Gaming🎮 [Mobile] SwitchArcade Round-Up: ‘Sokobond Express’, ‘Ikki Unite’, ‘stitch.’, Plus Today’s Other Releases and Sales

[Bowser]

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for April 18th, 2024. Well, this is quite the day. Tons of new releases with a low concentration of bin fodder, plus well over a thousand new sales I had to try curate some lists from. We’re going to have to skip over the summary of yesterday’s Indie World Showcase just so I can get home before midnight, but worry not as there is plenty to dig into here without it. Let’s get to it!

New Releases​

Sokobond Express ($14.99)​

I have a Sokobond, I have a Cosmic Express, uh, Sokobond Express. Ha. Pikotaro. Remember that guy? Anyway, this is a mash-up of the aforementioned two puzzle games, giving you some solid brain teasers that will see you doing chemistry problems without even knowing a thing about chemistry. Wow, that sounds like it fits me to a tee! I suppose I’ll give this one a review sometime next week. I want to spend a nice relaxing weekend with it first.

Picross -LogiartGrimoire- ($19.99)​

Sure, this is a Picross game at its core. And it has a bunch of puzzles to solve, a massive 280 to be specific. But this isn’t the normal Picross experience, as there is a substantial Story Mode attached to the game that sees you trying to solve the mysteries of a powerful grimoire. Solved puzzles become materials that you can use in fusions to unlock even more puzzles. Puzzles beget puzzles, that’s how it goes. We all need more Picross, I’m sure. Just throw it in the cart and don’t think too hard about the seven or eight of these that you haven’t finished yet.

A Tale of Paper: Refolded ($14.99)​

This is a puzzle platformer with a paper-based hero that uses origami to change into a variety of forms. This is a wordless narrative, so don’t expect the story to be too on the nose or anything. If you’re into things like Little Nightmares or Limbo, you should have a decent enough time with this one. A few hours of reasonably engaging fun, but not too much more than that. I’ll be putting together a review of this game if you need more details. It’s also been available on other platforms for a while now, so it’s not exactly an unknown quantity.

Ikki Unite ($14.99)​

An odd thing, to be sure. Sunsoft has a very different image from region to region. In North America it’s most famous for Blaster Master and its popular licensed games like Batman NES and Gremlins 2. In Europe, to the extent anyone knows the publisher it seems to be for Aero the Acro-Bat. But in Japan, Sunsoft is best remembered for its charmingly bad early 8-bit games like Atlantis no Nazo and Ikki. Thus, when it wanted to make its comeback recently, it turned to… Ikki. Plus Vampire Survivors. Equals this. Will this go over well at all with an audience that doesn’t know or care about Ikki? I’ll be reviewing this, because how could I not?

Epic Dumpster Bear 1.5 DX: Dumpster Fire Rebirth ($4.99)​

The Dumpster Bear is back! After Epic Dumpster Bear 2, Edmonton was destroyed. In order to save the future, Dumpster Bear travels back to the past. This game basically takes lessons learned from the second game and brings them back to the first to create an improved, ultimate version of Epic Dumpster Bear. You get seven worlds of total nonsense to play through, and if you enjoyed the other games in the series I’m sure you’ll get your fun from this one too.

stitch. ($14.99)​

Yesterday’s Indie World Showcase wasn’t the most eventful of affairs, but we did see a few nice games drop as a result. This is a Switch version of the Apple Arcade puzzle game where you’re filling in areas to complete Hoops. You get almost two hundred puzzles to solve, plus some other modes to mess around with. Not much reason to buy this if you have Apple Arcade already, but maybe you want to own a more permanent copy.

The Exit 8 ($3.99)​

This is a self-proclaimed short walking simulator where you’re navigating spaces inspired by Japanese underground passageways, back rooms, and the like. If you see something weird, you’re supposed to go back. If you don’t see anything weird, then keep moving. That’s the only way you’ll be able to get out of Exit 8, it seems. Well, get to it.

Sticky Business ($9.99)​

Another game from the Showcase, this one sees you running a sticker shop. Create your own stickers, prepare the orders, and get to know your patrons. This is one of those games where I feel like people will know if it’s for them or not the minute they see it and hear the basic pitch. So… there you go.

Sagres ($19.99)​

Sail around in the Age of Discovery as you take the role of Captain Fernando. Customize your ship, explore the seas, battle pirates, try to make a buck or two trading, and see if you can unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of the legendary explorer Sir Antonio. Looks like a bit of fun if you’re into the theme.

Trackline Express ($12.99)​

Ride the train, reach the stations, and deal with whatever problems come up along the way. You’ll need to scavenge whatever resources you can find, buy blueprints to build things that will help you survive, and fend off any attacks that come your way. Looks a bit silly, but it might be up your alley.

