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

Hello fellow gamers, and 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. That means a fresh batch of reviews for you – three 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. We also have some news courtesy of Mikhail, and a huge 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! This version will include 28 characters and critically acclaimed 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 the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eager to give the Switch version a try. Check out the official website for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's get one thing straight: Bakeru isn't Goemon/Mystical Ninja, despite sharing some surface-level similarities and being developed by some of the same talented individuals. It's its own unique experience. Approaching it with Goemon expectations would be unfair to both the game and yourself. Bakeru is Bakeru. With that clarified, let's explore what this game offers. Developed by Good-Feel, known for their charming platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes (and recently, Princess Peach: Showtime!), Bakeru is a delightful, polished 3D platforming adventure.

The game unfolds in a vibrant depiction of Japan, where you play as Issun, aided by the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru. You'll traverse Japan, battling enemies, collecting cash, engaging in whimsical conversations (even with poop!), and uncovering hidden secrets. With over sixty levels, the experience is consistently engaging, even if not every level is unforgettable. I found the collectibles particularly well-designed, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location, offering fascinating insights into Japanese culture – some even surprising to 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 consistently delivers excellent boss fights, and Bakeru is no exception. These are creative, rewarding encounters. The game takes creative risks, and while some succeed more than others (as is often the case), the successful ones are truly memorable. I found myself forgiving the less successful ones, easily charmed by the game's overall appeal. It's incredibly likeable.

The only significant drawback is the Switch's performance. As Mikhail noted in his Steam review, the framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but frequently dropping when the action intensifies. While I'm not overly sensitive to inconsistent framerates, I acknowledge it's a noticeable issue that hasn't been entirely resolved since the Japanese release. Those more sensitive to performance hiccups should be aware.

In conclusion, Bakeru is a charming 3D platformer with polished gameplay and innovative elements. Its dedication to its unique style is infectious. While performance issues on Switch prevent it from reaching its full potential, 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, focusing on Jango Fett (Boba Fett's father!), is one such product of that era. While the movies themselves are divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. This game explores Jango's backstory, offering a glimpse into his life before Attack of the Clones.

The game casts you as Jango, a legendary bounty hunter whose DNA would become the template for the clone army. You'll hunt down targets, both primary and optional, using a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of early 2000s games) become apparent over time. Targeting is clunky, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even for its time, it was a mediocre game at best.

Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance, offering a smoother experience than the original. However, the frustrating save system remains unchanged, requiring restarts from the beginning of lengthy levels if you make too many mistakes. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're going to play it, this updated version is the way to go.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the rough edges and earnest spirit of early 2000s gaming. Its appeal lies primarily in its nostalgic value. If you crave a time-travel experience back to 2002 and enjoy janky yet sincere action games, this is 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 some poorly received Nausicaa games, Hayao Miyazaki famously restricted further video game adaptations of his work. The game Mika and the Witch’s Mountain clearly draws inspiration from Ghibli films, but it's not a direct adaptation.

You play as a rookie witch whose flying broom is broken after a mishap. To fix it, you must work odd jobs delivering packages around town. The gameplay is straightforward, but the vibrant world and quirky characters elevate the experience. The Switch, however, struggles at times with the game's demands, leading to occasional drops in resolution and framerate. It would likely run better on more powerful hardware. Players tolerant of technical imperfections will find it enjoyable.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is unabashedly inspired by Ghibli, but its repetitive core mechanic can become somewhat tiresome. Performance issues on Switch are also present. However, if the core concept appeals to you, you'll likely find it charming enough.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

A year ago, I reviewed Peglin's early access version on iOS. Now, the full 1.0 version has arrived on Switch, along with Steam and mobile. Peglin, a unique blend of pachinko and roguelike mechanics, is a highly strategic game. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs on a board to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. The game features events, bosses, shops, and challenging battles.

You'll upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics as you advance. Strategic peg selection is key, utilizing critical or bomb pegs effectively. The game has a steep learning curve, but once you grasp the mechanics, it becomes highly addictive.

The Switch port performs well, although aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls are a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile. Despite these minor flaws, Peglin is a solid Switch port, especially considering the state of some recent releases. The addition of in-game achievement tracking is a nice touch, compensating for the Switch's lack of system-wide achievements. Cross-save functionality would be a welcome addition in future updates.

Despite minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin shines on Switch with excellent rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls. A physical release would be fantastic.

Peglin is a fantastic game, even with some balance issues. It's a must-have for fans of pachinko and roguelikes. The developers' use of Switch features is commendable. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The Nintendo eShop Blockbuster Sale is massive! I've highlighted some of the best deals below, but be sure to check out my separate article for a more comprehensive selection.

Select New Sales

(Images of sale games omitted for brevity. The original formatting with images can be preserved in the final output.)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 3rd

(Images of sale games omitted for brevity. The original formatting with images can be preserved in the final output.)

That’s all for today! Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Until then, happy gaming!