Lroy

The game I most desired upon the Switch's proper unveiling. Would rather have had ODYSSEY be the big launch game over BREATH OF THE WILD (personal preference). So my anticipation for this new 3D Mario adventure is huge. Managed to pre-order the game for £3 using Tesco shopping points. Although we've decided to put the game away until Xmas as a family gift to us ourselves from Santa. Will be tough to wait but make the experience all the more merrier come December. Very happy and excited that my fellow Switch owners and likely some new owners come Friday will get to play this game. Let's hope it can reach the lofty heights of a SUPER MARIO GALAXY or a MARIO 64.

Really disappointed that this is all Nintendo are offering, especially the Switch titles up for sale with such meagre reductions. Already own SNAKE PASS (the only title I can see in the sale with a reasonable discount). Does anyone know if any more titles are going to be added? If not the Switch's first eShop sale can go down as utter trash.

@GrailUK I too am keen to learn what the next batch of Neo Geo games are going to be. Please anyone in the know post an announcement - maybe in the forums. Think there is a thread on Arcade Archives titles?

Actually just burnt through a playthrough of ROBO ARMY with my son. Hooray for half-term and some rare afternoon gaming. What better than an arcade beat 'em up from my youth, lol!

I might even buy that cheap SquareBoy vs. Bully that hit the eShop recently for a fiver. Seems like a good fit for local co-op with my boy.

Yep, bought it on release and happy to add it to my growing Switch Neo-Geo library. Perhaps in the minority but gamers of a certain age and sensibility as myself get more excited about a new retro arcade release like this than the far more championed Nindie darlings. Choice is great and that we have a selection of both Nindies and Arcade titles every week is awesome. Just wish we had more of the latter from more of the big arcade powerhouses and the like. Konami and Capcom could do so much more with their coin-up legacy. Such a shame it pretty much seems to fall solely with emulation enthusiasts to keep these games alive and introduce them to a new audience. Anyway, all hail the Neo-Geo revival on Switch!

@Gerrard Thank you for taking the time to read my query regarding the launch functionality of this game on Switch and going to the effort to clarify the situation for me. I can now buy the game with confidence it has been optimised/fixed at my earliest opportunity. Cheers.

@wasilewski I do this too! Being able to dabble with Mame and other emulators for these arcade games (try before you buy) has seen me purchase far more than I would have due to this confidence as the Switch is the system I would choose to play these retro games on above all others (well except the actual arcade cabs of course).

Loved this game. Instantly cemented my day 1 purchase of the Switch as the right system for my family. Completed SNIPPERCLIPS with the wife (up there with the most fun I have had with the Switch so far) and messed about having a laugh with it with my son. Definitely buying this DLC. SNIPPERCLIPS is superb, one of the best co-op puzzle games I have ever played.

Definite purchase. Horror themed beat'em up to see in Halloween month. Already played through Data East's NIGHT SLASHERS to mark the occasion earlier this month. Now there is an arcade beat 'em up, I'd love to see come to Switch.

I'd like a demo of FE: WARRIORS before I'd commit to a buy. Recently picked up FIRE EMBLEM FATES on 3DS so that will scratch my FE itch for some time to come. Already bought and downloaded ROBO ARMY! Looking ahead to MUTATION NATION next week and that MUMMY: DEMASTERED game has been catching my eye too. Hope it hits U.K. eShop at some stage.

Definite purchase. Really looking forward to trying this beat 'em up come Thursday and MUTATION NATION next week. Keep the Neo-Geo gems coming.

@fullyilly Understood and can totally appreciate you'd have put online co-op in the game if you could have. With Wulverblade you've captured my interest and attention. Will be fun to see how this game evolves in the future. Plus, I'll now follow and look forward to any further games you create.

@fullyilly Logistically a tall order no doubt but man, how this game would rock in online co-op! I need all the help I can get, kiddies too young for this and the Mrs. Isn't a fan of brawlers, lol! I'll have to stick at it solo.

@Fragarach Agreed. Knock-off a tenner and I would've bought SINE MORE EX (or whatever it is called, can never remember, lol!) instantly. Worried a lot of upcoming games are similarly going to be inflated in price. £5 to £15 is my digital sweet spot. £20 at an absolute push, higher than that and it needs to be a full physical release title.

@PAppleyard I vaguely recall watching a YouTube video - https://youtu.be/s14kCPFX6lI - where the reviewer mentions (strongly recommends almost as mandatory) that you can modify the sensitivity of the controls in the options menu.

Wulverblade for me and I'll never pass up a demo, so count me in for Oceanhorn (a game I wouldn't even of considered otherwise). Note to all game publishers - offer a demo. No matter how short. If you've confidence in your game, it will only enhance sales. Not just Nindies either, Nintendo (I know they're not listening) release a demo for Fire Emblem Warriors - watch sales increase. Easy.

Can't have enough good side-scrolling beat 'em ups. If it's indeed of high quality, I'll buy it without hesitation.

