A Review of the ‘Atari 50’ Update, Plus Today’s News, New Releases, and the Latest Sales – TouchArcade

Hi there light readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for December sixth, 2023. It’s an excellent quieter Wednesday than regular, and that appeared to spell catastrophe for having a decent-sized column for you all. I made a decision to dig my fingers into the brand new Atari 50 replace a bit, which implies you get some quick Atari 2600 sport evaluations from me at present! Then our pal Mikhail exhibits up, and he’s bought some scorching information concerning the Day of the Devs Showcase and a few enterprise about Bomb Rush Cyberfunk. I’ll let him fill you in. After that, we take a look at the only real new launch, then saunter over to the lists of latest and outgoing gross sales. Let’s journey again in time!

Information

The Good ‘Atari 50’ Provides Twelve Extra Video games Through a Free Replace

Atari 50, from Digital Eclipse and Atari, was one of many most interesting retro compilations I’ve ever seen. Its documentary model was novel and it was full of each details about the corporate’s historical past and a few nice video games. The template it laid down was put to make use of within the equally good The Making of Karateka, and I’m positive we haven’t seen the final of that strategy. But it surely appears even Atari 50 isn’t carried out but. At this time, a free replace hit that added twelve extra video games to the line-up. Much more thrilling, the PR issued by Atari says that there are “plans to incorporate much more titles, extra in-depth interviews, and extra behind-the-scenes goodies from the golden age of gaming” in future free expansions. However how about at present? How about these twelve newly-added titles? Since issues are a bit sluggish at present, I figured I might offer you my fast takes on every of them. Whee!

Journey II (homebrew) 2600: This homebrew sequel was created by Curt Vendel with some parts from Ron Lloyd’s Atari 5200 tackle the thought. And, properly, it’s extra Journey. You know the way The Legend of Zelda on NES had the Grasp Quest if you completed the sport? That is like Journey‘s Grasp Quest. For those who like Journey, you’ll prefer it.

Bowling 2600: It’s onerous to think about an easier tackle the game than this, however it has a stunning quantity of appeal anyway. Like a number of 2600 video games you received’t probably be placing in hours at a time on it, however it’s enjoyable for a fast bash right here and there.

Double Dunk 2600: This was among the many final video games made for the 2600 in its unique lifespan, and it definitely swung huge on what was by then historic {hardware}. Like the sooner Actual Sports activities Basketball, that is two-on-two, however it’s extra of a road hoops model performed round a single basket, much like the favored EA video games of the period. Some enjoyable may be had with a pal, if nothing else.

Maze Craze 2600: Now right here’s an oldie. Nicely, they’re all oldies now, however this one comes from 1980. You’re a tiny fellow navigating mazes, like on a kind of youngsters’ paper placemats you used to see in diners. Whereas the essential mode is fulfilling with a second participant, the additional modes are the place it’s at right here. Easy but satisfying, and a pleasant decide for the line-up.

Miniature Golf 2600: This one hails from 1979, and like lots of the early 2600 makes an attempt at sports activities it’s greater than a little bit summary. It’s nonetheless pretty purposeful, however it may be extremely aggravating at occasions. For those who, like me, one way or the other take pleasure in being aggravated by a bunch of foolish squares of various colours, that is the sport for you.

MotoRodeo 2600: There aren’t a ton of 2600 video games owned by Atari that I haven’t performed earlier than, however that is one among them. It’s from 1990? Like, the yr the Tremendous Nintendo got here out? Okay. So this sport is type of like Motocross Maniacs, for those who ever performed that. Or perhaps like Excite Bike with just a few extra gimmicks. It’s actually enjoyable!

Aquaventure (prototype) 2600: I first encountered this on the Flashback assortment, and it has remained a agency favourite since. Dive right down to seize the treasure and produce it up earlier than time runs out. Shoot fish and different aquatic animals to get them out of your method or to attain factors, however needless to say any you kill will quickly get replaced with a a lot quicker, extra aggressive model. Shoot too many on the best way down and also you’ll have a foul time coming again up. I’ve a number of methods to play this, however I’ll take yet another.

