Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for December 21st, 2023. We have a bunch of games to look at in today’s releases, and while there aren’t any seriously big names in the lot I think there are a handful of good ones. After that, we have a rather robust list of new sales to dig into, plus the expiring sales of the day. Only a few days before Christmas now! Let’s go-go-go!
New Releases
Pajama Sam 3: You Are What You Eat From Your Head To Your Feet ($14.99)
It’s been a while since a bunch of Humongous Entertainment’s classic kid-friendly point-and-click adventures hit the Switch, and I’ve often wondered why more of them didn’t follow. Well, I guess we’re picking things up again. Here’s the third Pajama Sam game, getting us one step closer to having the full series available on the platform. It’s just as good as the first two, so if you or your little ones enjoyed those than you can pick this up with confidence.
Freddi Fish 4: The Case of The Hogfish Rustlers of Briny Gulch ($14.99)
All that stuff I just said about Pajama Sam 3 also applies to this port of Freddi Fish 4. These games are terrific to play with younger kids, and I can only hope the rest of Humongous Entertainment’s catalog eventually makes its way out on the Switch. So yes, if you have some nostalgia for this game or just want something good to enjoy over the holidays with the family, here’s Freddi.
The Curse of Kudan ($39.99)
A yuri-themed visual novel about a group of girls investigating occult mysteries who come a bit too close to one in particular, with potentially fatal results. The art is really good in this one, and the story apparently offers some excellent twists and turns. What is the mystery behind the curse? What past secrets fuel this supernatural grudge? And can the girls figure it all out before it’s too late?
GeoJelly ($10.99)
A platformer with puzzle elements whose chief gimmick is that you can only jump. No standard movement here. You play as a jelly and need to escape from a laboratory while grabbing diamonds along the way to unlock more levels. There are more than fifty levels to play, which should keep you busy for a while.
100 Demon Fantasia ($9.99)
An extremely janky melee action game, but I suppose there’s a charm to that sort of thing. The dining won’t be anywhere near fancy, but for ten bucks you might have already figured that one out.
Three Minutes To Eight ($14.99)
This is an adventure game whose premise has a lot of pull. Your main character will die at 7:57. Is there any way to avoid this fate? That’s the question you’ll have to answer as you die, try again, and die again. If I had a nickel for every interesting time loop adventure game I’ve played on Switch this month, I’d have… well, I’d have ten cents, but it’s weird that it happened twice. Reviews are all over the board for other versions, so we’ll have to see how people take to this one.
Growth ($9.99)
Speaking of odd coincidences, here’s our second game this week that involves trying to bring back nature to barren land. You’re meant to connect clusters of nature to expand your map, using animals and their various abilities to facilitate this task. There are eight different animals and nine different types of tiles, and since the maps are procedurally generated you could conceivably just play this game forever. Well, I imagine the heat death of the universe will put an end to your fun, but close enough. And you might just want to, because this game is quite good. Definitely worth chilling with.
Backroom: Constructions ($9.99)
This game is… odd. It’s partly an isometric action game, and partly an isometric Minecraft-style crafting game. The art style is certainly distinctive. Well, that’s really all I can say about it. I haven’t had much of a chance to play into it, so it’s a big question mark and I think it wants to be. The only decision is whether or not you care to resolve that mystery by buying it and playing it.
20 Minutes Till Dawn ($4.99)
Well, it’s been at least a day or two since the last Vampire Survivors-style game released on Switch, I suppose we’re due for another one. This is a solid one, at least. It has a cool theme to it, though those who are photosensitive will want to give it a pass since it can be a bit flashy. If you need something to play while we wait for the latest Vampire Survivors update to hit the Switch version, this game just might scratch the itch.
Arcade Archives Mystic Warriors ($7.99)
While I’m sure some of you reading this have played this 1993 Konami game, I’m willing to bet many of you have not. That’s because this arcade game has never come to a home console until now. This is a wild four-player action game in the vein of things like Sunset Riders, and that’s probably all I need to say. If you like 90s arcade games, you’ll want to add this one to your collection.
Eggconsole Silpheed PC-8801mkIISR ($6.49)
It’s always nice to see a magic trick in action, and Silpheed is one heck of a show. This is a game from 1986, and yet it’s pulling off a fairly convincing 3D effect. Once you get past the visuals, this is a rather standard shoot-em-up. It plays well enough and the spectacle helps the entertainment value. Of course here in 2023 this isn’t going to knock off any socks, but students of gaming history will find plenty to enjoy with this.