@fullyilly That you made a side scrolling beat 'em up inspired by classics such as Golden Axe and Knights of the Round, enhanced the depth of the control system and made it insanely long by typical conventions of this genre can only be applauded. I wish you every success with this game.

And nice touch for responding here and being receptive to your audiences feedback. This Dev seems a class act. You'll get my money as soon as the game goes live on the eShop and I'm next on my Switch.

Huzzah! Been looking forward to this Nindie ever since it was announced. Even with the delay it seems to have arrived in no time. That's at least three beat'em ups I'll be buying for Switch this month (other two being Neo Geo's Robo Army and Mutation Nation). Who said the arcades were dead? The Switch has been bloody marvellous for an-old coin-up addict like myself.

@Drac_Mazoku Thanks again for the clarifications.

@Drac_Mazoku That's good to hear. Can you recall any instances where the game's music seemed noticeably at odds with what was happening on-screen?

This game caught my eye and this review further reinforces that it is a beauty to behold. Shame to hear the controls aren't as tight as would be desired. However, visuals and controls aside, I'd like to know if the reviewer encountered the reported music bug with this game.

It has been identified in reviews elsewhere that the actual music cues that accompany the game are somehow in the incorrect order or messed up. Examples cited are that during certain boss encounters no music plays at all. Or that when venturing through a cave environment the music is supposed to reflect that ominous atmosphere but instead plays a jaunty or inappropriately upbeat musical cue.

Does this same bug happen in the current version of the Switch game? The developer has stated that they patched or intend to patch the Steam version of the game immediately but that console versions will have to wait much longer. Any word on any of this from Nintendo Life?

I'd like to be certain the game is fixed on Switch before I part with my cash.

Cheers.

@BlueOcean Thanks for the pointers. Like all things, games are subjective and I guess I'll just need to play it to decide for myself. Might be this month, might wait for a discount. Plenty to play at the moment in any case.

@MikeDiver Cheers for the response fella. Sounds very appealing to my palette when it comes to horror. I'll definitely keep an eye on this one and no doubt 'hit buy' before the month is out.

By the way, are you reviewing another of October's Switch horror eShop releases - The Mummy: Demastered? Imagine I may be faced with a choice between the two at least for now depending on how well that game reviews.

Wow, very strong review. I was curious about this one but the price (what with so many games competing for my limited amount of game cash) gave me pause. Your strong recommendation though may have just tempted me to pull the trigger. I'm always up for a good horror game for 🎃

@OorWullie If your release schedule prediction holds true that should leave one more release right around Halloween. I really hope they release a horror themed game like NIGHTMARE IN THE DARK. I'll also def be picking up ROBO ARMY and MUTATION NATION (which I guess could sort qualify as a suitable Halloween game due to well monster mutants, lol!)

Metal Slug X for me. Tempted by the puzzler but only recently bought Puyo Puyo Tetris and still have Magical Drop II to play. Am curious about Oxen Free, always like a good Halloween appropriate game to play in October, but maybe not £16 curious, lol!

Another week and another dose of the wonderful retro powerhouse of the Neo-Geo. I love my Switch for these releases. Already bought a dozen or so of these arcade archives games by Hamster and Metal Slug X is another instant buy. Roll on Oct 5th.

I hasten to add (wish we could have the option to edit comments here) that I haven't played the Switch version myself yet. So if anyone can confirm if these issues with the music are present that would be very helpful. My sense is it is probably best to wait for the patch if they are present in the launch version for Switch. Shame a game as appealing as this seems to have bugs present. Sign of the times these days.

Here's a link to the video review and the Dev comment under it: https://youtu.be/CByyCrzB6fs

Pankapu looks really gorgeous but I've heard there is in fact a current bug with the game in that music plays at inappropriate times. For example, the music cues are not in the correct order or something so that when you fight certain bosses you have calm music or no music at all or when you explore a cave you have non-moody music etc. The developer responded to a review on YouTube citing these problems and has said a patch will be released to fix the game. Steam version to be patched immedtiately but the console versions have to wait.

I'll very likely get this at some point down the road but at the moment so many other games are competing for my limited gaming funds.

Buying this now. Just wish these Neo-Geo games from Hamster featured online multiplayer. Correct my if I'm wrong but past releases of this type on other platforms did is that right. Vaguely recall Super Sidekicks releasing on PS3 back in the day and it had online multiplayer? Anyway, outside of Burning Fight, anyone know if we have on NL forum or have any interest in posting our high scores to a thread for fun and a challenge? Imagine this would work fine for many of the shoot 'em ups that have graced the Switch eShop already.

@ECMIM Actually, that's a really good point. I may well redeem some gold coins for Nano Assault which is currently on offer in the UK (European regions?) as despite already owning it on 3DS, I could give it to my son for his 2DS. I've actually been doing that a lot for DS Themes in the past. But still, pretty slim pickings. Nintendo could make this so much more competitive - tie it in with the paid subscription service if they have too or implement an in-game achievements set of challenges with gives rewards and offer more DLC for games for free. Whilst not the same thing, The 'Friends of Nintendo' Humble Bundles have been so much better in terms of quality than any of these Nintendo rewards. Even the 'Just for You' discounts they send you on your birthday are redundant as all the games (if you don't already own them), can be bought physically from the likes of Amazon cheaper than digital with with the percentage off on the Nintendo eShop. Same happens with their sales over Xmas. That is so bloody frustrating.

