SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS is a retro fighting game. If you know Street Fighter, King of Fighters, or any of the many and varied 2D offerings, you’ll know exactly what to expect here; two fighters duke it out over three rounds before moving on to the next opponent.

Before we get into whether this particular outing is worth your time, here’s a quick history lesson. SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS marks the third installment in this particular crossover series, debuting at the arcade way back in 2003. Although both companies developed games for the series, this outing was developed by SNK, confirmed by the appearance of SNK first in the game’s title.

Let’s talk characters. The roster is robust, bringing together 36 characters in total. Team Capcom uses classic Street Fighter personalities such as Chun Li, Dhalsim, Vega, Ryu and Ken. The SNK side brings the likes of Shiki, Mr. Karate, Earthquake, and Kasumi Todoh into the fray. These tough guys hail from such SNK outings as Art of Fighting and Samurai Shodown. Despite this seemingly vast collection of fighters, there are still plenty missing. You won’t find the likes of E. Honda, Zangief, or Cammy here, for example.

The single-player mode disguises the simple premise of brawling with a story involving the end of the world. It seems a group of fighters is drawn into an afterlife tournament in purgatory. The winner will be granted a wish, and the fate of all life hangs in the balance, etc. 

But, in reality, we’re here to fight. One of this port’s best features is that it doesn’t change a thing about the combat. It takes the original outing and…puts it on the Switch. This means the classic early 2000s graphics and fighting style remain intact. For fans of the original, this perfectly recaptures the essence of the game, providing a sweet dose of nostalgia along the way.

Unfortunately, the original game was average to begin with. The fighting, though solid, is unbalanced in one-player mode. Even on the easiest difficulty setting, some foes stand dumbly waiting to be hit, while the next combatant takes you out easily. This leads to a frustrating experience, especially since you can’t continue. In real life, you could add another quarter; here, it’s back to the beginning, despite a countdown asking if you’d like to continue. How do I do that, exactly?

The graphics are nice, if a little bland. We’re stuck in a post-apocalyptic version of the afterlife, so many of the backdrops are a little foreboding. You can fiddle with the settings to change the screen size, which I appreciate. You can keep it at the original size, make it larger, or stretch it to fit the entire screen. The latter is a zoomed-in experience that, while it’s a nice option, doesn’t look great on a big screen. When playing at a more reasonable size, you can also choose the backdrop, from plain black borders to artwork using some of the characters.

Speaking of artwork, there’s a gallery in the menu for those wanting to see the characters portrayed in unique ways. I imagine fans in the early 2000s would have appreciated this crossover event, even if it was the third in the series, and the gallery presents some neat artwork depicting characters from different worlds colliding. 

In fact, there are a few such additions that provide an extra incentive to play. For starters, there’s an online mode, allowing you to compete with another player from around the world. This is easy to use, with the ability to create a room or find a random player to challenge. I was also pleased with the smooth network experience.

There’s also an option to turn on hit boxes. I’m not sure how valuable this is, but it places a couple of colored boxes around each fighter during combat, presumably to see exactly where your hits will make the most impact. It would be nice to get an in-game explanation on this. It also can’t be toggled on and off while playing; to do that, you have to quit and return to the main menu. If it becomes an eyesore while playing, that’s just bad luck I guess.

Overall, SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS is a faithful port of the 2003 original, with a few extras thrown in for good measure. It’s not the best 2D fighting game around, but fans of the original will appreciate the extra details.

The post Review: SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week’s eShop roundup kicks off with an update to the wonderfully quirky Cult of the Lamb, bringing local co-op to the game. We were huge fans of the original release, and an update like this sounds like a promising way to enhance the experience.

Meanwhile, a classic Pokémon title has joined the Switch Online collection. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, originally released in 2005 on the Game Boy Advance, is now available to play for free if you have an online subscription.

There’s an interesting sale on this week, too, with Bethesda games like Doom and Wolfenstein discounted. If those styles are your jam, be sure to check out the current deals.

As always, there’s a long list of new titles to consider, so let’s get to it! Check out the new releases below and let us know which games you’re playing this week.

Nintendo Switch

• Cult of the Lamb – Unholy Alliance Update– Heretics never rest, and the Lamb is in need of an ally. Unholy Alliance introduces a new playable character to Cult of the Lamb: the Goat! Summoned by blood and born in corruption, this wicked new ally can join the holy Lamb in local co-op. Crusade through dungeons, slay heretics, build your cult and seek new powers together. But there’s more: In addition to co-op play, the Unholy Alliance expansion also adds new tarot cards, relics, buildings, fleeces, follower traits, follower quests and other secrets to discover! The Cult of the Lamb – Unholy Alliance Update is available now on the Nintendo Switch system.