Eggconsole Hydlide PC-8801 ($6.49)
Last week we had Xanadu, and now here’s another one of the grandfathers of Japanese RPGs: Hydlide. This series isn’t terribly well-regarded in the West, and I think that’s partly because the games it inspired ended up beating it to the market outside of Japan. You certainly don’t get the Ys series if this game hadn’t existed, and you can spot its fingerprints all throughout the history of Japanese action-RPGs in particular. Like most trailblazers, it can be a bit rough to play today. Nevertheless, it’s nice to have an official option to play it today. Perhaps it can wash the bad taste of the NES port out of the mouths of those who played it?
Rough Justice ’84 ($19.99)
Not sure how I missed the first eighty-three installments in this series. I hope I can understand the story. Oh, what? It’s referring to the year 1984? Well, I’m rather embarrassed now. Yes, in a novel turn this game takes inspiration from the 1980s, which is sure to please the underserved audience nostalgic for that era. This is a single-player game inspired by board games, which means you’re going to be using dice. Use the right agents in the right places to solve crimes, but be warned: it’s going to take a loose cannon to bring justice to these streets.
Bulanci ($9.99)
Pillows doing violence upon other pillows in this arena shooter for up to eight players via local multiplayer. You get a variety of modes and customization options, with a lot of weird humor packed in. Some might find this game familiar; it was originally released as a freeware game on computers back in 2001. Nothing I’d run down the street shouting about, but if you have regular gaming nights with lots of people this might be a good pick.
Cape’s Escape Game 6th Room ($9.80)
Welcome to Cow Moo Land!
SokoWinter ($4.99)
One hundred levels of ice block pushing fun, for those who can’t get enough of Sokoban-style puzzles. Played from an isometric view, just for that extra bit of challenge.
Cleaning Queens ($5.99)
Yet another hidden object game. This one looks a lot more modest than the usual fare in this genre, but I suppose the price is also rather modest. Do what you must.
Courageous Reasoning Nori 4 Crossing Sea Street 4 ($1.50)
A short visual novel that is presented exclusively in Japanese. I’d throw it in the Bin Bunch, but I continue to be amused enough by these oddly translated titles to keep it in the regular listings.
The Bin Bunch
Sniper – Elite Shooter Squad ($8.99)
Anime Tank Blitz – Warbound Legends ($11.99)
Bike Courier: Bistro Express Delivery ($11.99)
The World of War II: Frontlines of History ($13.99)
Santa’s World ($2.99)
I Seek! Where is “Picto”-San? ($8.99)
Aery – Calm Mind 4 ($9.99)
My Lovely Dog Adventure ($9.99)
Breakout Birdie ($2.99)
Breakout Birdie 2 ($2.99)
Breakout Birdie Adventure ($2.99)
Sales
(North American eShop. US Prices)
Quite the list there today. I’ll immediately point at the Arcade Archives games, as they rarely go on sale and most of them will only ever have one sale. Little Noah is at a new low price, and the arcade-like Raindrop Sprinters is also offering a decent discount. Check through both lists carefully, friends. You never know what might grab your eye. But if it does, tell it to put it back. Very rude to grab someone’s eye like that.
Select New Sales
Hamster on Rails ($11.99 from $14.99 until 1/1)
Kind Heart Defenders ($3.19 from $3.99 until 1/1)
Mail Time ($15.99 from $19.99 until 1/4)
Dreamscaper ($7.49 from $24.99 until 1/4)
Hello Goodboy ($9.89 from $14.99 until 1/4)
Dark Deity ($6.24 from $24.99 until 1/4)
Gunscape ($2.99 from $14.99 until 1/4)
One More Island ($9.99 from $19.99 until 1/4)
War Tech Fighters ($3.99 from $19.99 until 1/4)
Projection: First Light ($3.99 from $19.99 until 1/4)
Spidersaurs ($9.99 from $19.99 until 1/4)
River City Girls ($14.99 from $29.99 until 1/4)
Shantae ($6.99 from $9.99 until 1/4)
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero ($9.99 from $19.99 until 1/4)
Shantae & the Seven Sirens ($14.99 from $29.99 until 1/4)
Death Becomes You ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/5)
The Bridge Curse: Road to Salvation ($19.49 from $29.99 until 1/5)
Mugen Souls Z ($31.99 from $39.99 until 1/5)
Lost Epic ($8.99 from $17.99 until 1/5)
Rainbow Skies ($12.99 from $19.99 until 1/5)
SENSEs: Midnight ($9.74 from $14.99 until 1/5)
Another World Mahjong Girl ($7.49 from $9.99 until 1/5)
Omen of Sorrow ($12.99 from $19.99 until 1/5)
Working Hard Collection ($2.49 from $4.99 until 1/5)
Sephonie ($9.99 from $19.99 until 1/5)
Ashina: The Red Witch ($5.99 from $9.99 until 1/5)
