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 US, it's business as usual here in Japan. That means a fresh batch of reviews for your perusal – three penned by yours truly, and one 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 has some news to share, and we've got a comprehensive rundown of the deals in Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's dive in!

News

Guilty Gear Strive Arrives on Nintendo Switch January 2025

Arc System Works has delivered! Guilty Gear Strive is coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting 28 characters and rollback netcode for online play. While cross-platform play is unfortunately absent, the offline experience and battles with fellow Switch players should be a treat. Having enjoyed the game immensely 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 team, the similarities are largely superficial. Expecting a Goemon clone is a disservice to both Bakeru and your own enjoyment. Bakeru is its own entity. With that said, let's explore this unique title from Good-Feel, a studio known for its charming, accessible platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. Bakeru fits neatly into this established style.

The game unfolds in a Japan-inspired setting, where you play as Issun, aided by the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru. Your adventure involves traversing Japan, battling enemies, collecting coins, engaging in whimsical dialogue, and uncovering hidden secrets. With over sixty levels, the experience is consistently engaging, even if not every level is unforgettable. The game's collectibles are a highlight, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location and offering fascinating insights into Japanese culture.

The boss battles are exceptional! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) are entirely warranted. The team clearly understands the art of crafting memorable boss encounters, and these battles are a significant highlight, rewarding skillful play with creative and satisfying spectacles. Bakeru takes creative risks, and while some experiments are more successful than others, the overall effect is positive. The strong points outweigh the weaker ones, leading to an overall enjoyable experience. Despite its flaws, Bakeru is undeniably charming.

The Switch version's performance is the main drawback, an issue Mikhail also noted in his Steam review. The framerate fluctuates, occasionally reaching 60fps but often dropping significantly 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, some performance problems persist.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer, boasting polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique vision is infectious. While performance issues on Switch prevent it from reaching its full potential, and those expecting Goemon will be disappointed, Bakeru 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. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father. While the movie wasn't critically acclaimed, the game attempts to fill in Jango's backstory.

You play as Jango, taking on various bounty hunting missions, utilizing a range of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the gameplay becomes repetitive. The game suffers from several issues typical of early 2000s titles, including clunky targeting, ineffective cover mechanics, and poorly designed levels. Even at its release, it was considered average at best.

Aspyr's updated version improves visuals and performance, offering a better control scheme. However, the frustrating save system remains unchanged, potentially leading to significant frustration. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're inclined to play this game, this is the best version available.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the rough-edged yet earnest style of early 2000s action games. Its appeal primarily lies in its nostalgic value. If you crave a trip back to 2002 and don't mind its flaws, give it a try. Otherwise, it may prove too janky for modern tastes.

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 evident in the absence of subsequent Ghibli-related games. Mika and the Witch's Mountain, however, draws clear inspiration from Ghibli's aesthetic.

You play as a novice witch whose flying broom breaks, requiring you to take on package delivery jobs to earn money for repairs. The vibrant world and quirky characters enhance the experience. However, the Switch version suffers from performance issues, with resolution and framerate frequently impacted. The game likely performs better on more powerful hardware. Despite its technical limitations, the core gameplay loop is enjoyable.

Mika and the Witch's Mountain openly embraces its inspiration, but its repetitive core mechanic can become tiresome. Performance issues on Switch further detract from the experience. If the concept appeals to you, you'll likely find it enjoyable despite its flaws.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

A year ago, I reviewed Peglin's early access version. Now, in its 1.0 release, it's a more complete experience. This pachinko roguelike is a strategic challenge, requiring skillful aiming to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. The game features events, bosses, shops, and numerous battles, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience.

As you progress, you can upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics. The strategy lies in utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively. The learning curve is steep initially, but the gameplay becomes addictive. The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls are a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam.

The lack of Switch achievements is compensated by the game's internal achievement system. Cross-save functionality across platforms is absent, but the developers have confirmed future free updates. Despite minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin is a highly recommended title for fans of the genre. It effectively utilizes Switch features, including rumble and touchscreen support.

Even in its early access state, Peglin was exceptional. While some balance issues remain, it's a must-have for Switch owners who enjoy the unique blend of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

This is just a selection of the many games on sale. A separate article highlighting the best deals will follow.

(Images of sale games are omitted as they are not part of the text to be rewritten.)

That concludes today's update. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and potentially some news. Until then, have a fantastic Monday!