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

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 2nd, 2024. While it might be a holiday in the US, it's business as usual here in Japan. That means a bounty of gaming goodness awaits, starting with a trio of reviews penned by yours truly, and a fourth from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. I'll be tackling Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch's Mountain, while Mikhail offers his expert insights on Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some noteworthy news, and we'll delve into the extensive discounts offered in Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's dive in!

News

Guilty Gear Strive Arrives on Nintendo Switch in January 2025

Arc System Works has delivered! Guilty Gear Strive is coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting 28 characters and the highly anticipated rollback netcode for online matches. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, the offline experience and battles with fellow Switch players should be a treat. Having thoroughly enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating this version. For more details, visit the official website.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's be clear: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While developed by some of the same talented individuals, the similarities are largely superficial. Expecting a Goemon clone is a disservice to both Bakeru and your own enjoyment. Bakeru stands on its own merits. With that said, let's explore this unique title. Bakeru hails from Good-Feel, a studio renowned for its charming, accessible, and polished platformers within the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. Their latest creation, Princess Peach: Showtime!, further showcases their expertise. And guess what? Bakeru fits right into that mold.

Mischief unfolds in Japan as Issun, a charming protagonist, encounters Bakeru, a tanuki with extraordinary shape-shifting abilities and a penchant for wielding a taiko drum and drumsticks. Together, they embark on a journey across Japan, battling foes, collecting treasure, engaging in quirky conversations, and uncovering hidden secrets. With over sixty levels, the experience is consistently engaging, even if not every level is instantly memorable. The collectibles, however, are a standout feature, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location, offering fascinating insights into Japanese culture – some even surprising for a long-time resident like myself.

The boss battles are a highlight! This is where comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) might be warranted. Good-Feel clearly understands the art of crafting memorable boss encounters, and Bakeru delivers on this front with creative and rewarding challenges. The game takes numerous creative risks for a straightforward 3D platformer, with varying degrees of success. However, the triumphs far outweigh the shortcomings, resulting in a truly endearing experience. Despite its flaws, Bakeru captivated me. It's intensely likable.

The only significant drawback is the Switch's performance. Mikhail previously discussed similar issues with the Steam version. The framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but often dropping significantly during intense moments. While I'm generally not overly sensitive to inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those who are. Despite improvements since the Japanese release last year, performance issues persist.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer, boasting polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While performance issues on the Switch prevent it from reaching its full potential, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, it's 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 a surprising number of video games. While the films received mixed reviews, they undeniably expanded the franchise's narrative possibilities. Remember Boba Fett, the enigmatic bounty hunter unceremoniously dispatched into a Sarlacc pit? Well, meet his father! Jango Fett also sports cool armor and suffers an equally undignified demise. But what about his life before Attack of the Clones? Star Wars: Bounty Hunter answers that question, whether you wanted it to or not.

This game chronicles the exploits of Jango Fett, a legendary bounty hunter whose genetic material formed the foundation of the clone army. The game follows Jango as he undertakes missions for the seemingly benevolent Count Dooku, hunting down a Dark Jedi and accumulating additional bounties along the way.

The gameplay involves navigating levels, targeting specific individuals, and eliminating optional targets. A variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack, are at your disposal. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and lack of significant variation become apparent over time. The game suffers from several issues typical of early 2000s titles, including problematic targeting, ineffective cover mechanics, and poorly designed levels. Even at its release, it was considered merely average.

Aspyr's updated version addresses some of these issues, improving visuals and performance, and offering a refined control scheme. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially leading to frustrating restarts. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're inclined to play this game, this enhanced version is the preferred choice.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the unique characteristics of early 2000s gaming. Its appeal lies primarily in its retro aesthetic and earnest attempt at action-adventure. If you're seeking a trip back to 2002 and are willing to accept its flaws, this could be a worthwhile experience. Otherwise, the significant jank might prove off-putting.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch's Mountain ($19.99)

Following the release of several poorly received Nausicaa video games, Hayao Miyazaki effectively banned further adaptations of his works. The extent of this ban on all Ghibli properties remains unclear, but the lack of subsequent Ghibli-based games suggests a broad prohibition. While I respect Miyazaki's stance, it does mean we'll never see my dream Porco Rosso open-world flying game. Such is life. Chibig and Nukefist's Mika and the Witch's Mountain clearly draws inspiration from another Ghibli film, leaving the specific title to your astute deduction.

You play as a novice witch, embarking on your magical journey. Your instructor unexpectedly throws you off a mountain, damaging your broom. To regain access to her tutelage, you must repair your broom, requiring a trip to a nearby town where you'll take on package delivery jobs to earn the necessary funds. The town offers various delivery tasks, made easier and more enjoyable by your broom.

The gameplay involves completing delivery missions, with optional side jobs available. The vibrant world and engaging characters enhance the experience. However, the Switch struggles at times, resulting in occasional drops in resolution and framerate. The game would likely perform better on more powerful hardware. Players tolerant of technical imperfections will likely find enjoyment in this title.

Mika and the Witch's Mountain openly embraces its inspirations, but its core gameplay loop can become repetitive. Performance issues on the Switch further detract from the experience. Despite these shortcomings, the charming world and quirky characters make for a pleasant, if somewhat flawed, adventure. If the concept appeals to you, you'll likely find it enjoyable.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Approximately a year ago, I reviewed the early access version of Peglin on iOS, highlighting its potential. The game, a pachinko roguelike, has undergone significant improvements through updates. Last week's Nintendo Indie World showcase announced and released Peglin for the Switch. While I initially assumed it was simply a port of the existing game, it turned out to be the full 1.0 version.

Peglin reached version 1.0 across Steam and mobile platforms concurrently with its Switch launch, offering a more complete experience. The game's appeal is niche, targeting players who enjoy its unique blend of mechanics. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs on a board to damage enemies and progress through zone maps, similar to Slay the Spire. Events, bosses, shops, and numerous battles add depth and challenge.

As you advance, you can upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics. Strategic peg targeting is crucial for maximizing damage and utilizing critical or bomb pegs effectively. Refreshing the board is also a key mechanic. The initial learning curve is steep, but the gameplay becomes intuitive and rewarding.

The Switch port performs well overall, though the aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls provide a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. These shortcomings are minor compared to some poorly optimized Switch ports, but worth considering if you own multiple platforms. The Steam Deck offers the best experience, with mobile and Switch closely competing for second place.

The absence of Switch achievements is compensated by Peglin's internal achievement system. This is a welcome addition, given the Switch's lack of system-wide achievements. Cross-save functionality across platforms would have been a desirable feature, though likely impractical for a small developer.

My main concerns with the Switch version are the load times and aiming smoothness. Hopefully, future updates will address these issues, as further updates are planned by Red Nexus Games.

Even in its early access state, Peglin was exceptional. While some balance issues remain, it's a must-have on Switch for fans of the "pachinko x roguelike" genre. The developers effectively utilized the Switch's features, including rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls, providing versatile gameplay options. A physical release would be a welcome addition. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The sheer volume of games on sale is staggering. While this list covers a significant portion, it only scratches the surface. I've compiled a separate article featuring my top picks from the sale, so keep an eye out for that. Good luck with your shopping!

Select New Sales

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That concludes today's roundup. We'll return tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, additional sales, and potentially some breaking news. The typhoon has subsided, leaving behind warm temperatures and sunshine. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday, and thank you for reading!