Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for February 29th, 2024. We only get to do one of these once every four years, and since it’s a Thursday it’s a very special one. We have a ton of new releases to look at today, and relatively few of them are bin fodder. Once we get through all of that, we’ve got the usual lists of new sales and expiring discounts. Let’s dive into that pile, Scrooge McDuck style!

New Releases

BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien ($9.99)

I might be going too far out on a limb here, but I feel like BIT.TRIP and Runner as brands kind of peaked with this second installment. I’m not sure if people just got their fill, or the genre got too crowded, or what. Anyway, here’s that second game. It has even been released under the rather unfortunate original name Choice Provisions went under. Charles Martinet remains in the game as the narrator. If that all sounds good to you, drop your tenner and party like it’s 2013 again.

Cavern of Dreams ($12.99)

If you love Nintendo 64 3D platformers, well… that’s the vibe this game is aiming at, and by most accounts it more or less hits the ballpark on that. You play as a young dragon named Fynn who enters the Cavern of Dreams to find his kidnapped family. Explore the various worlds, solve puzzles, unlock new abilities, and collect a bunch of things. There’s no fighting in this game, so the emphasis is entirely on navigating the world and solving its many mysteries. It seems fine.

Picross S+ ($4.99)

Well, they’ve finally gone and done it. This five dollar purchase gives you all the puzzles from the first Nintendo 3DS Picross-e release. It additionally offers DLC for all of the other 3DS Picross-e games, including one that didn’t come to North America until now. So yes, if you need a few thousand Picross puzzles and don’t mind dropping fifty bucks for the pleasure, here you go. Do note that these are the exact same puzzles from the 3DS games, so if you’ve already played those here’s hoping your brain wiped them from storage.

Freddi Fish and the Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds ($14.99)

The Switch has gone about this a very weird way, but here’s another classic Freddi Fish game for us to enjoy. And this time it’s the first game, which is arriving well after its sequels here. Oh well. It’s a charming little adventure game that is targeted at younger kids, and I’m not sure adults will get a whole lot out of it unless they have some nostalgia for Freddi that they want to indulge in. Play it with your young ones and you’ll see why these games have really stood the test of time.

Tamarak Trail ($14.99)

Hey, a deck-building roguelite. Haven’t seen one of these in a couple of weeks. This one has a customizable dice set that you use, however. That makes it a lot more interesting off the hop. You play as a member of a secret society dedicating to thwarting some manner of evil that has corrupted Tamarak Trail. There are three different character classes to choose from, and the game more or less has all the usual things you expect to see in a game of this type. I’ll be doing a review soon if you need more details.

A Void Hope ($15.99)

This is a narrative adventure game from the folks at Elden Pixels, and it looks quite cool. The story follows a couple that is trying to find a cure for a city on the verge of utter collapse. Strange things are afoot, and the line between reality and nightmares is becoming increasingly blurred. You’ll have to solve puzzles, collect items, and overcome the obstacles laying in your path in order to move forward. Just be careful of the shadows, because there are horrors lurking within them. I’ll be reviewing this one too, as it turns out. Couldn’t resist once I found out who was developing it.

Heavenly Bodies ($19.99)

A physics-based game for up to two players via local multiplayer, Heavenly Bodies tasks you with completing a variety of missions as a 1970s-era cosmonaut. Use your arms to accomplish tasks, but be careful or you’ll end up as another piece of space debris. This game has received a rather sunny reception on other platforms, and I think it suits the Switch audience perfectly with its highly enjoyable multiplayer fun.

XELAN FORCE ($10.00)

This is a vertical shoot-em-up that serves as a firm homage to Compile’s shooters like Gun-Nac, Aleste, and Blazing Lasers. In terms of presentation, it’s somewhere between the NES and the TurboGrafx-16, but closer to the former than the latter. Anyway, you get a bunch of different weapons and upgrades to use, a level-up system based on grabbing dropped capsules, and lots of ways to pile up the points. Naturally, there is also a timed caravan mode. If you have a fondness for Compile shooters, you’ll likely enjoy this. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be support for online leaderboards. It’s the only thing that keeps me from giving this a firm recommendation, but if that doesn’t matter to you then dig in.

Arcade Archives War of Aero ($7.99)

Allumer’s arcade games tended to imitate some hit or another to a great degree, and this is its take on Irem’s Image Fight. It came out in 1993 and given the rather limited reach of this creator’s output, I suspect few of you played it back in the day. It’s a decent enough vertical shooter, should you find yourself in need of one. Not bad by Allumer standards, to be sure.

