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, meaning another batch of reviews and gaming news for you. This week, I'll be sharing my thoughts on Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail provides his expert analysis of Peglin. We also have some exciting 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! This port will include 28 characters and crucially, rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play isn't included, it's still fantastic news for offline and Switch-to-Switch battles. Having enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm definitely looking forward to this release. For more details, check out the official website.
Reviews & Mini-Views
Bakeru ($39.99)
Let's be clear: Bakeru is not a Goemon/Mystical Ninja game, despite being developed by some of the same team. While superficial similarities exist, Bakeru forges its own identity. Expecting a Goemon clone will only shortchange your experience. Bakeru is a creation of Good-Feel, a studio known for its charming, accessible platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. And that's exactly what Bakeru delivers.
The game unfolds in a whimsical adventure across Japan, where you play as Issun, aided by the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru. Expect plenty of enemy-bashing, treasure-hunting, and quirky interactions as you explore over sixty levels. While not all levels are unforgettable, the overall experience is consistently engaging. I particularly enjoyed the collectibles, which often reflect the unique aspects of each region, offering fascinating insights into Japanese culture.
The boss battles are a highlight, showcasing Good-Feel's knack for creative and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes some bold creative risks for a 3D platformer, with varying degrees of success. However, even the less successful attempts are forgivable, overshadowed by the sheer charm of the game. Despite its flaws, Bakeru won me over with its infectious likability.
The Switch version's performance is the main drawback, echoing Mikhail's observations on the Steam version. Framerates fluctuate, sometimes reaching 60fps but often dipping lower during intense action. While I'm not overly sensitive to inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those who are. Despite improvements since the Japanese release, performance issues remain.
Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style is almost 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 adventure.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)
The prequel trilogy era saw a surge of Star Wars games, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a product of that time. This game follows Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, before his fateful encounter in Attack of the Clones. The story focuses on Jango's quest to hunt down a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, with opportunities to take on additional bounties along the way.
Gameplay involves navigating levels, targeting enemies, and utilizing a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (common for early 2000s games) hold it back. Targeting is clunky, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even at its release, it was a middling title at best.
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 lost progress. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're going to play it, this is the best version.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter holds a certain nostalgic charm, capturing the rough-around-the-edges feel of early 2000s games. Its appeal lies primarily in its nostalgic value. If you crave a trip back to 2002 and enjoy janky action games, this is for you. Otherwise, its dated mechanics might prove too much.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)
Inspired by Studio Ghibli's aesthetic, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain puts you in the role of a rookie witch whose flying 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 quirky characters contribute to the charm.
The gameplay loop of delivering packages can become repetitive, and the Switch version suffers from performance issues, impacting resolution and framerate. The game likely runs better on more powerful hardware. However, if you can overlook the technical shortcomings, the core gameplay loop is enjoyable.
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is a charming game with a clear Ghibli influence. Its core mechanic, while enjoyable, can wear thin. Performance issues on Switch are a notable drawback. If the premise appeals to you, you'll likely find it enjoyable despite its flaws.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a pachinko-style roguelike, has finally reached its 1.0 release across platforms, including Switch. This version offers a more polished experience than its early access predecessor. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. The game is challenging, especially early on.
Strategic aiming is key, utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively. The ability to refresh the board adds another layer of strategy. While initially complex, the game's mechanics become intuitive.
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 inclusion of in-game achievements is a welcome addition. Cross-save functionality across platforms is absent, which is a missed opportunity.
Despite some minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin on Switch is a solid port. The developers' use of rumble, touchscreen, and button controls enhances the experience. If you enjoy the combination of pachinko and roguelike mechanics, Peglin is a must-have.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale offers a massive selection of discounted games. I've highlighted some key titles below, but a more detailed list of recommendations will follow in a separate article.
Select New Sales (Images omitted for brevity, as requested)
(List of sales remains the same as the input, but without the images)
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Have a great Monday!
