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 deals 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 Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting 28 characters and the highly-anticipated rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, offline play and battles with fellow Switch owners should be a treat. Having enjoyed the game immensely on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating the Switch 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 will only shortchange both Bakeru and your gaming experience. Bakeru is its own unique entity. With that said, let's explore this delightful title from Good-Feel, a studio renowned for its charming, accessible, and polished platformers (think Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles).

Mischief unfolds in Japan as Issun, a lovable goofball, finds unlikely aid in Bakeru, a shapeshifting tanuki wielding a taiko drum and drumsticks. Journey through Japan, prefecture by prefecture, battling foes, collecting cash, engaging in whimsical conversations, and uncovering hidden secrets. Over sixty levels await, and while not all are equally memorable, the overall experience remains engaging. The collectibles, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location, are particularly noteworthy, offering charming insights into Japanese culture.

The boss battles are a highlight, reminiscent of the best of Good-Feel's work. Creative and rewarding encounters that showcase the developer's understanding of compelling boss design. Bakeru takes creative risks, with some elements working better than others – a common occurrence in games of this nature. The successes are genuinely appreciated, and the minor shortcomings are easily forgiven. Despite its flaws, Bakeru is undeniably endearing.

Performance on the Switch is the game's main drawback, an issue Mikhail touched upon in his review of the Steam version. The framerate fluctuates, occasionally reaching 60fps but often dipping significantly during intense moments. While I'm generally not bothered by inconsistent framerates, this might be a concern for more sensitive players. Despite improvements since the Japanese release, some performance issues persist.

Bakeru is a captivating 3D platformer with polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its charm is infectious. While framerate issues prevent it from reaching its full potential on Switch, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, this 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 themselves were divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. Remember Boba Fett, the cool-armored bounty hunter unceremoniously dispatched by a blind Jedi? Well, meet his father, Jango Fett, equally stylish but similarly met with an undignified demise. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter explores Jango's backstory, whether you requested it or not.

This game follows Jango's adventures as he hunts a Dark Jedi for the seemingly innocent Count Dooku, picking up additional bounties along the way. The gameplay, while initially engaging, becomes repetitive due to a lack of variation. Typical issues of early 2000s game design are present, including problematic targeting, ineffective cover mechanics, and poorly designed levels. Even at its release, it was an average game at best.

Time has not been entirely kind to Bounty Hunter, but Aspyr's efforts have improved the experience without significantly altering the original. Visuals and performance are enhanced, and the control scheme is more intuitive. 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 updated version is the superior choice.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the rough-around-the-edges style of early 2000s games. It's recommended primarily for those seeking a nostalgic trip back in time. Otherwise, the significant flaws might prove too overwhelming.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch's Mountain ($19.99)

Following the less-than-stellar video game adaptations of Nausicaa, Hayao Miyazaki's influence is evident in the lack of subsequent Ghibli-based games. While understandable, it's a loss for fans. Mika and the Witch's Mountain, developed by Chibig and Nukefist, clearly draws inspiration from Ghibli's aesthetic.

Play as a rookie witch whose flying broom is broken after a rather abrupt ejection from the mountaintop. To repair her broom, she must take on package delivery jobs in a nearby town. The gameplay loop involves zipping around on the broom, delivering packages, and completing side quests. The vibrant world and charming characters enhance the experience.

Performance on the Switch is inconsistent, with resolution and framerate taking hits depending on the location and in-game activity. The game would likely run smoother on more powerful hardware. However, those tolerant of technical imperfections will likely find enjoyment in the core gameplay.

Mika and the Witch's Mountain openly embraces its Ghibli-inspired design. The repetitive core mechanic can become somewhat tiresome, and performance issues are present. Despite this, the charming world and characters make for a pleasant enough experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Approximately a year ago, I reviewed the early access version of Peglin on iOS. Now, in its 1.0 release, it's arrived on Switch. Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has always shown great potential, and this latest version is a significant improvement. This version is a complete experience.

Peglin is a game that caters to a specific type of player. The goal is to strategically aim an orb at pegs on the board to damage enemies and progress through zones. The game features events, bosses, shops, and challenging battles.

Players can upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics. Strategic aiming is crucial, utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively. The game's complexity initially might seem daunting, but it becomes intuitive, with its catchy soundtrack adding to the experience.

The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls mitigate this issue. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. While not game-breaking, it's worth noting. The addition of a custom achievement system is appreciated given the Switch's lack of built-in achievements. Cross-save functionality would have been a welcome addition.

Despite some minor balance issues and the aforementioned load times and aiming concerns, Peglin is a must-have on Switch for fans of pachinko roguelikes. The developers' utilization of Switch features, including rumble, touchscreen, and button controls, enhances the experience.

Peglin is fantastic, even with its minor flaws. It's highly recommended. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

This is a significant sale, and the following list only scratches the surface. A separate article highlighting the best deals will be forthcoming.

Select New Sales

(A comprehensive list of sales follows, mirroring the original input's format and image placement.)

That concludes today's roundup. We'll return tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, sales, and potentially more news. Until then, enjoy your Monday!