These were the four titles offered in Europe last month, Yes? Happy to see My Nintendo now offering free games but unless they are of more value (more expensive Nindies or retail titles for Wii U/3DS) or better still, Switch games, My Nintendo remains an incredibly disappointing rewards service.

@joey302 What's your Switch friend code then buddy? Be cool to maybe play online co-op in a future game. Wish the Neo Geo games had online play. Perhaps some other Arcade Archives will in the future? If you'd rather not leave your friend code here, just click on my name and you'll find mine in my profile. Cheers.

@tanookisuit Yeah, that's the sense I had gotten from reading reviews. I may end up giving this one a whirl. Imagine it would at least prove some fun playing through with my boy in couch co-op. Spin Master has proven fantastic fun on that front. Another game that often gets disproportionately dismissed despite actually being a decent game (often the way with Data East).

@EmirParkreiner Strikers 1945 Plus is also a possibility 😉

@Scrummer I was thinking of picking this up but you've just reminded me that we did indeed get given a bonus 'Luigi Version' of this game on Super Mario 3D World for Wii U. Remind me, was that the arcade version of the game or the NES home port?

@ROBLOGNICK Mutation Nation has been announced. Will come in the coming weeks.

@Biff_ARMStrong I'd totally forgotten that an SNK Neo-Geo beat 'em up had already been released in Sengoku. Doh! I hear the sequel is better and I've played a bit of 3 via emulation and it is actually rather good.

Whilst we are naming some of our Beat 'em ups on Switch wish list choices, I've give a loud shout for Capcom's arcade-only Aliens vs. Predator

https://youtu.be/d-wyXkTvnLI

@FragRed This is the one I confused with SNK's Robo Army.

https://youtu.be/v0RwBJPtEGw

@MagnaRoader I'd love to play the arcade sequel to Golden Axe. The Revenge of Death Adder on the Switch.

@FragRed Yeah, just checked myself: 'Five more games are confirmed. Burning Fight, Metal Slug X, The King of Fighters ’95, Robo Army, and Mutation Nation are all coming to the eShop.' - from NintendoEverything.

Now I can't remember what the Capcom robot based side scrolling beat 'em up is called. Robo-something, lol!

Actually, I forget the name of the Robot beat 'em up. Might have confused the title with the similar looking game from Capcom - Robo Army is it?

@FragRed Agreed, always held deep affection for side scrolling beat'em ups and as we've endured such a long dearth of them any announcement that examples of the genre are coming to Switch are most welcome. At present it seems the choice is between Burning Fight and Double Dragon 4. Neither garner much acclaim but from what I've read Burning Fight, whilst an average and derivative example of the form at least offers a kind of no frills pure hit of beat 'em up action. I may drop on this one but I'd rather it be SNK's earlier foray into the genre with P.O.W - Prisoners of War. Although I think Robo Wars and Mutation Nation are also coming to the Switch in the coming weeks, so the beat 'em up line-up will begin to be fleshed out. Wulverblade on the horizon too.

@joey302 Wow, some classic arcade titles you reeled off there. I own quite a few arcade compilations on past systems (GameCube, Wii, DS, PSP/Vita) and they are always fun for a quick burst here and there. That's what makes the Switch such an ideal system for these vintage arcade titles. You always have it at your finger tips, certainly a lot easier and more spontaneous than me having to dig out my RetroPie to hook up to the telly once family all asleep and firing up MAME. The latter is fantastic fun and has allowed me to rediscover hundreds of arcade faves (you should certainly look into it if you haven't already) but I'd happily buy every single one for the Switch. You've a fair point about the Namco Museum collection on Switch. I think if it had a physical cart release I very likely would have bought it by now. Hoping a sale can bring the digital price under £20.

By the way, would you be up for becoming friends on Switch? Be cool to see what games you've been investing your leisure time into.

Games that can snuggle into a seasonal theme such as Halloween as this article suggests or say Christmas always pique my interest. Will add it to the wish list once I see the game page show up on the UK Switch eShop.

@joey302 Presumably the question of who owns the rights to these arcade games is one possible barrier to getting them on Switch but like you said, I'd urge all of these companies who can put arcade games onto the Switch eShop to do so. As long as the pricing doesn't get ridiculous (looking at you Namco) then I'll buy most if not all of them. Half of the games on my Switch as it stands are arcade titles. Switch has given Neo-Geo library a new lease of life. Really a wonderful thing, hoping SNK (and the original developers of Strikers 1945, Gunbarich) are basking in the superlatives old and new fans are giving their back catalogue thanks to Hamster, Zerodiv and Switch.