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

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 4th, 2024! Summer's heatwave has finally subsided, leaving behind some cherished memories. I'm feeling refreshed and ready for autumn, and I appreciate you all joining me on this journey. Let's dive into today's exciting lineup: a plethora of game reviews, fresh releases, and enticing sales!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Ace Attorney Investigations Collection ($39.99)

The Nintendo Switch has gifted us with many gaming classics, and the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is another prime example. This collection brings together Miles Edgeworth's two adventures, finally offering the unlocalized title in English. The sequel masterfully builds upon the original's plot, enhancing the overall experience.

Shifting the perspective to the prosecution's side, the Investigations games offer a fresh take on familiar mechanics: gathering clues, interrogating witnesses, and solving cases. While the gameplay remains largely similar, the unique presentation and Edgeworth's distinct personality add a new layer of intrigue. The pacing might feel less structured than other Ace Attorney titles, but fans of the series will undoubtedly appreciate this spin-off. If you find the first game a bit slow, persevere – the second is significantly better.

Bonus features rival those in the Apollo Justice set, including an art and music gallery, a story mode for a relaxed playthrough, and the ability to switch between original and updated visuals/soundtracks. A convenient dialog history feature is also included, a welcome addition to this type of game.

The Ace Attorney Investigations Collection offers a compelling contrast between its two games, creating a superb overall experience. The official localization of the second game is a significant achievement, and the extra content elevates the package to excellence. With this release, nearly every Ace Attorney game (excluding the Professor Layton crossover) is now available on Switch. If you've already enjoyed other titles in the series, this is a must-have.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

A sequel to Gimmick! is certainly unexpected! Developed by Bitwave Games, this follow-up remains remarkably faithful to the original, perhaps even too much so for some. However, its dedication to the source material is commendable.

Six lengthy levels of challenging physics-based platforming await. The difficulty is steep, but an easier mode is available for those seeking a less demanding experience. Yumetaro's star attack returns, serving as a versatile tool for combat and puzzle-solving. Collectibles provide customization options, adding extra incentive for tackling tougher sections.

While completing the game is achievable without tackling every challenge, the difficulty remains significant. Generous checkpoints mitigate frustration, but don't underestimate Gimmick! 2. The charming visuals and music enhance the gameplay, but the core challenge remains intact. Mastering platforming skills and utilizing the star effectively are key to progressing.

Gimmick! 2 is a surprisingly strong sequel, successfully building upon the original while maintaining its own identity. Fans of the first game will be delighted, and challenging platformer enthusiasts should definitely check it out. However, casual players seeking a relaxing experience should be aware of its demanding gameplay.

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 works well, although performance on the Switch can sometimes be hampered by the console's limitations. Despite this, the intense action, memorable soundtrack, and unsettling visuals still deliver a compelling experience.

Weapon management is key, requiring players to juggle a primary gun, a melee weapon for energy regeneration, and a rotating third weapon. Mastering the rhythm of weapon usage and defensive maneuvers is crucial for survival.

While different from its predecessor, Valfaris: Mecha Therion retains a similar atmosphere. It's a stylish, heavy metal-infused shoot 'em up that avoids many genre pitfalls. While other platforms offer better performance, the Switch version is still a worthwhile experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash ($44.99)

Licensed games often cater primarily to fans, and Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash is no exception. It delivers ample fan service, excelling in its portrayal of the source material's characters, writing, and meta-systems.

However, the game's appeal for non-fans is limited. The selection of mini-games is small and repetitive, offering little replayability beyond the story, which only resonates with those familiar with the Umamusume universe.

Even for fans, the game's focus might feel misplaced. While the presentation is strong, and unlockables provide some incentive, the overall experience lacks depth and quickly becomes repetitive. Unless you're a dedicated Umamusume fan, this game may not hold your interest for long.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection ($9.99)

This collection showcases a lesser-known side of Sunsoft, offering three charming 8-bit titles. Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido, Ripple Island, and The Wing of Madoola are presented with modern conveniences like save states, rewind, and display options. Most impressively, all three games have been fully localized into English for the first time.

The games themselves offer a mixed bag. 53 Stations can be frustrating, while Ripple Island provides a solid adventure experience. The Wing of Madoola is the most ambitious but also the most inconsistent. None are groundbreaking, but none are outright bad either.

Fans of Sunsoft and retro gaming enthusiasts will appreciate this collection. The careful handling of these titles and their long-awaited localization make this a worthwhile purchase. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of more such collections.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Cyborg Force ($9.95)

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

Billy’s Game Show ($7.99)

While thematically similar to Five Nights at Freddy's, this game focuses on exploration, hiding, and generator maintenance while evading a persistent pursuer.

Mining Mechs ($4.99)

A straightforward mech-based mining game where players collect resources, upgrade their mechs, and progress deeper into dangerous underground environments.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

This week's sales are relatively modest, but the upcoming sales offer some more compelling options.

Select New Sales

(List of sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 5th

(List of sales)

That's all for today! More reviews are coming this week, and September promises a steady stream of new eShop releases. Check out my personal blog, Post Game Content, for more gaming insights. Have a great Wednesday, and thanks for reading!