Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 5th, 2024! It's Thursday already – where does the time go? We're diving straight into reviews today, with in-depth looks at Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. Our contributor, Mikhail, also shares his thoughts on Nour: Play With Your Food, Fate/stay night REMASTERED, and the TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK. We'll then cover the day's top new releases and round things off with our usual sales updates. Let's get started!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club ($49.99)

Sequels to long-dormant franchises are all the rage, it seems. Nintendo's surprise revival of Famicom Detective Club, a series largely unfamiliar to Western audiences except for a fleeting remake a few years ago, is a prime example. This marks the first entirely new Famicom Detective Club adventure in years, a significant event.

The challenge in reviving an old IP lies in balancing faithfulness to the original with modern sensibilities. Emio – The Smiling Man opts for a style similar to the recent remakes, resulting in a curious blend. The visuals are top-notch, and the narrative pushes boundaries beyond what 90s Nintendo would have dared, even in Japan. However, the gameplay retains a distinctly old-school feel, a key factor in determining enjoyment.

The game centers on a student found dead with a smiling-face paper bag over his head, echoing unsolved murders from eighteen years prior. The mystery revolves around Emio, a legendary killer who promises eternal smiles to his victims. Is Emio back? A copycat? Or merely an urban legend? The police are baffled, leaving the Utsugi Detective Agency to unravel the truth.

Gameplay involves exploring scenes for clues, interrogating suspects (often requiring repeated questioning), and piecing together the case. It's reminiscent of the investigative sections in Ace Attorney, though some aspects feel less streamlined than ideal. Specific logical connections could benefit from clearer guidance. Despite these minor flaws, it remains true to the genre's conventions.

While I have some reservations about certain plot points, the story is generally engaging, suspenseful, and well-crafted. Specific details are best left unspoiled, as the narrative is best experienced firsthand. The game's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, especially during its most captivating moments.

Emio – The Smiling Man is atypical for Nintendo, but the development team shows no signs of rust. While the mechanics adhere closely to the originals, and the pacing occasionally falters, it's a thoroughly enjoyable mystery adventure. Welcome back, Detective Club – don't vanish again for so long!

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate ($29.99)

The Switch is accumulating a solid collection of TMNT games. From the Cowabunga Collection to Shredder's Revenge and Wrath of the Mutants, there's something for every fan. Splintered Fate offers a different flavor, blending beat 'em up action with roguelite elements.

It's a solid entry. If you've played the Apple Arcade version, you know the drill. Essentially, it combines the TMNT beat 'em up formula with the structure of Hades. Play solo or with up to four players locally or online. Online multiplayer worked flawlessly in our testing. The single-player mode is enjoyable, but multiplayer significantly enhances the experience.

The story involves Shredder and a mysterious new power, putting Splinter in danger. The Turtles must save him, battling Foot Soldiers and utilizing katanas, dashes, and power-ups. Death sends you back to the lair to try again. It's a familiar roguelite beat 'em up, but with the Turtles – always a plus. It's not groundbreaking, but it's well-executed.

Splintered Fate isn't a must-have for everyone, but TMNT fans will appreciate this unique take on the franchise. The well-implemented multiplayer is a welcome addition to a genre often played solo. Those seeking the best roguelite experiences on Switch might find better options, but Splintered Fate holds its own in a highly competitive market.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Nour: Play With Your Food ($9.99)

Nour: Play With Your Food's initial absence from Switch and mobile surprised many. It seemed ideally suited for touchscreens as an experimental food art experience. While enjoyable on PC, it's not a traditional game for everyone. Those who appreciate playful sandbox experiences and food-related themes will likely find it appealing, but the Switch version has shortcomings.

For newcomers, Nour lets you interact with various food types across different stages, accompanied by engaging music and playful elements. Initially, you have basic tools, but the game's depth reveals itself as you unlock more options. However, this is where the touchscreen limitations become apparent.

The lack of touchscreen support on Switch is disappointing. Performance compromises are also noticeable compared to other platforms, resulting in longer loading times.

Nour: Play With Your Food is worth checking out if you enjoy food, art, and interactive apps. While the Switch version isn't optimal, its portability is a plus, and hopefully, it will perform well enough to warrant DLC or a physical release. Games like Nour and Townscaper offer a refreshing contrast to more complex titles. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Fate/stay night REMASTERED ($29.99)

Fate/stay night REMASTERED, released recently on Switch and Steam, is a remaster of the 2004 visual novel. It serves as an excellent entry point into the Fate universe, offering a chance to experience the series' origins in their intended form. The sheer volume of content justifies the surprisingly low price.

For those familiar with the original Japanese versions, Fate/stay night REMASTERED offers significant improvements, including English localization and 16:9 support. The visual enhancements are impressive, though not as polished as Tsukihime's recent remake.

The inclusion of touchscreen support on Switch is a welcome addition. It played well on both Switch Lite and OLED models, proving ideal for Nintendo's hybrid system. Hopefully, it will see releases on other platforms like iOS and PS5.

It also performs flawlessly on Steam Deck. The lack of a physical Switch release is the only real drawback, hopefully remedied with future success.

Fate/stay night REMASTERED is a must-have for visual novel enthusiasts. Its English localization and availability on both Switch and Steam are remarkable. Despite its visual limitations compared to newer titles, it's a worthwhile experience. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK ($49.99)

For those unfamiliar with VR gaming, TOKYO CHRONOS and ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos are noteworthy titles. This twin pack brings both to Switch, offering a chance to experience their stories without VR hardware.

TOKYO CHRONOS follows high school friends in an alternate Shibuya, dealing with lost memories and murder. While the narrative is somewhat predictable, the visuals are strong, and it piques curiosity about the VR experience.

ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos is superior, boasting better production values, music, writing, voice acting, and characters. It transcends the typical visual novel format, enhancing the overall experience.

The Switch version has some camera movement issues, but touchscreen support and rumble functionality compensate.

TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK is a solid Switch experience, enhanced by touch controls and rumble. It's a great way to experience these stories without VR, and the demo is recommended. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Select New Releases

Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku ($49.99)

The title says it all: Fitness Boxing featuring Hatsune Miku. It includes 24 Miku songs and 30 more from the Fitness Boxing series. Mechanically, it's consistent with previous entries. A solid choice for fans of both franchises.

Gimmick! 2 ($24.99)

A faithful sequel to the original, featuring enhanced visuals and challenging platforming.

Touhou Danmaku Kagura Phantasia Lost ($29.99)

Combines rhythm game and bullet hell shooter elements, appealing to fans of the Touhou series.

EGGCONSOLE Hydlide MSX ($6.49)

Another Hydlide installment for dedicated fans of the series.

Arcade Archives Lead Angle ($7.99)

A gallery shooter from 1988.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Notable sales include No Man's Sky. Many other titles frequently go on sale.

Select New Sales

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 6th

That's it for today! Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, and sales. Thanks for reading!