Nintendo Direct Highlights: 'EGGCONSOLE Star Trader' Review and New Game Releases

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024. Today, we start with a quick news update, followed by a single review for you to enjoy. It's my take on the latest EGGCONSOLE release from last week, and those of you who follow regularly might already have an idea of what to expect. We'll then explore one new game release, which fortunately is quite promising. We'll wrap up with the usual rundown of new and expiring sales, which are also worth a look. As for tonight's Direct, I'm in the dark about its contents, but by the time you're reading this, the mystery will have been solved. Let's dive in!

News

Check Out Today’s Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase

As predicted by the occasionally accurate insiders, Nintendo has announced a last-minute Nintendo Direct for August. Expect a 40-minute event split between a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase. Don't anticipate any first-party announcements or news about the Switch's successor. By the time you're reading this, the event will have concluded, but you can watch it above. I'll cover the key highlights in tomorrow's update.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

When evaluating these non-translated EGGCONSOLE releases, two questions always come to mind: How is the game itself, and can it be enjoyed without understanding Japanese? Star Trader is a unique game, though not necessarily a great one. Falcom attempted to blend a Japanese-style adventure game with side-scrolling shoot 'em up segments, but neither element truly excels. The adventure part boasts some appealing art and an interesting narrative approach for a shoot 'em up. You'll engage in conversations, pick up quests, and earn money to upgrade your ship, which is crucial for tackling the action segments effectively.

As for the shoot 'em up sections, the PC-8801's limitations result in a choppy experience that feels underwhelming, even if the scrolling were smoother. It's unclear which part of the game is meant to enhance the other, leaving Star Trader more intriguing than enjoyable. This brings us to the second question. The adventure segments are heavily text-based and require player input to achieve the best outcomes. Without understanding Japanese, you'll miss out on half the game and struggle to earn enough credits for ship upgrades, making it difficult to enjoy the full experience. While you might brute force your way through better than with some other EGGCONSOLE releases, it's not a satisfying endeavor.

Star Trader offers a fascinating glimpse into gaming history, showcasing a developer experimenting outside their usual genre. However, the enjoyment is significantly hampered by the extensive Japanese text, which most Western players can't read. You might find some fun in exploring this curiosity, but it's hard to recommend wholeheartedly.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

Crypt Custodian is a top-down action-adventure game featuring a cat named Pluto, who, after a disastrous encounter with the Afterlife Guardian, is banished and sentenced to eternal cleaning duties. Explore the afterlife, fight enemies with your broom, encounter strange characters, battle bosses, and enhance your abilities. If you're a fan of this genre, you'll find Crypt Custodian to be a solid choice worth checking out.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

If you're into colorful shoot 'em ups with unique mechanics, consider the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi—I've enjoyed them all. In the expiring sales, grab 1000xRESIST while you can. Other recommendations include Star Wars titles, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and perhaps some Tomb Raider as a treat. Browse the lists below for more options!

Select New Sales

Return ($10.49 from $13.99 until 9/2)
Summer Daze: Tilly’s Tale ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/9)
Please Fix the Road ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/9)
Ticket to Ride ($26.99 from $29.99 until 9/9)
King ‘n Knight ($9.59 from $11.99 until 9/9)
Spiritfarer ($7.49 from $29.99 until 9/9)
Harpoon Shooter Nozomi ($6.98 from $9.98 until 9/16)
Like Dreamer ($5.99 from $11.99 until 9/16)
Cosmo Dreamer ($4.10 from $8.20 until 9/16)
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate ($8.99 from $59.99 until 9/16)
Gluck ($5.59 from $6.99 until 9/16)
Love Love School Days ($4.19 from $10.49 until 9/16)
Ugly ($6.79 from $19.99 until 9/16)
Replik Survivors ($3.44 from $4.99 until 9/16)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

1000xRESIST ($15.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Citizen Sleeper ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Genesis Noir ($4.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Haiku, The Robot ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Heads Up! Phones Down Edition ($1.99 from $39.99 until 8/28)
Legend Bowl ($18.74 from $24.99 until 8/28)
MythForce ($14.99 from $29.99 until 8/28)
Paradise Killer ($5.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Battlefront Collection ($28.00 from $35.01 until 8/28)
Star Wars Bounty Hunter ($14.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Episode I Racer ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Jedi Academy ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Jedi Outcast ($4.99 from $9.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars KotOR ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars KotOR II: Sith Lords ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars Republic Commando ($7.49 from $14.99 until 8/28)
Star Wars The Force Unleashed ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Super Mutant Alien Assault ($1.99 from $9.99 until 8/28)
Suzerain ($4.49 from $17.99 until 8/28)
The Pale Beyond ($9.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Times & Galaxy ($17.99 from $19.99 until 8/28)
Tomb Raider I-III Remastered ($22.49 from $29.99 until 8/28)

That's all for today, friends. We'll be back tomorrow to discuss the highlights from the Direct, cover new releases, sales, and possibly throw in a review or two. I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday, and as always, thank you for reading!