Guide: 68 Switch 1 & 2 Games You Should Check Out In The ‘Screaming Deals’ eShop Sale (North America)
There are already far too many options during Halloween — What costume should I don? Which sweets should I grab from the bowl? Am I courageous enough to finally view that one film? — so let us not add ‘which games should I acquire on discount?’ to the mix. Below, we have compiled a summary of the finest selections in the ‘Screaming Deals’ sale, ensuring you can relish your trick-or-treat bounty in tranquility…
Another week brings another scorching eShop sale to enhance your backlog. Yes, Nintendo is hosting its ‘Screaming Deals’ sale once again this year in North America, featuring markdowns on Switch 1 and 2 titles, both eerie and otherwise, much like across the Atlantic where it’s less excitingly termed the Halloween Sale.
Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube837k
Indeed, with so many titles on discount until 1st November, it’s not completely clear which titles are specifically included in this promotion and which just coincide with returning to standard prices on the same date. Nevertheless, for you and us, it doesn’t matter much!
Thus, we’ve compiled all the eShop games on sale for the forthcoming week that we’ve rated at least 9/10, arranged alphabetically with USD prices. As ever, click on the review tabs if you seek a more detailed examination of something, and you’ll also find a personal selection of the 8/10 outliers at the conclusion.
Finally, if you’re in need of eShop credit, our store has you sorted:
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (Switch)
$14.99 (-75%)
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim stands as a magnificent accomplishment for dynamic narrative, presenting an engaging and layered storyline that will keep you intrigued right up to the conclusion.
This superb narrative, coupled with entertaining combat segments, a stunning art style, and exceptional voice performances create an experience you shouldn’t overlook. It’s the type of game that’ll leave you yearning to relive it for the first time, just to experience all its finest elements anew.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and finalize a purchase, we may earn a small percentage of the sale. Please review our FTC Disclosure for more details.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown Deluxe Edition (Switch)
$29.99 (-50%)
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown represents the ultimate zenith of the franchise, and despite its arrival on Switch over five years post other platforms, this ‘unthinkable’ Switch adaptation does little to diminish the experience. Long-time series fans and aficionados of military aviation will be inundated with fan service at every corner, from craters on the ground to aircraft, liveries, callsigns, and emblems referencing previous installments.
We recognize that the genre has a particular niche audience, but if this is your initial venture into the franchise, this conversion serves as an ideal introduction to this rich and respected series. You receive an abundance of content and a grand single-player narrative embellished with triple-A presentation, delivering the most comprehensive portable experience ever from Project Aces.
Aegis Defenders (Switch eShop)
$4.99 (-75%)
Aegis Defenders is an impressive title, beautifully merging tower defense and platforming genres in a distinctive manner to craft a remarkable and enjoyable experience.
Adorable characters, intriguing lore, numerous secrets, immersive gameplay, and stunning presentation come together to make this a must-own for your Switch, truly a treasure on the eShop.
Alien: Isolation (Switch eShop)
$14.99 (-25%)
Alien: Isolation is a survival horror tour de force and unquestionably one of the finest horror video games ever released.
It’s a nerve-wracking endeavor — a slow, calculated game of predator and prey against a brilliantly crafted replica of one of cinema’s most infamous villains — but if you’re prepared for the challenge, you’ll discover one of the most gratifying gameplay experiences in the genre; a brilliant and stunning tribute to one of the greatest sci-fi films of all time.
Feral Interactive has performed a remarkable job with this Switch port, and the superb motion controls along with the inclusion of all previously-released DLC only enhance the experience. This is a must-have for survival horror enthusiasts.
Alisa Developer’s Cut (Switch eShop)
$12.59 (-30%)
Alisa Developer’s Cut is a commendable tribute to classic survival horror that can easily hold its own against titles like Resident Evil and Alone in the Dark. From the tank controls to the cheesy voiceover work, it captures nearly every aspect, providing a sensation that feels like it was plucked directly from the ’90s.
Its overall allure will likely be restricted to those well-acquainted with survival horror, but if that’s you, then prepare for one of the best demonstrations of the genre.
Animal Well (Switch eShop)
$18.74 (-25%)
Developer Shared Memory’s articulated aim was “to create complete experiences that will be playable long after the world loses its internet connection,” and screen after screen, Animal Well excels in captivating your visual senses and delivering
your mind something to ponder.
It serves as a counter to a society of post-release modifications in favor of a carefully designed, unique vision with potentially years’ worth of findings incorporated. All signs suggest that Animal Well fulfills that long-term expectation and does so with a distinctive grace.
