Hello, fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 2nd, 2024! While it might be a holiday in the US, it's business as usual here in Japan, meaning a fresh batch of reviews awaits. I'll be covering Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while our esteemed colleague Mikhail tackles Peglin. Mikhail also brings us some exciting news, and we'll dive into the massive deals from Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's get started!
News
Guilty Gear Strive Arrives on Nintendo Switch in January 2025
Arc System Works is bringing the fighting game phenomenon, Guilty Gear Strive, to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! The Switch version boasts 28 characters and crucial rollback netcode for online play. While cross-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 be clear: Bakeru is not a Goemon/Mystical Ninja sequel, despite sharing some superficial similarities with the classic series. It's a distinct title developed by some of the same talented individuals. Approaching Bakeru with Goemon expectations would be unfair to both the game and yourself. Bakeru is its own unique experience. Developed by Good-Feel (known for their work on Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles), Bakeru is a charming, accessible, and polished 3D platformer.
The game follows Issun, a young adventurer aided by the shapeshifting tanuki, Bakeru. Together, they traverse Japan, battling enemies, collecting treasure, and uncovering secrets across over sixty levels. While not every level is unforgettable, the overall experience is consistently engaging. The collectibles are particularly noteworthy, often reflecting the unique aspects of each Japanese location. Even long-time Japan residents might discover new facts!
The boss battles are a highlight, showcasing Good-Feel's knack for creative and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes creative risks, with some elements working better than others – a common occurrence in game development. However, the successes significantly outweigh the shortcomings. Despite its flaws, Bakeru's charm is undeniable.
The Switch version's performance is the main drawback, mirroring issues Mikhail noted in the Steam version. The framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but often dropping significantly during intense moments. While I'm not overly sensitive to framerate inconsistencies, players who are might find this bothersome. Despite improvements since the Japanese release, performance issues remain.
Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and inventive design elements. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While framerate issues on Switch prevent it from reaching its full potential, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, Bakeru is 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 in 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 centers on Jango's mission to hunt a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, with opportunities to take on extra 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 technical limitations of a 2002 game become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design can feel cramped.
Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance, and the control scheme is enhanced. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially requiring restarts of lengthy stages. The addition of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a nostalgic charm, reflecting the rough-around-the-edges style of early 2000s games. If you crave a trip back to that era and appreciate a game with character despite its flaws, this remaster is worth considering. Otherwise, its dated gameplay might prove too challenging.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)
Inspired by Studio Ghibli films, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain puts you in the role of a rookie witch whose flying broom is broken after a mishap. To earn money for repairs, you take on package delivery jobs, zipping around on your broom.
The vibrant world and engaging characters are highlights, but the Switch version suffers from performance issues, with resolution and framerate taking hits depending on the location. The core gameplay loop, while charming, can become repetitive.
If you enjoy the premise and can forgive some technical shortcomings, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain offers a pleasant, if somewhat repetitive, experience. Those with more powerful hardware might find a smoother experience elsewhere.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a pachinko-inspired roguelike, has reached version 1.0 across platforms, including its recent Switch release. The game involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones. The strategy lies in utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively.
The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls offer a workaround. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. The game includes a built-in achievement system to compensate for the Switch's lack of native achievements.
While cross-save functionality is absent, Peglin's strengths lie in its addictive gameplay loop, satisfying mechanics, and use of Switch features (rumble, touchscreen, and button controls). Load times and aiming are minor issues that could be improved with future updates.
Peglin is a highly recommended title for fans of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. It's a near-perfect port, with minor performance issues being the only significant downside. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale is massive! I've included a selection of highlights below, but a more comprehensive list of top picks will be available in a separate article.
Select New Sales (Images omitted due to limitations in reproducing image formatting)
(A list of games on sale with their discounted prices and sale durations would be included here. This section would mirror the original article's sales section, but without the images.)
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales updates, and potentially some news. Have a great day!
