It’s a slightly more subdued week for the Switch than usual, with many of the more noteworthy releases being belated conversions. Some may have passed you by first time round, so don’t go hitting the ‘back’ button on your browser just yet.
On the more obscure side of things, there’s 80 Days and One Night Stand. The former debuted on iOS on 2014 before heading to PC; the latter made a name for itself on Steam in 2017.
80 Days managed to bag a few ‘game of the year’ awards, no less. As you may have guessed by the name alone, it entails a whistle-stop tour around the globe – it’s up to you to manage time, finances, and your master’s health.
Both GameSpot and Nintendo Life awarded this Switch iteration 8/10. “There’s a constant sense of wonder in visiting these glorious cities and meeting interesting characters, and I’m eager to jump back in and see what kind of trouble I can get Passepartout into,†said GameSpot.
One Night Stand takes the visual novel approach too, and again, the name gives much away. After waking up in a stranger’s bed, with no recollection of last night’s events, it’s a case of putting the pieces together to discover what happened. This Switch release features new motion controls, which should make navigating the UI a breeze. It’s arriving at a low price point of £4.99, if you still aren’t sold.
The content-packed Sniper Elite 3 Ultimate Edition likewise goes big on new control schemes, with both enhanced Pro Controller support and motion controls. Review scores are a mixture of 7s and 8s so far. “It’s still not as good as Sniper Elite 4, but years of patches and DLC have improved it to the point where this is a viable alternative for Switch owners†was The Metro’s verdict.
Then there’s Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered. While the original did indeed grace the Wii, it was a different experience to the PS3/360 versions, on which this is based. In short: it’s easily the best Ghostbusters game of all-time, with the script so good that many refer to it as Ghostbusters 3. Presumably because it’s fast approaching ten years old, it’s launching at around £20-£25.
Cubixx can be traced back to 2009, too. This arcade-style puzzler made its debut on PS3, gaining comparisons to Qix. Reviews were positive at launch, and we imagine time has been kind to it, being a puzzle game and all. Look out for a review soon.
As for brand spanking new releases, there’s Neo Cab. Set in the far-flung future, you take the helm of a taxi and must manage conversations with punters to ensure a five-star rating, with each customer having a distinct personality. It’s going down well with critics, praised for its narrative drive.
“Neo Cab has the fun of being a driver, meeting new people, and trying to hustle for cash and get that coveted star-rating. But it also offers a much deeper experience – one that makes you look inward. That’s especially why it’s worth the trip,†said GameInformer.
As always, you’ll find the full line-up of releases below.
New Switch eShop releases
Ghostbusters: The Video Game Remastered – £29.99
The beloved and critically acclaimed Ghostbusters video game is back and remastered for Nintendo Switch!
Strap on your proton pack once again and join the Ghostbusters on the adventure with the voice and likeness of the original crew as you battle to save New York!
Sniper Elite 3 Ultimate Edition – £29.99
Sniper Elite 3 is a tactical World War 2 third-person shooter with stealth gameplay, authentic ballistics and huge open levels.
Stalk your targets through the canyons, oases and cities of North Africa, as you sabotage a super-weapons programme that could end Allied resistance for good.
Use stealth, planning and skill to hunt your targets. From long distance sniping, to melee takedowns and explosive traps, you are as deadly up close as you are from afar.
Candleman – £12.59
Candleman is an action adventure story entwined with low-light gameplay. Acting as a little candle who can burn for only 10 seconds, players will venture through unsettling darkness.
Hexagroove: Tactical DJ – £29.99
Hexagroove combines elements of strategy, rhythm, and action games in a unique blend of self-expression. Your goal as a DJ is to combine musical loops in real time to regulate a virtual audience’s energy, working them into a state of euphoria with your artistic skills. The action swings from contemplative to frantic as you move between song sections in one of ten dance music genres. Over time you’ll unlock new musical loops, DJ tricks, and club venues to play in. Perform together with friends in your room or on the dance floor with this truly creative title.