Save Mary (prototype) 2600: One other actually good sport that I first performed within the Flashback assortment. Why was Atari sitting on these again within the day? Nicely, irrespective of. Management a winch and crane to hold and drop blocks, making a platform for poor Mary to climb up. The water stage retains on rising, so don’t go too slowly. When she will get excessive sufficient, you may decide her up with the winch and produce her to security. It begins off a bit mellow however enterprise picks up shortly.

Tremendous Soccer 2600: This was a 1988 launch for the 2600, and like Double Dunk it tries to deliver a extra modernized model of the game to the platform. It makes use of some visible trickery to make it appear to be the sector is scaling, and the gamers even appear to be they’re shifting down the sector. The most recent Madden has nothing to concern from this, however it’s fulfilling and greater than a little bit spectacular for the {hardware}.

Return to Haunted Home (homebrew) 2600: The well-loved Haunted Home bought this homebrew follow-up courtesy of Anthony Wong. As a substitute of utilizing the unique sport as a base, it adopts the Journey engine. I’m undecided I’d name it a devoted follow-up to the unique, however it’s one other fascinating try at making a deeper 2600 sport. Price no less than one playthrough, no less than.

Circus Atari 2600: For those who’re going to make a spin on Breakout, why not add clowns? Hm. The gimmick on this one is that it’s important to maintain your performers bouncing on both aspect of the see-saw. For those who don’t catch them correctly, they’ll go splat in a humorous method. Pop all of the balloons, for those who can. That is clearly meant to be performed with a Paddle controller, however I’m completely satisfied to see it right here anyway.

Warbirds Lynx: The only real non-2600 sport on this drop was truly meant to be within the unique launch, however needed to be eliminated on the final minute. It’s a technically spectacular aerial dogfighting sport, one the place a lot of the enjoyable was in taking part in with others. All these different Lynx house owners, sure. That mentioned, any addition to the considerably slim line-up of Lynx video games on right here is an effective one. It was Atari’s second highest promoting console! So sure, extra Lynx video games please. Particularly cool ones like this.

Bomb Rush Cyberfunk Bodily Releases Now Accessible

Once I performed Bomb Rush Cyberfunk on Xbox Sequence X, I knew it could be higher on a conveyable, but in addition hoped it could get a bodily launch. It seems it was higher on a conveyable, and I loved taking part in it extra on Change and Steam Deck. As for the bodily, that’s additionally out at present on PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Change by way of iam8bit and Skybound video games for $39.99. The brand new bodily version incldues the sport, vinyl graffiti stickers, and new cowl artwork. There’s additionally an iam8bit unique version with a booklet, slipcase, and extra. Try the editions and extra here.-Mikhail Madnani

Day of the Devs: The Sport Awards Version Digital Showcase Recap

I just lately attended a digital media occasion for Day of the Devs: The Sport Awards Version Digital Showcase which simply aired at present with the reveal of many new indie video games and updates on some current ones. There are far too many bulletins to cowl right here, and you’ll watch the total showcase by way of the YouTube hyperlink above. The highlights embrace Digital Eclipse asserting Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, a digital museum of Jeff Minter’s video games and much more. That is the second entry in Digital Eclipse’s Gold Grasp sequence that started with The Making of Karateka. There have been many video games I wish to play, however Open Roads from Open Roads Staff and Annapurna Interactive, Thank Goodness You’re Right here from Coal Supper and Panic, Ultros from Hadoque, and the roguelite music builder ODDADA had been my favorites. For those who like distinctive video games, I’d suggest watching the showcase. -Mikhail Madnani

New Releases

Battle Stations Blockade ($9.99)

Only one new launch at present, and the title made me suppose we had been going to be diving into the Bin Bunch for lunch. However no, this isn’t some foolish Battleship knock-off. It’s a rail shooter with a particular voxel model the place you’re manning a gunboat’s twin turrets. It’s a must to maintain hitting targets to replenish your ammo, and there are numerous upgrades and such you may unlock as you full your missions. For those who’d want to have a pal dealing with one of many turrets, that’s additionally doable due to native multiplayer for 2. Appears agreeable sufficient.