Game Boy Advance – Nintendo Switch Online

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team – All of a sudden, you’ve found yourself in a different world, one where you’re now a Pokémon yourself and can speak and interact with other Pokémon. But what is your true purpose and destiny in this Pokémon world? That’s the real mystery! As the hero of this journey, you’ll begin the game by taking a personality quiz, with the results determining which Pokémon you will become out of several options. From there, you’ll select your partner Pokémon before being whisked to a world full of Pokémon to befriend and dungeons to explore. Form your rescue team, take on mysterious changing dungeons and engage in strategic, turn-based battles in this game originally available on the Game Boy Advance system!

Digital spotlight

• Capture the Moment! – Grab your Nintendo Switch and get ready for World Photography Day on Aug. 19! Make memories (and take selfies!) as you catch, battle and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region in the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet games. Or you take in-game photographs that capture Pokémon in their native environments in the New Pokémon Snap game. No matter your photography techniques or style, you can enjoy some picture-perfect fun with these games and more on Nintendo Switch.

DLC

• DREDGE – The Iron Rig – The Iron Rig is the second official expansion** for DREDGE –  a cosmic horror fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent. This content adds a new constructable destination with its own story, items and adversities that can be experienced at any stage in your playthrough. Gather, craft and deliver your way through the mysteries of The Iron Rig, revisiting areas from DREDGE to investigate ancient disturbances stirring in the deep. You will assist the Ironhaven Corporation in constructing facilities that unlock items, gadgets and more, but what are they truly here for? Find out in DREDGE – The Iron Rig, available today!

 Nintendo eShop sales

• QuakeCon 2024 Sale – Celebrate QuakeCon with savings up to 85% off on select Bethesda games like DOOM Eternal, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition and Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus! This sale lasts until Aug. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT. For more information and to view the full list of games, visit https://www.nintendo.com/store/sales-and-deals.

Also new this week

• Aery – Ancient Empires
• Amazing Drawing: Coloring Book Simulator
• Arcade Tanks World: Tank Battle Simulator
• Arco
• Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians
• Bizarre – Available Aug. 17
• Castaway – Available Aug. 16
• Cooking – Available Aug. 16
• Cup Killer – Sandbox Game – Available Aug. 16
• Cyber Mission – Available Aug. 21
• D.C.K.: Dock Chess King – Available Aug. 18
• Dadish Collection – Available Aug. 16
• Elrentaros Wanderings – Available Aug. 16
• Energy Lab – Available Aug. 21
• Exit Station 7
• Guayota
• Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery
• Ice World: The Frozen Age
• Just Crow Things
• Lunar Nightmare – Available Aug. 16
• Magical Delicacy
• Mangavania 2 – Available Aug. 21
• Mika and the Witch’s Mountain – Available Aug. 21
• Minami Lane
• Murder Is Game Over: Streaming Death – Available Aug. 16
• Mute Crimson DX – Available Aug. 16
• My Lovely Empress – Available Aug. 21
• Overboss
• Parking Jam – Available Aug. 16
• Parking Masters
• Phantom Spark
• Rack and Slay – Available Aug. 19
• Rewind or Die – Available Aug. 16
• Space Rift
• Squiggle Drop
• Stumble Guys – Available Aug. 20
• Supermarket Manager 2024
• Synaxarion Christian Stories: Holy Martyr Neophytos
• Tactical Strike: Special Forces Shooter
• The Godfeather: A Mafia Pigeon Saga
• The Sirena Expedition – Available Aug. 16
• Thief Puzzle – Available Aug. 16
• Tiles Match
• Turn to Mine – Available Aug. 16
• Ultimate Fishing Supermarket Simulator 3D
• World Wars II – Airplanes Battle

The post Cult of the Lamb update joins this week’s eShop roundup appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Arranger is an indie action-puzzle game for the Nintendo Switch. This top-down adventure features a sliding-tile mechanic that creates all sorts of interesting problems to solve. Let’s delve into the ins and outs of this unique outing.

The plot follows a girl named Jemma—yes, I now share a name with a cool video-game protagonist, and I couldn’t be happier. It seems our in-game Jemma mysteriously arrived in a peaceful town as a baby. Now that she’s old enough, it’s time to leave the relative safety of her village to seek adventure in the outside world.

Of course, things are dangerous beyond the city limits. An entity known as static has corrupted objects, and Jemma sets about putting things right. Our plucky heroine is ready to take on any challenge that comes her way. These tend to come in the form of blocked passages, requiring a little lateral thinking to work out how to continue.

Arranger’s trick is that the ground beneath Jemma moves with her. The whole world is divided into squares, allowing you to slide across each area, moving objects with you. This gimmick is easy to pick up, and opens many possibilities. For example, if a passage is blocked by an enemy, sliding a sword into it will let you through. Other traps might involve a laser to somehow block or a button to press. It’s head-scratching at times, but satisfying to solve.

Something I didn’t expect to find among the puzzles were boss fights. These are an excellent break from the brain teasers, presenting unique and elaborate ways to defeat each one. Perhaps you have to loop a long enemy back around and onto itself by sliding certain tiles. Or maybe you need to arrange objects to sit atop buttons to open up a way to attack. It’s unlike any traditional boss design I’ve played, and I love it.

