Last week's releases were, to quote one of the great newscasters of the 31st century, "belligerent and numerous". This week doesn't have the sidebar bursting release count, but there's an awful lot of qualifiers for the old NBC rerun marketing trick this week. We'll probably lose a few staff to the 100+ hour farm sim Stardew Valley, which releases under the harvest moon. For those who prefer their RPGs a bit more fantastic, Culdcept Revolt and Bowser's Minions (plus Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga remake) are rocking a heavy retail lineup on 3DS. There's also Axiom Verge, a game we have a bit of history with.

Keeping the run of former GOTY candidates going, I had Tumblestone on my list for last year on Wii U and the price is right for it. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a twisted co-op adventure, while even the archive title for the week (Metal Slug X) has received raves in its releases on other platformers. (Review corner: Yours truly on Culdcept, Neal on Lovers, Casey talks Tumblestone, then follows up with Mario & Luigi.)

The international front is also quieter, though Japan does have the odd exclusive of the week with Koi DX.

North America

3DS Retail

Culdcept Revolt (US$39.99/C$54.99: Tuesday)

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions ($39.99/$49.99: preload available, unlocks midnight ET)

Fire Emblem Warriors ($39.99/$49.99: preload, unlocks October 20, New only)

Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy ($39.99/$49.99: Friday)

Switch eShop

Axiom Verge ($19.99/$26.78)

Oxenfree ($19.99: Friday)

Earth Atlantis ($14.99/$19.75)

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime ($14.99/$16.99: Tuesday)

Stardew Valley ($14.99/$16.99)

Tumblestone ($14.99/$19.74)

Ninja Shodown ($14.95/$19.95)

Volgarr the Viking ($9.99/$12.99)

3DS eShop

Symphony of Eternity ($7.99/$11.99)

Switch Archives

Metal Slug X ($7.99/$9.87)

Demos and Trials

Just Dance 2018 (Switch / Wii U)

Sales and Price Drops

Highlights: Sonic titles are on sale

Full spreadsheet

Europe

Preliminary listing

3DS RetailFriday

Culdcept Revolt (€39.99/£39.99)

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions (€39.99/£34.99)

Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires' Conspiracy (€39.99/£34.99)

Switch eShop

Oxenfree (€19.99/£15.99: Friday)

Axiom Verge (€17.99/£14.99)

Earth Atlantis (€14.99/£13.49)

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (€14.99/£11.99)

Stardew Valley (€13.99/£10.99)

Ninja Shodown (€12.99/£9.99)

Tumblestone (€12.99/£11.99)

Tower of Babel (€9.99/£8.99)

Volgarr the Viking (€9.99/£8.99)

Wii U eShop

Volgarr the Viking (€9.99/£8.99)

3DS eShop

Symphony of Eternity (€7.99/£7.19)

Switch Archives

Metal Slug X (€6.99/£6.29)

Wii U Virtual Console Upgrade discounts available

Double Dungeons (€5.99/£5.39)

Vigilante (€6.99/£6.29)

Demos and Trials

Just Dance 2018 (Switch / Wii U)

Spelunker Party! (Saturday)

Sales and Price Drops

BOXBOY series games are 25% off until 26 October.

3Souls is 75% off until 5 November.

Zombie Panic in Wonderland DX is 10% off until 2 November.

Crollors Game Pack is 20% off until 2 November.

Nostatic Software titles are on sale until 12 October.

Corecell titles are on sale until 19 October.

Gamelion titles are on sale until 19 October.

Starsign titles are on sale until 19 October.

Lightwood titles are on sale until 19 October.

Japan - Switch

Axiom Verge (¥1999)

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (¥1599)

Metal Slug X (¥823)

Koi DX (¥500)