SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Metroid Dread’, ‘Tetris Effect: Connected’, What Else Do You Need?

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for October 8th, 2021. It’s Metroid Dread day! And somehow also Tetris Effect: Connected day! Wow, I know which games I’m playing this weekend. There are a bunch of other new releases on the off chance you aren’t interested in either of the two heavy-hitters, and naturally a whole bunch of new sales to check out. Let’s go!

New Releases

Metroid Dread ($59.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

The wait is over. Metroid 5 is finally here, eighteen years after Metroid 4. Phew. This one comes by way of Mercurysteam, who also handled the 3DS remake of the second Metroid game, Samus Returns. It shares a lot of elements with that game, but it has plenty of new stuff as well. The story sees Samus sent to a planet named ZDR to investigate after communications go silent with a group of E.M.M.I. robots. As you might imagine, things go a little ca-ca. Structurally, it’s along the lines of previous 2D Metroid games. Lots of exploration and secrets. I imagine I’ll be reviewing this one early next week, so do look forward to that.

Tetris Effect: Connected ($39.99)

SwitchArcade Highlight!

Hey, it’s more Tetris for your Switch. So what makes this worth picking up if you already have Tetris 99 and Puyo Puyo Tetris at your disposal? Style, friends. Style. This version comes from the folks at Enhance, many of whom worked on games like Lumines and Rez. It’s a good game of Tetris with some amazing music and all kinds of trippy effects, with plenty to enjoy on your own or with other players in a variety of modes. I’ll have a review of this one soon, but it’s a fairly easy game to recommend to the discerning Tetris fan.

Lord of the Click II ($4.99)

This game has one of my favorite game descriptions I’ve seen on the eShop so far. Go ahead and read it. Really good stuff. At any rate, this is a follow-up to Lord of the Click that is mostly more of the same save for the addition of a two-player local co-op mode that you can play.

Slice of Life ($6.99)

This looks like a mix of arcade-style tennis, visual novel, and light RPG. I’m certainly intrigued, but I would have to actually play it to say much more than that. With that said, the rather reasonable price makes it easy to take a punt on something that sounds as interesting as this. It also has some local multiplayer modes if you just want to play some tennis.

Enigmatis 3: The Shadow of Karkhala ($14.99)

This is the third and apparently final game in the Enigmatis series of hidden object adventures. The detective and her partner pursue the demonic preacher who has eluded capture. They’ll have to venture into some remote mountains if they hope to catch him. I’d imagine if you were in for the first two, you’ll want to see this through. And if not, this is probably not the place to start.

Driving World: Italian Job ($11.99)

Here’s our driving game for the week. You’re making deliveries in this one, so you have to find the people on the map and go to their location. Don’t go too slow, but don’t drive too recklessly either. There are different vehicles and modes to mess with, but you probably know what to expect from these things by now. Expect it to be on sale for half price within weeks.

Bouncy Bullets 2 ($4.99)

I guess that first game did alright for itself, then. This is a colorful first-person shooter with bullets that bounce off the walls. You’ll have to do some platforming and shooting as you make your way through forty-five levels. There’s a speed run mode as well, in case you feel like you need to squeeze a bit more out of the game. I mean, it’s five dollars. The first game wasn’t great but I don’t think it was completely without merit either.

Mercenaries Series Bundle ($34.99)

This is a bundle containing Mercenaries Saga: Will of the White Lions, Mercenaries Saga 2: Order of the Silver Eagle, Mercenaries Saga 3: Gray Wolves of War, Mercenaries Wings: The False Phoenix, and Mercenaries Blaze: Dawn of the Twin Dragons. That is a whole lot of Tactics-style turn-based RPG fun in one pack. Buying these separately would normally cost you about forty-eight bucks, so this is a nice savings. Just do the usual due diligence and make sure none of the games are on sale or anything like that before you jump in.

The Bear and the Admiral ($17.99)

Well, that’s an art style. This is a run and gun game with a very… Microsoft Paint look? I guess? I don’t dislike it, but the game itself is a little rough. Very floaty physics, and it just doesn’t have the kind of gameplay that I prefer. You might feel differently. You can play it alone or pull in a friend via local multiplayer to get some support.

AAA Clock ($9.99)

Everyone’s having fun taking a go at this, and I suppose I’ll just leave it to them. It’s a clock. Like the one on your Switch’s home screen, but bigger. You can set an alarm, adjust the colors of the display, and even play a somewhat unimpressive game. Worth a tenner? Probably not.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Yes, those are some good games. I’ll call your attention to the Arcade Archives Taito games that are on sale. Hamster doesn’t do sales often and it rarely repeats them, given the several hundred games in its library. If you want to save money on any of those games, now is the time. I recommend Kiki Kaikai in particular. Puzzle Bobble 2 won’t steer you wrong either. Check both of those lists and see what strikes your fancy, as there is quite a bit there.