Arranger does a great job of balancing this danger with light-hearted characters and dialogue. There’s plenty of humor among the quirky characters. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the stay-at-home inhabitants of a village who receive everything via mail (delivered by robot birds, no less) and have consequently lost the ability to socialize. How do you convince them to come out of their homes? It’s all part of the adventure. 

Apart from the main quest, Jemma also embarks on interesting side quests, such as using moving tiles to pair two animals. Those shy creatures aren’t going to procreate without a little intervention, it seems. To further focus the adventure on these types of puzzles and characters, Jemma doesn’t have any kind of health bar or life meter to stress over. In fact, she can’t die at all. This balance makes the game more accessible to players of all ages. 

Graphically, Arranger looks terrific. The top-down style reminds me of SNES-era titles, presented in a colorful world. Cutscenes use a comic-book layout, capturing emotion through static images. Even the background is special, with interesting backdrops behind the action that gives the game an artistic feel.

Overall, Arranger is a creative outing with a perfectly balanced sense of adventure. The light-hearted tone couples with the unique sliding mechanic to present something different and, most importantly, fun. This is a title worth checking out. 

The post Review: Arranger (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma and Trev celebrate the 38th anniversary of the original Metroid for the Famicom and 37th anniversary on the NES.

Last week, we talked about the lack of Mario and Sonic at the Olympics. This week, we reflect on an entirely different series with a game that helped coin the phrase “metroidmania”. That’s right, Metroid was released in Japan on 6 August, 1986, followed by its US release on 15 August, 1987. We talk about our memories of the game, as well as some of the sequels.

We also delve into the latest trailer for Zelda’s upcoming title, Echoes of Wisdom. This beefy trailer gives us five minutes of superb footage, from exploring Hyrule to side quests. We also get our first look at how to travel using waypoints and horses. We love the carrot echo! There are also new abilities, outfits, and much more, and we chat about it all ahead of next month’s release.

We’re also playing a few games this week. Jemma is playing newly released Cat Quest III and loving it; watch for her upcoming review! Meanwhile, Trev is playing Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, along with another classic title in the form of JALECOlle Famicom Ver. Pinball Quest. We talk about these fun classics from the NES era and the pros and cons of all things retro.

Thanks for listening, we love putting these shows together, so let us know your thoughts! And don’t forget to leave us a review to help support the channel.

Until next time, game on everyone!

Support the show!

Please support the Pure Nintendo Podcast by leaving us a review on Spotify or liking on YouTube, and tune in each and every Monday for more Nintendo-related goodness. It’s all happening on the Pure Nintendo Podcast!

You can find our podcast on:

• Spotify
• Apple
• Amazon

You can also subscribe to our bi-monthly magazine over at patreon.com/PureNintendo and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/PureNintendo. We’d love your support!

The post Celebrating Metroid’s anniversary! | Pure Nintendo Podcast E73 appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

The police-sim stylings of Police Simulator: Patrol Officers is making its way to the Nintendo Switch. The news came recently via astragon Entertainment and Aesir Interactive, with a Nintendo Switch Edition of the hit simulation game heading our way on October 29, 2024. Not only that, but it’s available for pre-order right now.

In Police Simulator, players take on the role of a police officer as you patrol the streets of the fictional city of Brighton. The Switch version brings portable play for the first time, allowing you to maintain law and order from anywhere – alone or with a friend. That’s right, the Switch version comes with an online co-op mode.

The game starts with a choice between one of eight different characters. Once selected, challenging tasks await within the city, increasing in difficulty and complexity as you climb the career ladder. For example, rookies begin by handing out parking tickets while on foot patrol, but are soon given their first patrol car. From there, players can chase speeding road users, clear up accidents and investigate suspects. With experience comes responsibility (is that the saying?); more experienced police officers will eventually be on the lookout for pickpockets, drug traffickers, and even major crimes.

As you progress, new interactions, vehicles, and precincts unlock, promising to make each shift feel unique. There’s even a special behavior mechanic that evaluates players, rewarding them for doing well. Misbehavior, on the other hand, could lead to dismissal. No one wants to have to hand their badge in!

The original Police Simulator: Patrol Officers was released for PC and console in November 2022. The Switch version has been optimized for handheld play, and comes bundled with everything found in the original. There’s also a special Garage Bundle for the Switch, which includes six additional vehicles. This comes separately as DLC or part of the Extended Edition of the game.

Both the Nintendo Switch Edition and the Nintendo Switch Extended Edition of Police Simulator: Patrol Officers are available for pre-order. Pre-orders receive a 10% discount, along with free access to the Interstate Police Vehicle DLC, which includes the vintage-style Interstate Police Vehicle. Not a bad deal.

The Police Simulator: Patrol Officers Nintendo Switch Edition drops on October 29 in the Nintendo eShop at 29.99 EUR/29.99 USD. While we wait for the release, check out the teaser below to get a glimpse into this world or law and order.

