"I hate to go inside baseball, but cork, yarn and rubber." - Brandon McCarthy
Before we begin, I need to vent a spleen.
Sunday's episode of Radio Free Nintendo discussed the old Nintendo download press releases, back in the days when they were written with a sense of humour and actually attempted to describe each game. Now, the PR we get just before this article goes live will list one big game every week, and shove the rest into the "Also releasing" section. I'm writing this part on Wednesday night and I can already tell you that the focus is going to be Fire Emblem Warriors, with the other thing getting any attention being Just Dance 2018. We don't even get a list of the sales anymore, which means way too much time is spent updating a Google sheet. I wonder how 3rd parties feel, especially on weeks like this, where they know they have no chance of getting any attention in the release because of the 900 lb gorilla standing in the way. Honestly, the "Also releasing" part served its purpose when they stuck an alleged retail Wii U game there the week of SteamWorld Heist's release in 2015.
Nintendo of Europe might have started sending the PR email out on Thursday after their eShop updates, but at least they TRY. That's more than I can say for NoA, but it's probably pretty low on the list of reasons I'm slightly miffed at NoA right now. And if I say any more, I don't know when this gets written next week. So let's move on to business.
The big release(s) this week (is/are) the dual release of Fire Emblem Warriors. I, for one, welcome our *spoiler deleted* overlords and look forward to slaughtering mooks in their millions this weekend. Other big releases include the fourth Jackbox Party Pack, which should probably be the headliner because touranments are awesome. There's also classic detective adventure Syberia, Square Enix's return to the Switch with Spelunky Party (not to be confused with the Derek Yu roguelike platformer that's a favourite of those with Idle Thumbs), or you've gone for other modern takes on classic adventures in Etrian Odyssey V on 3DS and Elliot Quest on Switch. Robo Army represents the Archives from Hamster. If there's more than one game in the new "on sale" section of the Switch eShop... (Review corner: Zach on Etrian, Neal on the Jackbox.)
Europe's lineup is predominantly the same, though their release of the LEGO Ninjago Movie game was apparently delayed to coincide with the digital release. Japan has a few familiar titles this week.
North America
Switch Retail
Fire Emblem Warriors (US$59.99/C$79.99: Friday)
Syberia ($29.99/$40.89: Friday)
3DS Retail
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth ($39.99/$54.99: Tuesday)
Fire Emblem Warriors ($39.99/$49.99: New 3DS only, preload available, unlocks midnight ET)
Switch eShop
Spelunker Party ($29.99/$39.99)
Rogue Trooper Redux ($24.99/$32.99: Tuesday)
Jackbox Party Pack 4 ($24.99/$33.99)
Party Golf ($15/$19.35)
Jydge ($14.99/$17.99)
The Count Lucanor ($13.49/$16.19)
Revenant Saga ($12.99/$17.99)
Elliot Quest ($9.99/$12.69)
Don't Knock Twice ($9.99/$11.99: Tuesday)
Putty Pals ($9.99/$11.61)
Super Ping Pong Trick Shot ($4.99/$6.49)
New 3DS eShop
Galaxy Blaster Code Red ($1.49/$1.99)
Switch Archives
Robo Army ($7.99/$9.87)
Sales and Price Drops
Highlights: Gunman Clive and Darksiders games are on sale
Europe
Switch Retail Friday
Fire Emblem Warriors (€59.99/£49.99)
The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game (€59.99/£49.99)
Syberia (€29.99/£26.99)
3DS Retail
Fire Emblem Warriors (€39.99/£34.99: New 3DS only, Friday)
Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth (€39.99/£34.99, Tuesday)
Switch eShop
Spelunker Party (€29.99/£24.99)
Rogue Trooper Redux (€24.99/£19.99)
Jackbox Party Pack 4 (€21.99/£19.99)
Party Golf (€14.99/£13.49)
Jydge (€14.99/£12.99)
The Count Lucanor (€14.99/£11.99)
Revenant Saga (€12.99/£11.69)
Elliot Quest (€9.99/£8.99)
Don't Knock Twice (€12.49/£9.99)
Putty Pals (€8.5/£7.5)
Super Ping Pong Trick Shot (€4.99/£4.49)
Wii U eShop
Swap Blocks (€4.99/£3.99)
Switch Archives
Robo Army (€6.99/£6.29)
Demos and Trials
New Style Boutique 3
Kirby: Battle Royale
Sales and Price Drops
Vaccine (Switch) is 30% off until 2 November.
Gunman Clive titles (1, 2, HD Collection) are 50% off until 2 November.
Stick it to the Man is 40% off until 2 November.
Drop It: Block Paradise is 50% off until 16 November.
Johnny's Payday Panic is 50% off until 2 November.
Nostatic Software titles are 25% off until 26 November.
Big John Games titles are on sale until 16 November.
EnjoyUp titles are on sale until 16 November.
CIRCLE titles are on sale until 2 November.
Elliot Quest (3DS) has been permanently reduced to €9.99/£8.99.
Langrisser: Reincarnation TENSEI and Moco Moco Friends have been reduced to €24.99/£22.49 ea.
Japan - Switch
The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game (¥5616)
Astro Duel Deluxe (¥1599)
Earth Atlantis (¥1480)
Elliot Quest (¥999)
Revenant Saga (¥999)
Robo Army (¥823)