Arcade Archives Emeraldia ($7.99)​

A bit of an uncommon genre in the Arcade Archives, but always nice to see. Bandai Namco released this one back in 1993, and it’s an attempt at cashing in on the one-on-one falling block puzzler genre that had a bit of traction at the time. I suspect most of you haven’t heard of it, which tells you how well that all went for Emeraldia. Still, if you like this kind of game it’s a charming enough diversion. It even has an English version included, which I have to believe was a rare sight back in the day.

EGGCONSOLE HYDLIDE II PC-8801 ($6.49)​

We’ve seen the first and third Hydlide games release in this series, and now we’re swinging back around to the second game. This, um… this is not the most well-liked Hydlide game, and in a series like Hydlide, that is saying something. As with all of the other releases, this is the Japanese release of the game and there are no guarantees of English text in-game. Proceed at your own risk. I’ll be reviewing this one like I have with the other EGGCONSOLE games, so look forward to how I get on with it.

Lunar Axe ($4.99)​

Search for the hidden objects… in an earthquake-rocked Brazilian city!

Bunny Garden ($22.99)​

This is a dating simulation where you’re at a special club called the Bunny Garden. Talk with the ladies and play minigames to try to win their hearts. Kind of like if someone stripped the cabaret club section out of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon games and sent it out on its own. But, you know, not as good. Still, I suppose it might be what you’re looking for today.

Stone Age: Digital Edition ($14.99)​

Another board game adaptation, this time of the fairly popular Stone Age. It seems to have made the transition quite nicely. Play alone or with up to four players via local or online multiplayer. I’m far from an expert on this kind of thing, so I’ll let you use the hundreds if not thousands of opinions of the board game on the internet to guide you instead.

Pretty Girls Escape PLUS ($5.99)​

Wow, this is where this series is at now? This is a puzzle game where you’re trying to drop some tokens to the bottom of the field by removing pieces. Some free-to-play mobile game vibes here, but you can spend six bucks if you want.

Sokobalien ($4.99)​

An extremely straightforward Sokoban-style puzzle game, except instead of pushing around boxes, you’re pushing around cows. Nothing particularly special here, but nothing really wrong with it either.

False Dream ($2.99)​

A short game where you’re trying to escape a room by taking pictures of strange things that are happening. It’s three bucks, it’s bizarre, and on any other day that might be enough. But we have Epic Dumpster Bear up there, so who knows?

The Bin Bunch​

Which Country Is Larger? ($2.29)

Archer 3D: Bow Shooting Range ($4.99)

Odd Hue Out! ($3.99)

Aery – Cyber City ($9.99)

4 in a row ($19.99)

Knight’s Redemption: War for Freedom ($12.99)

Unboxing – Idle Factory Simulator ($9.99)

Sales​

(North American eShop, US Prices)

I don’t know where this massive sale came from, but here it is. On a Thursday, of all days. This is a tightly curated list despite its size, so make sure you head to the eShop and check your wishlists because if it’s indie there’s a good chance it’s on sale. No particular highlights, you’ll have to check both lists yourselves.

Select New Sales

A Highland Song ($14.39 from $17.99 until 4/24)
COCOON ($17.49 from $24.99 until 4/24)
This Means Warp ($8.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Outer Wilds ($17.49 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Xuan Yuan Sword: MBtM ($9.89 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Thirsty Suitors ($19.99 from $29.99 until 4/24)
Chico & the Magic Orchards DX ($3.49 from $4.99 until 4/24)
Whitestone ($6.79 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Yukar From The Abyss ($17.49 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Solar Ash ($19.99 from $39.99 until 4/24)
Toasterball ($7.99 from $9.99 until 4/24)
It’s a Wrap! ($10.79 from $17.99 until 4/24)
Escape Academy: CE ($20.99 from $29.99 until 4/24)
Full Void ($10.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Evolings ($5.99 from $8.99 until 4/24)

Wargroove 2 ($15.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Crystal Project ($10.49 from $13.99 until 4/24)
Ironcast ($2.59 from $12.99 until 4/24)
Stardew Valley ($9.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
JYDGE ($2.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Bastion ($2.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Into the Breach ($7.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
The Messenger ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Iconoclasts ($5.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Hollow Knight ($7.50 from $15.00 until 4/24)
GRIS ($4.24 from $16.99 until 4/24)
Guacamelee 2 ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Everspace: Stellar Edition ($7.99 from $39.99 until 4/24)
The Legend of Evil ($3.19 from $7.99 until 4/24)
Bombing Busters ($2.79 from $6.99 until 4/24)
Wargroove ($7.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)