Select New Games on Sale

Barbearian ($8.39 from $11.99 until 10/11)
Chasm ($9.99 from $19.99 until 10/13)
Deployment ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/13)
Tales of the Tiny Planet ($11.24 from $14.99 until 10/14)
Aliens Drive Me Crazy ($4.20 from $6.00 until 10/14)
Instant Sports Tennis ($9.99 from $24.99 until 10/14)
Never Stop ($3.74 from $4.99 until 10/14)
Through the Darkest of Times ($8.99 from $14.99 until 10/15)
Death Coming ($2.72 from $6.99 until 10/15)
The Bear & the Admiral ($16.19 from $17.99 until 10/15)
INSIDE ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/15)
LIMBO ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/15)
Neighbors Back From Hell ($10.49 from $14.99 until 10/15)
Biped ($7.34 from $14.99 until 10/15)
A Gummy’s Life ($13.99 from $19.99 until 10/15)

LEGO Builder’s Journey ($15.99 from $19.99 until 10/15)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/15)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/15)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/15)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 ($24.99 from $49.99 until 10/15)
ACA NEOGEO Puzzle Bobble 2 ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/21)
Arcade Archives Water Ski ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/21)
Arcade Archives The Legend of Kage ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/21)
Arcade Archives Kiki Kaikai ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/21)
Arcade Archives The Tin Star ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/21)
Oniken: Unstoppable Edition ($2.99 from $9.99 until 10/21)
Odallus: The Dark Call ($3.59 from $11.99 until 10/21)
Slayaway Camp: Butcher’s Cut ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Letter Quest Remastered ($2.99 from $11.99 until 10/21)
UnExplored ($4.50 from $15.00 until 10/21)

Fall of Light: Darkest Edition ($4.49 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Slain: Back From Hell ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/21)
Verlet Swing ($5.09 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Super Blood Hockey ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Black Paradox ($4.49 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Demon Pit ($2.99 from $9.99 until 10/21)
Guild of Darksteel ($11.99 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Snakeybus ($7.19 from $11.99 until 10/21)
The Magister ($12.74 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Valfaris ($11.24 from $24.99 until 10/21)
Reverse Crawl ($3.24 from $12.99 until 10/21)
Golem Gates ($7.49 from $24.99 until 10/21)
Monster Slayers ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Nongunz: Doppelganger Edition ($11.24 from $14.99 until 10/21)
Nefarious ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/21)

Bustafellows ($33.99 from $39.99 until 10/22)
Onirike ($11.99 from $14.99 until 10/22)
ASMR Journey: Jigsaw Puzzle ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/22)
Fifty Words by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Tic-Tac-Letters by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Word Search by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Word Puzzles by POWGI ($4.99 from $9.99 until 10/22)
Word Sudoku by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Word Wheel by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Wordsweeper by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Alphaset by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Crypto by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Roundout by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Just a Phrase by POWGI ($3.99 until $7.99 until 10/22)
Ladders by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)

Gaps by POWGI ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Link-a-Pix Deluxe ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Block-a-Pix Deluxe ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Pic-a-Pix Deluxe ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Pic-a-Pix Pieces ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Fill-a-Pix: Phil’s Epic Adv. ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Epic Word Search Collection ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Epic Word Search Collection 2 ($3.99 from $7.99 until 10/22)
Up Cliff Drive ($2.10 from $6.00 until 10/22)
Daylife in Japan: Jigsaw Puzzle ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/22)
Lunch A Palooza ($7.99 from $15.99 until 10/22)
Oniria Crimes ($14.99 from $19.99 until 10/22)
Evergate ($6.49 from $9.99 until 10/22)
Bunny Adventure ($2.10 from $6.00 until 10/22)
Nexomon: Extinction ($12.99 from $19.99 until 10/22)
Parking Madness ($2.10 from $6.00 until 10/22)

Danmachi: Familia Myth ($19.99 from $39.99 until 10/22)
Iconoclasts ($7.99 from $19.99 until 10/22)
Songbird Symphony ($6.79 from $16.99 until 10/22)
Arcade Fuzz ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/22)
Chess Knights: Shinobi ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/22)
Aggelos ($2.24 from $14.99 until 10/22)
Nightmare Boy ($4.49 from $9.99 until 10/22)
Vasara Collection ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/22)
Arcade Spirits ($10.99 from $19.99 until 10/22)
The Copper Canyon Dixie Dash ($3.74 from $7.49 until 10/22)
The Office Quest ($4.19 from $11.99 until 10/22)
Gnomes Garden ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/22)
Tower Climb ($2.10 from $6.00 until 10/22)
Aokana 4 Rhythms Across Blue ($19.49 from $29.99 until 10/22)
Swarmriders ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/22)

UBERMOSH:BLACK ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/22)
Spooky Chase ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/22)
Magic Twins ($9.74 from $12.99 until 10/22)
War Solution: Casual Math Game ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/22)
Savage Halloween ($2.04 from $4.99 until 10/22)
Root Film ($27.99 from $39.99 until 10/22)
Missing Features 2D ($1.99 from $3.99 until 10/22)
Tinker Racers ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/22)
Cat Quest ($6.49 from $12.99 until 10/22)
Cat Quest II ($6.74 from $14.99 until 10/22)
Golf Story ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/22)
MXGP3: Official Motocross ($2.99 from $29.99 until 10/22)
MotoGP 20 ($6.99 from $34.99 until 10/22)
Inertial Drift ($12.99 from $19.99 until 10/22)
A Little Golf Journey ($17.99 from $19.99 until 10/22)

