Cyber Deals just started up on the Nintendo eShop in the US, and there are just under 2,000 games currently on sale!!! While there are a lot of great games to choose from, I’m going to include games here that rarely go on sale, games at their lowest price historically, and just some I really enjoyed! (Warning: this is a long article! Also, most of these sales end on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, so make sure you check these out before then!)

Games I’ve Played & Can Recommend

Top 6 Recommendations

These are the games that I’ve beaten that I consider to be high quality and enjoyable. I’ve selected 6 of these games as some of my “top games” for this sale.

Coffee Talk

• Release Date: January 29, 2020
• Developer/Publisher: Toge Productions
• Discount: Currently $8.70 USD (-33%; lowest price ever)
• Demo: Yes

This was probably one of my absolute favorite games of 2020. Coffee Talk is a simulation/visual novel game set in an alternative fantasy version of Seattle. You play as the owner/barista of a coffee shop and listen to your customers (orcs, elves, etc.) talk about their lives. Make your customers a drink to make them feel at home, and learn more about what’s going on with them across a ~6 hour playthrough. Great art and interesting characters make this a memorable experience – and a sequel has even been announced for PC (hopefully with a Switch release as well).

Ikenfell

• Release Date: October 8, 2020
• Developer: Happy Ray Games
• Publisher: Humble Games
• Discount: Currently $11.99 (-40%)
• Demo: No

Although Ikenfell came out on Switch late last year, I only got around to playing it this year. And it’s definitely one of my favorite games that I’ve played in 2021. The graphics are absolutely adorable, and the music is fantastic (from Steven Universe composers). The puzzles aren’t too bad, and there’s some great representation for the LGBTQ+ community and people of color. I really enjoyed every minute of my ~20 hour playthrough.

Code: Realize ~Guardian of Rebirth~

• Release Date: February 6, 2020
• Developer: Idea Factory
• Publisher: Aksys Games
• Discount: Currently $27.99 (-30%)
• Demo: No

I first played Code: Realize on my PS Vita when it was released six years ago, and I enjoyed it so much that I purchased it again on Nintendo Switch. It’s an otome visual novel series set in an alternate steampunk London in the nineteenth century. You play as the protagonist, a young woman named Cardia whose skin poisons anyone who touches it. She encounters creatively reimagined literary or historical figures including Victor Frankenstein and Abraham van Helsing, and she can possibly find love with one of those men as she tries to elude the shady organization that’s after her. Although it is an otome game, the overall plot by itself is interesting. It’s not “just” a romance game (although there’s nothing wrong with them). There’s beautiful art, Japanese voice acting, and even if you are not usually into otome games I’d recommend it. There are two additional games in the series that are also on sale (links below). For a little over $80, you can purchase all 3 games and get a ton of content!

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore

• Release Date: January 17, 2020
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Discount: Currently $41.99 (-30%)
• Demo: No

Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore is one of my favorite “bigger” games on Switch. I love the character designs, and the music is very catchy and memorable. There’s a minor Fire Emblem presence, with characters like Chrom and Tharja appearing as the game’s equivalent of the characters’ individual “Personas.” Different weapon and element types are weak or strong against others. Aspects of the Shin Megami Tensei series are also included, with Agi, Zio, and other SMT abilities that the Tokyo Mirage Sessions cast can use. I loved the character interactions as well as the large presence of music (the game involves idols and they can sing mid battle). Some of the dungeons can be slightly irksome in terms of navigation, but I really enjoyed this one. It goes on sale on occasion, but not often enough that I’d wait for a better price on this one.

Atelier Mysterious Trilogy Deluxe Pack

• Release Date: April 22, 2021
• Publisher: KOEI TECMO AMERICA
• Discount: Currently $67.49 (-25%)
• Demo: No

Full disclosure: I have only managed to play Atelier Lydie & Suelle so far. However, I thought it was a cute, stress-free game, and it has two female leads! You play as Lydie and Suelle, twins who keep themselves busy improving their skills in alchemy. Like previous games in the series, you go out and gather ingredients from different locations. Then, you use your alchemy skills to craft with those ingredients, making your own weapons, armor, healing items, and miscellaneous items that others request for you to create. Prior entries in the Atelier series could be slightly stressful due to the extreme deadlines for delivering requested goods, which made it difficult to acquire some of the endings for me. Lydie and Suelle was one of the easier Atelier games in my opinion, and it’s nice, wholesome fun!

Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition

• Release Date: October 18, 2019
• Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
• Discount: Currently $14.99 (-70%; lowest price ever)
• Demo: No

I previously played Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth on my PS Vita; this was another game that I enjoyed enough to purchase it again for Switch. I believe this goes on sale fairly frequently, but I think this is the lowest price it’s ever been. It includes two games: Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth as well as Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory. How Long To Beat puts the playtime for this between ~100-200 hours. That’s a ton of content for $14.99! I watched Digimon as a child, so I really liked being able to “capture” Digimon and Digivolve them. The Digivolution process can get a bit complicated – especially if you want to acquire the best Digimon. This may be a negative for those who don’t like grinding as much. You can play as a male or female in the first game, but not in the second. Your home base in the first game is Nakano Broadway, a shopping mall that actually exists in Japan. I’ve actually been there in real life, so it made me nostalgic playing this. If you like Digimon, exploring Japan, and lengthy games, you should check this out.

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Additional Games I’d Recommend

Here are some other games I’ve played that I’d recommend from the sale:

Moonlighter

• Release Date: November 5, 2018
• Developer: Digital Sun
• Publisher: 11 bit studios
• Discount: Currently $6.24 (-75%; Complete Edition with all DLC is only a bit more at $6.95 so you may want that instead)

A rogue-lite action RPG in which you manage your own shop. Defeat enemies and sell whatever loot they drop, or use those items to craft your equipment. I didn’t perceive the game as being overly difficult. I like that there’s a New Game Plus option. Some have found the game “buggy” and repetitive, and I didn’t think there was much plot, but it’s still decent overall. You can check out the demo available on the eShop.