Archvale (Switch eShop)
$7.49 (-50%)
Archvale is a victorious bullet-hell/RPG genre hybrid. While you might contend it bears some resemblance to one or two recent titles, it outshines its rivals with exceptionally smooth combat, uncomplicated and gratifying advancement, as well as diverse settings and foes.
The challenge significantly intensifies as you advance to later stages, so the lack of an option to alter the difficulty on the fly might present a challenge for some gamers. However, if you persevere, you’ll discover that Archvale stands out as one of the most rewarding twin-stick games currently available.
Astral Ascent (Switch eShop)
$12.49 (-50%)
Astral Ascent is an excellent illustration of a game that is greater than the sum of its components. Its robust character design, retro visuals, precise combat, unforgettable bosses, and extensive build variety have all appeared in games you’ve likely experienced before—there’s nothing ‘original’ here.
But dismissing it as simply ‘another one of those’ in a saturated genre would mean missing out on one of the most charming and unexpected releases of 2023. Astral Ascent comfortably ranks among the finest roguelites available on the Switch. Don’t overlook it.
Botany Manor (Switch eShop)
$18.74 (-25%)
It resembles The Witness and plays somewhat like StreetPass Garden, but Botany Manor flourishes into something that is not just entirely its own but also rather extraordinary. Don’t let its warm visuals mislead you—Botany Manor is filled with cleverly challenging, well-crafted puzzles and is unafraid to confront serious topics as well.
Catherine: Full Body (Switch)
$9.99 (-80%)
Catherine: Full Body is an outstanding remake of a genuine cult classic. Featuring an excellent new character and multiple new endings smoothly integrated into an already highly engaging narrative—not to mention a host of enjoyable new modes—this is the definitive edition of an exceptional game.
If you haven’t experienced Catherine previously, then you’re in for an absolute delight, and if you have, we’d argue there is sufficient new content here to warrant diving in yet again.
Chained Echoes (Switch eShop)
$18.74 (-25%)
Chained Echoes is a splendid combination of ’90s JRPG conventions, expertly interwoven to create an experience that feels both nostalgic and novel. A well-paced narrative, unconventional advancement system, strategic combat mechanics, and a vast world all converge to make a game that is remarkably one of the finest RPGs we encountered in 2022.
Truly, there’s no moment where it feels like Chained Echoes falters, which is especially impressive considering the majority of it was developed by one individual. It stands as a brilliant showcase of all that makes RPGs wonderful.
Crawl (Switch eShop)
$2.99 (-80%)
We absolutely enjoy Crawl, and we’d wager our accumulated treasure and fury that you will, too. A dungeon-crawling hack-and-slash experience with roguelike features, one player takes on the role of the hero trying to navigate a dungeon while the others assume the role of monster-controlling spirits aiming to eliminate the hero and seize their position.
It’s an everyone-for-themselves chaotic competition, but there are chances for intense 3v1 cooperative gameplay—a must when all non-hero spirit characters must collaborate to manage the bosses that the hero faces. It’s a blast in single-player due to some aggressive AI, but that everlasting threat takes on a new layer when you and three friends are competing for XP and that all-important finishing blow.
Competitive couchplay doesn’t get much better than this on Switch.
Cuphead (Switch eShop)
$13.99 (-30%)
Cuphead was a true masterpiece upon its initial release on Xbox One and nothing was compromised in its transition to the Switch.
A run-and-gun boss combat game styled like a 1930s Fleischer or Disney animated short, it retains the same visually stunning and aurally enchanting, nail-bitingly challenging gameplay it had on Microsoft’s console, and the Switch’s library benefits greatly from its inclusion. Its emphasis on intense boss confrontations may not appeal to everyone, but as long as you’re aware of what you’re signing up for, we can’t endorse it highly enough. Just look at it!
And the Delicious Last Course (which is also on sale) is the cherry on top.
Cyber Shadow (Switch eShop)
$11.99 (-40%)
If you regard yourself a fan of classic action platformers, you owe it to yourself to acquire Cyber Shadow. It’s evident in almost every aspect of Cyber Shadow’s design that this endeavor was a labor of affection and that its creator is profoundly acquainted with what makes the stalwarts of this cherished genre so exceptional.
Well-constructed levels, genuine presentation, precise controls, and high difficulty levels all merge to create a premium and focused experience, one that we can confidently say deserves your attention. Mechanical Head Studios has set a high standard with its debut release.
