Nintendo Direct Aftermath: 'EGGCONSOLE Star Trader' Review & More

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for August 27th, 2024! Today's update starts with some exciting news, followed by a review and a look at new releases. We'll wrap things up with our usual sales lists. Let's dive in!

News

Nintendo Direct/Indie World Showcase Recap

As predicted by some industry insiders, Nintendo surprised us with a last-minute Nintendo Direct! The 40-minute presentation featured a Partner Showcase and an Indie World Showcase. While primarily focused on third-party titles and indie games, it was a welcome surprise. You can watch the full presentation above. A detailed summary of the key announcements will follow tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This untranslated EGGCONSOLE release poses the usual questions: is the game enjoyable, and is it playable without knowing Japanese? Star Trader is an interesting but not outstanding title. Falcom blends an adventure game with side-scrolling shooter elements, but neither aspect fully shines. The adventure portion features appealing artwork, while the shooter attempts a unique narrative approach. Players interact with characters, undertake quests, and earn money to upgrade their ship – crucial for progressing through the shooting stages.

The shooting segments, however, suffer from the PC-8801's limitations, resulting in choppy visuals. The game's structure is unclear, but Star Trader proves more intriguing than genuinely good. The text-heavy adventure sections require player comprehension, making it nearly unplayable for those unfamiliar with Japanese. While some brute-forcing is possible, the experience is significantly hampered without understanding the language. Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history but is ultimately difficult to recommend wholeheartedly due to the language barrier.

Star Trader is a fascinating historical curiosity, showcasing a developer venturing beyond their typical style. However, the significant amount of Japanese text significantly detracts from the overall experience for Western audiences. While some might find limited enjoyment, a strong recommendation is difficult to justify.

SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

Select New Releases

Crypt Custodian ($19.99)

This top-down action-adventure game follows Pluto, a recently deceased cat, banished from the afterlife and tasked with eternal cleaning duties. Explore, battle enemies with a broom, encounter quirky characters, defeat bosses, and upgrade abilities. It's a familiar formula, but executed well. Fans of the genre should definitely check it out.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

For fans of colorful shooters with unique mechanics, I suggest looking at the Dreamer series and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Also, don't miss out on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other titles worth considering include Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and perhaps some Tomb Raider titles. Check out the full lists below!

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

(List of sales ending tomorrow)

That's all for today! We'll be back tomorrow with a deeper dive into the Nintendo Direct announcements, along with new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!