eShop Fire Sale: Astalon, Ruiner, and Project Highrise Hit All-Time
Nintendo Switch owners who keep a close eye on their eShop wishlist are in for a treat: the latest North American sale has slashed dozens of games to their lowest prices ever, with standouts like Astalon: Tears of the Earth, Project Highrise, and the cyberpunk blaster Ruiner leading the charge. For portable players, this isn’t just a bargain bin — it’s a curated list of titles that shine on the small screen, whether you’re squeezing in a quick session on the bus or settling in for a long-haul flight. With discounts reaching up to 90% off, the sale turns the Switch library into a true handheld goldmine, and we’ve dug through the deals to highlight which ones are worth your microSD card space.
Why Astalon and Ruiner Are Perfect for Quick Sessions on the Go
Astalon: Tears of the Earth, now at $7.00 (a 65% cut), is a Metroidvania that thrives in handheld mode, similar to the value-packed Fanatical $15 bundle that delivered top Steam Deck games for charity. Its pixel art and tight level design work beautifully on the Switch’s 6.2-inch screen, and the suspend/resume feature means you can tackle a single room during a coffee break without losing momentum. Ruiner, dropping to a stunning $2.99 (84% off), is a top-down shooter that feels built for portable play — its blistering pace and neon-lit visuals pop on OLED models, and the short mission structure makes it ideal for pick-up-and-play sessions. Both games run at a locked 60fps on Switch, meaning no frame dips to break the immersion when you’re gaming untethered.
Project Highrise and the Simulation Slot on Your Home Screen
Project Highrise, the skyscraper management sim, is now $5.99 — a jaw-dropping 85% discount and its lowest price ever. For handheld fans of city-building, this is a rare gem: the touchscreen controls are fully supported, letting you drag and drop elevators and offices with a finger, while the game’s turn-based pace means you can leave it suspended for hours and return without feeling lost. This sale also bundles a wave of Atelier RPGs (Ryza trilogy, Mysterious trilogy) and heavy hitters like Disco Elysium ($11.99) and Dredge ($9.99), all of which have proven their battery-friendliness on the Switch — similar to the Best Buy July sale deals targeting handheld gamers this month — with 4-5 hours of play per charge on most titles. The sale runs through early August, so handheld gamers should act fast before these all-time lows vanish.