New Reviews: 'Bakeru' and 'Peglin' Captivate, Nintendo Sale Shines

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 I have some delightful treats in store for you, beginning with a trio of reviews penned by yours truly, and a fourth from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. My contributions cover Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain. Mikhail, our resident expert, once again delves into the intricacies of Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some noteworthy news, and we've compiled 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 matches. While cross-play functionality is unfortunately absent, the title promises a robust offline experience and engaging battles between 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 unique entity. Approaching it with Goemon expectations is a disservice to both the game and your own enjoyment. Bakeru stands on its own merits. With that clarified, let's discuss the game itself. Bakeru hails from Good-Feel, a studio renowned for its work with Nintendo on titles within the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby franchises. Their latest creation, Princess Peach: Showtime!, showcases their expertise in crafting charming, accessible, and highly polished platformers. And that's precisely what Bakeru is.

The narrative unfolds in Japan, where a mischievous character named Issun encounters assistance from an unlikely ally: Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities and a penchant for wielding a taiko drum and drumsticks. Together, they embark on a journey across Japan, battling enemies, collecting currency, engaging in whimsical interactions, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game features over sixty levels, and while not all are equally memorable, the overall experience is consistently engaging and lighthearted. I found the collectibles particularly rewarding, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location, offering a delightful blend of gameplay and cultural insights.

The boss battles are a highlight! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel games) are more apt. Good-Feel demonstrates a masterful understanding of boss design, crafting creative and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes numerous creative risks for a standard 3D platformer, with varying degrees of success. However, the triumphs significantly outweigh any shortcomings. The well-executed battles alone are enough to make the game worthwhile. Despite its flaws, I found myself genuinely captivated by Bakeru's charm.

The only significant drawback is the Switch's performance, an issue Mikhail also addressed in his review of the Steam version. The framerate fluctuates considerably, sometimes reaching 60 fps but often dropping significantly during intense moments. While I'm generally not overly sensitive to inconsistent framerates, I acknowledge that it might be a more significant issue for others. Despite improvements since the Japanese release, performance problems persist.

Bakeru is a truly endearing 3D platformer, boasting polished design and innovative gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While framerate issues prevent it from reaching its full potential on Switch, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, it remains a highly recommended title for a summer's end.

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 franchise's narrative possibilities. Remember Boba Fett? This game features his father, Jango Fett, a bounty hunter with equally cool armor, but a similarly undignified demise. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter fills in Jango's backstory, whether you desired it or not.

The game follows Jango Fett's journey as he hunts a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, picking up extra bounties along the way. The gameplay initially captivates, but repetitive elements and outdated mechanics (common in early 2000s games) become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped despite aiming for openness. Even at its release, it was merely an average title, further burdened by its association with a poorly-received film (though not the worst Star Wars movie anymore).

Aspyr's porting efforts have improved the game's visuals and performance, and the control scheme has been enhanced. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially requiring restarts of lengthy levels. Despite its flaws, unlocking a Boba Fett skin adds a touch of novelty. If you're inclined to experience this game, this updated version is the best option.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, embodying the rough-edged yet earnest style of early 2000s games. Its appeal lies primarily in its retro aesthetic. If you crave a trip back to 2002 and enjoy janky action games, this might be for you. Otherwise, it might prove too rough around the edges.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following negative experiences with Nausicaa-based games, Hayao Miyazaki's influence is clearly felt in the absence of subsequent Ghibli-related games. This game draws inspiration from a Ghibli film (I'll let you figure out which one).

You play as a novice witch whose teacher throws her off a mountain, breaking her broom. To repair it, you must work odd jobs delivering packages around town. The gameplay loop is simple but enjoyable, enhanced by the vibrant world and quirky characters. However, the Switch struggles with the game's visuals and framerate, suggesting better performance on more powerful hardware. Those tolerant of technical imperfections will likely find it enjoyable.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain openly embraces its inspiration, but its repetitive core mechanic can wear thin. Performance issues on the Switch further detract from the experience. If the premise appeals to you, 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. Now, in its 1.0 release, it's a more complete experience, though still appealing to a niche audience. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones. The strategic depth lies in utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively.

Upgrades, healing, and relic collection enhance the gameplay. The Switch port performs well, though aiming is less smooth than on other platforms, mitigated by touch controls. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. The addition of in-game achievements compensates for the Switch's lack of system-wide achievements. Cross-save functionality is absent, a potential drawback.

Despite minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin on Switch is a strong contender, particularly with its excellent rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls. The only drawbacks are load times and slightly less smooth aiming compared to other platforms. Hopefully, future updates will address these minor shortcomings.

Even in its early access phase, Peglin was exceptional. While minor balance issues exist, it's a must-have on Switch for fans of pachinko-roguelike hybrids. The developers' effective use of Switch features further enhances the 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 sales from Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. A more detailed article highlighting the best deals is forthcoming.

Select New Sales (Images omitted for brevity)

(List of games on sale, with prices and sale durations, omitted for brevity. The original text's image links would remain in place.)

That concludes today's round-up. We'll return tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, additional sales, and potentially more news. Until then, farewell!