Embraced By Autumn ($11.39 from $18.99 until 1/5)
Moto Roader MC ($3.49 from $6.99 until 1/5)
Gynoug ($3.49 from $6.99 until 1/5)
Avenging Spirit ($2.99 from $5.99 until 1/5)
Bone Marrow ($1.99 from $4.99 until 1/5)
Gleylancer ($3.49 from $6.99 until 1/5)
Mrs Cat Between Worlds ($1.99 from $4.99 until 1/5)
Super Ninja Miner ($2.49 from $4.99 until 1/6)
Gimmick: Special Edition ($8.99 from $14.99 until 1/6)
Little Noah: Scion of Paradise ($5.24 from $14.99 until 1/6)
Backpack Twins ($8.39 from $11.99 until 1/6)
Camped Out! ($4.99 from $19.99 until 1/6)
Prizma Puzzle Prime ($2.49 from $4.99 until 1/6)
Lost Snowmen ($2.49 from $4.99 until 1/6)
Nostalgic Train ($9.79 from $13.99 until 1/6)
Last Labyrinth: Lucidity Lost ($20.99 from $29.99 until 1/6)
Pronty ($7.49 from $14.99 until 1/6)
Arcade Archives Rabio Lepus ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
Arcade Archives Seicross ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
Arcade Archives Saboten Bombers ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
Arcade Archives XX Mission ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
Arcade Archives Hacha Mecha Fighter ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
ACA NEOGEO Metal Slug 2 ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
ACA NEOGEO Samurai Shodown III ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
ACA NEOGEO Aero Fighters 2 ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
ACA NEOGEO World Heroes 2 Jet ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
ACA NEOGEO Blue’s Journey ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
ACA NEOGEO Real Bout Fatal Fury ($3.99 from $7.99 until 1/6)
The Atla Archives ($2.09 from $14.99 until 1/7)
Aeternum Quest ($2.49 from $9.99 until 1/7)
Wathitdew Record Game Studio Battlefield ($3.49 from $9.99 until 1/7)
Adventure Field 4 ($2.49 from $9.99 until 1/7)
West Water ($2.74 from $10.99 until 1/7)
Project Knight 2: Dusk of Souls ($2.24 from $8.99 until 1/7)
Raindrop Sprinters ($6.09 from $8.70 until 1/8)
Angel Whisper ($6.59 from $9.99 until 1/8)
Cyjin: The Cyborg Ninja ($2.99 from $9.99 until 1/8)
Primal Light ($4.49 from $14.99 until 1/8)
Lies as a Starting Point ($4.00 from $8.00 until 1/8)
Shinobi Non Grata ($11.99 from $14.99 until 1/10)
Picontier ($22.49 from $24.99 until 1/10)
The Missing: JJ Macfield ($7.49 from $29.99 until 1/10)
Guilty Gear ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/10)
Railed Up ($2.39 from $5.99 until 1/10)
Escape First ($3.24 from $4.99 until 1/10)
Escape First 2 ($3.24 from $4.99 until 1/10)
Escape First 3 ($3.24 from $4.99 until 1/10)
The Experiment: Escape Room ($2.59 from $3.99 until 1/10)
Curious Cases ($3.24 from $4.99 until 1/10)
Escape 2088 ($2.60 from $4.00 until 1/10)
Great Ambition of the Slimes ($10.79 from $11.99 until 1/10)
Worldless ($15.99 from $19.99 until 1/10)
Syberia 3 ($1.99 from $24.99 until 1/10)
Kamiko ($1.99 from $4.99 until 1/10)
Stay Cool, Kobayashi-San! ($1.99 from $13.99 until 1/10)
Longhead ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/10)
DEEMO ($11.99 from $29.99 until 1/10)
Fairune Collection ($3.99 from $9.99 until 1/10)
Transiruby ($10.49 from $14.99 until 1/10)
Once Upon a Time on Halloween ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/10)
Mariozza Cops ($1.99 from $9.80 until 1/10)
emoji Music ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/10)
UFS League ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/10)
SubOcto ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/10)
Ninja Striker ($1.99 from $3.99 until 1/10)
Ninja Smasher ($6.39 from $7.99 until 1/10)
Alchemic Dungeons DX ($3.19 from $7.99 until 1/10)
Damascus Gear Operation Tokyo ($2.99 from $14.99 until 1/10)
Fantasy Hero: Unsigned Legacy ($1.99 from $9.99 until 1/10)
Gear.Club Unlimited 2 ($1.99 from $24.99 until 1/10)
Santa Throw ($1.99 from $9.89 until 1/10)
Dissolved: Chapter One ($3.99 from $9.99 until 1/10)
The Smile Alchemist ($12.99 from $19.99 until 10/11)
RPGolf Legends ($14.99 from $29.99 until 10/11)
Cross Tails ($22.49 from $29.99 until 10/11)
Raging Bytes ($10.49 from $14.99 until 10/11)
Overrogue ($9.74 from $14.99 until 10/11)
Q.U.B.E. 10th Anniversary ($5.99 from $19.99 until 1/11)
Jack Axe ($2.99 from $14.99 until 1/11)
Gemini ($3.49 from $4.99 until 1/11)
Birdie Wing: Golf Girls Story ($13.99 from $19.99 until 1/11)
Rumble Sus ($3.49 from $4.99 until 1/11)
Clive ‘N’ Wrench ($17.99 from $29.99 until 1/11)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, Friday, December 22nd
4×4 Dirt Track ($1.99 from $13.99 until 12/22)
