Fitness Boxing feat. Hatsune Miku Reviewed: New Releases, Sales, and Farewells

Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 6th, 2024. This marks the final regular SwitchArcade Round-Up by yours truly for TouchArcade. Although I'll be contributing a few more reviews next week, it's bittersweet to conclude this journey that's spanned several years. Circumstances have led us to this point, and I had hoped to see the Switch's lifecycle through with these articles. Today's edition is packed with a diverse array of content, including reviews from Mikhail and Shaun, summaries of new releases, and our customary lists of new and expiring sales. Let's embark on this final ride together!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU ($49.99)

Imagineer's Fitness Boxing series has previously ventured into exciting collaborations, and Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU is no exception. After the engaging Fitness Boxing Fist of the North Star, this new title intrigued me with its integration of the beloved vocaloid, Hatsune Miku. Over the past few weeks, I've alternated between this and Ring Fit Adventure, and I must say, Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU impresses on multiple fronts.

For newcomers, the Fitness Boxing games blend boxing and rhythm game mechanics to deliver effective daily workouts, engaging mini-games, and more. Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU adds a unique twist by incorporating Miku's songs into a dedicated mode, alongside the standard tracks. Note that this is a Joy-Con only game; Pro Controllers or third-party accessories are not supported.

Like its predecessors, this game offers various difficulty settings, free training, warm-ups, and comprehensive tracking features, including reminders and alarms that function even when your Switch is in sleep mode. You can unlock cosmetic items through earned points. While I haven't delved into the DLC yet, the base game stands out as a better experience than Fist of the North Star, with one caveat.

The audio quality is superb, but the main instructor's voice feels off and oddly directed. I ended up lowering the volume to enjoy the rest of the game's soundscape.

Fitness Boxing feat. HATSUNE MIKU remains a solid fitness title that effectively brings Miku into the fold. It's an excellent complement to other workout routines, such as Ring Fit Adventure. While it's a capable standalone fitness game, its true value shines when paired with other exercises. -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 caught my attention. Having played it on both Xbox and Switch, I believe it needs a bit more refinement. As someone who enjoys Metroidvania-style platformers and cooking games, Magical Delicacy attempts to merge these genres but falls short in execution.

In the game, you control Flora, a young witch navigating a story that's both mysterious and heartwarming. Your objectives include cooking and crafting for various characters. While the exploration aspect is well-executed, the backtracking can be frustrating. The crafting system and inventory management have some issues, exacerbated by a UI that took me time to master.

Magical Delicacy boasts stunning pixel art visuals and delightful music, complemented by a range of settings, including UI scale and text options, making it user-friendly on the Switch in handheld mode. An early access release or future updates could significantly enhance the game's appeal.

On the Switch, the game runs smoothly, though occasional frame pacing hiccups are noticeable. The rumble feature adds a nice touch. Given my preference for handheld gaming, Magical Delicacy feels most at home on the Switch or Steam Deck.

While Magical Delicacy blends Metroidvania and cooking elements in an appealing package, it feels slightly undercooked. Despite its current quality, a few quality-of-life improvements could elevate it to an essential title. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)

The 16-bit era saw a surge of mascot platformers following Sonic the Hedgehog's success. Aero The Acro-Bat was one of the few that managed to spawn sequels, thanks to a combination of decent reception and determination. Despite the release of Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel shortly after Aero 2, Aero didn't see further original titles. However, this doesn't reflect poorly on Aero The Acro-Bat 2.

The game's quality holds up well against its predecessor, offering a polished experience. While it might lose some of the original's charm, it remains an enjoyable platformer. Sunsoft's financial constraints following a failed golf course investment likely contributed to the lack of further sequels.

Surprisingly, this release isn't in Ratalaika's typical emulation wrapper but features a more customized presentation. It includes box and manual scans, achievements, a sprite sheet gallery, a jukebox, and various cheats. The only minor criticism is the absence of the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive version alongside the Super NES one.

Fans of the original Aero The Acro-Bat will appreciate this sequel, and even those who found the first game quirky might enjoy this more refined iteration. Ratalaika's enhanced wrapper is commendable, and I hope to see similar updates for the first game. A solid release for Aero enthusiasts and 16-bit platformer fans alike.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Metro Quester | Osaka ($19.99)

The original Metro Quester was a challenging yet rewarding dungeon-crawling turn-based RPG. Its complexity made it a satisfying experience once mastered, and I eagerly awaited the release of Metro Quester | Osaka. This entry feels more like an expansion than a sequel, which suits me fine given my enjoyment of the original.

Set as a prequel, Metro Quester | Osaka takes you to Osaka, introducing a new dungeon and character types. The wetter environment necessitates canoe travel, adding a fresh twist. New weapons, skills, and enemies await, offering more content for fans of the series.

The core mechanics remain similar to the original, so for detailed explanations, refer to my previous review. In short, expect turn-based combat, top-down exploration, and strategic, cautious gameplay.

