Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the final SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 6th, 2024. This marks the last regular update by yours truly on TouchArcade. While I'll be sharing a special edition next week with some embargoed reviews, today's column is the end of a remarkable journey that spanned several years. We're wrapping up with a comprehensive edition featuring reviews from Mikhail and Shaun, new release summaries, and the usual lists of new and expiring sales. Let's enjoy this final ride together!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU ($49.99)

Following the success of Imagineer's Fitness Boxing series, including the delightfully quirky Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star, the team's decision to collaborate with the iconic Hatsune Miku for Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU was intriguing. Over the past few weeks, I've tested this game alongside Ring Fit Adventure and found much to appreciate.

The Fitness Boxing series is known for blending boxing and rhythm game mechanics to offer daily exercises and engaging mini-games. Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU introduces a unique mode dedicated to Miku's songs, alongside the standard tracks. It's important to note that this game is exclusively compatible with Joy-Con controllers.

Like its predecessors, this title offers various difficulty levels, a free training mode, warm-ups, and comprehensive tracking features, including reminders and system-wide alarms. Cosmetics can be unlocked through gameplay-earned points. While I haven't explored the DLC yet, the base game outshines Fist of the North Star in many aspects, though the main instructor's voice left something to be desired.

Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU effectively integrates Miku into the fitness genre, appealing to her fans. It's best used as a supplement to other fitness routines like Ring Fit Adventure. - Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Magical Delicacy ($24.99)

Magical Delicacy from sKaule and Whitethorn Games piqued my interest after an Xbox Game Pass announcement. Having played it on both Xbox and Switch, I feel it needs additional refinement. As a fan of Metroidvania and cooking games, I was excited, but Magical Delicacy doesn't fully capitalize on the strengths of both genres.

You play as Flora, a young witch in a charming and mysterious world, aiming to cook and craft for the community. The game's exploration is surprisingly well-implemented, though backtracking can be tedious. Crafting and inventory management have room for improvement, exacerbated by a somewhat clunky UI.

The game's pixel art, soothing music, and customizable settings, including UI scale and text options, make a strong first impression. Magical Delicacy would benefit from further development or updates to enhance its potential.

On the Switch, it runs smoothly with good rumble features, making it an ideal choice for portable play. Despite its charm, the game feels slightly undercooked due to inventory and backtracking issues. It's a good game with room for improvement. - Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)

The 16-bit era saw a flood of mascot platformers inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog. Aero The Acro-Bat managed to secure a sequel, Aero The Acro-Bat 2, amidst fierce competition. Though not a massive hit, it's a solid follow-up that refines the original while maintaining its essence.

This release impressed with an enhanced presentation beyond Ratalaika's typical emulation wrapper. It includes box and manual scans, achievements, sprite sheets, a jukebox, and various cheats, making it a comprehensive experience. However, it only features the Super NES version, missing the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive variant.

Fans of the original will appreciate Aero The Acro-Bat 2, and even those put off by the first game's quirks may find this more polished version enjoyable. Ratalaika's upgraded emulation wrapper is commendable, and I hope to see similar updates for the first game. - Shaun Musgrave

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Metro Quester | Osaka ($19.99)

I thoroughly enjoyed the original Metro Quester and was eager for the follow-up, Metro Quester | Osaka. This game feels like an expansion rather than a full sequel, but that's no bad thing. Set as a prequel in Osaka, it introduces a new dungeon, characters, and mechanics, including canoe travel across water.

It shares the same core mechanics as the original, including turn-based combat and top-down dungeon exploration. It demands strategic planning and cautious play, rewarding patience with satisfying gameplay. If you enjoyed the original, Metro Quester | Osaka offers more of what you loved. For new players, this is a great entry point into the series.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

NBA 2K25 ($59.99)

The latest installment, NBA 2K25, brings improved gameplay and introduces the Neighborhood feature, alongside enhancements to MyTEAM. Be prepared to clear 53.3 GB on your memory card for this one!

Shogun Showdown ($14.99)

If you're a fan of Darkest Dungeon, Shogun Showdown offers a Japanese-inspired take on the genre with unique twists. It's a solid addition for those seeking another challenging adventure.

Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)

As mentioned above, Aero The Acro-Bat 2 is a refined sequel with an enhanced emulation wrapper. It includes both the North American and Japanese Super NES versions but lacks the Genesis/Mega Drive variant.

Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection ($9.99)

Sunsoft's return brings a collection of previously non-localized Famicom games. This set offers a diverse mix of action platformers, adventure games, and action-RPGs. For fans of retro gaming, this is a worthwhile purchase.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales include some fantastic deals, such as the Cosmic Fantasy Collection at a 40% discount, making it a compelling choice for retro RPG enthusiasts. Also, Tinykin is at its lowest price yet, providing a great opportunity for platformer fans.

Select New Sales

Zombie Army Trilogy ($8.74 from $34.99 until 9/12)
Zombie Army 4: Dead War ($14.99 from $49.99 until 9/12)
Wild Seas ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/12)
Chants of Sennaar ($14.99 from $19.99 until 9/13)
The House of Da Vinci 3 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Warhammer 40k: Boltgun ($15.39 from $21.99 until 9/13)
Toziuha Night: Dracula’s Revenge ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/16)
Monkey Barrels ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Banchou Tactics ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/19)
Transiruby ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Picontier ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/19)
Kamiko ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/19)
Fairune Collection ($3.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Alchemic Dungeons DX ($3.19 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Ninja Smasher! ($6.39 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Ninja Striker! ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/19)

Great Ambition of the Slimes ($9.59 from $11.99 until 9/19)
Shinobi Non Grata ($11.99 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Let’s Build a Zoo ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/20)
Owlboy ($8.74 from $24.99 until 9/20)
Hakuoki: Wind & Blossom ($44.99 from $49.99 until 9/20)
Omen of Sorrow ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/20)
Dungeonoid 2 Awakening ($4.49 from $8.99 until 9/20)
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt CE ($23.99 from $59.99 until 9/22)
Knights of Grayfang ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Gale of Windoria ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Justice Chronicles ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Armed Emeth ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Jinshin ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Alphadia Genesis ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Grace of Letoile ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)

Tinykin ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Despot’s Game ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy Collection ($29.99 from $49.99 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy ($15.90 from $26.50 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy 2 ($15.90 from $26.50 until 9/26)
Spirittea ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Punch Club 2: Fast Forward ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Railway Empire 2 ($37.49 from $49.99 until 9/26)
Lil’ Guardsman ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Potion Craft Alchemist Simulator ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Euphoria ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Of The Red, the Light, & Ayakashi ($25.06 from $50.13 until 9/26)
Modern Combat Blackout ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/26)
The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Arrest of a Stone Buddha ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Fading Afternoon ($16.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Astor: Blade of the Monolith ($14.99 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Tamarak Trail ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Rigid Force Redux ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Yaga ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Rabi-Ribi ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)

Sales Ending This Weekend

Dead in Vinland: True Viking ($2.79 from $27.99 until 9/7)
Gunslugs ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Gunslugs 2 ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Heroes of Loot ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Heroes of Loot 2 ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
Meganoid ($5.39 from $8.99 until 9/7)
NOISZ re:||COLLECTION G ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Phoenotopia: Awakening ($6.99 from $19.99 until 9/7)
Space Grunts ($8.39 from $13.99 until 9/7)
Stardash ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
Superhot ($9.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Dormitory Love ($24.49 from $34.99 until 9/8)
Dying Light: Definitive Edition ($9.99 from $49.99 until 9/8)
Fur Squadron ($2.79 from $6.99 until 9/8)
Tchia: Oleti Edition ($23.44 from $34.99 until 9/8)

And with that, we've reached the end of the road for the SwitchArcade Round-Up and my time at TouchArcade after eleven and a half years. While this marks the end of my regular contributions here, you can still find my work at my blog, Post Game Content, and exclusive articles on my Patreon. After twenty-six years in the industry, I'm ready for new challenges.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of TouchArcade's readers for being part of this incredible journey. Your support has meant the world to me. Wishing you all the happiness in the world, and as always – thanks for reading.