The post Police Simulator: Patrol Officers heads to Nintendo Switch this October appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week’s eShop roundup highlights the Jango Fett adventures of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter. This third-person action title pits you against the underworld of the galaxy while you use the full extent of your Mandalorian prowess to capture that bounty.

As if that wasn’t enough Star Wars goodness, there’s also an update to Star Wars: Hunters. This free-to-play brawler pits players against each other in various arena-based competitions, featuring unique charaacters in the form of Sith, Wookies, bounty hunters, droids, and more. Season 2, which is available now, brings a new character to try, as well as a new arena to enjoy. We’ll be sure to check it out and let you know our thoughts on the next episode of the Pure Nintendo Podcast.

Meanwhile, remember World of Goo? Well, it’s back with even more goo. World of Goo 2 lets you build and grow bridges and towers as you stretch yourself across 64+ levels of goo-y goodness.

There’s a neat sale happening at the moment that enoucrages multiplayer events. From Switch Sports to Mario Golf, there are discounts galore on a range of multiplayer titles.

There’s a super-long list of games to contemplate this week. If you don’t beleive me, just scroll down to see the full list. So. Many. Games! Deciding what to play is tricky, but we’re here to help! Tune into the Pure Nintendo Podcast to hear about our picks! In the meantime, let us know what you’re playing this week.

Nintendo Switch

• STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter – Experience the legendary Bounty Hunter fantasy set before the events of STAR WARS: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.  In this classic third-person action-adventure game, you’ll become Jango Fett, Prime Clone of the Grand Army of the Republic, hired to capture a deranged Dark Jedi. Face off against foes and maneuver through acrobatic battles in this adaptation fully optimized for the Nintendo Switch system. Fight your way through the galaxy’s underbelly equipped with Dual Blasters, your Flamethrower, Whipcord and pure Mandalorian rage. Bring in your bounty, dead or alive. STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter launches today on Nintendo Switch.
• World of Goo 2 – This sequel to World of Goo includes even more goo! Put your imagination to the test and use living liquid creatures to build bridges, grow towers, terraform terrain and fuel flying machines. Discover new types of Goo Balls with distinct abilities – including Explosive, Growing and Shrinking Goo – across more than 64 levels set in a dangerous, physics-based world. Go for the goo when World of Goo 2 launches on Nintendo Switch as a console exclusive on Aug. 2.

Digital Spotlight

• Thank You for Being a Friend – Get ready to play alongside (or against) your friends this Sunday as National Friendship Day comes around! If you want to bring the party to your inner circle, take a spin around five classic gameboards and experience the minigame mayhem in the Mario Party Superstars game! If you and your buddies have a more competitive edge, put your speedrunning skills to the test as you race through over 150 challenges from classic 13 NES games with the Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition game. Or dive into a Turf War and see which team can cover the most ground with their ink color in the Splatoon 3 game. Winner takes all! Aiming to become the dream team? Grab a friend and put your heads together as Mario and Toad to rescue the Mini-Marios from Donkey Kong in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong game. Whether they’re near or far, friends are important – and you can play with them anytime, anywhere on Nintendo Switch!

Updates

• STAR WARS: Hunters – Season 2: Empire Resurgent – Prepare for an epic new season of STAR WARS: Hunters – Empire Resurgent! Imposing Imperial security droid K-A0S storms into the Arena, ready to unleash her powerful tank-class abilities. Season 2 also introduces a thrilling new battlefield inspired by Darth Vader’s iconic castle, plus an all-new Arena Pass with cosmetics, stickers and more to be unlocked. Jump into the action today!

 Pre-orders

• SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS – Shadow the Hedgehog is back with Classic and Modern Sonic in SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS, an all-new collection featuring two unique experiences! Play as Shadow in a brand-new story campaign featuring never-before-seen abilities that demonstrate why he’s known as the Ultimate Life Form! Speed through iconic stages from Shadow’s history, discover hidden secrets in an expansive hub world and unlock new powers to take on Black Doom and save the world. SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS launches Oct. 25. Pre-orders are available now on Nintendo eShop!

Nintendo eShop sales

• Save on Multiplayer Games During the Play Together Sale! – Gather your friends and family and share good times with games for the Nintendo Switch system! For a limited time, find great deals on select multiplayer games when you shop on Nintendo.com or Nintendo eShop on your device. Don’t forget, My Nintendo members can earn Gold Points on qualifying digital purchases. You can then redeem your Gold Points towards the purchase of other eligible digital games, DLC, Nintendo Switch Online memberships and more. These fun-for-all deals last through Aug. 11 at 11:59 p.m. PT. For more information and to view the full list of games, visit https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/sales-and-deals/#play-together-sale.

