Ah, Boxing Day—a time supposedly for relaxation and goodwill. But let’s just say there are a few developers out there I’d like to give a piece of my mind, or a punch, whichever comes first.
Last week zipped past without me catching onto some key releases. Out of the blue, Quilts and Cats of Calico, a game once showcased at Indie World, surfaced again. North America also received a new entry in the bullet hell genre with Saidaioujou. Meanwhile, Taito’s Warrior Blade made a nostalgic return to the Archives.
This holiday season, I’ve found myself at my parent’s place, which is charmingly situated in the middle of nowhere. It’s a digital wasteland where the internet operates on its own leisurely pace. Perusing through the eShops was rather unrewarding—nothing piqued my interest. In contrast, I noticed Europe was getting treated to several games bearing similar visuals from different publishers. I’m pretty sure North America snagged one of these a few weeks back. So, to wrap it up…
Wherever you are, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or enjoy whatever festive wave you’re riding right now. Let’s cross our fingers that Nintendo has a visit from the ghost of gaming’s future and they sort things out. Catch you next week with hopefully better news.
North America Releases:
- "Restaurant Tycoon: My Cooking Empire" – Out on Wednesday for $29.99/CA$40.59
- "Thinking of You: Beyond Time" – Arriving Friday for $24.99/$34.49
- "Real H 4" – Available for $19.99/$19.99
- "Trench Shooter: Warfare Tactics" lands this Friday for $12.99/$17.99
- "Star Trek: Legends" is coming Wednesday for $11.99/$16.15
- "Cyberpunk Speed Assassin" is up for $10.99/$15.34
- "Airborne Grannies" – Fetch it on Wednesday for $9.99/$13.50
- "Body Cam Shooter" – Goes for $9.99/$13.99
- "Korean Drone Flying Tour Chuncheon City" – Available also for $9.99/$13.99
- "Basketball Legends 24" – Jump in on Friday for $9.99/$13.99
- "Buried Alive: Breathless Rescue" – Ready on Saturday for $9.99/$13.99
- More budget-friendly titles like "Prison Escape Simulator: Breakout Master" and "Wukong Sun: Black Legend" start at $7.99/$11.18 and $7.99/$11.23 respectively.
- If you’re looking for a quick puzzle fix, "Sudoku Classic 2" is priced at $5.99/$7.97.
… and the list keeps going with some indie gems perfect for cozying up in front of the fireplace this season.
Plenty of sales have sprouted up too, especially from third-party publishers. A heads-up from James: the Ace Attorney Investigations Collection is on its debut sale at a sweet 25% markdown until January 6.
Europe Releases:
Much of the same lineup graces European shores, with "Restaurant Tycoon: My Cooking Empire" leading the way at €29.99/£26.99 this Wednesday. "Paw Paw Destiny" arrives Monday for €14.99/£12.99. Friday brings "Basketball Legends 24" for €9.99/£9.99, while "Buried Alive: Breathless Rescue" follows on Saturday for the same price. Well, the rest you might already recognize, but keep an eye out for those slight region-specific tweaks.
Japan Releases:
And hopping over to Japan, fan-favorites like "Restaurant Tycoon: My Cooking Empire" make their rounds for ¥4680, alongside uniquely titled offerings like "The Owl Lurking in the Dusk and Subaru at Dawn" for ¥3300. It’s a mix of new adventures and old classics.
With all these releases and sales, your gaming holiday spirit should be well-fed for now!
