Game Boy titles, pre-orders, sweepstakes, and sales join this week’s eShop roundup

Well, this is it. This is the final week of eShop roundups featuring the Nintendo Switch all alone. From next week, we’ll see Switch 2 games join the list, so take it all in for one last time to see what the humble Switch has in store. This week’s eShop roundup is all about the retro and pre-orders, along with sweepstakes and sales. Let’s dive in.

The Nintendo Switch Online collection continues to expand this week with the addition of four Game Boy titles. This eclectic bunch includes the Konami-made Survival Kids, a Kirby spin-off, and the scif-fi shooting action of Gradius. There’s almost something for everyone, and we dicussed our thoughts on these games on last week’s episode of the Pure Nintendo Podcast.

With the Switch 2 launching on June 5, excitement is at an all-time high. Oh, and if you really can’t wait, several titles can be pre-ordered ahead of time. In this week’s case it’s Rune Factory, Sonic X Shadows, and Fast Fusion. Will you be playing any of these on your new console?

There’s a long list of sales ready to help you boost your gaming collection. The main feature of this week’s sale is the series of Dragon Quest titles, which are enjoying between 25% and 50% off. This includes last year’s Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake, a tempting proposition!

And if you’re feeling lucky, you could enter the latest sweepstakes from Nintendo. This time, the winner will receive a Mario Kart LEGO set, which is nothing short of awesome. Good luck!

There’s still a long list of new Switch titles on the eShop to check out this week, so let us know what you’ll be playing in the lead up to Switch 2.

Game Boy – Nintendo Switch Online

• SURVIVAL KIDS – Put your survival skills to the test! In this survival-role-playing title released in 1999 on the Game Boy Color system, you play as the young child of a renowned explorer. A vicious storm hits while you’re on a cruise with your dad, and you’re left stranded on an uninhabited island. Now, with no help in sight, the only one you can rely on is yourself! Search the island for food and water, and combine items to create the tools you need to survive. If you scour every corner of the island, you might find a way to escape! SURVIVAL KIDS is available now for Nintendo Switch Online members*.
• GRADIUS THE INTERSTELLAR ASSAULT – The odds of your survival are one million to one. In this side-scrolling shooter released for Game Boy in 1992, the battle is over, and the alien bile on your flight suit has dried. Your fingers twitch as if wrapped around the trigger of your ship’s guns. Suddenly, BLAM! Fire erupts on all sides. A swarm of doomships is closing in! With the three available weapons – MISSILE, DOUBLE and LASER – you’ll need to shape your attacks to each stage’s terrain and enemies. Just remember DOUBLE and LASER weapons can’t both be equipped at once! GRADIUS THE INTERSTELLAR ASSAULT is available now for Nintendo Switch Online members.
• The Sword of Hope – The story of Prince Theo, who bears the mark of the chosen one. This role-playing game was released for the Game Boy in 1991 and features Prince Theo as its protagonist, who was born with a dagger-shaped birthmark on his arm – the mark of the chosen one. As the chosen one, you must set out to find the Sword of Hope, which is said to have the power to defeat the darkness. With it, you will save the land from the king, once good and mighty, but now possessed by evil. Press on using the magic and weapons at your disposal to defeat the creatures who block your path. Three commands will be essential for your adventure. LOOK allows you to inspect people and your surroundings to get information, and OPEN allows you to open treasure chests to find precious items. Using HIT carelessly may lead to someone getting angry with you – but sometimes it can yield unexpected results! The Sword of Hope is available now for Nintendo Switch Online members.
• Kirby’s Star Stacker – Join Kirby as he stacks the falling stars with help from his friends: Rick, Kine and Coo (who look like a hamster, sunfish and owl, respectively) in this puzzle game. Blocks rain down constantly from above, while whole lines appear with unrelenting clock-like regularity from below. Sandwich the stars between Kirby’s pals and you’ll be on your way to a high score. Watch out for King Dedede – he’s out to stop you! But with a few quick moves and a well-timed strategy, you can outwit him and move on to the next challenging level. Kirby’s Star Stacker is available now for Nintendo Switch Online members.

 Pre-orders

• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – In this reimagined Rune Factory experience, you will call upon the forces of nature to restore the land and gods of the eastern region of Azuma. In this brand-new adventure, you’ll use your power as an Earth Dancer to fight corruptive forces, rebuild seasonal-themed villages to inspire villagers to return, and experience Rune Factory staples like romance and farming. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will be available June 5. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop.
• SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS – SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 system! Sonic the Hedgehog is back with a classic and modern take in this collection featuring two unique experiences. Play as Shadow in a story campaign with abilities that demonstrate why he’s known as the Ultimate Life Form. Speed through iconic stages from Shadow’s history, discover hidden secrets in an expansive hub world and unlock new powers to take on Black Doom and save the world. Also experience SONIC GENERATIONS, a time-traveling adventure featuring a greatest-hits collection of 3D and 2D Sonic stages, now with upgraded visuals and new bonus content. SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS launches on Nintendo Switch 2 June 5. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop!
• Fast Fusion – Get ready for the fastest anti-gravity racing game! Race your antigrav vehicle through brilliant tracks like the beautiful Redwood Forest, the storm planet Tempesta or through the lofty heights of Yama Crest. Use your “Fusion” ability to create hundreds of unique racing machines by fusing your favorite vehicles into new ones, with cool upgrades and unique looks. Risk it all by mastering the new antigrav hyper jump technology to get ahead of your opponents! Fast Fusion races onto Nintendo Switch 2 June 5. Pre-order is available now on Nintendo eShop.

Nintendo Music

Activities

• My Nintendo – LEGO Mario Kart Race to Win! Sweepstakes – Rev your engine and get ready to speed into fun with the My Nintendo – LEGO Mario Kart Race to Win! Sweepstakes! Enter from now until Sept. 3 at 11 p.m. PT for a chance to win an ultimate prize for building and racing fans: LEGO Super Mario: Mario Kart – Mario & Standard Kart set (72037). For more information, visit https://my.nintendo.com/rewards/cf4b372d8794452b.

Nintendo eShop sales

Also new this week