Also new this week

• 100 Doors – Escape from Work
• Aero The Acro-Bat – Available Aug. 2
• Agent Walker: Secret Journey
• Animal Hunting 3D – Available Aug. 2
• Arcade Archives VS. THE ADVENTURE OF VALKYRIE : The Legend of the Key of Time
• Babba Yagga: Woodboy – Available Aug. 2
• Bare Butt Boxing
• Basketball Anime Girls
• Block Tower TD
• Borderlands Collection: Pandora’s Box
• Bot Shot – Available Aug. 3
• Cattie – Available Aug. 7
• Chef Chen
• Cilla – Available August 2
• Coloring book series Dinosaur Museum
• Doodle Hunt: Search Hidden Items
• EmyLiveShow: Dangers and Mysteries Tale
• EvoMon – Available Aug.2
• Farlands Journey
• Find the cat
• Galaxy Mania – Available Aug. 2
• Golf VS Zombies
• Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom
• How To Draw
• I Want To Go To Mars – Available Aug. 7
• JALECOlle Famicom Ver. Pinball Quest
• King ’n Knight – Available Aug. 2
• Landnama
• Mars 2120
• Metroplex Zero Sci-Fi Card Battler – Available Aug. 4
• Motorcycles: World Championship
• ONE PIECE ODYSSEY DELUXE EDITION
• Operation: Tango
• PPA Pickleball Tour 2025
• Rejoinder – Procedural Roguelite – Available Aug. 2
• SAME BREAK GAME
• Sherlock Holmes: The Darkest Mysteries Bundle
• Shopping Mall Girl – Available Aug. 2
• Space Crew & Bomber Crew Bundle
• Spark the Electric Jester 3
• Spot The Difference Anime Edition
• Super kawaii! Finding mistakes in panda photos
• Synaxarion Christian Stories: Holy Martyr Savvas the Goth
• TENSEI
• Thank Goodness You’re Here!
• The House of Da Vinci Complete Bundle
• The Lullaby of Life – Available Aug. 7
• The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom – Available Aug. 5
• There’s no Socks
• Tomba! Special Edition
• Toy Car Extreme Racing: RC Driver Simulator
• Train Your Brain! Spot the Difference with Animal Kids Photos
• Treasure Hunt on a World Trip
• Trinity Fusion
• Untitled Goose Game & Thank Goodness You’re Here! Bundle
• Voice Mimicry Show
• Volgarr the Viking II – Available Aug. 6
• Werewolf Goldfish
• Yatsumeguri
• Zumba Marble Blast

The post Star Wars: Bounty Hunter joins this week’s eShop roundup appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma, Kirk, and Trev discuss the latest Nintendo news, from our time with Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition to celebrating Fire Emblem: Three Houses.

Last week, we discussed the reveal for Emio, the upcoming visual novel with horror elements. It brings back a 30-year-old franchise with an anime style that we’re looking forward to. This week, we delve into the anniversary of the massive Fire Emblem: Three Houses, which celebrates five years since release on July 26.

Did you know that the Game Boy is 35 years old? That’s right, the humble handheld debuted in North America .on July 31 1989. We talk about our fondest Game Boy memories.

We’re playing some grest games this week, too. First and foremost is Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, which Jemma has been playing. She’s also playing Arranger, a new indie title that’s full of surprises. Meanwhile, Kirk is playing a classic game in a new form with the racing action of NeoSprint.

Along the way, we discuss some new LEGO sets with Mario and Sonic themes, along with a great Borderlands deal that’s hard to pass up. If you’re a fan, this is s deal worth checking out.

Thanks for listening, we love putting these shows together, so let us know your thoughts! And don’t forget to leave us a review to help support the channel.

Until next time, game on everyone!

Support the show!

Please support the Pure Nintendo Podcast by leaving us a review on Spotify or liking on YouTube, and tune in each and every Monday for more Nintendo-related goodness. It’s all happening on the Pure Nintendo Podcast!

You can find our podcast on:

• Spotify
• Apple
• Amazon

You can also subscribe to our bi-monthly magazine over at patreon.com/PureNintendo and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/PureNintendo. We’d love your support!

The post How is Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition? | Pure Nintendo Podcast E71 appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

It’s time to check out the latest goodies to hit the Nintendo Switch eShop. This week’s highlights are Arranger and The Star Names EOS, two indie titles that differ in content, yet are equally impressive.

First up is Arranger, an RPG involving sliding tiles in a colorful, top-down world. It’s a unique twist that creates all kinds of puzzles to solve, from combat to sheering animals. We’re working on our review, so stay tuned to find out our full thoughts.

Secondly, The Star Names EOs presents a first-person perspective on things. This title features a lovely hand-drawn art style to help further immerse you into the world. Solve puzzles and collect memories to find the truth behind your mother’s disappearance.

It’s that time of year – the next iteration of EA Sport’s FC title is in pre-order mode ahead of its September release. Will we be as taken with the 2025 edition as we were with 2024? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, there are Nintendo World Championship Edition events to compete in, a Warner Bros. sale to look into, as well as a very long list of new titles to consider.

