SwitchArcade Roundup: Mars 2120 Game Reviews, Latest Releases & Sales

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the August 6, 2024 SwitchArcade Round-Up. Today’s article is all about great things. Some news for the news lovers, a review for the review lovers, some latest releases for the… latest release lovers, and naturally, some sales for the sale lovers. I hear there’s a number of them on the market. And those latest releases are some spicy meatballs. I like all of them, which is rare today. Let’s get to the goodies!

News

Check out Zelda’s little horse in the newest video, “Echoes of Wisdom”

I do not have much so as to add to this headline. Look, there are a number of cool things on this latest upcoming movie, but for me it’s all about that little horse. I really like him. Give me an Amiibo of this, please.

Reviews and mini-observations

Mars 2120 ($19.99)

This game… is clunky. Very, very clunky. The animations look choppy, the collision detection is not entirely accurate, the enemy AI is everywhere, the signage is actually poor, and it doesn’t really have much to supply in a genre that is rife with excellent titles on Switch. You must wonder if there is a place for a game inspired by grit on a platform where sixty bucks and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription get you six shots of the true deal? Well, I’ll leave that query as much as you, dear reader.

I’ll just say it has its moments. The atmosphere is sweet. I like the combination of melee and ranged combat you should use, despite the fact that the sport never does much to transcend the boss fights. It’s cinematic at times. I actually like a number of the environments. And I’ll say I’ve played worse Metroidvania-style games. The game works, even when it looks like it’s falling apart at times. Heck, for those who can stop yourself from remembering it exists, you may even have a little bit fun with it.

is unquestionably ambitious in some ways, but I wish that ambition prolonged to its design as well. Despite the trouble put into the production values, the sport itself never quite shakes the Dollar Store feel. A little bit more polishing of its foundations and possibly one or two interesting plot twists could have made it something special, but because it is, I feel it completely fails to prove itself against a lot of its strong competitors within the Metroidvania genre.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3/5

Select latest releases

Volgarr the Viking II ($19.99)

I’ll be honest: I didn’t think this game would ever get a sequel, and I’m overjoyed that it finally has. It’s an uncompromisingly difficult motion platformer, but not one which cannot be learned with practice. There’s a precision and satisfaction to it that few games within the genre can match today, and I’m comfortable to report that this sequel offers one other helping of that great things. I’ll have a review of the sport up early next week, so stay tuned.

Natsu-Mon: twentieth Century Summer Child ($39.99)

Kaz Ayabe, the creator of this game from just a few years ago, is back. And this time it’s… one other game about being a child and having fun with a peaceful summer vacation within the Japanese countryside. Look, he’s good at it and there aren’t many individuals doing this type of thing, so I say let him cook. In this game, you are the kid of a traveling circus manager. You’ve come to a small town and you have got to benefit from the summer while the adults work. There’s quite a bit to do and see. I’ll be writing a review of this game soon, but I feel a lot of you already know if that is for you or not.

Legend of the Dark Witch Episode 2 ($9.99)

Wow, I didn’t think this is able to ever occur. The first game hit Switch years ago, however the second and third have remained MIA. For those unfamiliar with the series, it is a frivolously inspired side-scrolling motion game with an upgrade system. In some ways, it feels very independent and… I mean, it’s independent. But that is a great thing for fans searching for something to munch on.

Turnover

Well… I do not know, it isn’t a very exciting list overall, but there are some good things on there. For 4 dollars? That’s sweet. 505 Games is ending their latest outbox sale, so for those who want something from them, now’s the time to act. Check out these lists!

Select latest sale

($11.89 from $13.99 through 8/12)
($1.99 from $9.99 through 8/12)
($1.99 from $19.99 through 8/12)
($3.99 from $14.99 to August 13)
($9.79 from $13.99 through August 13)
($8.39 from $11.99 through 8/18)
($4.99 from $24.99 through 8/19)
($2.20 from $16.99 through 8/19)
($2.07 from $15.99 through 8/19)
($2.59 from $19.99 through August 19)
($5.99 from $29.99 through August 19)
($2.59 from $19.99 through August 19)
($3.99 from $19.99 to August 19)
($22.49 from $49.99 through 8/26)
($9.99 from $49.99 through 8/26)
($5.99 from $19.99 through 8/26)
($5.99 from $29.99 through 8/26)
($1.99 from $19.99 through 8/26)
($1.99 from $10.00 through 8/26)
($9.74 from $14.99 through 8/26)
($1.99 from $9.99 through 8/26)

Sale ends tomorrow, August seventh

($6.59 from $10.99 through 8/7)
($4.99 from $9.99 through 8/7)
($11.99 from $39.99 through 8/7)
($4.99 from $9.99 through 8/7)
($1.99 from $6.99 through 8/7)
($37.49 from $49.99 through 8/7)
($51.99 from $79.99 through 8/7)
($12.49 from $24.99 through 8/7)
($5.99 from $14.99 through 8/7)
($7.49 from $29.99 through 8/7)
($8.99 from $29.99 through 8/7)
($1.99 from $19.99 through 8/7)
($8.99 from $29.99 through 8/7)
($7.49 from $24.99 through 8/7)
($27.99 from $39.99 through 8/7)
($13.99 from $19.99 through 8/7)
($7.19 from $11.99 through 8/7)
($14.99 from $29.99 through 8/7)
($29.99 from $39.99 through 8/7)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with an everyday Wednesday. That means I can have to conjure up a review to fill within the gaps, but I feel we’ll cross that bridge once we get to it. I’m not back to 100% yet, but possibly by next week my hospital woes might be over for a month or two. I hope you all have an awesome Tuesday, and as all the time, thanks for reading!