Freshly announced in today's Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase, a new game from Kirby maestros HAL Laboratory has been surprise-dropped on Switch eShop today.
It's called Part Time UFO and it sees you taking control of Jobski the UFO to fly around and help people by completing tasks for them. Cleaning up, fishing, doing a spot of cooking, building some castles — no task is too menial for Jobski and the grabbing claw attached to his ride.
The game previously released on iOS and Android back in 2018, but Nintendo is publishing this Switch version and it has two new exclusive modes (detailed below), plus two-player local co-op. Well, they do say that a job shared is a job halved, and all that.
Take a look at the trailer above and some screenshots below for an idea of the colourful, claw-filled game that awaits (spot the Kirby cameo!):
The Nintendo Switch version features two exclusive modes. How high can you go? Keep on stacking and aim for a high score in the brand new Tower of Infinity. Take on this challenge alone, or hand a Joy-Con controller to a friend for some competitive or co-op fun.
Job done? Think again! Completing all the part-time jobs unlocks Treasure Island, a puzzle-solver’s paradise that can also be explored in local co-op. Overcome ever more difficult challenges to progress from one room to the next in this mini adventure!
Think this looks like a fun ride? It's on the eShop right now for £8.09 / 8,99€ and we'll be checking it out just as soon as we are able. In the meantime, let us know your thoughts in the usual place.
Comments (43)
Very fun game - android player
I loved this game on my iPhone. Who said mobile games aren’t fun?
Looks fun, and I could get it for half off with Gold Points. I'll wait for reviews first though.
This game is awesome! I had so much fun playing this on my phone. Just about the only good game on mobile. Can't wait to play with my kids in co op. Seriously, just go get it!!!
Finally, a reason to own a Switch!
This is making want a compilation physical release of HAL Laboratory games all that much more.
Looks fun for multiplayer.
I will support this game so that someday we get a Full Time UFO.
I wasn't aware that HAL were making mobile games. Given they're effectively a 2nd party developer it does seems a bit odd that it didn't release at the same time on the Switch.
I was happy to see this coming to the Switch. I knew of its existence but haven't played it before. I'm not much of a mobile gamer. I think I'll get it next week when my sister comes to visit so we can play it together.
I AM GOING TO BURST
@Hewitt Chances are, a 3DS version was originally planned but got canned along with all the other 3DS games that were planned around that time.
Why not port Nintendo Badge Arcade from the 3DS instead?
With Nintendo quickly running out of Wii U games to port to Switch the Switch Pro has to be a dual screen clamshell design so they can start porting all of their 3DS games. Or sell the Switch Pro w/ a TATE vertical holder and split the physical screen like the 2DS does.
This looks ok for a free mobile or web browser game - Nick Jr has a bunch of games like this - but I can't see paying for it.
Sounds like a good multiplayer. Waiting for a Nintendo life review.
And hey @rjejr are those joycons glued to a 3ds?
@Kid_Gamer TATE mode holder. A lot of people have bene 3D printing them at home. At least 1 company is selling them. NL did a review I think.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/06/the_flip_grip_is_a_vertical_grip_accessory_for_your_switch_now_funding_on_kickstarter
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/11/hardware_review_flip_grip_the_dream_peripheral_for_shmup_addicts
@rjejr That's because it WAS a mobile game. It came out in 2017 and it was great. And don't you DARE say "lmao they just ported a mobile game to the Switch and made it more expensive." The original was a full experience similar to a 3DS eShop game with no microtransactions, and the Switch version has multiplayer and tons of new content.
@Hewitt Hal Laboratory is an independent company and this title had no involvement from Nintendo. It's published, developed and owned by Hal. It's why it wasn't on Switch.
This was great on the iPhone with the only drawback being the lack of controller support. This should be a lot of fun on the Switch.
@RPGamer you might be thinking about the video by AntDude were he talks about games from Hal that weren’t Kirby, the first one being Part Time UFO
The mobile version was absolutely wonderful, and I'm considering double-dipping since there seems to be a significant amount of new content. The price of $9 was a little steeper than expected (the mobile version was only $4) but I have no doubt it will be worth every penny, especially to those who have never played the original.
HAL makes great games, y'all. Always look for that name on the title screen.
@N00BiSH Thanks for the info, I stand corrected, not free on mobile, $3.99. So double that on Switch? Guess that's why they call it the Switch tax. Apple takes 25% for mobile games, Nintendo must be taking 75% for them to charge double. Not like they have to pay for the cart on an eShop game. And it should be easier to get it to run on 1 Switch and 1 Switch Lite than the 1,000 different mobile phones out there. We have 4 different Android phones in my house alone, Samsung J7 Crown, Samsung A10e, Moto G6, Samsung J7 Sky. No, I don't knwo why Samsung needs 2 different J7s.
But thanks for the heads up on the price, double the price is still better than charging for a free game. Decent reviews as well.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.halegg.nazcaf&hl=en_US&gl=US
@rjejr YES PLEASE GOD YES #BadgeArcade2 FTW! or just a port but...
I love that game- idc what people say about the pay-to-play, just toss in some daily plays and stuff, continue supporting it w/ events and stuff, give some NSO bonuses, Home Menu Customization system update and even hint hint Miiverse for switch and you've got one of my new fav games!
Am I the only one who thinks the cute lil' UFO looks a tad like our old friend UFO Kirby? I mean there both HAL Lab games so makes sense
A lovely little game getting the Switch port it deserves. Not sure how much I'll use the co-op, but the extra modes are welcome.
