In the eleven years since New Super Mario Bros. U first released, 2D platformers have changed a lot. Not only are there a lot more of them overall – thanks to some very creative projects by small teams – I’d argue the genre has broadly shifted towards increasing the complexity of the overall experience. Many sidescrollers today embrace popular added-depth systems; rougelike elements, skill trees, sprawling and interconnected maps, Soulslike combat, or perhaps all of the above. These can all be great things, and I’ve certainly made some amazing memories with some out-of-left-field projects over the past decade, but sometimes it’s nice to experience a platformer where the joy comes not necessarily from overcoming a complex challenge or system, but from something simpler. For me, in the case of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, that joy came from being surprised. And in my recent 30 minute demo session with the game, I found myself being surprised at almost every turn.
Original (8/31): During today’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct, the Switch OLED – Mario Red Edition was announced. It’s due out on October 6, 2023.
The system features Mario-related designs including the Mario silhouette on the back of the red dock. If you open the back of the dock, you will also find an illustration of hidden coins. Super Mario Bros. Wonder is not included, so you’ll need to pick that up separately if you’re interested.
A final launch trailer has emerged for Rune Factory 3 Special to promote this week’s western launch. The sim RPG originally appeared on DS but is now on Switch with updated visuals and new features.
Additional details are available in the following overview:
Solar Ash, the action platformer from publisher Annapurna Interactive and developer Heart Machine, has now been confirmed for Switch. On Nintendo’s console, the game is slated for September 14, 2023.
Solar Ash was thought to be bound for Switch after ratings popped up earlier this year. However, this is the first official confirmation we’ve received.
For those that need a refresher on the game, check out the following overview:
RedDeerGames today announced One Night: Burlesque, a new in-house indie game. It’s due out later this year on Switch.
One Night: Burlesque is a detective-style crime story featuring a unique noir setting. In the visual novel, the fluff of peacock feathers and sequins darkens under the influence of crime lurking in the shadows.
Here’s some additional information:
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 released its latest spotlight trailer today, this time for April O’Neil. The character is back from the original game.
April is again a brawler similar to the last entry. She has a ratings meter that can be filled by using the camera and microphone-based attacks. Get some ratings to perform a powerful attack with her neutral special – more ratings means higher knockback. The team did implement some changes this time around, including a new down special, changes to light attacks, and a new forward and back air.
Today, Feral Interactive announced that the studio is developing Company of Heroes Collection for Switch. A release is planned for this fall.
Company of Heroes Collection includes the base game and both expansions – Opposing Fronts and Tales of Valor. It will be single-player only at launch, but a post-release update will add multiplayer.
Thanks to Merge Games and Awaken Realms, we have a release date for Fresh Start on Switch. It’ll be available digitally on September 14, 2023. The physical version will follow on October 13.
The relaxing deep clean adventure was confirmed for Nintendo’s console back in July. We know it would launch this year, but it wasn’t clear when.
If you haven’t had your fill of Barbie with the recent movie, you’ll be happy to hear that Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures is now bound for Switch. It will be available on October 27, 2023.
Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures promises “fun for the whole family with plenty of activities to enjoy along with Barbie and her beloved friends Ken, Renee, Daisy, and more.” It’ll include “epic pool parties, extreme makeovers, and dazzling home design”.
Here’s an official overview:
