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 appears to be a holiday in the U.S., 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 insightful perspective 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 analysis of Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some noteworthy news, and we'll conclude with a comprehensive rundown of the fantastic deals 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 heading to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting 28 characters and the highly anticipated rollback netcode for smooth online matches. While cross-play functionality is unfortunately absent, the title promises excellent offline play and engaging battles with fellow Switch owners. 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. Expecting a Goemon clone is a disservice to both Bakeru and your own gaming experience. Bakeru stands on its own merits. Having established that, 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, most recently crafting Princess Peach: Showtime!. Bakeru continues this tradition.

Mischief unfolds across Japan as Issun, a charming protagonist, finds an unlikely ally in Bakeru, a shape-shifting tanuki wielding a taiko drum and drumsticks. Their adventure spans Japan, prefecture by prefecture, filled with combat, treasure hunting, quirky encounters, and hidden secrets. The game features over sixty levels, and while not all are equally memorable, the experience remains consistently engaging. I found the collectibles particularly rewarding, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location. The game offers delightful insights into Japanese culture, even surprising a long-time resident like myself.

The boss battles are a highlight! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) are more apt. Good-Feel's mastery of boss design shines through, delivering creative and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes numerous creative risks for a 3D platformer, with some elements proving more successful than others. However, the triumphs far outweigh the minor missteps. I found myself charmed by the game despite its flaws, its infectious likability winning me over.

The only significant drawback is the Switch's performance, an issue Mikhail touched upon in his Steam version review. The framerate fluctuates, occasionally reaching 60 fps but frequently dropping 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 the Japanese release, performance problems persist.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style is almost contagious. 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 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 themselves were divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. Remember Boba Fett, the iconic bounty hunter unceremoniously dispatched by a blind Jedi? Well, meet his father, Jango Fett! He too boasts impressive armor and suffers an ignominious defeat, but Star Wars: Bounty Hunter delves into his backstory.

This game chronicles Jango Fett's exploits as a top bounty hunter, a legacy that would lead to the creation of the clone army. The game tasks you with hunting a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, with opportunities to take on additional bounties along the way.

The gameplay, while initially engaging, becomes repetitive. The game suffers from common issues of its 2002 release era, including problematic targeting, ineffective cover mechanics, and poorly designed levels. Even at its release, it was a mediocre game at best, further hampered by its association with a less-than-stellar Star Wars film.

Aspyr's updated version improves the visuals and performance, and the control scheme has been enhanced. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially leading to frustrating restarts. Unlocking a Boba Fett skin is a nice bonus. If you're inclined to play this game, this is the definitive version.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the distinct style of early 2000s games. It's in this context that I recommend it. If you're in the mood for a rough-around-the-edges yet earnest action game, this might be for you. Otherwise, the janky gameplay might prove too much.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch's Mountain ($19.99)

Following disappointing video game adaptations of Nausicaa, Hayao Miyazaki reportedly banned further Ghibli-related games. While the specifics remain unclear, the lack of Ghibli-based games since then suggests a broad prohibition. While I respect Miyazaki's stance, it means we'll never get that epic Porco Rosso flying game. Chibig and Nukefist's Mika and the Witch's Mountain clearly draws inspiration from Ghibli's aesthetic.

You play as a fledgling witch whose teacher throws you off a mountain, breaking your broom. To repair it, you must work odd jobs delivering packages around town. The vibrant world and engaging characters enhance the experience. However, the Switch struggles at times, resulting in resolution and framerate drops. The game would likely perform better on more powerful hardware. Those who can overlook technical imperfections will likely enjoy it.

Mika and the Witch's Mountain openly embraces its inspiration, but its core mechanic can become repetitive. Performance issues on the Switch further detract. However, the charming world and characters make it enjoyable. If the concept appeals, you'll likely find it satisfactory.

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 always shown immense promise, and its updates have only enhanced it. Last week's Nintendo Indie World showcase announced and released Peglin for Switch. While I initially assumed it was a simple port, it turned out to be the full 1.0 version.

Peglin reached 1.0 on Steam and mobile alongside its Switch debut. The game excels at aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones. The gameplay is challenging initially, but becomes increasingly rewarding as you unlock new orbs and upgrades.

The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls alleviate this issue. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. While not catastrophic, it's worth considering for multi-platform owners. The Steam Deck version is arguably superior, but the Switch version is a close second.

The game includes an internal achievement system, a welcome addition given the Switch's lack of native achievements. Cross-save functionality across platforms would be a desirable improvement.

My only concerns are load times and aiming smoothness. Hopefully, future updates will address these. The developers, Red Nexus Games, have confirmed further free updates.

Even in early access, Peglin was exceptional. Despite some balance issues, it's a must-have on Switch for fans of pachinko roguelikes. The developers effectively utilize the Switch's features, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls. A physical release would be fantastic. -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 article highlighting the best deals will be published shortly.

Select New Sales

(List of games on sale omitted for brevity. The original list is extensive.)

That concludes today's roundup. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and potentially more news. The typhoon has passed, leaving behind sunny skies and high temperatures. Until then, have a wonderful Monday!