Hotline Miami Collection ($6.24 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Lucah: Born of a Dream ($3.74 from $14.99 until 4/24)
A Hat in Time ($14.99 from $29.99 until 4/24)
Ion Fury ($6.24 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Adam’s Venture Origins ($1.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Neon City Riders ($5.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Defenders of Ekron: DE ($2.79 from $13.99 until 4/24)
A Short Hike ($4.79 from $7.99 until 4/24)
moon ($13.29 from $18.99 until 4/24)
Spiritfarer ($7.49 from $29.99 until 4/24)
Through the Darkest of Times ($2.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Defense Grid 2 ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Cursed Castilla EX ($8.39 from $13.99 until 4/24)
Downwell ($2.00 from $2.99 until 4/24)
Supraland ($11.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Home: Postmortem Edition ($3.59 from $7.99 until 4/24)

GORSD ($6.79 from $16.99 until 4/24)
Curse of the Dead Gods ($5.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
A Tale of Synapse: The Chaos Theories ($9.99 from $17.99 until 4/24)
Buissons ($2.99 from $7.99 until 4/24)
Haven Park ($3.95 from $8.99 until 4/24)
Skeletal Avenger ($3.39 from $16.99 until 4/24)
Happy Game ($3.93 from $13.13 until 4/24)
Unpacking ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Shadow Corridor ($6.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Monster Crown ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut ($11.99 from $39.99 until 4/24)
Labyrinth Legend ($6.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
One Hand Clapping ($4.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Loop Hero ($5.24 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Agent Intercept ($7.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Metal Tales Overkill ($4.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)

Grapple Dog ($4.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Aztech Forgotten Gods ($5.99 from $29.99 until 4/24)
Endling: Extinction is Forever ($11.99 from $29.99 until 4/24)
Umurangi Generation SE ($2.49 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Crystal Ortha ($7.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Hades ($12.49 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Bunny Park ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Dorfromantik ($11.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Svoboda 1945: Liberation ($3.59 from $17.99 until 4/24)
I Was a Teenage Exocolonist ($14.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Return to Monkey Island ($14.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Sea of Solitude: Director’s Cut ($5.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
PAW Patrol: Grand Prix ($20.99 from $29.99 until 4/24)
PAW Patrol The Movie Adv. City Calls ($15.99 from $39.99 until 4/24)
Sir Lovelot ($1.99 from $9.99 until 4/24)

Tunic ($20.99 from $29.99 until 4/24)
Lone Ruin ($4.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Chained Echoes ($21.24 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Popplings ($2.39 from $5.99 until 4/24)
Airoheart ($4.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Post Void ($3.59 from $5.99 until 4/24)
The Punchuin ($5.24 from $7.49 until 4/24)
Rakuen DE ($19.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
A Plague Tale Requiem Cloud Vers. ($29.99 from $59.99 until 4/24)
A Plague Tale Innocence Cloud Vers. ($9.99 from $39.99 until 4/24)
Slay the Spire ($8.74 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Undead Horde ($3.39 from $16.99 until 4/24)
Cuphead ($13.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Ori and the Blind Forest ($7.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Untitled Goose Game ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)

Castle Crashers Remastered ($7.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
VA-11 Hall-A ($9.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Enter the Gungeon ($4.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Flinthook ($8.24 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Owlboy ($9.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Night in the Woods ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Celeste ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Fishing Paradiso ($10.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Bugsnax ($7.49 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Saint Kotar ($4.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
The Crackpet Show ($6.79 from $16.99 until 4/24)
Omen of Sorrow ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Blade Assault ($8.99 from $17.99 until 4/24)
Glitch Busters: Stuck On You ($3.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
SENSEs: Midnight ($7.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)

Harmony: The Fall of Reverie ($9.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Varney Lake ($4.99 from $9.99 until 4/24)
Meg’s Monster ($11.24 from $14.99 until 4/24)
The Smile Alchemist ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Afterthought ($11.99 from $15.99 until 4/24)
Helvetii ($13.59 from $16.99 until 4/24)
Boat Simulator ($6.99 from $9.99 until 4/24)
Minimal Move ($1.99 from $6.99 until 4/24)
Coffee Talk Episode 2 ($10.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Clunky Hero ($3.74 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Alice Escaped ($13.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Vampire Survivors ($4.24 from $4.99 until 4/24)
Rainbow Skies ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Chants of Sennaar ($14.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Wild Legion ($2.69 from $2.99 until 4/24)
Frank and Drake ($7.99 from $12.99 until 4/24)

Sword & Fairy Inn 2 ($12.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Melatonin ($11.24 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Elemental War 2 ($11.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Inner Ashes ($11.24 from $14.99 until 4/24)
A Tale for Anna ($5.49 from $10.99 until 4/24)
Vision Soft Reset ($4.99 from $9.99 until 4/24)
Your Computer Might Be At Risk ($7.79 from $11.99 until 4/24)
Smushi Come Home ($12.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Dordogne ($12.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Marlon’s Mystery: TDoC ($4.99 from $9.99 until 4/24)
Alchemic Cutie ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Warhammer 40k Boltgun ($15.39 from $21.99 until 4/24)
Sea of Stars ($27.99 from $34.99 until 4/24)
Project Blue ($4.99 from $9.99 until 4/24)