Cubixx – £5.99
Think you’re ready to take on the cube? Then fire up your Cubot’s laser and cut your way across 50 Arcade levels in non-stop retro-inspired action!
fault – milestone one – £13.49
Experience the story of a princess named Selphine and her Royal Guardian Ritona. When a sudden assault devastates their homeland of Rughzenhaide, the two are forced to escape… but somehow end up teleported into an unknown forest full of vegetation they don’t recognize. The atmosphere is thick and heavy. There is no sign of life, which is very unusual for such a lush forest. Something is wrong about the land… But they are too startled to notice what.
CROSSNIQ+ – £6.99
CROSSNIQ+ (CROSS-neek plus) is a “y2k aesthetic” arcade puzzle game, featuring a late 90s-inspired futuristic visual style – and serving up brain-bending, lightning-fast gameplay straight from the golden age of arcade puzzle games!
Rimelands: Hammer of Thor – £8.99
You’re Rose Cristo – a young treasure hunter on a quest to unveil a mystery behind a new enemy that arrives up into your world. On your way, you uncover a truth about your heritage and stop the threat that could destroy the world.
The Tiny Bang Story – £7.69
Life on Tiny Planet was calm and carefree until a great disaster occurred – Tiny Planet was hit by a meteor! The world fell apart and now its future depends only on you! Use your imagination and creativity: in order to restore Tiny Planet and help its inhabitants, you will have to fix a variety of machines and mechanisms as well as solve puzzles in each of the five chapters of this game. Navigation is simple and intuitive. It doesn’t distract you from the witty brain teasers, and you will be able to fully immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the game.
YU-NO: A girl who chants love at the bound of this world – £44.99
The Power of the Reflector – Explore multiple timelines and revisit events through the unique gaming mechanic of the Reflector Device. This allows you to explore every timeline in detail. Activate the Reflector Device’s Auto Divergence Map System to return to an event with more knowledge and new items.
Community Inc – £12.99
As a new Manager, build a happy community and trade with other races… for profit. Yes, that’s right, we need their happiness so we can power up our portals. The Lings, your workers, will obey you and help you with your village. But beware, they can cause a lot of problems too. If this is not enough, there are other creatures that will try to do the same, they can trade, fight or help you. Oh, don’t forget about the weather and some unexpected events.
Teddy Gangs – £8.09
Teddy gangs is a fun, fast action fighting game where you have to beat the fluff out of the any teddy that dares to challenge you, so be ready to stand up to hordes of evil teddy bears, but be warned this is not going to be a fluffy affair.
Beats Runner – £6.29
Beats Runner is a bite-sized retro-cyberpunk rhythm action platform game. Just follow the beats and rush forward! Caution for the spikes and traps! Rush forward and collect as much stars and coins as possible! Unlock unique characters for more fun, and level up for more challenges!
One Night Stand – £4.99
In One Night Stand, explore the stranger’s bedroom and seek out clues to identify who she is and what brought you both together.
You may resort to some unusual methods to find the answers you’re looking for, but try not to prod and pry too much – a nosy guest quickly becomes an unwanted one!
Soul Knight – £9.89
This is the game you have always wanted in your subconscious. Explore the dungeon, collect crazy weapons, dodge bullets and shoot‘em all up! Extremely easy and intuitive control; super smooth and enjoyable gameplay, mixed with rogue-like elements.
Tic-Tac-Letters by POWGI – £6.99
Tic-Tac-Letters is a single player logic puzzle based on tic-tac-toe.
Begin by placing letters so that there are no more than two Xs or Os consecutive in a row or column. Then continue with new letters and larger and more challenging puzzles.
Neo Cab – £17.99
Stay human in a world overcome by automation. Play as Lina, one of the last human driver-for-hire on the streets of Los Ojos. Your friend and only lifeline has gone missing; with no money and nowhere to stay, the only thing you can do is keep driving. Choose what passengers to pick up and how you engage with them to learn their stories. Balance your own emotional wellbeing with the needs of your pax as you strive to keep your perfect rating, and your job. Maybe someone in this city can help you with your own story?