Check it all out below, and let us know which games you’ll be playing this weekend! Join us on the Pure Nintendo podcast to hear what we’re playing, too.

Nintendo Switch

• Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure – Follow Jemma, a small-town misfit on a journey of self-discovery, in this puzzle-packed adventure game. When Jemma moves, the world around her moves too – creating both a playful sense of chaos and a regular stream of small, thoughtful puzzles for you to solve. Customize your experience with various assist options and get absorbed in the story through an expressive art style with comic-panel story scenes. Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure launches on the Nintendo Switch system today.
• The Star Named EOS – Immerse yourself in a first-person storytelling puzzle adventure game that explores photography and the ways we can capture the fleeting moments that shape our lives. Delve into a beautiful hand-drawn world as you play as Dei, a young photographer tracing the footsteps of his mother. Find and collect items filled with memories, and help Dei find the truth behind his mother’s absence. The Star Named EOS is available now.

Pre-orders

• EA FC EA SPORTS FC 25 – Experience more ways to win for the club. Team up with friends to play your favorite modes in the new 5v5 Rush and manage your club to victory as FC IQ delivers more tactical control than ever before. Pre-order EA SPORTS FC 25 Standard Edition by Sept. 26 and receive in-game rewards like a Cover Star Loan Player Item in Football Ultimate Team, 250,000 Club Coins and more. Pre-order EA SPORTS FC 25 Ultimate Edition by Aug. 20 and receive all Standard Edition pre-order content and up to seven days of early access—you’ll be able to start playing as early as Sept. 20! You’ll also receive early access Rush Rewards in Football Ultimate Team and Clubs, and more in-game rewards with Ultimate Edition pre-order. EA SPORTS FC 25 launches on Nintendo Switch Sept. 27.

Activities

• Get Expert Help on the Legend Challenges – Looking to put your speedrunning skills to the ultimate test in the Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition game? With the Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition – Classified Information for 13 Legend Challenges My Nintendo digital reward, you can have the tips you need to take down these in-game challenges right at your fingertips. No Platinum Points*** are required to redeem this reward! For more information, check out https://my.nintendo.com/rewards/45e481ad207224e4.
• My Nintendo Shovel Knight: Decade of Digging Sweepstakes – Celebrate 10 years of the chivalrous adventurer, Shovel Knight! Enter the My Nintendo Shovel Knight: Decade of Digging Sweepstakes for a chance to win a treasure trove of Shovel Knight delights. Adventure awaits – enter today! This sweepstakes ends on Sept. 4, 2024 at 11 p.m. PT. For more information, visit https://my.nintendo.com/rewards/dab07cd0247c261f.

Nintendo eShop sales

• Warner Bros. Games Mid-Year Sale – Save up to 85% off on your favorite titles and begin an unforgettable adventure during the Warner Bros. Games July Sale! Save on games like LEGO Harry Potter Collection, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate and LEGO DC Super-Villains Deluxe Edition. This sale ends Aug. 4 at 11:59 p.m. PT. For more information and to view the full list of games, visit https://www.nintendo.com/store/sales-and-deals.

Also new this week

• 4 The Elements
• Abathor
• Ao Oni – Available July 26
• Arcade Archives FOOTBALL CHAMP
• Astoria: Fate’s Kiss
• Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus
• City Takeover – Available July 26
• Cobra Kai Collection
• COSMIC FANTASY
• COSMIC FANTASY2
• Courageous Reasoning Nori 7 New World
• Cricket Captain 2024
• Cyber Racers: Retro Neon Punk Drift – Available July 26
• Daydream: Forgotten Sorrow
• Death Noodle Delivery – Available July 31
• Epyx Rogue
• Escape Fear 2: Hide And Seek Horror
• Exhausted Man
• Exophobia
• Faster Than Bolt – Available July 26
• Fishing Break
• Fit My Dog – Available July 26
• Gallery of Things: Reveries
• Gravity Circuit Deluxe Edition
• Harvest Days
• HELLPIT 3D PLATFORMER – Available July 26
• Hidden Cats in Rome
• Hollow Cocoon
• Inflatables – Available July 27
• Jewel Fight: Heroes of Legend – Available July 26
• Life Sim Bundle
• Little Army – Available July 28
• Midnight Collection – Available July 30
• Mists of Noyah
• Monument: Invasion
• My Little Universe + God of Light Remastered Bundle
• NINJA SLAYER NEO-SAITAMA IN FLAMES
• nPool
• Pair Horror
• Pirate Year Thousand: The Kraken Piece
• Puppy Cars: Games for Kids Edition, Animal Adventure
• Ringlorn Saga
• SANBANSEN PLUS
• Seven Nights Ghost
• Shikon-X Astro Defense Fortress
• SNK VS. CAPCOM SVC CHAOS
• Some Some Convenience Store
• Speed Overflow
• Sportitions’24 – Available July 26
• Steel Racer – Available July 26
• Summer In Trigue – Available July 31
• TACTICAL BANDITS
• The Garden Path – Available July 30
• The Legend of the Dragonflame High School 3
• Thief Simulator: Heist Master – Available July 27
• TOKYO CHRONOS & ALTDEUS: Beyond Chronos TWIN PACK – Available July 31
• Tokyo Xanadu eX+
• Ultimate Puzzle Adventure: Dogs
• Ultimate Puzzle Adventure: Robots
• Uncover the Triad of Terror
• Witch Guardians: Quest for the Ancestral Magic
• YEAH! YOU WANT “THOSE GAMES,” RIGHT? SO HERE YOU GO! NOW, LET’S SEE YOU CLEAR THEM! 2