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

Nicely, that’s a listing of gross sales alright. I’m positive there shall be an enormous vacation sale in a few weeks, so let’s take a second to breathe in some air and recognize the mercy to our wallets for a bit. Possibly purchase Venba? I don’t know. There’s a little bit social gathering occurring within the outbox, however I’ll allow you to hit it up by yourself.

Choose New Gross sales

Venba ($11.99 from $14.99 till 12/12)
Farming Simulator 23 ($34.99 from $44.99 till 12/12)
Demon Turf ($12.49 from $24.99 till 12/16)
Demon Turf: Neon Splash ($3.49 from $4.99 till 12/16)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle ($13.99 from $39.99 till 12/20)
Cooking Pageant ($1.99 from $10.99 till 12/26)
Raft Life ($1.99 from $9.99 till 12/26)
Blade of Darkness ($2.99 from $14.99 till 12/26)
Road Racing: Tokyo Rush ($1.99 from $13.99 till 12/26)
Automotive Driving Faculty Simulator ($1.99 from $15.99 till 12/26)
Metropolis Bus Driving Simulator ($1.99 from $13.99 till 12/26)
Truck Simulator 2 ($1.99 from $13.99 till 12/26)
Truck Simulator 3 ($1.99 from $12.99 till 12/26)
Metropolis Driving Simulator ($1.99 from $13.99 till 12/26)
Metropolis Driving Simulator 2 ($1.99 from $13.99 till 12/26)
Monster Truck Area ($1.99 from $13.99 till 12/26)
ASMR Slicing ($2.49 from $4.99 till 12/26)
Astro Miner ($2.49 from $4.99 till 12/26)
Tough Traps ($2.49 from $4.99 till 12/26)
Sword of Glory ($1.99 from $14.99 till 12/27)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, Thursday, December seventh

Asdivine Saga ($7.49 from $14.99 till 12/7)
Black Skylands ($12.99 from $19.99 till 12/7)
Boxville ($6.99 from $9.99 till 12/7)
Chrome Wolf ($10.49 from $14.99 till 12/7)
Despot’s Sport ($12.99 from $19.99 till 12/7)
Despot’s Sport Collector’s Version ($14.94 from $22.99 till 12/7)
Dredge Deluxe Version ($20.24 from $26.99 till 12/7)
Graveyard Keeper ($6.99 from $19.99 till 12/7)
Glad’s Humble Burger Farm ($6.99 from $19.99 till 12/7)
Hi there Engineer ($9.74 from $14.99 till 12/7)
Hi there Neighbor 2 ($19.99 from $39.99 till 12/7)
Hellpoint ($8.74 from $34.99 till 12/7)
Infinite Hyperlinks ($10.49 from $14.99 till 12/7)
Justice Sucks ($9.99 from $19.99 till 12/7)
Mayhem in Single Valley ($7.49 from $14.99 till 12/7)
Thoughts Scanners ($2.54 from $16.99 till 12/7)
Punch Membership 2: Quick Ahead ($12.99 from $19.99 till 12/7)
SpiderHeck ($9.74 from $14.99 till 12/7)
Streets of Rogue ($4.99 from $19.99 till 12/7)
Surgeon Simulator CPR ($3.24 from $12.99 till 12/7)
Sword of Elpisia ($7.49 from $14.99 till 12/7)
Tinykin ($16.24 from $24.99 till 12/7)
Completely Dependable Supply Service ($3.74 from $14.99 till 12/7)
Trash Sailors ($6.99 from $19.99 till 12/7)
Unichrome: A 1-Bit Journey ($3.49 from $14.99 till 12/7)
Zombies Rising Daybreak ($4.99 from $9.99 till 12/7)

That’s all for at present, pals. Tomorrow is Thursday, and it’s trying like a fair-sized fellow as these go. At the least fifteen new video games hitting the eShop, and we’ll have summaries of all of them. We’ll even have any gross sales and large information gadgets that hit within the subsequent twenty-four hours, so look ahead to these as properly. I hope you all have a beautiful Wednesday, and as at all times, thanks for studying!