Nintendo shutting digital stores and what it means for preservation

Hi, here's issue #270 of Switch Weekly — your weekly Nintendo update.

So, did any of you manage to try Nintendo Switch Sports this weekend? There was an online play test for Switch Online members over the last few days. I didn't get chance to try it as it was all appointment-based — meaning you had to play during certain hours. But maybe it's a good thing I didn't get to play, as I couldn't have told you about it anyway. 😆 You can totally hit reply and email me your thoughts in confidence. 😅

The big story this week wasn't a good one for Nintendo — they announced plans to shutter the 3DS/Wii U stores, closing off access to hundreds of games that will no longer be available to buy elsewhere. Never a good move from a preservation point of view. I've shared more on this below. Now, the company gave us something of a 'shit sandwich' with this news too: Yes, I'm being a touch cynical here of course, but Nintendo offered a way to share pretty Wii U/3DS related stats on social — sure was a nice attempt at distracting attention away from the whole 'shutting up shop' thing. Cynicism aside, the tool is kinda neat to look back on, even if half of everyone's stats is just them watching Netflix on Wii U. 😬 

Anyway, we've got just under 30 games coming to the Switch next week. The full list of games, along with my description of each is below as ever. 

Thanks for reading, and I'll catch you next week.

Cheers,  
Chris ✌️

🎮 Currently Playing — LOVE 3, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Grindstone (iOS)

Tuesday, February 22

• Blandville — Piece things together in this environmental adventure.
• ⭐️ Sol Cresta — PlatinumGames' take on the vertical shooter.

Wednesday, February 23

• An American Werewolf in L.A. — 2D beat'n'up with 80s horror nods.
• An NPC's Odyssey — A short 2D RPG where the hero ain't your normal protagonist.
• 🎮 Edge Of Eternity — 3D turn-based RPG. 50+ hours. 
• Explosive Candy World — A budget-friendly collection of single-screen physics challenges.
• For the Warp — Roguelike deck-building in space.

Thursday, February 24

• 15in1 Solitaire — Freecell, Klondike, and other card games.
• Aeternum Quest — An 'N64' style JRPG with turn-based battles.
• Amazing Machines — Seems like a mobile port of a physics-based puzzler.
• Antarctica 88 — Budget friendly icy 3D sci-fi action thriller.
• Autobahn Police Simulator 2 — Fast-paced law enforcement sim.
• Clouzy — A daycare for clouds. Sim/adventure. Nice wholesome visuals.
• ⭐️ Never Alone: Arctic Collection — Award-winning puzzle platformer developed in collaboration with the Iñupiat Alaskan native people. Has co-op.
• To the Top, Mammoth! — Tower-climbing arcade game.
• 📦 Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi — Test your underground survival skills. (Already available in U.S.)
• 📦 Variable Barricade — Visual novel.
• Who is Zombie — Apocalypse sim.

Friday, February 25

• #1 Anagrams Sudokus Bundle — Two puzzle games, one anagrams, one sudoku.
• Ammo Pigs: Cocked and Loaded — A 2D 80s/90s style run and gun action game.
• 📦 Atelier Sophie 2: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Dream — Fantasy turn-based RPG.
• Checkers Minimal — Checkers, has online multiplayer.
• Flip the Buddy — Basic platformer. Handheld only.
• Gav-Gav Odyssey — Action/puzzler. Cute dogs in space. 
• 📦🎮 Monark — 3D strategy/RPG from NIS.
• Moto Roader MC — Top-down racer from 1992. 
• One Gun Guy — 2D action platformer set in 'one giant level'.
• Plunderer's Adventures — Tower defense, ala PvZ, but on a pixel pirate ship. M for mature.