We're fast approaching GOTY season, so it's time to strap in and look back at the best of September in this month's edition of eShop Selects.
Wait, what do you mean "a brand-new Zelda game came out last month"? We know, don't worry — but what about all of those eShop exclusives, eh? We'll be looking at September's eShop releases, and it was yet another busy month for the digital storefront. As always, our staff and contributors voted for their top three eShop games from the list of games we've reviewed, with the top three listed below (but all of the other really good ones are here, too)
August's Readers' Choice was, unsurprisingly, an eShop game that dropped during the Nintendo Direct double-bill that we couldn't quite make time for — Peglin! Another eShop gem, Pizza Tower, topped the votes but we managed to get our review in. Regardless, a Peggle-inspired roguelike sounds like it's just the thing for the colder months.
With that out of the way, it's time to look at September's games...
Honourable mentions
Everything in September's vote got at least an 8/10 from us — it was a very good month, after all. But we do have a few caveats. Ace Attorney is eligible because it only got a physical release in North America and Japan (and not all territories), and Marvel vs. Capcom is also eligible because the physical is out later this year.
- Ace Attorney Investigations Collection | Review: 8/10
- Beyond Galaxyland | Review: 9/10
- Elsie | Review: 8/10
- Gimmick! 2 | Review: 8/10
- Loddlenaut | Review: 8/10
- Shogun Showdown | Review: 9/10
- Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition | Review: 9/10
3. Bloomtown: A Different Story (Switch eShop)
We've been really excited about Bloomtown: A Different Story, so we're delighted that this turn-based, slice-of-life RPG lived up to the hype. Inspired by Persona, Pokémon, and a whole load of other classic RPGs, Bloomtown takes the classic genre and places it firmly in the '60s. And it's all the better for it.
Excellent sidequests, story, gameplay, all wrapped in lovely pixel art? We scored it a well-deserved 8/10 in our review.
2. Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines (Switch eShop)
We certainly weren't expecting a sequel to Grapple Dog in 2024, but we're delighted we got one. Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines is fantastic, and proof that two dogs are better than one. Newcomer Luna brings some brand new gameplay elements, while Pablo and the rest of the game is a clear step up from the previous outing.
It's no wonder we gave Cosmic Canines a 9/10. It's right there in the name! Ca-nine. K-9. We'll see ourselves out...
1. Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (Switch)
As we mentioned above, we know Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics is getting a physical version. But as with previous months, we've decided to let it count as that physical is still a few weeks away.
So, with that said, who's surprised to see MvC at the top here? We're still pinching ourselves that this even exists. We would've just been happy to see Marvel vs. Capcom 2 on modern consoles, but seven games all in a stellar collection, with excellent rollback netcode? Please, Capcom, you're spoiling us.
Unsurprisingly, we scored Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics a 9/10. This is an essential purchase for fighting game fans.
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< Nintendo eShop Selects - August 2024
eShop Selects Reader's Choice Vote (September 2024)
Once again, we're calling on you to tell us what we've missed in September this year. Tell us about your favourite Switch games on the eShop from last month, and vote for them in the poll below.
And, as always, you can also vote for your favourites from our top picks, too.
What's the best Switch eShop game we missed in September 2024? (14 votes)
What was your favourite eShop game from our top September picks? (208 votes)
- Ace Attorney Investigations Collection (Switch eShop)
- Beyond Galaxyland (Switch eShop)
- Bloomtown: A Different Story (Switch eShop)
- Elsie (Switch eShop) 1%
- Gimmick! 2 (Switch eShop)
- Grapple Dogs: Cosmic Canines (Switch eShop)
- Loddlenaut (Switch eShop)
- Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics (Switch)
- Shogun Showdown (Switch eShop)
- Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition (Switch eShop)
How we decide our eShop Selects top three: As we reach the end of every month, the Nintendo Life staff vote on their favourite titles from a list of games selected by the editorial team. To qualify for this list, these games must have been released as a digital-only Nintendo Switch eShop title in that particular month, and must have been reviewed on Nintendo Life; we select the qualifying games based on their review scores.
Staff are then asked to vote for three games that they think deserve to sit right at the very top of that list; first choice gets three points, second choice gets two points, and third choice gets one point. These votes are then tallied to create a top-three list, with the overall winner taking that month's top prize.
Comments 17
The only game I picked up out of the bunch was Shogun Showdown after its very warm reception, but it didn’t do anything for me, unfortunately.
It won’t take a rocket scientist to guess Marvel vs Capcom is most popular here.