The post Arranger joins this week’s eShop roundup appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

This week on the Pure Nintendo Podcast, Jemma and Kirk delve into the world of Emio – The Smiling Man, which was unveiled by Nintendo last week.

Last week, we speculated on what Emio could be after an initial teaser. This week, we have the details, and discuss the Famicom Detective Club series. Emio marks the first new entry in the series in over 30 years! The full game comes out on 29 August, so stay tuned for more details as we approach the release date.

We also discuss the official rating for Zelda’s upcoming solo adventure, Echoes of Wisdom. The title has received an E10 rating, and what’s even more interesting is the mention of how players will control Link during the adventure. This sparks a conversation about how we think Link will work his way into the story, though we hope (and assume) the focus will be on Zelda.

Meanwhile, Jemma has had some hands-on time with the latest TMNT outing, Splintered Fate, and gives her initial thoughts ahead of a full review (which has since been published). The good news is that it’s an enjoyable time, with roguelike elements that work well in combination with a solid story and voiceacting that makes the everything feel very much like a TMNT game.

Thanks for listening, we love putting these shows together, so let us know your thoughts! And don’t forget to leave us a review to help support the channel.

Until next time, game on everyone!

Support the show!

Please support the Pure Nintendo Podcast by leaving us a review on Spotify or liking on YouTube, and tune in each and every Monday for more Nintendo-related goodness. It’s all happening on the Pure Nintendo Podcast!

You can find our podcast on:

• Spotify
• Apple
• Amazon

You can also subscribe to our bi-monthly magazine over at patreon.com/PureNintendo and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/PureNintendo. We’d love your support!

The post So, Emio was Famicom Detective Club all along? | Pure Nintendo Podcast E70 appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Remember Braid? It was all the rage back in 2008 when it was originally released on other consoles, quickly making its mark as a unique indie platformer. Now, like so many titles before it, a special edition of this older game comes to the Switch. Let’s welcome Braid, Anniversary Edition to the fold.

The Switch’s success has given rise to many such re-releases. Don’t get me wrong, I think cross-pollination across platforms is great, giving classic titles another go at reaching an audience. For anyone who missed out on games like Braid the first time around, re-releases are terrific. Especially when as much effort is put into proceedings as with this edition.

Let’s start with the gameplay basics. Braid is a puzzle platformer that follows the adventures of a young man on a mission to rescue his beloved. Throughout his journey are rooms, each presenting a problem to solve. Typically, the goal is to access various jigsaw pieces dotted about the room. They’re often hard to reach, with a clever solution required to get you there.

Apart from the usual running and jumping, this little platformer adds a unique time mechanic. While death may occur frequently, whether from falling into a pit or landing on spikes, a quick tap of the rewind button lets you travel back through time to try again. Not only that, some objects respond differently to this reverse flow of time. This opens the way for some creative tricks to get you to those hard-to-reach jigsaw pieces. 

From the very beginning, it’s clear Braid was developed with care. While there are some head-scratching traps in there for sure, one of the goals of the original development was to create something that felt rewarding to solve. And it does. But that attention to detail extends beyond the puzzles. Everything has been curated to create something unique, especially in 2008. Even the game’s intro is unique; instead of the typical menu screen with options, the title screen is the game. You control things from the very beginning.

Let’s talk about the key differences between this edition and the original. One thing we don’t always see with revamped releases is the ability to switch between old and new graphics. Braid has you covered here, allowing players to quickly flick from classic to updated styles at the touch of a button. It’s seamless. It’s a treat for fans who remember the way things were, or for anyone with an interest in gaming history.

Speaking of visuals, they’re simply lovely. They were already nice back in 2008, but now they’re even better, with colorful backdrops that really pop. Character pixels have been enhanced, as have their animations. There’s much more detail in each room, too. In short, a good-looking game has been enhanced to become quite splendid.

Now, if you have played the original Braid, this leaves less room for a Switch purchase. If you were already a fan, perhaps the updated visuals are enough to tempt you. However, this Anniversary Edition offers a comprehensive amount of commentary to give you yet another excuse to double dip.

And I mean comprehensive. The developers have gone above and beyond, integrating hours of detailed audio while you’re playing. Yes, while you’re playing. There are special switches within the game that allow you to access commentary for the room you’re in. It accompanies you while you continue playing, akin to watching a director’s commentary during a movie. There’s hours worth of content, which is interesting to fans and, again, gaming enthusiasts who are interested in how it all came together at the time. It’s quite a work of art.

