SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘Ace Attorney Investigations Collection’, Plus New Releases and Sales

Hello, fellow gamers! Welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 4th, 2024. Summer's warmth has faded, leaving behind cherished memories. I'm feeling a bit wiser, and grateful for the journey shared with you all. As autumn arrives, I want to express my appreciation – you're the best gaming buddies anyone could ask for! Today's article is packed with reviews, new releases, and sales. Let's dive in!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection ($39.99)

The Nintendo Switch has given us second chances at many classic games. Trials of Mana, Live A Live, the original Fire Emblem, and now, the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection – finally bringing Miles Edgeworth's unlocalized adventures to English-speaking audiences. This collection builds cleverly on previous storylines, with the sequel enhancing the original. Shifting to Edgeworth's perspective, from the prosecution's side, offers a fresh take on familiar mechanics: searching for clues, questioning witnesses, and solving cases. The unique presentation adds excitement, and Edgeworth's personality shapes the narrative. While the pacing might feel less structured than other Ace Attorney titles, fans will find this sub-series enjoyable. The second game significantly improves on the first, making the original's challenges more meaningful in retrospect.

Bonus features are generous, including an art and music gallery, a story mode for relaxed play, and the option to switch between original and updated graphics/soundtracks. A helpful dialog history feature is also included. Overall, the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is a fantastic package, offering a compelling contrast between the two games. With this release, almost every Ace Attorney title (excluding the Professor Layton crossover) is now available on Switch. If you've enjoyed previous entries, this is a must-have.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

A sequel to Gimmick! is surprising, given the original's limited Western release. Developed by Bitwave Games, this faithful sequel might be too faithful for some, but its dedication to the original is commendable. Six challenging physics-based platforming levels await, offering a steep learning curve. An easier mode is thankfully included for a less intense experience. The protagonist's star attack remains central to gameplay, serving as a weapon, vehicle, and puzzle solver. Collectibles add replay value, unlocking customization options.

While a relatively short game, the difficulty remains high, similar to the original. Frequent deaths are inevitable, but generous checkpoints mitigate frustration. The charming visuals and music help maintain engagement. Gimmick! 2 successfully builds upon its predecessor without losing its unique identity. Fans of the original and challenging platformers will appreciate this release. However, those seeking a relaxed experience should be warned – this game is just as tough as its predecessor.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Valfaris: Mecha Therion ($19.99)

Valfaris: Mecha Therion takes a bold step, abandoning the original's action-platforming for a shoot 'em up style reminiscent of Lords of Thunder. Surprisingly, it largely succeeds, although performance on the Switch can be impacted by the game's intensity. Despite this, the intense action, soundtrack, and visuals remain captivating. The weapon system is cleverly designed, balancing the main gun, a melee weapon for energy regeneration, and a rotating third weapon. Mastering the rhythm of weapon management and dodging is key to success.

While different from the first Valfaris, Mecha Therion retains the original's unique atmosphere. It's a stylish heavy metal shoot 'em up that avoids many genre pitfalls. While other platforms might offer better performance, the Switch version is still enjoyable.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash ($44.99)

Licensed games often cater to fans, and Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash is no exception. It delivers ample fan service, with strong writing and meta-systems that reward dedicated players. However, its appeal to non-fans is limited. The selection of mini-games is small and repetitive, lacking the depth needed for lasting engagement. Only fans of the Umamusume property will likely find the story and unlockables compelling enough to justify the price.

Even for fans, the game's focus on fan service might overshadow other aspects. While the presentation is strong, the limited gameplay quickly becomes stale. Unless you're deeply invested in the Umamusume universe, this game might not be worth the investment.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection ($9.99)

Sunsoft is known for its charming 8-bit games in Japan, a side less familiar to Western audiences. Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection aims to change that, offering three lesser-known titles: Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido, Ripple Island, and The Wing of Madoola. Each game includes save states, rewind, display options, and an art gallery. Most impressively, all three games are fully localized into English for the first time.

The games themselves offer a mixed bag. 53 Stations is challenging due to its weapon mechanics, but its thematic charm is undeniable. Ripple Island is a solid adventure game, while The Wing of Madoola is ambitious but uneven. None are top-tier NES games, but they're far from bad. Fans of Sunsoft and retro gaming will appreciate this collection, particularly the effort put into localization.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Cyborg Force ($9.95)

A challenging run-and-gun action game in the style of Metal Slug and Contra, offering both single-player and local multiplayer modes. Fans of the genre should find it enjoyable.

Billy’s Game Show ($7.99)

A game where you search for items while evading a stalker, requiring hiding and managing generators to avoid power outages.

Mining Mechs ($4.99)

A mech-based mining game where you collect ores, sell them for upgrades, and progress deeper into dangerous underground areas.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

A brief overview of sales, highlighting some notable titles. Please check the individual lists for full details.

Select New Sales (Images omitted for brevity)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 5th (Images omitted for brevity)

That's it for today! More reviews are coming this week, along with new eShop releases. See you tomorrow, or visit my blog, Post Game Content, for updates. Have a great Wednesday!