Arcade Games Galore: Read Reviews on Bakeru, Peglin, and Nintendo's Sale Highlights

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 2nd, 2024. While it appears to be a holiday in the United States, here in Japan, it's business as usual. That means a bounty of gaming goodness awaits, starting with a trio of reviews penned by yours truly, and a fourth from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. My reviews cover Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail offers his expert insights on Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some noteworthy news, and we'll delve into the extensive deals offered in Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's dive in!

News

Guilty Gear Strive Arrives on Nintendo Switch in January 2025

Arc System Works has delivered! Guilty Gear Strive is coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting 28 characters and the highly anticipated rollback netcode for smooth online battles. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, the offline experience and battles with fellow Switch players promise to be a treat. Having thoroughly enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating the Switch version. Visit the official website for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's be clear: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. However, it's crafted by some of the same talented individuals who worked on that beloved series. While superficial similarities exist, Bakeru forges its own identity. Approaching it with Goemon expectations is a disservice to both games. Bakeru is its own unique creation.

Developed by Good-Feel, a studio renowned for its charming, accessible, and polished platformers (think Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles), Bakeru follows the adventures of Issun and his unlikely companion, Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities and a penchant for taiko drumming. The duo embarks on a journey across Japan, battling foes, collecting cash, engaging in quirky conversations, and uncovering hidden secrets. The over sixty levels, while not all instantly memorable, provide a consistently engaging and lighthearted experience. The collectibles, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location, are particularly noteworthy, offering delightful insights into Japanese culture.

The boss battles deserve special mention. Good-Feel's mastery of boss design shines through, delivering creative and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes bold creative risks for a 3D platformer, with some experiments succeeding more brilliantly than others. However, the successes are genuinely memorable, and the less successful attempts are easily forgiven. Despite its flaws, Bakeru's charm is undeniable, making it a truly endearing title.

Performance on the Switch is the game's primary drawback, mirroring issues Mikhail encountered in the Steam version. The framerate fluctuates, occasionally reaching 60 fps but frequently dropping during intense moments. While I'm personally not overly sensitive to inconsistent framerates, this might be a concern for others. It's worth noting that improvements have been made since the Japanese release, but some performance issues remain.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer, boasting polished gameplay and innovative ideas. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While framerate issues prevent it from reaching its full potential on the Switch, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, it's 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, offering a glimpse into his life before his ill-fated encounter in Attack of the Clones.

The game casts you as Jango, tasked with hunting a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, with opportunities to take on additional bounties. You'll utilize a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of a 2002 game) detract from the experience. Targeting is problematic, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even at its release, it was an average game at best.

Aspyr's updated version improves visuals and performance, and offers a refined control scheme. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially leading to frustrating restarts. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're inclined to experience this piece of gaming history, this updated version is the best option.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the unique characteristics of early 2000s gaming. Its appeal lies primarily in its nostalgic value. If you're seeking a rough-around-the-edges action game from that era, this might appeal. Otherwise, its dated mechanics might prove too challenging.

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-based games. Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, developed by Chibig and Nukefist, draws clear inspiration from the Ghibli aesthetic.

You play as a rookie witch whose flying broom is broken, forcing you to take on package delivery jobs to earn money for repairs. The vibrant world and engaging characters are highlights, but performance issues on the Switch, affecting resolution and framerate, are noticeable. The game's core mechanic, while initially fun, can become repetitive. A more powerful platform would likely provide a smoother experience.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain embraces its Ghibli-inspired design, but its repetitive gameplay and performance issues on the Switch are limitations. If the core concept appeals, you'll likely find enjoyment, but be prepared for some technical shortcomings.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Previously reviewed in early access, Peglin, a pachinko-roguelike, has undergone significant improvements. This review covers the 1.0 version released on Switch, Steam, and mobile.

The gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones. The strategic depth lies in utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively, and refreshing the board. The game's difficulty is initially high, but the mechanics become intuitive with practice. Upgrades, healing, and relic collection enhance the experience.

The Switch port performs well, although aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls mitigate this. Load times are longer than on mobile. While not major issues, they're worth noting. The inclusion of internal achievement tracking is a welcome addition, compensating for the Switch's lack of system-wide achievements.

Cross-save functionality across platforms is absent, but overall, Peglin on Switch is a strong offering. The load times and aiming smoothness are minor drawbacks, but the inclusion of good rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls make it highly adaptable.

-Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

A vast array of games are on sale! A separate article highlighting the best deals will be forthcoming.

(Images of sale titles are included here, mirroring the original format.)

That concludes today's round-up. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales updates, and potentially more news. Until then, happy gaming!