Space Elite Force ($1.99 from $2.99 until 10/22)
Mushroom Savior ($2.24 from $4.99 until 10/26)
Tanky Tanks ($2.99 from $5.99 until 10/26)
Techno Tanks ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/26)
Retro Tanks ($2.99 from $5.99 until 10/26)
Aery Little Bird Adventure ($3.49 from $6.99 until 10/26)
Aery Sky Castle ($4.99 from $9.99 until 10/26)
GI Joe Operation Blackout ($15.99 from $39.99 until 10/28)
Asterix & Obelix XXL 3 ($5.99 from $29.99 until 10/28)
They Bleed Pixels ($1.99 from $14.99 until 10/28)
Cobra Kai: Karate Kid Saga ($19.99 from $39.99 until 10/28)
A Long Way Down ($3.74 from $14.99 until 10/28)
Train Station Renovation ($4.74 from $18.99 until 10/28)
RoboPhobik ($2.49 from $9.99 until 10/28)
Lotus Bloom ($2.39 from $2.99 until 10/28)

The Marauder Chronicles: COV ($3.99 from $4.99 until 10/28)
Strikey Sisters ($2.99 from $9.99 until 10/28)
American Ninja Warrior Challenge ($7.49 from $29.99 until 10/28)
Six Sides of the World ($2.50 from $10.00 until 10/28)
Goosebumps the Game ($2.49 from $9.99 until 10/28)
Zombieland: Double Tap Road Trip ($9.99 from $39.99 until 10/28)
Big Buck Hunter Arcade ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)
UNI ($2.49 from $4.99 until 10/28)
Sudoku Relax ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/28)
Rapala Fishing Pro Series ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)
Rise Eterna ($4.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)
Garfield Kart Furious Racing ($5.99 from $29.99 until 10/28)
Blacksad: Under the Skin ($7.99 from $19.99 until 10/28)
Spider Solitaire Black ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/28)
Nira ($7.49 from $9.99 until 10/28)

Jigsaw Fun: Amazing Animals ($9.99 from $14.99 until 10/28)
Nickelodeon Kart Racers ($7.49 from $29.99 until 10/28)
Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2 ($19.99 from $39.99 until 10/28)
Street Outlaws: The List ($9.99 from $39.99 until 10/28)
Ice Cream Surfer ($2.00 from $8.99 until 10/28)
Yonder: Cloud Catcher Chronicles ($15.89 from $29.99 until 10/28)
Syberia 2 ($1.99 from $29.99 until 10/28)
Gear.Club Unlimited ($2.98 from $14.90 until 10/28)
Cartoon Network: Battle Crashers ($2.49 from $9.99 until 10/28)
Moonlighter ($6.24 from $24.99 until 10/28)
Children of Morta ($8.57 from $21.99 until 10/28)

Sales Ending This Weekend

#NoLimitFantasy, Puzzles Dream ($2.06 from $5.99 until 10/9)
#Wish travel, Puzzles Dream ($1.99 from $5.99 until 10/9)
#womenUp, Puzzles Dream ($2.06 from $5.99 until 10/9)
103 ($8.49 from $9.99 until 10/9)
AXS ($7.49 from $14.99 until 10/9)
Banana Treasures Island ($5.94 from $9.90 until 10/9)
Braveland Trilogy ($2.99 from $14.99 until 10/9)
Crash Drive 3 ($11.99 from $19.99 until 10/9)
Death Tales ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/9)
Gunslugs ($1.99 from $7.99 until 10/9)
Make a Killing ($8.49 from $9.99 until 10/9)
Mecho Tales ($1.99 from $4.99 until 10/9)
Mecho Wars: Desert Ashes ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/9)
Niffelheim ($3.99 from $19.99 until 10/9)
Plague Road ($1.99 from $15.00 until 10/9)

Shinobi Blade ($5.94 from $9.90 until 10/9)
Spaceland ($5.99 from $19.99 until 10/9)
Squabble ($9.99 from $14.99 until 10/9)
Super Club Tennis ($14.99 from $29.99 until 10/9)
Super One More Jump ($1.99 from $6.99 until 10/9)
The Tiny Bang Story ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/9)
Under Leaves ($3.89 from $12.99 until 10/9)
War Theatre ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/9)
Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia ($5.84 from $12.99 until 10/10)
Promesa ($3.49 from $4.99 until 10/10)
Super Arcade Football ($4.99 from $9.99 until 10/10)
Super Toy Cars ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/10)
Tachyon Project ($1.99 from $9.99 until 10/10)

That’s all for today and this week, friends. As I said way up there at the top, I am going to be spending my weekend playing Metroid Dread, and also Tetris Effect. If I have time for anything else, I might eat. We’ll see. Whatever you’re playing or doing this weekend, I hope you have a good one. And as always, thanks for reading!