Cardpocalypse

• Release Date: December 11, 2019
• Developer: Gambrinous
• Publisher: Versus Evil
• Discount: Currently $9.99 (-60% = lowest price ever; Time Warp Edition with DLC is only a few dollars more at $11.99)
• Demo: No

An amusing game where you play as an elementary school student who plays a popular card game that is banned at school. Play the Mega Mutant Power Pets card game with other students, and collect and trade for better cards. There are clever pop culture references throughout the game, and the character you play is a girl who uses a wheelchair, which I think is a plus for representation. Sometimes winning or losing card battles seems to depend more on luck than skill, but you can often challenge the same opponent again for another try. It’s cute and has a memorable theme song.

Luna’s Fishing Garden

• Release Date: September 9, 2021
• Developer: Coldwild Games
• Publisher: AbsoDev
• Discount: $5.99 (-25%, lowest price ever)
• Demo: No

An extremely wholesome game where you help restore the spirits’ garden after a storm. Illufinch and Elena Nazaire did a magnificent job with the art for the game. The spirits’ designs are amazing, and there are little capybaras in the game! I loved restoring the garden and decorating it with various plants and animals. Luna’s Fishing Garden is incredibly relaxing and cute.

Wintermoor Tactics Club

• Release Date: September 10, 2020
• Developer: EVC
• Publisher: Versus Evil
• Discount: Currently $7.99 (-60%, lowest price ever)
• Demo: No

Another game published by Versus Evil, Wintermoor Tactics Club has you play as Alicia, a student at Wintermoor Academy who loves to play a game inspired by D&D. One day, the principal decides that all of the school’s clubs must participate in a snowball tournament, and the winner will be the only club allowed to continue their activities. Every other club must disband. Find out what the principal is up to, befriend your rivals, and engage in tactical combat with the power of Alicia & Co’s vivid imaginations! It’s a cute game with an emphasis on personal relationships and friendship. There’s no grinding and it’s not terribly difficult; unfortunately you can’t really heal your characters. I think kids and some adults (like myself) would enjoy this.

Ciel Fledge: A Daughter Raising Simulator

• Release Date: February 21, 2020
• Developer: Studio Namaapa
• Publisher: PQube
• Discount: Currently $3.99 (-60%, lowest price ever)
• Demo: Yes

People who enjoy fairly lengthy simulation games may enjoy Ciel Fledge: A Daughter Raising Simulator. Starting in the year 3716, you’ll raise Ciel over the course of ten years, helping to manage her diet, schedule, and hobbies. The classes and entertainment options you select impact Ciel’s stats, which are important for when she goes on expeditions to the Earth’s surface. There are dress up options that also affect stats. I wish they had expanded more on the plot; there are multiple endings, and you can get achievements as well. It’s a unique, futuristic sci-fi game with a lot of social elements.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age

• Release Date: September 27, 2019
• Developer: Square Enix
• Publisher: Nintendo
• Discount: Currently $34.99 (-30%; lowest price ever)
• Demo: Yes

This should probably be required reading playing for anyone who loves JRPGs. It’s graphically impressive, the music is top notch as always, and the usual Dragon Quest humor is there. You can craft your own equipment and wear some neat costumes in turn based combat as you attempt to save the world. You can turn on Draconian Quest settings to challenge yourself, and unlock the ability to visit areas from past Dragon Quest games in 2D! I really like how enemies are visible on the overworld and can be avoided if necessary. The end of the game was pretty difficult for me personally, but the game overall is great quality. Dragon Quest XI has maybe gone on sale digitally one time that I can recall, and if you’re even remotely interested in the game, download the demo and buy it on sale before December 1st.

Ghost Parade

• Release Date: October 31, 2019
• Developer: Lentera Nusantara Studio Corporation
• Publisher: Aksys Games
• Discount: Currently $11.99 (-70%, lowest price ever)
• Demo: No

In Ghost Parade, you play as a little girl who gets involved in a supernatural battle to save the strange forest she wandered into. You’ll befriend 30 ghosts inspired by Indonesian mythology, and they’ll each have their own magical abilities to help you in this platformer. The art in this game is lovely. It’s a fairly challenging platformer, but I somehow managed to do okay (it’s extremely easy to die due to enemies or environmental factors, though). The challenging aspects of the game could be a pro or con, depending on whether you are easily frustrated or not.

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Enjoyable Games In Progress

These are some games I still need to finish, but enjoyed what I’ve played so far enough to recommend them.

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Games I Haven’t Played Yet That Are Often Recommended

These are games I see recommended over and over again in Reddit threads on Switch game recommendations. They’re highly acclaimed games that I’m planning to play at some point. Hades seems to have won a large amount of well deserved awards since its release, and Slay the Spire and Spiritfarer are extremely popular as well. Ys IX and Disgaea 6 both came out in the last six months, and a sequel was just announced for AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES.

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Bonus Game: Henchman Story

• Release Date: October 14, 2021
• Developer: Silken Sail Entertainment
• Publisher: Top Hat Studios
• Discount: Currently $10.49 (-30%)
• Demo: No

I was generously provided with a review code for Henchman Story, and I’m currently working on the review for the game. It’s a satirical visual novel about Stan, a henchman for the villain Lord Bedlam. I’ve only finished one ending so far, but I’ve loved what I’ve seen in the first playthrough (out of eleven). It’s fully voice acted and it’s hilarious. I’m excited to see the other ten endings.

Thanks for checking out this article! I hope you enjoy whatever you may buy!