And also yes GOTY season is roughly two months away already… or realistically, due to the release schedule this year, practically a month away, as November is exceptionally light this year and December… has Indiana Jones launching likely after the deadline to win by most publications and that’s about it. Sort of weird to say, especially as my list has been mostly the same since… like March or something like that. It hasn’t all been the same, but 4 of my top 10 were released before March! 😅
I'm surprised Beyond Galaxyland didn't make the top 3, definitely the month's #1 for me. Bloomtown does look great as well, but haven't tried that one yet, and same goes for Ace Attorney Investigatios and Shogun Showdown.
In terms of missed games I'm surprised Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles hasn't been mentioned on this site at all given it's one of the most most acclaimed deckbuilders of recent times and the Switch release had been a long time coming. Between Horizons is another good one, a great narrative game.
I haven't gotten any of these yet but I will definitely get the Grapple Dogs sequel eventually and several more of these are also on my wishlist.
I didn't buy any September eShop games because I was mostly waiting for Zelda (which I love) but I did play the demo of RPG Maker With which is good simply by being RPG Maker.
Although I haven't played it yet, one game I'm surprised didn't get a review is BZZZT which is currently 91 on metacritic.
Already reviewed, but I'm kind of shocked BAKERU didn't make it into this article.
My wallet has taken a serious beating the past few months I tell you that
Not voting this time for my favorite between these picks - on the other hand, voting for BZZZT as the one missed, I'm also surprised Nintendo Life didn't review it - because I haven't played any of these games yet and unlike other times I can't even predict which one will be my favorite, way too many great eShop games ths month and I couldn't be happier (apart from me not being able to play them all immediately of course)!
Added Marvel vs Capcom and Worms Armageddon to wishlist.
Where's the "None of the above" option?
Currently playing Cruis'n Blast again. Awesome arcade racer!
@JohnnyMind @FishyS Bzzzt is a good shout. It’s better than any of the games highlighted here, I’d say. It’s a solid retro platformer. Sometimes you need a solid retro platformer. The genre is practically the lungs for the Switch. They help the console breathe, so that the heart of the first party games can pump so much blood, so much life into it. Always a welcome thing to see another solid one added to the roster.
Yay Loddlenaut. I really enjoyed that one. I’m glad I got the opportunity to vote for it.
@silver-crescent I'd go out on a limb and assume the graphics style/animation puts people off of it. I know the speed of scrolling versus the animation itself bothers me to watch.
AAI Collection is the only thing interesting there for me, and even though I haven't played it yet, it's Ace Attorney, so it's got my vote. Plus, I'll play it soonish.
Surprised Bzzzt and Iron Meat weren't reviewed as well. Both are games I'll be picking up soon.
Marvel vs Capcom Fighting Collection is fantastic. I played Marvel vs Capcom 2 on Dreamcast a LOT back in the day and being able to play it again now is just great even though I'm absolutely terrible at the game when compared to other Players 😅
@somnambulance Personally, I'd say there are more or less just as great games listed here in their respective genres - there's a reason why a lot of people were so pleasantly surprised when the Marvel vs. Capcom collection was announced just to make the most obvious example - and that's exactly why it's a bummer that Nintendo Life didn't review BZZZT even though I certainly don't blame them considering how busy these months are (and even more so since it's thanks to this very site making at least an article about it that I've heard of it in the very first place and will get it for sure when I can)!
@JohnnyMind Totally agree. MvC2 is especially iconic as an arcade fighter, even if I’m at a point where I don’t personally want to toss any money to support the Marvel machine anymore for various reasons and opinions for what it’s doing to media at large.
I really appreciate NLife for their approach at gaming coverage. They really try to cover as many strong games as they can and review a lot of them as well. It’s a shame they can’t get to more games too, but I totally get that time is a limited resource. The best thing this site does is creates awareness. Otherwise, you’ve got to practically watch and fish through every showcase. Some of us already do that, but it’s nice to have a team that takes games just as seriously. I mean, I learned how to fish through showcases from following NLife for a little more than a decade. And I remember lurked until I could lurk no longer! Lol. The games also deserve discussion and NLife facilitates that. Love this site!
@somnambulance Couldn't agree more as those are absolutely among the reasons why I really appreciate Nintendo Life, too!
Caravan Sandwitch was a breakout hit for me. I picked up Zelda on release day but made a point of keeping it on ice until I'd finished that wonderful and ambitious indie open world exploration experience. It's a real treat and I'd recommend it to anyone.
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