An all new track is coming to Mario Kart 8

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Issue #‍293 | July 31, 2022 · Blushy Crushy

Hello, Chris here with this week's Nintendo round-up.

I'm a little late writing this week's edition as I've spent the last few hours watching England win the Women's Euros. 🤩

Anyway, last week's big release was Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and oh boy did this one review well. I've shared a fair few Xeno-related links in the issue below, including my own review round-up. I gotta tell ya, I've never dipped me toe into the Xenoblade universe, but the praise here is making me want to check things out... it's just such a massive time commitment though (with some saying you can get 140+ hours out of Monolith Soft's latest), and that's what is making me hold back — I just know I wouldn't be able to give it the time it needs.

The other notable bit of news: extra Mario Kart tracks! More on this below, but yes, the second wave is only a few days away. That makes it around four months between the first and second wave for those keeping tabs.

Next week we've got just over 20 games landing on the Switch, including one from publisher Annapurna Interactive.

Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you have a great week.

Cheers,
Chris ✌️

🎮 Currently Playing: Into the Breach, Mini Motorways

REVIEW Xenobalde Chronicles 3 gave me emotional damage — "While I enjoyed exploring the world and mechanics of Xenoblade 3, the story is what stuck with me. [..] When Xenoblade Chronicles 3 wasn’t bringing a smile to my face, it was breaking my heart over and over again. There’s no doubt this will go down as one of the year’s best JRPGs.".

Hayes Madsen // Inverse

▶ What the reviews say about Xenoblade Chronicles 3 — I take a look at the critical consensus from over a half-dozen reviews, bringing you the choice quotes from each.

Switch Weekly // YouTube

▶ Xenoblade Chronicles 3: The Digital Foundry tech review — The usual excellent analysis by the DF team — they also ponder on just what tech seen here may potentially be spotted in the BotW sequel (which developer Monolith Soft are helping out on).

Digital Foundry // YouTube

▶ What lore you need to know before playing Xenoblade 3 (from someone who's already finished it) — Going in fresh on XC3? This half-hour guide from John Rairdin runs through what you need to know.

Nintendo World Report // YouTube

Wave 2 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s DLC tracks comes out next week — Eight additional tracks are landing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Thursday, including an all new course — here's a video from me running through each one and what you need to know.

Chris Scullion // VGC

REVIEW Arsonist Heaven shows why retro-style devs should do their homework — For a budget release, I thought this one had some potential — this review says otherwise: "Arsonist Heaven is not good.".

Pete Davison // Rice Digital

REVIEW Citizen Sleeper’s first DLC recontextualizes the RPG’s tough decisions

Nicole Clark // Polygon

REVIEW Train Valley

Rachel Poli // Pure Nintendo

Nintendo Switch manufacturing partner reports supply chain struggles

James Batchelor // gamesindustry

Square Enix’s HD-2D style lets classic games be themselves

Oli Welsh // Polygon

The 10 best card-based games on the Nintendo Switch

Jom Elauria // Screen Rant

Did Nintendo make a mistake discontinuing the Game Boy?

Cameron Eittreim // SUPERJUMP

▶ How Mini Motorways quickly scratches that city builder itch — This game has been out on the Switch for a few months now, but I finally took some time to quickly share my thoughts on this addictive endurance puzzler. What "starts as an almost zen-like experience and evolves to be a tricky, and eventually stressful game of real-time plate spinning".

Switch Weekly // YouTube

🎮 Upcoming Releases

All releases are digital, Europe & U.S. unless otherwise stated.
Release data sourced in collaboration with Switch Scores.

⭐️ = Ones to Watch · 📦 = Physical release · 🎮 = Demo available

Mon

1

Hot Lap League: Deluxe Edition — Arcade 3D racing ala TrackMania. (Already available in U.S.)
Wavecade — Arcade shooter with a 80s sci-fi aesthetic (looks a bit Geometry Wars to me).
Kells — Lemmings-esque puzzler with over 100 levels and a gravity mechanic.
Viki Spotter: Megapolis — Spot the difference puzzler for kids.
Fightro — 2D arcade fighting game - single player.

Tue

2

📦 Frogun — Fun looking 3D adventure platformer featuring a frog-shaped grapple hook. Also getting a physical release.
Pure Crosswords — I'll let you guess what this one is. (Aug 3rd in U.S.)

Wed

3

⭐️ South of the Circle — An 'emotional narrative experience' set in Cold War Antartica.

Thu

4

Massage Freaks — Work out the kinks in this rhythm game. M for mature.
Gale of Windoria — RPG that looks visually similar in style to Chrono Trigger.
Kokoro Clover Season 1 — 2D platformer based on 'Japanese Sunday morning anime'.
Japanese Escape Games: The Retro House — Another escape-room mystery, this time in an old house.
⭐️ Hindsight — Annapurna Interactive are publishing this one. Narrative exploration puzzler in which physcial object are a window to the past. Interesting concept.
After Wave: Downfall — 3D arcade shooter set on a battleship. Has local co-op.
Roll the Cat — A spatial logic puzzle game in which you roll cats about. (Aug 5th in U.S.)
QUByte Classics: Thunderbolt Collection by Piko — Compilation of two vertically-scrolling shoot 'em ups from the 90s Thunderbolt series.

Fri

5

Sofiya and the Ancient Clan — 2D side-scrolling action platformer about a witch. M for mature.
90" Soccer — Top down arcade football, with multiplayer and online.
Toy Soldiers HD — Not the 1991 film, but a spruced up Xbox Live Arcade game from 2010.

⚡️ Quick Links

You can finally send friend requests from the Nintendo Switch Online app.
Kenichi Okuma, a composer behind several tracks for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, has passed away at the age of 56.
The delayed Minecraft amiibo (Steve and Alex) are launching in September.
The excellent Grindstone has a free Cosmic Darkside update, and it's out now.
Wanna drive a bus? You can give it a go in this sim game coming in October.
Watch me explain what tracks are coming to Mario Kart 8 Deluxe next week.
The Sample sends you an article from a random blog or newsletter that matches up with your interests. #Ad
Huh. The Switch version of Catan is losing its online multiplayer...
The creator of Metroid II fan remake AM2R shares what they liked about Dread.
A Switch Sports datamine has revealed its upcoming unlockable costumes.
Monolith Soft actually had real flutes made to create a unique sound for XC3.
This crafty DIY Mario Odyssey miniature turns trash into treasure.

Switch Weekly remains both accessible and sustainable thanks to the ongoing support of my amazing patrons, including:
PC, CapnGoat, SB, FrozenTrout, JR, MindFad, Greg, Michael Fairley, Chris D, Andrew E, and others — why not join them?

Curated by Chris Brandrick

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An all new track is coming to Mario Kart 8

🎮 Upcoming Releases

⚡️ Quick Links

Older messages

Live A Live A Switch

Kirby goes Fall Guys, Bayonetta 3 dated

Ink on the OLED

Persona finally comes to Switch (properly), plus Nintendo's Joy-Con repair subscription

Your Nintendo Update

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