December 9 delivers a surprisingly solid Nintendo eShop lineup. Three highlights land at once: the deck-builder roguelike Loop Hero, the Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX bundle, and the ball-rolling trickery of Super Impossible Road. A few smaller curios sit underneath them.
At a glance
- Loop Hero launches on Switch at $14.99
- Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX arrives at $29.99 with an in-app monster generator replacing the old CD gimmick
- Super Impossible Road comes to Switch at $19.99 with up to 8-player online
- Arcade Archives Dragon Buster ($7.99) ports a 1984 Namco action game
- Kubinashi Recollection ($11.99) is a puzzle platformer starring a Project Touhou figure
- Rico: London ($49.99) launches to weak reviews and technical issues
- Several deals and small indie titles round out the day
The three games worth your time
Loop Hero is the easy call. Players place cards on a procedurally generated map to spawn enemies, loot, and terrain while a hero auto-runs the loop. Push too far and the difficulty spikes. Bail out too early and you leave power on the table. A full review is expected soon, but early impressions are positive.
Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is what Pokémon fans wanted from a monster collector before Pokémon itself. The famous CD-scanning feature is gone in favour of a built-in music database, so you can summon monsters without digging up a specific album.
Super Impossible Road is a Switch port of the Apple Arcade game. Roll a glowing ball down procedurally janky tracks and look for shortcuts. It supports split-screen for up to four local players and online play for up to eight. This version includes additions that make it worth considering even if you played the Apple Arcade version.
Smaller picks worth knowing about
Arcade Archives Dragon Buster is a 1984 Namco game that was clearly influential but plays awkwardly now. The Switch version adds an optional sprite fix for the protagonist.
Kubinashi Recollection is a puzzle platformer starring Sekibanki, a nukekubi from the Project Touhou universe. The head detaches and can be used as a springboard, a weapon, and a retrieval tool. Players who want an easier time can play with nine heads at once.
Our analysis
The December 9 lineup offers something for three different Switch owner types. Loop Hero targets strategy roguelike fans who want depth and replayability. Monster Rancher DX appeals to nostalgia seekers and collectors who remember the original PlayStation era. Super Impossible Road serves the quick-session multiplayer crowd, whether local or online.
The trade-off to watch is Monster Rancher DX. The CD-scan system defined the original experience—players discovered monsters by inserting random discs from their collection. The Switch version substitutes a searchable music database. This preserves functionality but loses the serendipity that made the original memorable. For long-time fans, this may be the deciding factor on whether to buy.
Rico: London is the clear skip. At $49.99—more than double the first game's price—it reportedly cuts features from the original while adding technical problems. The content is described as thin, with limited variety recycled throughout a short campaign.
Who should care
| Game | For you if… |
|---|---|
| Loop Hero | You enjoy roguelikes, deck-builders, or strategic "one more run" gameplay |
| Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX | You played the originals, or you want a monster-raising game with a twist |
| Super Impossible Road | You want local or online multiplayer that is easy to pick up and play |
| Arcade Archives Dragon Buster | You collect retro games or want to see where the action genre started |
| Kubinashi Recollection | You follow Project Touhou or want a quirky puzzle platformer |
| Rico: London | Skip it unless the price drops significantly |
What to watch next
Watch for reviews of Loop Hero's Switch port, particularly around performance on handheld mode. On Monster Rancher DX, the music database is the long tail—any post-launch additions to the library extend the game's lifespan. Bottom line: the December 9 line-up is worth budgeting for if any of the three highlights match your play style, and Rico: London is the one to avoid.
Key takeaways
- Loop Hero, Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX, and Super Impossible Road are the three highlights
- Monster Rancher DX replaces the CD scanner with a built-in music database
- Super Impossible Road supports up to 8-player online and 4-player local split-screen
- Rico: London is overpriced and rough at launch
- Smaller picks include Arcade Archives Dragon Buster and Kubinashi Recollection
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest new Switch release on December 9?
Loop Hero is the headliner, with Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX and Super Impossible Road as strong co-headliners.
Does Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX still use CDs?
No, the Switch version replaces the CD system with a built-in music database, since cartridges cannot read discs.
Is Rico: London worth buying on Switch?
Based on launch reports, no. It is priced higher than the first game while cutting features and reportedly runs rough.
How much does Super Impossible Road cost?
It is priced at $19.99 on Switch and supports both local split-screen and online play.
Is there a couch-friendly multiplayer option in this batch?
Yes, Super Impossible Road supports up to four players locally on a split screen and up to eight players online.