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition (Switch 2)
$39.99 (-44%)
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition was an outstanding launch-day port for Switch 2. CD Projekt Red’s rich, diverse, and immersive world is fully realized with impressive performance for such a low-powered device.
If you haven’t yet taken your first steps into Night City or if you’re a long-term player with a portable-play itch that demands attention, you’re in for a remarkable experience, choom.
Dave The Diver (Switch eShop)
$12.99 (-35%)
In 2023, a year led by colossal, high-budget releases like
Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Wonder, unconventional roguelike Dave The Diver rose to the occasion and sent the ball soaring out of the park with a powerful swing.
Its delightful animations and storytelling enhance a mechanically intricate experience that continuously presents fresh challenges to pursue. You owe it to yourself to acquire this exceptionally amusing, captivating, and quirky treasure.
Death’s Door (Switch eShop)
$4.99 (-75%)
Death’s Door is a contemporary classic, employing traditional gameplay concepts in a novel environment to create a brief yet delightful adventure you won’t want to overlook. The brisk combat, fulfilling exploration, and soothing soundtrack will linger with you after completion, and while it may not introduce anything ‘novel’, Death’s Door is crafted with such high quality that you’ll scarcely have time to ponder its lack of originality.
Fans of Zelda or Soulslike games will cherish this – Acid Nerve has designed an experience truly deserving of your time and resources.
Detention (Switch eShop)
$5.19 (-60%)
Detention stands out as another horror classic worthy of your Switch. Its narrative carries a significant lesson as it conveys themes through the perspective of a child that only amplify the terror.
With its spine-chilling atmosphere, eerie spirits, and a soundtrack that will grip you, Detention is a suitably frightening title that must be experienced in person.
Dicefolk (Switch eShop)
$7.49 (-50%)
An appealing art style, robust combat mechanics, and meaningful player decisions make Dicefolk an excellent addition to the library, managing to feel novel without straying too far from the core concepts that render these types of games so engaging and beloved.
Dicefolk serves as a strong entry point to the genre; it’s accessible without being condescending and it’s loads of fun once you grasp its various intricacies.
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut (Switch eShop)
$11.99 (-70%)
Disco Elysium’s plot and dialogue, already impressively engaging in the original game, received a substantial enhancement thanks to the superb voice acting introduced in the Final Cut.
The gameplay presents a multitude of diverging paths for you to discover, and while the slow, deliberate method may deter some players, this is nonetheless one of the most brilliantly narrated stories in any medium from recent years.
The performance issues noted during our review slightly dulled the experience, but even amidst these concerns, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was and remains a triumph, establishing itself as one of the finest RPGs available on Switch.
Dusk (Switch eShop)
$4.99 (-75%)
Dusk is an incredibly impressive piece of software and potentially the best Unity port to Switch we’ve ever encountered, avoiding common performance issues and delivering an outstanding experience of a remarkable game. It may not surpass Quake, but few games can.
The selection of weapons is somewhat restricted – they’re all excellent, but you won’t find an iconic firearm here, just the standard pistol, shotgun, assault rifle, explosives, and so forth. We might be nitpicking with our critiques here, but ultimately, Dusk is yet another fantastic addition to Switch’s FPS lineup.
FEZ (Switch eShop)
$7.49 (-50%)
FEZ is an entertaining, challenging puzzle platformer brimming with innovative ideas and distinctive gameplay twists. Its puzzles distort reality and occasionally seep into our own world, but aside from a few particular mega-challenges, they never become excessively obscure or unfair.
A handful of visual and mechanical imperfections prevent it from being a flawlessly polished experience, yet these are greatly surpassed by its charm and other delightful qualities. It’s yet another one of those ‘games you simply must play’ on Switch, and it couldn’t fit in better.
Fight’N Rage (Switch eShop)
$14.99 (-25%)
Fight’N Rage is undoubtedly one of the essential action games on Nintendo’s platform. Its surprisingly profound and gratifying combat mechanics, paired with three diverse and robust player characters, along with a plethora of cleverly-crafted foes, elevate it beyond the typical button-mashing experience one might expect from this genre.
It features a superb arcade mode that diverges in numerous directions as you advance to the final boss battle, along with a plethora of unlockable modes and extras that will draw you back for more. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado of retro beat ’em ups or simply enjoy unleashing havoc on mutant punk cats and primates dressed as Bruce Lee, you owe it to yourself to experience what Sebastian Garcia has produced here; it’s undoubtedly one of the finest beat’em ups we’ve encountered.