So, any downsides? Not really, though with the original gameplay remaining intact, it means any flaws come along for the ride. The only such issue I noticed was when I first played. As mentioned, there are many rooms to explore, however it’s not clear initially what you’re meant to do in them; the instructions are deliberately unclear. This makes for a slightly shaky start until you work out what’s going on. Once you get a feel for it, though, Braid truly shines.

Overall, Braid, Anniversary Edition is the definitive version of a terrific platformer. Not only has this classic title been enhanced with improved graphics, but a detailed commentary has been integrated into the game itself. The original developers put a lot of effort into building something unique in 2008. Now, they’ve enhanced their creation into something special and detailed.

The post Review: Braid, Anniversary Edition (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate is the latest outing for the four heroes in a half shell. These reptilian ninjas have experienced a rebirth of late, with games like Shredder’s Revenge and the Cowabunga Collection faring well on the Switch, plus Mutants Unleashed heading our way in October. In the meantime, Splintered Fate is here to take the classic beat-’em-up formula we know and love and thrust it into an isometric, roguelike experience. Risky? Maybe. Does it pay off? Pretty much. 

You know their names: Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello. Four mutant heroes living in the sewers of New York City under the tutelage of their sensei, Master Splinter. We’ve experienced countless outings featuring this team and their allies since 1989. One thing we haven’t experienced is a roguelike take on things. It’s not important whether or not we need such an outing. What matters is that Splintered Fate takes the turtles we know and love and successfully integrates it into something fresh and fun. 

The plot, which seems to be loosely based on the 2023 comic book series of the same name, involves the kidnapping of Master Splinter. Naturally, it’s up to the turtle brethren to rescue their sensei, sending them on a cross-dimensional journey through the sewers, streets, and rooftops of New York City. Along the way, they meet Foot Soldiers, Mousers, and plenty of other foes to beat up.

The story is fun and fast paced, with a terrific script that’s full of humor. I also appreciate the terrific voice acting used throughout. It adds a lot of personality, culminating in a genuine foray into the world of TMNT. Many familiar characters are present, including April O’Neil, Metalhead, Casey Jones, Leatherhead, and, of course, Shredder. If you’re a fan, you’ll feel right at home.

Let’s address the roguelike side of things. Admittedly, this isn’t my usual genre of choice. However, Splintered Fate balances things so well that it almost serves as a neat introduction to this style of gameplay for those unfamiliar. It has the main elements, like randomized levels and limited-time power-ups on each run. What helps Splintered Fate stand apart is the way the story continues after each run. 

Rather than perish when your health expires, players find themselves sent back to their base to regroup. Here, you can chat with April or Metalhead to get an update on the story. You can also permanently upgrade your skills using coins collected during the previous run. This makes the next run slightly easier, pushing you further along each time you jump back in.

Even though runs are randomized, there’s also a familiarity about them. Layouts and enemy configurations vary slightly, as do the power ups received after clearing each room. Mini bosses are randomized, too, though chapter bosses remain the same. What I love about the boss fights is that the dialogue changes; the bosses know you’ve already fought them. These little touches make the whole experience feel less like a typical roguelike, serving as the best of both worlds.

Importantly for a TMNT game, the combat feels natural. My only initial qualm was the inability to jump, something I’m very familiar with in terms of the classic TMNT outings. I quickly grew used to the way Splintered Fate works, though. There’s your standard attack, along with two special moves and a dash. Special moves need to be charged by using your standard attack, while the dash charges over time. These are all upgradeable during your run, creating customized moves that are super satisfying to use.

There are a few ways to play, namely solo, multiplayer, and online modes. I would have preferred the ability to add players during your solo outing without having to quit and return to the menu, but at least you can continue your solo story (including permanent upgrades) via multiplayer mode. Playing with a couple of friends in local multiplayer is as fun as you’d expect. Although I didn’t notice much lag, it can become chaotic when there’s a lot of on-screen enemies. I lost myself a few times! 

Unfortunately, I also encountered a few glitches. Most disturbingly, the game completely crashed several times during play. On the plus side, I was able to restart from the previous room, and my in-run abilities were intact. On the downside, this wasn’t the case for players two and three; only player one’s temporary upgrades returned. This occurred towards the end of the game, leaving two thirds of our team woefully underpowered as we encountered Shredder. It’s a shame, and spoils an otherwise terrific outing. Another glitch left me invisible for a boss fight because my character was cut off by a barrier during the transition to the second phase. 

Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate brings a new way of playing to fans of the green, teen heroes. The story, visuals, and gameplay are all great, though a few bugs do hamper the experience. Still, it’s a fun time, employing simple roguelike elements that won’t be too jarring for fans of the typical side-scrolling style of gameplay.

The post Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate (Nintendo Switch) appeared first on Pure Nintendo.