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

Hello, readers! 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, bringing you a Monday brimming with game reviews! Three are from me, and one from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. I'll be covering Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail shares his expert insights on Peglin. Plus, we've got news from Mikhail and a massive 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 is bringing the fighting action of Guilty Gear Strive to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! The Switch version will include 28 characters and boasts rollback netcode for online play. While cross-platform play is unfortunately absent, offline battles and online matches with other Switch players should be a blast. Having enjoyed it on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating the Switch version. Check out the official website for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's be clear: Bakeru isn't Goemon/Mystical Ninja, despite sharing some surface-level similarities and featuring developers from that series. It's its own unique experience. Going in expecting Goemon will only lead to disappointment. Developed by Good-Feel (known for their work on Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles, as well as Princess Peach: Showtime!), Bakeru is a charming, accessible, and polished 3D platformer.

The story sees a young boy, Issun, teaming up with Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities, to tackle trouble across Japan. Explore various prefectures, battle enemies, collect cash, interact with unexpected characters, and uncover hidden secrets across over sixty levels. The collectibles, particularly noteworthy, often reflect the unique aspects of each location. Even long-time Japan residents might discover something new!

The boss battles are a standout, reminiscent of other Good-Feel titles. They're creative and rewarding. Bakeru takes some bold creative risks for a straightforward 3D platformer, with some successes and some misses – but the well-executed ones truly shine. Despite its flaws, the game's infectious charm won me over.

The Switch version's performance, however, is a minor drawback (as Mikhail noted in his Steam review). The framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but often dipping lower during intense action. While personally I wasn't overly bothered, those sensitive to framerate inconsistencies should be aware. Improvements have been made since the Japanese release, but some issues remain.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and inventive elements. Its commitment to its unique style is almost contagious! While the framerate isn't perfect on Switch, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, it's still 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. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, exploring his life before Attack of the Clones. The game casts you as Jango, tasked with hunting a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, with opportunities to take on additional bounties.

Gameplay involves navigating levels, targeting enemies, and using a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (a product of its 2002 release) can become tiresome. Targeting is clunky, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even for its time, it was a middling game at best.

Aspyr's port improves the visuals and performance, but the core gameplay remains unchanged, including the unforgiving save system. Despite its age, a certain nostalgic charm persists. If you crave a taste of early 2000s action games with their rough edges and earnest charm, this might appeal to you. Otherwise, the numerous flaws might outweigh the nostalgic appeal. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice bonus.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter holds a certain nostalgic appeal, capturing the essence of early 2000s gaming. The Aspyr port offers improvements, but the fundamental gameplay issues remain. If you're seeking a time-travel experience to 2002, this might be worth a look. Otherwise, it may prove too janky.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Clearly inspired by Studio Ghibli films, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain puts you in the shoes of a young witch whose broom breaks after a mishap. To earn money for repairs, you take on package delivery jobs, zipping around on your broom. The vibrant world and engaging characters are highlights, but the Switch version struggles with performance at times, impacting resolution and framerate.

The core gameplay loop of delivering packages can become repetitive. While enjoyable initially, the consistent back-and-forth can wear thin. The game's charm and interesting characters help to compensate, but the technical limitations on Switch are noticeable. It might run better on more powerful hardware.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain embraces its Ghibli-inspired aesthetic and its core gameplay loop. However, the repetitive nature of the core mechanic and performance issues on the Switch might hinder the overall experience. If the premise appeals to you, you'll likely find it enjoyable despite its shortcomings.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Peglin, a pachinko-inspired roguelike, is a game that has continually improved since its early access release. Now at version 1.0, it's finally arrived on Switch. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. The strategic element lies in using different peg types (critical hits, bombs, etc.) and refreshing the board.

The Switch port performs well, although aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls offer a workaround. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. While not disastrous, it's worth noting. The game includes a built-in achievement system, a nice addition given the Switch's lack of native achievements. Cross-save functionality across platforms is absent, a missed opportunity.

Despite minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin on Switch is a solid port. The developers' use of rumble, touchscreen, and button controls is commendable. It's a must-have for fans of pachinko and roguelike mechanics.

Peglin is a fantastic game, even with a few balance issues. The Switch version is excellent, offering diverse control options. A physical release would be a welcome addition. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale is massive! I've highlighted some key titles below, but a more detailed article featuring top picks is coming soon.

Select New Sales

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Have a great Monday!