SwitchArcade Highlights: Reviews of 'Bakeru' and 'Peglin,' Nintendo Sale Coverage

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 2nd, 2024. While it appears to be a holiday in the United States, here in Japan, it's business as usual. That means a bounty of gaming goodness awaits, beginning with a trio of reviews penned by yours truly, and a fourth insightful perspective from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. I'll be delving into Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail offers his expert analysis of Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail provides some noteworthy news, and we'll conclude with a comprehensive list of deals from 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 play. While cross-platform play is unfortunately absent, the title promises a robust offline experience and engaging online battles with fellow Switch players. 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 behind that beloved series, the similarities are largely superficial. Bakeru is its own entity, and approaching it with Goemon expectations would be unfair to both the game and the player. Having established that, let's explore Bakeru's unique charm. Developed by Good-Feel, a studio known for its polished platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes (most recently Princess Peach: Showtime!), Bakeru continues this tradition of delightful, accessible gameplay.

Mischief unfolds in Japan as Issun, a charming protagonist, enlists the help of Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities and a penchant for taiko drumming. Players journey across Japan, battling foes, collecting currency, engaging in quirky interactions, and uncovering hidden secrets across sixty-plus levels. While not every level is unforgettable, the overall experience maintains a consistent level of engagement. The game's collectibles, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location, are particularly noteworthy, offering a wealth of insightful details about Japan, some even surprising to long-time residents.

The boss battles are a highlight! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) are more apt. Good-Feel's mastery of inventive and rewarding boss encounters shines through, offering creative spectacles that handsomely reward player skill. Bakeru takes numerous creative risks for a 3D platformer, with varying degrees of success. However, the triumphs significantly outweigh the missteps, resulting in an overall enjoyable experience. The game's endearing qualities ultimately overshadow any minor flaws.

The Switch version's performance is the primary drawback, an issue Mikhail previously addressed in his Steam review. The framerate fluctuates, occasionally reaching 60 fps but frequently dropping during intense moments. While I'm generally less sensitive to inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting this remains an issue despite improvements since the Japanese release. Players highly sensitive to framerate inconsistencies should be aware of this limitation.

Bakeru is a captivating 3D platformer, boasting polished design and innovative gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While performance issues on the Switch and the lack of Goemon similarities might disappoint some, it remains a highly recommended title for a fun summer send-off.

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 received mixed critical reception, they undeniably broadened the franchise's narrative possibilities. Remember Boba Fett, the iconic bounty hunter unceremoniously dispatched by a blind Jedi? This game stars his father, Jango Fett, another cool-armored bounty hunter who also meets an undignified end. But what about his life before Attack of the Clones? Star Wars: Bounty Hunter attempts to answer that question.

This game follows Jango Fett's journey as he hunts a Dark Jedi for the seemingly innocent Count Dooku, picking up extra bounties along the way. The gameplay initially captivates, but its repetitive nature and lack of variation become apparent over time. The game suffers from various 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 improves the visuals and performance, offering a smoother experience than the original. However, the antiquated save system remains, potentially requiring restarts of lengthy levels. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're inclined to play this game, this updated version is the superior choice.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the unique characteristics of early 2000s gaming. Its recommendation hinges on a desire for a time-travel experience back to 2002, embracing its rough edges and earnest approach. For those lacking such nostalgia, the numerous flaws might prove too overwhelming.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following the disastrous video game adaptations of Nausicaa, Hayao Miyazaki effectively banned further game adaptations of his work. The extent of this ban on other Ghibli properties remains unclear. However, Chibig and Nukefist's Mika and the Witch’s Mountain clearly draws inspiration from a Ghibli film.

Players assume the role of a rookie witch whose flying broom is destroyed, forcing her to take up package delivery to earn money for repairs. The gameplay is simple yet effective, enhanced by the vibrant world and memorable characters. The Switch version suffers from occasional performance hiccups, impacting resolution and framerate. The game would likely benefit from more powerful hardware. Players tolerant of technical imperfections will find the experience enjoyable.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain openly embraces its inspiration, but its repetitive core mechanic can become tedious. Performance issues on the Switch further detract from the experience. Despite these flaws, the game's charm and quirky characters make it a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate the core concept.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Approximately a year ago, I reviewed Peglin's early access version on iOS. This pachinko roguelike has consistently shown promise, continually improving through updates. Its recent Switch release marks the game's 1.0 launch across all platforms.

Peglin challenges players to strategically aim an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. The gameplay incorporates events, bosses, shops, and numerous battles, presenting a significant initial difficulty curve. Players upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics as they progress. The game's depth lies in mastering precise aiming to utilize critical and bomb pegs effectively.

The Switch port performs well, although aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls mitigate this issue. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. While not catastrophic, this is a consideration for multi-platform owners. The game excels on Steam Deck, with Switch and mobile closely competing for second place.

The absence of Switch achievements is compensated by Peglin's internal achievement system. The lack of cross-save functionality across platforms is a missed opportunity.

Despite minor performance issues and the lack of cross-save, Peglin remains a fantastic title for those who appreciate the unique blend of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The developers' utilization of Switch features, including rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls, enhances the overall experience. A physical release would be a welcome addition. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The following is a selection of titles on sale. A more detailed list highlighting the best deals will be published separately.

Select New Sales

(Extensive list of games on sale omitted for brevity, but images remain)

That concludes today's round-up. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales updates, and potential news. Despite the recent typhoon, we're enjoying sunny skies and warm temperatures. Have a fantastic Monday, and thank you for reading!