We Need to Go Deeper ($19.99)

This one is meant to be played with others, though you can go it alone if you want. Up to four players can play via local or online multiplayer. Anyway, you’re manning a submarine on a deep-sea voyage where a ton of things can and will go wrong. Work together to keep things running as smoothly as possible, and see what mysteries you can uncover. It looks pretty fun, though it might be a bit too involved for people who don’t play a lot of games.

Take It Racing 2 ($4.99)

This is a modern indie Game Boy game running under an emulator, so it isn’t just Game Boy style – it is Game Boy. And at first I thought it was going to be a Game Boy racer, which caught my interest. It’s not that, though. It’s actually a simulation game of sorts, though you will have some input in the races themselves. Choose the correct strategy to win the races, earn money, and upgrade your car. You’ll be able to enter more challenging races as you go, which in turn will get you bigger prizes. If nothing else, it seems interesting.

Looking Up I See Only A Ceiling ($2.99)

A short psychological horror game that is priced as the small bite that it is. The protagonist is a girl who is under a great deal of pressure in her life. She feels compelled to explore her attic, but is it a good idea? Based on your actions, you’ll arrive at one of three different endings. A more experimental release from publisher Flynns Arcade, but one that isn’t unwelcome.

Of the Red, the Light, and the Ayakashi Tsuzuri ($50.13)

A rerelease of a visual novel that was popular enough to get a manga spin-off. It tells the story of Yue, a boy who was born in a mountain shrine and lives there. One day he heads into the nearby village and meets two other boys. But Yue isn’t a normal boy, and his relationship with his new friends is going to have some very unexpected turns. I won’t spoil anything more, but this one wasn’t popular for nothing. If you’re into Japanese ayakashi and/or yokai tales, you might find this one compelling.

Another Bar Game ($5.99)

Yes, it sure is. But really, this is more like one of those Diner Dash-style affairs. Run your bar, taking orders, mixing drinks, washing glasses, and so on. The game requires touch controls so you have to play in handheld mode, and it’s for one player only. Not very fancy dining in the least, and I feel like there are better examples of this kind of game on the eShop. But if you think it looks cool, don’t let me stop you. I’m not the boss monster of your wallet.

Matsukeke BURST! ($4.69)

Here’s an interesting and affordable little falling block puzzler. The pieces can all be used to form loops in the playfield, and that is indeed what you must do. The bigger the loop, the more it will help you vanquish your opponent. There are nine playable characters in all, and you’ve got a story mode and score attack mode to go through. This was originally a game for SmileBASIC4, but it’s been spruced up a bit for this release. It certainly shows the power of that creation tool. At any rate, it’s quite fun if you like this sort of thing.

OLLLO ($8.00)

A puzzle platformer with more than seventy stages to play, with a gimmick built around manipulating space. Basically, the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the screen are connected. You can use this to reach seemingly inaccessible areas or climb up places your jump wouldn’t normally allow you to get to. It’s easier to understand it when you see it in practice, so check out the video on the eShop if you’re curious. A decent little game, though.

Desktop Baseball 2 ($9.80)

Another heaping helping of Desktop Baseball, and once again playable solo or with a friend via local multiplayer. There are a few different modes to enjoy, plus some customization options to tailor things to your liking. Not much to say here; these games are a known quantity at this point and you’re either into them or not. This one isn’t going to change your mind either way.

Anglerfish ($9.99)

Here’s a quirky one. This is a survival horror comedy with roguelite elements. You’re attending your friend’s bachelor party, and everything goes a little weird. Luckily, you brought a shotgun. For some reason. It’s a useful tool, but you’ll probably die soon. And that’s where this game’s main gimmick kicks in. The game changes every time you die, which is so far so rogue, but how it changes depends on how you die. Another game that is extremely well-liked by folks on other platforms, and I think it will have no trouble finding an audience here as well.

Escape Game The Old Folk House ($9.99)

Solve the puzzles and use your wits… to escape a traditional Japanese house!

Cape’s Escape Game 7th Room ($9.80)

Solve the puzzles and use your wits… to escape an outdoor shopping mall!

Time Trap: Hidden Objects ($14.99)

Search for the hidden objects… in a time trap!

The Lost Ashford Ring ($14.99)

Search for the hidden objects… in the enchanting world of Victorian England!

The Bin Bunch

Drone Racer: Fly Stunt Simulator ($9.99)

Matches Puzzle 2: Classic Logic Arcade ($9.99)

Tiny Number Hunt! ($3.99)

Hentai Girls: Sweet Doctor ($5.99)

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Some nice sales from Arc System Works plus a few Kemcos and eastasiasofts to keep your fire warm if needed. The outbox has a few interesting things in it, but nothing I really want to call out. Maybe Graze Counter GM? Well, I’ll leave it to you.

