I’m decidedly not enjoying this summer heat, so remaining indoors with air conditioning and video games it is! And what a great month for Switch games, with cute and/or cool games from a variety of genres coming soon. Whether you like cozy games or something a bit more suspenseful, there’s something for pretty much everyone.

Chained Echoes: Ashes of Elrant DLC

• Price: {TBA} USD
• Developer: Umami Tiger
• Publisher: Deck 13 Spotlight
• Release Date: August 7, 2025

I reviewed Chained Echoes when it first came out back in 2022. A 16-bit SNES-style JRPG, it remains one of my favorite games that I’ve reviewed on this site. Several years later, we’re now getting some DLC set just before the end of the game, which gives us more background on Lenne and the Order of Leonar. With a new playable character, new enemies and areas, and even some new mini games, I’m incredibly excited to play the Ashes of Elrant DLC.

Fruitbus

• Price: $19.99 (digital, currently on sale for $17.99 until August 21st); physical ($34.99)
• Developer: Krillbite Studio
• Publisher: Silver Lining
• Release Date: August 7, 2025

Described as an open world culinary adventure, Fruitbus is a super cute game that allows players to travel around an archipelago in their customizable Fruitbus. Learn each island’s traditions, and produce mouthwatering meals that make your customers feel good. Forage for ingredients and experiment with different recipes; will you offer original dishes to customers, or will you try your hand at cooking much-loved local cuisine?

Ritual of Raven

• Price: $19.99 (currently on sale for $17.99 until August 14th)
• Developer: Spellgarden Games
• Publisher: Team17
• Release Date: August 7, 2025

Farming is back-breaking work in real life, and in most farming games our characters have limited stamina bars to reflect this. From the developer of Sticky Business, Ritual of Raven is a cozy story-based farming sim in which players “dip [their] toes into the magic of coding.” Using a magical deck of cards, enchant Arcana Constructs to do the farm work for you! Befriend the local community, decorate the village and your farm, and perform rituals as you attempt to stabilize the portals between worlds.

Iwakura Aria

• Price: $39.99 (digital, currently on sale for $35.99 until August 14th); physical ($49.99)
• Developer: MAGES.
• Publisher: PQube
• Release Date: August 14, 2025

Set in a post-WWII Japan, Iwakura Aria is a suspense visual novel about a young woman named Ichiko, who has joined the Iwakura household as a maid. The Iwakura family seems to have many secrets connected to heir Aria, and you’ll have the chance to change her potentially dark future as you make choices that lead to 9 different endings. I’m intrigued by the time period the story’s set in, and I really like how art appears to be a major theme based on Ichiko’s sketchbook. 🎨

Discounty

• Price: $19.99 (currently on sale for $15.99 until August 20th); physical ($34.99)
• Developer: Crinkle Cut Games
• Publisher: PQube
• Release Date: August 20, 2025

Your aunt has asked you to manage her discount supermarket, the only one in a small town that doesn’t appreciate outsiders meddling in their business(es). Get to know the townspeople and earn their trust to keep their business. Make trade deals and do your best to turn a profit and expand. Customize your appearance – as well as that of the supermarket – to brighten things up amidst the small town drama.

VARLET

• Price: $59.99 (Digital DX Edition: $79.99)
• Developer: AQURIA
• Publisher: FURYU
• Release Date: August 27, 2025

VARLET is a school life RPG in which another world containing strange creatures manifests inside of the new school you just transferred to (of course). This world is apparently known as a Glitch, and several people at the school have transformed into monsters! 😱 Take a break in between battles to bond with your classmates, help them with their problems, and increase your social stats. When you get back to your quest to save the academy, have fun experimenting with 2 different battle styles and a Timeline Command system.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar

• Switch V1 Price: $49.99 (digital & physical)
  • Digital Deluxe Edition: $59.98
  • Super Digital Deluxe Edition: $69.98
    • Switch 2 Price: $59.99 (digital & physical)
    • Upgrade Pack for Switch 2 version: $10
• Developer: Marvelous
• Publisher: Marvelous (XSEED Games)
• Release Date: August 27, 2025

Based on the fantastic DS game (2010), Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar is a farming sim with shop management elements. Take care of your livestock and crops as usual, but also sell your wares at Zephyr Town’s weekly Grand Bazaar, which has been reduced to nothing but empty stalls. It’s your job to bring the Grand Bazaar back to life! The townspeople – including 2 new marriage candidates – will surely thank you for it.

SUPER ROBOT WARS Y

• Price: $59.99 (digital)
  • Deluxe Edition: $94.99
  • Ultimate Edition: $119.99
• Developer: Bandai Namco Forge Digitals
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Release Date: August 28, 2025

While previous entries in this series have been available in English on Switch, players have only been able to acquire them via the Japanese eShop, presumably due to the complexity of licensing so many series? I was very pleasantly surprised to see this was coming to the West!

SUPER ROBOT WARS Y is a grid-based tactical RPG crossover with robots and pilots from more than a dozen anime series. Upgrade your robots, train your pilots, and check out the new Assist Link system to allow sidekick characters to participate in battle as well. I love crossovers, so I’m excited for this.

That’s it for our August highlights – which game(s) interest you the most?