Nintendo Direct Unveils News, 'EGGCONSOLE Star Trader' Reviewed

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, a look at a new release, and the usual sales updates. 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 covered partner showcases and indie titles. While no first-party announcements or Switch successor news were revealed, you can watch the full presentation above. I'll share a detailed summary of the key highlights tomorrow.

Reviews & Mini-Views

EGGCONSOLE Star Trader PC-8801mkIIsr ($6.49)

This unlocalized EGGCONSOLE release presents a familiar dilemma: is the game itself enjoyable, and is it playable without knowing Japanese? Star Trader is intriguing, though not exceptional. Falcom blended adventure and side-scrolling shooter elements, but neither aspect shines. The adventure portion features appealing artwork, and the shooter's narrative approach is unique. Gameplay involves conversing with characters, accepting quests, and earning money to upgrade your ship. These upgrades are crucial for tackling 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 interesting than truly good. The significant Japanese text in the adventure sections presents a major hurdle for Western players, hindering gameplay and enjoyment. While some progress is possible through trial and error, a full appreciation is impossible without understanding the language. Star Trader offers a glimpse into gaming history but is ultimately hampered by its language barrier.

Star Trader is a fascinating historical artifact, showcasing a developer venturing outside their usual style. However, the substantial Japanese text significantly limits its appeal to a Western audience. While some experimentation might be fun, a strong recommendation is difficult to make.

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 with your broom, meet eccentric characters, fight bosses, and upgrade your 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 recommend Dreamer and Harpoon Shooter Nozomi. Don't miss out on 1000xRESIST – it's a must-buy! Other notable titles on sale include Star Wars games, Citizen Sleeper, Paradise Killer, Haiku, the Robot, and Tomb Raider. Check the lists for more details!

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, August 28th

(List of expiring sales)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for a Nintendo Direct recap, new game releases, sales, and more reviews. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!