SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘Bakeru’ & ‘Peglin’, Plus Highlights From Nintendo’s Blockbuster Sale

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 2nd, 2024. While it appears to be a holiday in the US, it's business as usual here in Japan. This means a bounty of gaming goodness awaits, beginning with a trio of reviews from yours truly, and a fourth insightful perspective from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. We'll explore Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, with Mikhail offering his expert analysis of Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some noteworthy news, and we'll delve into the extensive deals offered by Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's dive in!

News

Guilty Gear Strive's Nintendo Switch Debut Slated for January 2025

Arc System Works has delivered! Guilty Gear Strive is coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting 28 characters and crucial rollback netcode for smooth online battles. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, the offline experience and battles with fellow Switch players promise to be a treat. Having cherished the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I eagerly anticipate this version. Visit the official website for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's clarify: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While developed by some of the same talented individuals, the similarities are largely superficial. It's crucial to approach Bakeru on its own merits, not as a Goemon clone. Bakeru is its own unique entity. With that expectation adjusted, let's explore the game. Bakeru hails from Good-Feel, a studio renowned for its charming, accessible, and polished platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. Their latest creation, Princess Peach: Showtime!, showcases their expertise. And Bakeru? It fits right in.

Mischief unfolds in Japan as Issun, a charming protagonist, enlists the aid of Bakeru, a resourceful tanuki. Bakeru's shape-shifting abilities and mastery of the taiko drum make him the perfect ally. Across sixty-plus levels, you'll traverse Japan, battling foes, collecting coins, interacting with unexpected characters, and uncovering hidden secrets. While not every level is unforgettable, the experience remains engaging and enjoyable. The game's collectibles are particularly noteworthy, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location, offering delightful insights into Japanese culture.

The boss battles are a highlight! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) are more justifiable. Good-Feel's knack for crafting memorable boss encounters shines through, providing creative and rewarding challenges. Bakeru showcases inventive gameplay mechanics, although some are more successful than others. However, the well-executed moments more than compensate for any shortcomings. Despite its flaws, Bakeru is undeniably charming and endearing.

The Switch version's performance is a minor drawback, echoing Mikhail's Steam observations. The framerate fluctuates, reaching 60fps at times but often dipping during intense moments. While I'm generally tolerant of inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those more sensitive to such issues. Despite improvements since its Japanese release, performance hiccups remain.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer, boasting polished design and innovative gameplay elements. Its charm is infectious. While performance limitations on Switch and the lack of Goemon similarities might disappoint some, Bakeru is a highly recommended title to cap off your summer.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)

The Star Wars prequel trilogy spawned a wave of merchandise, including numerous video games. While the films weren't universally praised, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. Remember Boba Fett, the enigmatic bounty hunter? Meet his father, Jango Fett, equally stylish but with a similarly undignified demise. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter explores Jango's backstory, providing context to his role as the template for the clone army.

The game follows Jango as he hunts a Dark Jedi at the behest of Count Dooku, picking up extra bounties along the way. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of a 2002 game) become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even at its release, it was considered average.

Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance, and the control scheme is enhanced. However, the archaic save system persists, potentially leading to frustrating restarts. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a welcome addition. If you're inclined to play, this enhanced version is the optimal choice.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a nostalgic charm, reflecting the distinct style of early 2000s games. Its appeal lies primarily in its retro aesthetic. If you crave a trip back to 2002 and appreciate rough-around-the-edges action games, this is for you. Otherwise, its dated mechanics might prove too cumbersome.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following a series of poorly-received Nausicaa adaptations, Hayao Miyazaki's influence is palpable. While the extent of his ban on Ghibli-based games remains unclear, the absence of Ghibli-licensed games since then is notable. This hasn't stopped developers Chibig and Nukefist from drawing inspiration from Ghibli's aesthetic in Mika and the Witch’s Mountain.

You play as a novice witch whose teacher sends her plummeting from a mountain, breaking her broom. To earn repairs, you take on package delivery jobs, utilizing your broom for zippy travel. The charming town and its quirky inhabitants add to the experience.

The core gameplay loop, while engaging, can become repetitive. Performance issues on the Switch, affecting resolution and framerate, are also present. The game would likely run smoother on more powerful hardware. However, those tolerant of technical imperfections will find enjoyment in the vibrant world and characters.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain openly embraces its inspiration. Its dedication to its core mechanic can lead to some monotony. Performance issues on the Switch are a concern. Despite these flaws, the charming world and characters make for a pleasant, if somewhat flawed, experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Approximately a year ago, I reviewed Peglin's early access version on iOS. Its pachinko roguelike gameplay has always held immense potential, enhanced by significant updates. Last week's Nintendo Indie World showcase saw Peglin's Switch release, marking its 1.0 launch across all platforms.

Peglin challenges players to strategically aim an orb at pegs on a board, damaging enemies and progressing through zones. The gameplay involves managing resources, upgrading orbs, and utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively. The initial learning curve is steep, but the game's unique mechanics and catchy soundtrack quickly become addictive.

The Switch port performs well, although aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls are a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. Despite these minor drawbacks, the port is well-executed. The inclusion of a custom achievement system compensates for the Switch's lack of built-in achievements.

Cross-save functionality across platforms is a missing feature. However, the developers' commitment to further updates is reassuring.

Peglin is a fantastic game, especially for fans of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The Switch version leverages the console's features effectively, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls. Minor performance issues aside, it's a must-have for fans of the genre. A physical release would be a welcome addition. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The Nintendo Blockbuster Sale offers a vast array of discounted titles. A separate article highlighting the best deals is forthcoming. Good luck with your shopping!

Select New Sales (Images omitted for brevity, but maintain original image formatting in actual output)

(List of games on sale, maintaining original formatting)

That concludes today's update. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Until then, have a wonderful Monday!