Gaming🎮 [Mobile] SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘NecroBouncer’, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales

[Bowser]

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for May 27th, 2024. Holiday? What holiday? Shaun never stops! And that’s a good thing, because neither does the eShop. I’ve got a couple short reviews for you today, looking at NecroBouncer and the latest EGGCONSOLE release Golvellius. After that, we have two new releases to check out. We wrap things up in our usual fashion, with a look at the lists of the latest sales and expiring discounts for the day. Let’s get to it!

Reviews & Mini-Views​

NecroBouncer ($13.99)​

I found myself teetering on the line of what score to assign this game, and ultimately I’ve decided to lean towards the positive side of that line. I’m doing so because after seriously questioning myself as to what didn’t work for me with NecroBouncer, the biggest thing I could come up with is that I’ve played too many games like it before. Not exactly the same, of course. This is the only one where I’ve played as an underworld bouncer, for starters. But broadly speaking this sort of top-down twin-stick attack-and-roll roguelite comes a dime a dozen on the Nintendo Switch, and NecroBouncer doesn’t strike any meaningful new ground.

With that said, it doesn’t do a whole lot wrong either. I think the attacks could use more oomph. I don’t like bosses with lengthy invincible stages in their patterns, and this game loves them. It takes a little longer than it ideally should to properly get cooking, but that’s getting to be a genre-wide issue of late. Otherwise, it’s fine. It plays well, the presentation is interesting, and once you start unlocking things it opens up really well. You can have a really good time playing this game.

NecroBouncer has an interesting premise that it doesn’t do as much with as you might like, but it’s a perfectly adequate take on the somewhat well-worn roguelite action genre. My time with it was largely enjoyable, even if I don’t know that I’ll remember much about it in the long run. If you’re looking for a cheeky little roguelite to pass a few days with, this will certainly fit the bill.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

EGGCONSOLE Shin Maou Golvellius MSX2 ($6.49)​

I really appreciate these releases, but I can’t help but wish that D4Enterprise would localize them. I always have to include a caveat in these reviews, because while I think even someone who can’t read a single kana could probably brute force their way through something like Golvellius with enough persistence, a lot of people aren’t going to enjoy that. And that’s a shame, because it should be an exciting occasion to have Golvellius on the Switch. It’s a cult classic that most Western players know from its SEGA Master System release. Some readers of this site may remember when it was available on mobile, too.

Golvellius was developed by Compile, a developer probably best known for creating Puyo Puyo and its Aleste series of shoot-em-ups. It’s an action-adventure game, but it’s an odd one. Some parts are top-down sections where you peacefully talk to villagers. Some parts are side-scrolling action with ratchet scrolling. Sometimes it’s a top-down flip-screen affair in the vein of the original Legend of Zelda. Sometimes it’s vertical auto-scrolling affair, which is pretty strange. Some of that stuff works better than the rest, but it’s a fun game for its era and this MSX2 version is great. You get the usual EGGCONSOLE extras here, so you can use chapter skips to tour the game even if you can’t understand the in-game Japanese text.

This is becoming a pattern with EGGCONSOLE releases, but Golvellius is a cool game and it’s nice to see this MSX2 version made more accessible to players around the world. Unfortunately, the fact that the game in question hasn’t been localized from its original Japanese form means that a lot of folks who might otherwise enjoy playing the game will find themselves frustrated at not being able to make progress. If you’re feeling adventurous and patient, it’s worth the trip.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Select New Releases​

OrbWars ($10.99)​

It’s Orbin’ time! All hail the mighty Orb! This is a party-style twin-stick action game for up to four players via local or online multiplayer. Pick your toy, head out on missions, upgrade your toy, and so on. Chuck your Orbs at the enemies to defeat them. Be careful though, as you do not have infinite Orbs. It seems to be generally well-liked over on Steam, and as long as the port came through okay I’m sure it will find an audience on the Switch as well.

Cat Warrior ($3.99)​

This is a rather generic side-scrolling platformer with thirty levels spread across four different worlds. Fancy dining it is not, but four dollars it is. Your call as to whether you want this or four tasty Snickers bars. I suppose you could do both if you’re a high roller.

Sales​

(North American eShop, US Prices)

If you’ve been waiting for the entire line of Jackbox Party Pack titles to be on sale, here’s your moment. You can also grab the Rune Factory and Story of Seasons games at a nice discount if you’re interested in some farming fun. There are a few Bandai Namco games in the outbox, so give that list a check on your way through too.

Select New Sales

Draw Rider Remake ($1.99 from $4.99 until 5/31)
Bluey: The Videogame ($31.99 from $39.99 until 6/3)
Adventure Time: Pirates ($9.99 from $24.99 until 6/3)
Ben 10: Power Trip ($14.99 from $29.99 until 6/3)
Brigandine: The Legend of Runersia ($19.99 from $49.99 until 6/3)
The Jackbox Party Starter ($9.99 from $19.99 until 6/4)
The Jackbox Party Pack ($11.24 from $24.99 until 6/4)
The Jackbox Party Pack 2 ($12.49 from $24.99 until 6/4)
The Jackbox Party Pack 3 ($16.24 from $24.99 until 6/4)
The Jackbox Party Pack 4 ($12.49 from $24.99 until 6/4)
The Jackbox Party Pack 5 ($16.49 from $29.99 until 6/4)
The Jackbox Party Pack 6 ($16.49 from $29.99 until 6/4)
The Jackbox Party Pack 7 ($17.99 from $29.99 until 6/4)
The Jackbox Party Pack 8 ($17.99 from $29.99 until 6/4)
The Jackbox Party Pack 9 ($17.99 from $29.99 until 6/4)

The Jackbox Party Pack 10 ($20.99 from $34.99 until 6/4)
Fibbage XL ($4.49 from $9.99 until 6/4)
Quiplash ($4.49 from $9.99 until 6/4)
Coffee Crisis ($1.99 from $9.99 until 6/5)
BIT.TRIP Runner ($1.99 from $4.99 until 6/5)
Pan’orama ($7.99 from $19.99 until 6/7)
Rune Factory 3 Special ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Rune Factory 4 Special ($14.99 from $29.99 until 6/8)
Rune Factory 5 ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town ($15.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life ($19.99 from $39.99 until 6/8)
Risky Chronicles & the Curse of Destiny ($4.99 from $9.99 until 6/9)
In My Shadow ($4.20 from $12.00 until 6/10)
Barn Finders ($5.49 from $19.99 until 6/11)
TP Bullet ($3.99 from $4.99 until 6/14)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, May 28th

ARK: Ultimate Survivor ($24.99 from $49.99 until 5/28)
Demon’s Tilt ($7.99 from $19.99 until 5/28)
Namco Museum ($4.79 from $29.99 until 5/28)
Namco Museum Archives Vol 1 ($4.99 from $19.99 until 5/28)
Namco Museum Archives Vol 2 ($4.99 form $19.99 until 5/28)
Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus ($4.99 from $19.99 until 5/28)
Pac-Man Museum+ ($9.99 from $19.99 until 5/28)
Pac-Man World Re-PAC ($9.89 from $29.99 until 5/28)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new releases, more sales, more reviews, and perhaps some news. I’m working through the last bits of 1000xRESIST right now, and it truly is an incredible experience. My review will be coming soon, but I haven’t been invested in a game’s narrative in a while. I hope you all have a magnificent Monday, and as always, thanks for reading!