4×4 Offroad Driver ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
4×4 Offroad Driver 2 ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Archery Club ($1.99 from $11.99 until 12/22)
Base Jump Wing Suit Flying ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Baseball Club ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Bike Jump ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Bomb ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Camper Van Simulator ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Camper Van Simulator 2 ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Car Dealer Driver ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Car Driver Ultimate ($1.99 from $13.99 until 12/22)
Car Factory Driver ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Car Parking Club ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Car Parking Simulator ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Car Racing Trials ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Cargo Crew Driver ($1.99 from $11.99 until 12/22)
Carnage: Battle Arena ($1.99 from $15.99 until 12/22)
City Stunt Driver ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
City Traffic Driver ($1.99 from $13.99 until 12/22)
City Traffic Driver 2 ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Coast Guard: Beach Rescue Team ($1.99 from $11.99 until 12/22)
Construction Ramp Jumping ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Construction Simulator 3 ($6.99 from $19.99 until 12/22)
Construction Site Driver ($1.99 from $13.99 until 12/22)
Construction Site Driver 2 ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Crazy Plane Landing ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Detective Driver: Miami Files ($1.99 from $11.99 until 12/22)
Drift & Drive ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Driving Quest ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Driving World: Aspen ($1.99 from $11.99 until 12/22)
Driving World: Italian Job ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Driving World: Nordic Challenge ($1.99 from $13.99 until 12/22)
EchoBlade ($4.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Emergency Driver Simulator ($1.99 from $13.99 until 12/22)
Extreme Car Driver ($1.99 from $11.99 until 12/22)
Firefighting Simulator The Squad ($27.99 from $34.99 until 12/22)
Gas Station: Highway Services ($1.99 from $11.99 until 12/22)
Idle Inventor: Factory Tycoon ($1.99 from $10.99 until 12/22)
Inertia 2 ($3.70 from $4.39 until 12/22)
Jump Into The Plane ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Jump the Car ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Monster Truck XT Airport Derby ($1.99 from $13.99 until 12/22)
Moving Out 2 ($14.99 from $29.99 until 12/22)
Mugen Souls ($31.99 from $39.99 until 12/22)
Multi Race: Match the Car ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Multilevel Parking Driver ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
New York City Driver ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Offroad Night Racing ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Paradise Island Driver ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Quarry Truck Simulator ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Race Track Driver ($1.99 from $11.99 until 12/22)
Ramp Bike Jumping ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Rayland ($2.49 from $4.99 until 12/22)
Roof Jump Stunt Driver ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Shopping Mall Parking Lot ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Ski Resort Driver ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Slingshot Stunt Driver & Sports ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Sports Car Driver ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
Super Car Driver ($1.99 from $13.99 until 12/22)
Super Hero Driving School ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Super Hero Flying School ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Through the Years ($1.99 from $9.99 until 12/22)
Under the Warehouse ($3.89 from $5.99 until 12/22)
Venice Taxi Boats ($1.99 from $12.99 until 12/22)
That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow to wrap up the remaining releases and sales of the week, and if I have time we should have some specials for you soon as well. I really messed up my back somehow, so I’m not very mobile at the moment. I’m going to be glad to send this year packing, to be honest. It’s been a bad one. I hope you all have a nice Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!