CASE: Animatronics – £17.99
Welcome to the police department, where working late can lead to tragic consequences. You’re John Bishop, a swamped-with-work detective who tirelessly carries out your investigations late into the night. But tonight you are pulled from your precious few hours of rest ,and a strange dream, by a mysterious call from an old “friend.†Turning your fight to find the truth into a fight to survive the night.
Galaxy Champions TV – £6.29
Get powerful weapons and power-ups, defeat a huge amount of enemies, level up, unlock upgrades and beat all the bosses to become the champion of the most violent TV show of all time! Are you ready to become the Champ?!
Spooky Ghosts Dot Com – £4.49
Spooky Ghosts Dot Com is a small metroidvania about a ghost hunter named Ruby. One Halloween night a ghost hunting job comes in, but it turns out to not be a regular gig! Explore the haunted mansion, take down some ghosts, battle spooky bosses, and rescue the lost cats!
80 DAYS – £9.99
Choose your own route around the world, travelling by airship, submarine, mechanical camel, steam-train and more, racing other players and a clock that never stops in TIME Magazine’s #1 Game of the Year 2014, now on Nintendo Switch.
Lanternium – £8.99
Lanternium by Blazing Planet Studio is a puzzle adventure game where you have to help the mighty Raccoon to overcome many obstacles and labyrinths. Set in the fantastic world, this game is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Gameplay is based on solving the puzzles by interacting with different types of blocks and colors. On his journey Raccoon will meet a bunch of friends and foes, including Fox, Snail and other anthropomorphic animals. All these troubles have happened because someone stole Raccoon’s favorite chocolate cookies — maybe it’s all evil Lord Angler’s misdeeds? Time to untangle this puzzle and solve it once and for all. While starting as a casual game, Lanternium is aimed to show its true potential as challenging puzzle game that is easy to learn and hard to master.
Spooky Ghosts Dot Com – £4.49
“Spooky Ghosts Dot Com is a small Metroidvania about a ghost hunter named Ruby. One Halloween night a ghost hunting job comes in, but it turns out to not be a regular gig! Explore the haunted mansion, take down some ghosts, battle spooky bosses, and rescue the lost cats!
Soulslayer – £7.99
An exciting adventure in a story of ancient Chinese setting. Visual Novel with multiple endings to explore. Collect them to unveil hidden parts of the story.
Every decision you make matters. Make full use of the clue system to collect information and be careful with your choice. Full Chinese voice cast.
Super Crate Box – £3.89
Grab your baseball cap and loosen your pants, it’s time to fight endless hordes of enemies and collect every weapon crate you can. Prepare for an arcade delight with tight controls, refreshing game mechanics, cracking retro art and a terribly hip chiptune soundtrack.
Chop is Dish – £2.69
Chop is Dish tells the story of one cook who was robbed by some mystical creatures. Some strange monsters had suddenly appeared in his forest and stole his master chef’s chunk of beef. Our cook needed this meat for his ultimate dish, and now it’s gone — he has to act quickly and dangerously by pursuing the thieves and recovering his grand ingredient. This platforming title features many tributes to oldschool video games, but the main feature is the protagonist — grumpy cook who would love to beat the sauce outta his enemies. Fans of oldschool pixelart games would be pleasantly surprised by this one, instantly feeling like home.
New Switch demos
- Neo Cab
- Doodle God: Crime City
- New Star Manager
Next week: Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair, Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince, Call of Cthulhu, Trine: Ultimate Collection, A Winter’s Daydream, Reventure, Aldred – Knight of Honor, Asphalt 9: Legends, STELLATUM, MISTOVER, Spirit Hunter: NG, Old School RPG Bundle, Contraptions, Mable & The Wood, The Alliance Alive HD Remastered, and BurgerTime Party!