@Nemesis666 The Switch version is published by Nintendo, however.
@rjejr There very likely won't be a "Switch Pro", there will be a revision but it will just be a higher capacity battery and much better screen. I do see them making a console model of Switch however that is TV only.
@redpanda0310 The thing they had w/ NBA was a game that had a likable character who gave a commercial for other Nintendo games on a weekly basis. I can't recall which ones now, Spaltoon was 1 I think. Just seemed like such an each way to promote games. He was practically a social media influencer.
And the game badges themselves were commercials.
At some point Nintendo is going to either have to make a Switch DS or a Flip Grip b/c they can't let all those DS and 3DS games just disappear. I'd prefer a more powerful Switch DS for better dual screen Wii U porting but a Flip Grip probably makes more sense since other companies may not want to make new dual screen games. For some reason.
@Jokerwolf I've been wanting a less expensive Switch TV since the console was shown 4 years ago but don't see what's in it for Nintendo so never really expected it. But $199 w/ a Pro I'd buy 1.
As for the Switch Pro, I don't think they'll call it that but something is likely coming. And we already have a better battery, pretty much under the table w/ nary a change to name or marketing except a box change, so it has to be much more than that. And the screen is fine for a 7" screen. Not sure I'm sold on the LED Vita type screen rumours. Too high end, not Nintnedos style.
So that leaves us w/ a little more power, 3DS to New 3DS amount of power, maybe enough to finally get us some folders and themes, and maybe a little sleeker look, like DS to DS Lite.
But I do think something is coming early next year. Something more significant than a box or battery change. Maybe a single screen clamshell design w/ the screen on top, controls on the bottom.
But I don't know. Nobody knows. The only person I would believe is the person who correctly predicted the 3DS clamshell design follow-up would be a flat tablet 2DS w/ 1 mono speaker and no 3D to play 3D games. Last I checked, nobody predicted that.
Looks cute! Getting.
This is the kind of game that shoukd be included with Nintendo online or discounted with members..
Since I have this on my phone already, I will probably wait for a sale.
I havent played it myself, however, ive heard its a charming little experience.
Played it on Android and loved it.
Not played it. Looks like I have my chance now!
@rjejr that would be amazing & probably the only way I'd buy a new model switch (unless mine stopped working, but i hope that doesn't happen soon).
@rjejr Or it's because there's new modes, features and a co-op mode. This game is 9$, you're talking as if it's much more expensive.
@Clyde_Radcliffe That's true, thanks for correcting. I gave a look to it and Nintendo is indeed publishing the Switch version and they seemingly have ownership of that version (not the mobile version). I guess they paid for Hal to make new modes on the port and to handle funding and everything.
The song is stuck in my head.
I snapped this up right after the Direct Mini and am glad I did so.
@rjejr I just doubt this far into the life cycle you will see anything other than tweaks to what the system already has. My guess is a revision and their next gen system which they are working on already.
@rjejr Yeah a 3ds switch peripheral thing would be amazing (Proud owner of 2ds since 2016 here)
@redpanda0310 I'd offer you hope for a Switch 2DS but I think the $200 Switch Lite IS the Switch 2DS.
@Jokerwolf To me it feels like the "next gen system" is still years away, despite the Switch being 3 1/2 years old. Since they showed the Switch off my thoughts have always been - you don't make a console that modular - dock, tablet, joycon - unless you are planning plenty of modifications. We've seen 2 so far, new battery and Lite. 3DS had several - 2DS, New 2DS, 3DS XL. Even the Wii, a home console, had 2 major revisions, first removing the Gamecube ports, then the Wii Mini removing the internet.
So for Switch, we could get a powered dock, or bigger tablet, or more powerful tablet. Lots of potential for mix and match when you sell a modular system. And since they are now only selling the Switch hybrid, not a home and handheld pair, I think they'll do even more.
Next year will be interesting as Sony and MS transition to next gen 4k, or 1440p anyway. Switch will be hard up to get ports. Even a NEW Switch likely wouldn't be powerful enough for some of those. So a next gen console may have to be sooner rather than later, or Nintendo starts selling Switch predominantly as a handheld counterpart to PS5 and XSX, meaning more Lite variations, less TV focus.
Nintendo does their own thing, but even they don't exist in a vacuum.
@twztid13 Never say the "broken" part out loud. Hope you knocked on some wood while you typed that.
@Nemesis666 "This game is 9$, you're talking as if it's much more expensive."
Well if the original game was $4 that's more than double at $9, and my level of "much more expensive" beings at anything more than double the price, whether that price is 1 cent or $1M.
If the ordinal game required a $4 selling price for all that was included this game would need to require more than twice that amount to be $9, and what you described - "new modes, features and a co-op mode" - sounds like a small addition to me, not more than a doubling of a game.
@rjejr I have seen what nvidia has been doing with their mobile chips, they are far more than capable to run most of those "nextgen" titles scaled back a bit (and in some cases not scaled back at all). Plus Nintendo will never make the mistake of having a system of the same console generation that plays more powerful games leaving the older system in the dust, it was highly complained about and I 100% was in a store where a parent almost bought a regular 3DS to play a new game that was not going to work on it and had to explain it as a concerned citizen overhearing the discussion with the dumb clerk who had no idea, and that is the problem with doing that. This is why I am saying it is only going to be a more streamlined better quality system rather than a strait power boost.
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