Select New Sales

Chronicles of 2 Heroes: AH ($5.99 from $19.99 until 3/11)
3000th Duel ($4.49 from $14.99 until 3/13)
Hike Adventures ($5.59 from $7.99 until 3/14)
Random Heroes: Gold Edition ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/14)
Thunder Paw ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/14)
Damascus Gear: Operation Tokyo ($2.99 from $14.99 until 3/14)
River City Saga: Three Kingdoms ($22.49 from $29.99 until 3/14)
Ultra Pixel Survive ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/14)
Double Dragon & Kunio-kun RBB ($19.99 from $39.99 until 3/14)
Thunderflash ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/14)
River City Melee Mach ($4.61 from $13.99 until 3/14)
Eschatos ($16.19 from $26.99 until 3/14)
Kowloon High-School Chronicle ($9.99 from $19.99 until 3/14)
Shephy ($2.49 from $4.99 until 3/14)
Tricks Magician ($2.49 from $4.99 until 3/14)
Gruta ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/14)

Gematombe ($5.99 from $14.99 until 3/14)
Little Disaster ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/14)
Neko Secret Homecoming ($5.99 from $9.99 until 3/15)
Twice Reborn: A Vampire Visual Novel ($5.99 from $14.99 until 3/15)
Until the Last Plane ($4.49 from $9.99 until 3/15)
Splash Cars ($1.99 from $6.99 until 3/15)
Pretty Girls Mahjong Solitaire G/B ($2.39 from $5.99 until 3/15)
Bishoujo Battle Mahjong Solitaire ($2.39 from $5.99 until 3/15)
Poker Pretty Girls Battle: FW ($2.39 from $5.99 until 3/15)
Crime Opera: The Butterfly Effect ($3.49 from $9.99 until 3/15)
Anglerfish ($8.99 from $9.99 until 3/21)
Evil Nun: The Broken Mask ($15.99 from $19.99 until 3/21)
Grace of Letoile ($11.24 from $14.99 until 3/21)
Dragon Prana ($8.99 from $14.99 until 3/21)
No Son of Mine ($5.99 from $14.99 until 3/21)
Legendary Tales: Cataclysm ($5.59 from $6.99 until 3/21)
Legendary Tales: Stolen Life ($5.59 from $6.99 until 3/21)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, March 1st

20 Ladies ($1.99 from $4.99 until 3/1)
A Fox and His Robot ($29.99 from $59.99 until 3/1)
Arcade Tycoon ($17.99 from $19.99 until 3/1)
Beat Em Up Archives ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/1)
Beholder 3 ($6.99 from $19.99 until 3/1)
Boo Party ($5.99 from $9.99 until 3/1)
Chipmonk! ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/1)
Crashlands ($4.99 from $14.99 until 3/1)
Dementium The Ward ($15.99 from $19.99 until 3/1)
Dragon Fury ($5.99 from $19.99 until 3/1)
Freezer Pops ($3.99 from $9.99 until 3/1)
Garden Simulator ($9.44 from $26.99 until 3/1)
Gourmet Warriors ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/1)
Graze Counter GM ($9.99 from $14.99 until 3/1)

Hyper Meteor ($3.19 from $7.99 until 3/1)
Into The Dark ($5.99 from $19.99 until 3/1)
Jujubos ($2.49 from $4.99 until 3/1)
Knight vs Giant: Broken Excalibur ($15.99 from $19.99 until 3/1)
Knights of the Rogue Dungeon ($7.99 from $9.99 until 3/1)
Levelhead ($4.99 from $19.99 until 3/1)
Line Color World ($1.99 from $2.99 until 3/1)
Moon Lander ($1.99 from $9.99 until 3/1)
Prisonela DX ($3.99 from $4.99 until 3/1)
Racoo Venture ($11.24 from $14.99 until 3/1)
SENSEs Midnight ($8.99 from $14.99 until 3/1)
Shalnor Legends & Sequel Bundle ($7.49 from $14.99 until 3/1)
Shalnor Legends 2 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/1)
Shuttlecock-H ($3.99 from $7.99 until 3/1)
Sofiya & the Ancient Clan ($2.79 from $7.99 until 3/1)
Starsand ($6.99 from $19.99 until 3/1)
Synthetic Lover ($17.49 from $24.99 until 3/1)
Teocida + Estigma ($4.99 from $9.99 until 3/1)
The Oregon Trail ($19.99 from $29.99 until 3/1)
Wall World ($7.79 from $9.99 until 3/1)
Z-Warp ($2.44 from $6.99 until 3/1)

That’s all for today and this month, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow to kick off the month and put the week to bed. There are some decent games on the schedule, at least. I imagine we’ll be seeing a bunch more sales, too. We’ll have all of that, plus any big news should some occur. I hope you all have a superb Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!