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 United States, here in Japan, it's business as usual. That means a bounty of gaming goodness awaits, kicking off with a trio of reviews from yours truly, and a fourth from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. My reviews cover Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail once again lends his expertise to 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 is bringing the acclaimed fighting game, Guilty Gear Strive, to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd. The Switch version boasts 28 characters and utilizes rollback netcode for smoother online play. While cross-platform play is unfortunately absent, the game promises a robust offline experience and engaging online battles with other Switch players. Having thoroughly enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eager to experience the Switch iteration. For more details, visit the official website.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's clarify upfront: 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 stands on its own merits, and approaching it with Goemon expectations would be a disservice to both games. Developed by Good-Feel, known for their charming platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes (Princess Peach: Showtime! being their most recent title), Bakeru delivers a delightful, polished platforming experience.

The game unfolds in a whimsical Japan, where a young adventurer, Issun, teams up with a shapeshifting tanuki named Bakeru. Bakeru's unique abilities, including form-shifting and masterful taiko drumming, are crucial to overcoming challenges. Players will traverse Japan, region by region, battling enemies, collecting treasure, engaging in quirky interactions, and uncovering hidden secrets. While not every level is unforgettable, the overall experience is consistently engaging and enjoyable, particularly the collectibles, which often reflect the unique characteristics of each location.

The boss battles are a particular highlight, showcasing Good-Feel's knack for inventive and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes creative risks within its 3D platforming framework, with some experiments proving more successful than others. However, the successes far outweigh any shortcomings, and the game's overall charm and likability are undeniable.

The Switch version's performance is the only significant drawback. While the framerate can reach 60fps, it frequently dips during intense moments. While I'm generally not overly sensitive to inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for players who are. Despite these performance issues, Bakeru remains a highly enjoyable and endearing 3D platformer.

Bakeru is a charming 3D platformer with polished gameplay and innovative design elements. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While performance issues on the Switch and the lack of similarity to Goemon might disappoint some, it's still a highly recommended title.

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 themselves were divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. This game focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, filling in the gaps in his backstory before his appearance in Attack of the Clones.

The game follows Jango as he undertakes various bounty hunting missions, including a pivotal assignment to hunt down a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku. Players can tackle optional bounties along the way, utilizing a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and technical limitations of its 2002 release date become apparent. Targeting, cover mechanics, and level design all show their age.

Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance, and the control scheme has been updated. However, the game's saving system remains unchanged, meaning players might need to replay lengthy stages if they encounter setbacks. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a nostalgic charm, reflecting the style of early 2000s games. This remaster is the best way to experience the game, but its rough edges and repetitive gameplay might not appeal to all players.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Inspired by Studio Ghibli's aesthetic, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain casts players as a young witch who must repair her broken broom and earn money by delivering packages. The vibrant world and charming characters contribute to an enjoyable experience, although the Switch's limitations affect the resolution and framerate. The core gameplay loop, while initially engaging, can become repetitive.

Despite some technical shortcomings, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is a pleasant game, particularly for those who appreciate its charming visuals and core concept.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Peglin, a pachinko-inspired roguelike, has received significant updates since its early access release. This 1.0 version, now available on Switch, Steam, and mobile, offers a more complete and polished experience. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs on a board to damage enemies and progress through zones. The game features a strategic depth that unfolds gradually, rewarding skillful aiming and strategic peg utilization.

The Switch port performs well, though the aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls provide a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile, but overall, the Switch version is a solid port. The inclusion of in-game achievements is a welcome addition. The lack of cross-save functionality across platforms is a minor drawback.

Peglin is a fantastic game, especially for fans of the pachinko roguelike genre. The Switch version leverages the console's features effectively, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The Nintendo Blockbuster Sale features a vast selection of discounted games. A separate article will highlight some of the best deals.

(Images of sale banners are included here, mirroring the original input.)

That concludes today's round-up. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales updates, and potentially some news. Until then, have a wonderful day!