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 bounty of gaming goodness awaits, starting with a trio of reviews from yours truly, plus a fourth from our esteemed colleague Mikhail. I'll be delving into Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail offers his expert insight on Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some news, and we'll explore the extensive deals in 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 fury of Guilty Gear Strive to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! The Switch version boasts 28 characters and critically acclaimed rollback netcode for online matches. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, offline play and battles with other Switch players should be a treat. Having enjoyed the game immensely on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating this release. 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 is a disservice to 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 charming, accessible platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes.
Mischief unfolds in Japan as Issun, our endearing protagonist, enlists the aid of Bakeru, a resourceful tanuki with shape-shifting abilities and a penchant for taiko drumming. Across sixty-plus levels, you'll traverse Japan, battling foes, collecting cash, engaging in quirky conversations, and uncovering hidden secrets. While not every level is unforgettable, the overall experience is consistently engaging. The collectibles, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location, are particularly noteworthy, offering a wealth of fascinating Japanese cultural insights.
The boss battles are a highlight, showcasing Good-Feel's mastery of engaging boss encounters. These creative showpieces reward skillful play. Bakeru takes creative risks within the 3D platforming genre, with some experiments proving more successful than others. However, the successes far outweigh the minor missteps, making for an overall enjoyable and endearing experience.
The only significant drawback is the Switch's performance. While the framerate can reach 60fps, it often dips noticeably during intense moments. While I'm personally not overly sensitive to framerate inconsistencies, those with higher sensitivities should be aware of this issue, despite improvements since the Japanese release.
Bakeru is a charming 3D platformer with polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique premise is infectious. While performance issues on Switch and the lack of Goemon similarities might disappoint some, it's a highly recommended title for a fun summer send-off.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)
The prequel trilogy era spawned a wave of Star Wars merchandise, including a surprising number of video games. While the films themselves were divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars narrative. This game focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, and his adventures before his ill-fated encounter in Attack of the Clones.
The game follows Jango Fett as he hunts a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, taking on additional bounties along the way. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of early 2000s games) become apparent. Targeting, cover mechanics, and level design all suffer from flaws.
Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance, and the updated controls are a welcome change. However, the frustrating save system remains unchanged, potentially leading to lengthy stage restarts. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the rough-around-the-edges style of early 2000s games. It's recommended for those seeking a nostalgic trip back in time. However, players less tolerant of dated mechanics might find it less appealing.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)
Following the less-than-stellar Nausicaa game adaptations, Hayao Miyazaki's influence is clearly felt in the design of Mika and the Witch’s Mountain. The game follows a rookie witch who must repair her broken broom and earn money by delivering packages.
The core gameplay loop of delivering packages is functional, enhanced by the vibrant world and engaging characters. However, the Switch version suffers from performance issues, impacting resolution and framerate. The game would likely benefit from more powerful hardware.
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is clearly inspired by Ghibli films, but its repetitive core mechanic can become somewhat tiresome. Despite performance issues, the charming world and characters make for an enjoyable, if not perfect, experience.
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 and refined experience. This pachinko roguelike challenges players to strategically aim orbs at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. The game features events, bosses, shops, and numerous battles, presenting a significant challenge early on.
Players upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics as they advance. Mastering the strategic use of critical and bomb pegs is key to success. The initial learning curve is steep, but the gameplay becomes addictive once mastered.
The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls offer a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. Despite these minor issues, Peglin on Switch is a solid port.
The addition of internal achievement tracking is a welcome feature, compensating for the Switch's lack of system-wide achievements. The absence of cross-save functionality is a minor disappointment.
The Switch version leverages the console's features effectively with rumble and touchscreen support. Minor improvements to load times and aiming smoothness would further enhance the experience.
Even in its early access phase, Peglin was exceptional. While minor balance issues persist, it's a must-have for fans of pachinko roguelikes. The developers' utilization of Switch features makes for a versatile and enjoyable experience. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
The Nintendo Blockbuster Sale offers a massive selection of games. I've highlighted some notable titles below, but a more comprehensive list of the best deals will be available in a separate article.
Select New Sales
(Images omitted for brevity, as they are identical to the original input)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 3rd
(Images omitted for brevity, as they are identical to the original input)
That concludes today's round-up. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Until then, happy gaming!
