Farewell, dear readers, and welcome to the final regular SwitchArcade Round-Up for TouchArcade. This concludes several years of dedicated coverage, though a special next week will feature a few delayed reviews. We're going out with a bang, including reviews from Mikhail and Shaun, new release summaries, and the usual sales lists. Let's enjoy this last ride!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU ($49.99)
Following Imagineer's successful Fitness Boxing series (including the surprisingly enjoyable Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star), their collaboration with Hatsune Miku was a clever move. I've been comparing it to Ring Fit Adventure these past weeks, and Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU impressed me.
For newcomers, the Fitness Boxing games blend boxing and rhythm game mechanics for effective workouts, mini-games, and more. Hatsune Miku's inclusion is a highlight, with a dedicated mode for her songs alongside the standard tracks. Note: this is Joy-Con-only; Pro Controllers and third-party accessories aren't supported (as far as I know).
As with previous entries, difficulty options, free training, warm-ups, workout tracking, reminders, and system-wide alarms are included. Unlockable cosmetics add extra incentive. While I can't comment on DLC, the base game surpasses Fist of the North Star, except for one minor issue: the main instructor's voice is jarring and I had to lower its volume.
Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU successfully integrates Miku into the Fitness Boxing formula, appealing to her fanbase. It's a solid fitness game, but best used as a supplement to Ring Fit Adventure or other routines, rather than a standalone solution. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Magical Delicacy ($24.99)
Magical Delicacy from sKaule and Whitethorn Games initially flew under my radar until an Xbox Game Pass announcement. Playing it on Switch, I found it a delightful blend of Metroidvania and cooking game elements, though not perfectly fused. The result is a game with strong points, but flaws that detract somewhat.
You play as Flora, a young witch on a wholesome, magical adventure. The exploration is surprisingly well-executed, despite some frustrating backtracking. Crafting and inventory management, however, present some challenges, exacerbated by the UI, which requires some adjustment.
Magical Delicacy boasts stunning pixel art, charming music, and excellent settings, including UI scaling and text options, particularly useful in handheld mode. Early access or post-launch updates could significantly improve the experience.
The Switch version runs smoothly, aside from occasional frame pacing hiccups. Good rumble is a plus. Having played the Xbox Series X version, I prefer the portability of the Switch version.
While Magical Delicacy is a promising fusion of genres, it feels slightly unfinished due to inventory and backtracking issues. Despite its current quality, some quality-of-life improvements would elevate it to an essential title. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
Many 16-bit mascot platformers emerged in Sonic the Hedgehog’s wake. Aero The Acro-Bat is among the few with sequels. While not a massive success, Aero The Acro-Bat 2 isn't a bad game. It's a refined version of the original, trading some rough edges for a smoother experience.
This release surprisingly features an upgraded presentation, unlike Ratalaika's usual emulation wrapper. It includes box and manual scans, achievements, sprite sheets, a jukebox, cheats, and more. The only drawback is the omission of the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive version.
Fans of the first Aero game will appreciate this sequel. Even those who found the original lacking might enjoy this more polished entry. Ratalaika's improved emulation wrapper is commendable, and I hope the first game receives a similar update. A solid release for fans and 16-bit platformer enthusiasts.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Metro Quester | Osaka ($19.99)
I enjoyed the original Metro Quester. It has a steep learning curve, but the turn-based dungeon crawling is rewarding. Metro Quester | Osaka feels more like an expansion than a sequel, but that's perfectly fine given the original's quality.
This prequel takes place in Osaka, introducing a new dungeon, character types, and enemies. Osaka's watery environment requires canoe travel. New weapons, skills, and foes offer a fresh challenge for veterans.
The core mechanics remain unchanged from the original. Turn-based combat, top-down exploration, and careful planning are essential. Those who appreciated Metro Quester will find plenty to love here. New players should consider starting with this enhanced entry. While an expansion, it's a worthwhile addition that expands on the existing systems. Patience is key, but the rewards are significant.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Select New Releases
NBA 2K25 ($59.99)
NBA 2K25 is here! The naming convention will be interesting in 2100. This year's version boasts improved gameplay, a new "Neighborhood" feature, and MyTEAM enhancements. Requires 53.3 GB of storage space.
Shogun Showdown ($14.99)
A Darkest Dungeon-style game with a Japanese setting. It's a decent entry in the genre.
Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)
(See review above) A polished sequel with an improved Ratalaika emulation wrapper, featuring both North American and Japanese Super NES versions.
Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection ($9.99)
A collection of three previously unlocalized Famicom games: a side-scrolling action platformer, an adventure game, and an action-RPG. (See previous review for details).
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Notable sales include Cosmic Fantasy Collection (40% off) and Tinykin (at its lowest price yet). Check the lists for more deals.
Select New Sales (Images omitted for brevity)
Sales Ending This Weekend (Images omitted for brevity)
This concludes not only this Round-Up, but also my eleven and a half years at TouchArcade. While I'll continue writing elsewhere, this marks the end of this particular chapter. Thank you to all TouchArcade readers for your support. I wish you all happiness and – thanks for reading.
