position at any time to adjust to his opponent’s, creating a mind game where you have to anticipate his next attack. You can choose to use motion controls as if the Joy-Con was the hilt of the ancient sword.
Fantasy Strike – £28.99
Fantasy Strike is a colourful fighting game where fantasy meets martial arts. It focuses on depth and strategy rather than difficult execution. It’s designed for tournament play, but also to welcome you to the genre if you haven’t played other fighting games before. Online play uses the excellent GGPO networking technology. Includes several single-player modes.
TERRORHYTHM (TRRT) – £8.99
In the middle of 25th century the world has plunged into the totalitarian system of sound isolation that made the world absolute muted. In the world where the silence is the only anthem, you should break the law to bring back the sound and the music to humanity. But while there are those who still remember the melody of the former life, hope remains. We are here to defy terror. Follow the rhythm to defeat the security systems that keep any sound from the society. Fight to the music, fight for the music!
Gunpowder on The Teeth: Arcade – £4.49
A platform game with simple intuitive controls, handy-dandy retro graphics and utterly egregious difficulty, ever increasing as you progress through the game.
The Original Mobile Games – £1.79
The Original Mobile Games collection puts 149 years of playable game history into the hands of game enthusiasts around the world! The game features playable digital reproductions of historic dexterity games and puzzles, complete with original art, photographs and background information for each game straight from the archives of the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY
BATTLESHIP – £19.99
Play a classic game of BATTLESHIP based on the popular Hasbro board game or bombard the enemy with airstrikes, mines and surgical strikes in the brand new Commanders mode. It takes a tactical commander to sink your opponent’s fleet before they find yours.
Pawarumi – £13.49
Pawarumi is a modern shoot’em up set in a retro futuristic sci-fi pre-Columbian universe. You’ll take control of the almighty ship Chukaru and its three unique weapons! Shoot wisely to either do double damage, heal yourself or charge your Super Attack!
High Noon Revolver – £2.29
High Noon Revolver is a 2D Action Shooter; blast your way across 3 layers of platforming, collecting gold and obtaining upgrades helping you go from puny to powerhouse! Play as a cast of colorful characters, each with unique weapons and abilities (like Chickens with Shotguns and Robots with Swords!). Chase down and collect bounties on Wanted outlaws everywhere from Sunken Ships to Haunted Mansions!
Run the Fan – £3.39
The game consists of over 50 boards, and your goal is the same on each of them: to switch on the fan.
Automachef – £10.99
Plan. Position. Program: Design and build automated restaurants, then program them to run like well-oiled machines! Do you have a can-do attitude and the know-how to conquer the world of automated restaurants?
Rise: Race The Future – £16.00
RISE: Race The Future is a racing game set in a near future where a new kind of wheel technology will let you drift on all type of terrains and especially on water.
New Switch demos
- Wolfenstein: Youngblood Trial Edition (International Version)Â
- KILL la KILL – IF
- Ape Out
- ONINAKIÂ
- Epic Astro StoryÂ
- Invisiballs
New on 3DS eShop
Pinball Breaker 3 – £5.99
Pinball Breaker 3 is a breakout game which combines the game mechanics of a traditional breakout game and a flipper game.
Next week: The Church in the Darkness, Forager, Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden – Deluxe Edition, The Tower of Beatrice, Robbie Swifthand and the Orb of Mysteries, Chroma Squad, Illusion of L’Phalcia, STANDBY, Hamsterdam, Shinobi Spirits S: Legend of Heroes, Solo: Islands of the Heart, Burger Chef Tycoon, Swaps and Traps, and Catch a Duck.