Fabled Lands ($11.49 from $22.99 until 4/24)
CyberTD ($13.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Synergia: NextGen Edition ($8.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Venatrix ($4.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Claire: Extended Cut ($5.09 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Guns and Spurs 2 ($14.99 from $29.99 until 4/24)
World of Horror ($15.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Trombone Champ ($8.24 from $14.99 until 4/24)
The Nightmare: Serial Killers ($4.19 from $5.99 until 4/24)
Parkasaurus ($9.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Circus Electrique ($6.79 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Pilgrims ($2.09 from $6.99 until 4/24)
DESOLATIUM ($9.99 from $29.99 until 4/24)
PJ Masks Power Heroes: MA ($31.99 from $39.99 until 4/24)
Bahnsen Knights ($7.99 from $9.99 until 4/24)

Dead Tomb ($2.49 from $4.99 until 4/24)
Reigns: Three Kingdoms ($1.99 from $2.99 until 4/24)
The Pedestrian ($12.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Miniland Adventure ($7.14 from $10.99 until 4/24)
Legend of Grimrock ($11.24 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Pinball FX Game Night Vol. 1 ($7.49 from $9.99 until 4/24)
Cafe Owner Simulator ($12.34 from $18.99 until 4/24)
B.O.O.L. Master Puzzles ($9.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
Jubilee ($7.99 from $9.99 until 4/24)
Shinorubi ($15.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
The Ramsey ($12.59 from $17.99 until 4/24)
Across the Obelisk ($19.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Penny’s Big Breakaway ($19.79 from $29.99 until 4/24)
Membal ($9.59 from $11.99 until 4/24)
Balatro ($13.49 from $14.99 until 4/24)

Cavern of Dreams ($10.39 from $12.99 until 4/24)
Terra Nil ($17.49 from $24.99 until 4/24)
All of Us Are Dead ($11.99 from $19.99 until 4/24)
KONOSUBA LFTCoD ($42.49 from $49.99 until 4/24)
Charon’s Staircase ($4.99 from $24.99 until 4/24)
Winkeltje: The Little Shop ($8.99 from $14.99 until 4/24)
Split ($2.69 from $8.99 until 4/25)
The Outer Worlds ($14.99 from $29.99 until 4/29)
Amber City ($5.39 from $8.99 until 5/1)
The Past Within ($1.99 from $5.99 until 5/1)
Guild of Dungeoneering UE ($9.99 from $19.99 until 5/1)
Raptor Boyfriend ($5.59 from $13.99 until 5/3)
Until the Last Plane ($3.99 form $9.99 until 5/3)
Robolt ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/3)
TORINTO ($2.49 from $4.99 until 5/3)

Swapshot ($2.99 from $4.99 until 5/3)
Source of Madness ($6.99 from $19.99 until 5/8)
SteamWorld Heist ($1.99 from $19.99 until 5/8)
PHOGS! ($8.74 from $24.99 until 5/8)
Cursed to Golf ($6.99 from $19.99 until 5/8)
Jurassic World Aftermath Collection ($10.49 from $29.99 until 5/8)
LEGO Bricktales ($11.99 from $29.99 until 5/8)
Swordship ($4.99 from $19.99 until 5/8)
Togges ($6.99 from $19.99 until 5/8)
Worldless ($13.99 from $19.99 until 5/8)
SteamWorld Build ($20.99 from $29.99 until 5/8)
Wavetale ($10.49 from $29.99 until 5/8)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, April 19th

Cake Invaders ($1.99 from $5.99 until 4/19)
Dreamcutter ($10.79 from $14.99 until 4/19)
Dungeonoid 2 Awakening ($6.29 from $8.99 until 4/19)
Forrader Hero ($3.99 from $4.99 until 4/19)
Giant Wishes ($2.99 from $4.99 until 4/19)
Oxytone ($3.99 from $7.99 until 4/19)
Party Friends ($1.99 from $7.99 until 4/19)
RedRaptor ($2.99 from $4.99 until 4/19)
Synthetic Lover ($14.99 from $24.99 until 4/19)
Tanuki Sunset ($8.49 from $16.99 until 4/19)
Teppo & the Secret Ancient City ($3.99 from $7.99 until 4/19)
Toodee and Topdee ($4.99 from $19.99 until 4/19)

That’s all for today, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with the remaining releases of the week, plus whatever sales and major news events roll in during the course of the day. I’m heading home for some cold supper and, if I’m not too tired after, a pleasant midnight stroll for some exercise. I hope you all have a thrilling Thursday, and as always, thanks for reading!