Metro Quester | Osaka will captivate those who loved the first game, while newcomers might prefer starting here. It's an expansion that effectively extends the original's systems in intriguing ways. Patience is key, but the rewards are well worth it.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

NBA 2K25 ($59.99)

NBA 2K25 marks the latest installment in the NBA 2K series, featuring improved gameplay, a new Neighborhood feature, and enhancements to MyTEAM. While I'm not well-versed in the specifics, the game requires 53.3 GB of storage space on your memory card.

Shogun Showdown ($14.99)

Shogun Showdown offers another take on the Darkest Dungeon formula with a Japanese-inspired setting and some unique twists. It's a solid choice for fans of this style of game.

Aero The Acro-Bat 2 ($5.99)

As mentioned earlier, Aero The Acro-Bat 2 is a polished sequel to the original, featuring an improved emulation wrapper and the Super NES version of the game. While it lacks the Genesis/Mega Drive version, it's a satisfying release for Aero fans.

Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection ($9.99)

Sunsoft is Back! Retro Game Selection offers three previously non-localized Famicom games, including a side-scrolling action platformer, an adventure game, and an action-RPG. Check out my recent review for more details, but rest assured, it's a great pick for fans of classic games.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales include a compelling discount on the Cosmic Fantasy Collection, making it a worthwhile investment for retro RPG enthusiasts. Tinykin, a delightful platformer, is also at its lowest price yet. Browse through the lists to find something that piques your interest.

Select New Sales

Zombie Army Trilogy ($8.74 from $34.99 until 9/12)
Zombie Army 4: Dead War ($14.99 from $49.99 until 9/12)
Wild Seas ($2.49 from $4.99 until 9/12)
Chants of Sennaar ($14.99 from $19.99 until 9/13)
The House of Da Vinci 3 ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/13)
Warhammer 40k: Boltgun ($15.39 from $21.99 until 9/13)
Toziuha Night: Dracula’s Revenge ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/16)
Monkey Barrels ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Banchou Tactics ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/19)
Transiruby ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Picontier ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/19)
Kamiko ($1.99 from $4.99 until 9/19)
Fairune Collection ($3.99 from $9.99 until 9/19)
Alchemic Dungeons DX ($3.19 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Ninja Smasher! ($6.39 from $7.99 until 9/19)
Ninja Striker! ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/19)

Great Ambition of the Slimes ($9.59 from $11.99 until 9/19)
Shinobi Non Grata ($11.99 from $14.99 until 9/19)
Let’s Build a Zoo ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/20)
Owlboy ($8.74 from $24.99 until 9/20)
Hakuoki: Wind & Blossom ($44.99 from $49.99 until 9/20)
Omen of Sorrow ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/20)
Dungeonoid 2 Awakening ($4.49 from $8.99 until 9/20)
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt CE ($23.99 from $59.99 until 9/22)
Knights of Grayfang ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Gale of Windoria ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Justice Chronicles ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Armed Emeth ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Jinshin ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Alphadia Genesis ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Grace of Letoile ($10.49 from $14.99 until 9/26)

Tinykin ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Despot’s Game ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy Collection ($29.99 from $49.99 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy ($15.90 from $26.50 until 9/26)
Cosmic Fantasy 2 ($15.90 from $26.50 until 9/26)
Spirittea ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Punch Club 2: Fast Forward ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Railway Empire 2 ($37.49 from $49.99 until 9/26)
Lil’ Guardsman ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Potion Craft Alchemist Simulator ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Euphoria ($1.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Of The Red, the Light, & Ayakashi ($25.06 from $50.13 until 9/26)
Modern Combat Blackout ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/26)
The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Arrest of a Stone Buddha ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Fading Afternoon ($16.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Astor: Blade of the Monolith ($14.99 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Tamarak Trail ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/26)
Rigid Force Redux ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)
Yaga ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/26)
Rabi-Ribi ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/26)

Sales Ending This Weekend

Dead in Vinland: True Viking ($2.79 from $27.99 until 9/7)
Gunslugs ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Gunslugs 2 ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Heroes of Loot ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
Heroes of Loot 2 ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
Meganoid ($5.39 from $8.99 until 9/7)
NOISZ re:||COLLECTION G ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Phoenotopia: Awakening ($6.99 from $19.99 until 9/7)
Space Grunts ($8.39 from $13.99 until 9/7)
Stardash ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
Superhot ($9.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Dormitory Love ($24.49 from $34.99 until 9/8)
Dying Light: Definitive Edition ($9.99 from $49.99 until 9/8)
Fur Squadron ($2.79 from $6.99 until 9/8)
Tchia: Oleti Edition ($23.44 from $34.99 until 9/8)

And with that, we reach the end of not only today's SwitchArcade Round-Up but also my tenure at TouchArcade after eleven and a half years. I'll continue sharing content at my blog, Post Game Content, and through exclusive articles on my Patreon. As I step away from this type of work after twenty-six years in the industry, I'm eager to embrace new challenges. Feel free to connect with me on BlueSky or explore potential writing opportunities if you're an interested executive.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of TouchArcade's readers for joining me on this incredible journey. Your support has meant the world to me. I wish you all the happiness and success in your lives, and as always—thanks for reading.