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

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. That means a fresh batch of reviews – three from me and one from our esteemed colleague Mikhail. I'll be tackling Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail offers his expert insights on Peglin. We'll also have some news from Mikhail, and a huge selection 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! Expect 28 characters and rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play isn't included, it's still a welcome addition for offline battles and Switch-to-Switch online matches. Having enjoyed it immensely on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating the Switch version. Check out the official website for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's get one thing straight: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While developed by some of the same team, the similarities are largely superficial. Bakeru is its own unique entity. Expecting a Goemon clone will only lead to disappointment. Developed by Good-Feel (known for their work on Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles), Bakeru is a charming, polished 3D platformer.

The story follows Issun and Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities, as they traverse Japan, battling enemies, collecting coins, and uncovering secrets. The over sixty levels offer a consistently engaging, if not always memorable, experience. I found the collectibles particularly rewarding, offering fascinating insights into Japanese culture.

The boss battles are a highlight, showcasing Good-Feel's knack for creative and rewarding encounters. While the game takes some creative risks, some work better than others – a common occurrence in this genre. Despite its flaws, Bakeru's infectious charm won me over.

The Switch version suffers from inconsistent framerates, fluctuating between 60fps and significantly lower during intense moments. While personally, I'm not overly sensitive to this, those with lower tolerance should be aware. 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 and the lack of Goemon similarities might disappoint some, it's still a highly recommended title.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)

The prequel trilogy era spawned a wave of Star Wars games, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father. This game chronicles Jango's rise to fame as a bounty hunter, culminating in his fateful encounter with a Jedi Master (let's not dwell on the details).

The gameplay involves hunting targets, utilizing various weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of a 2002 game) become apparent. Targeting, cover mechanics, and level design all show their age.

Aspyr's remaster improves visuals and performance, and the control scheme is better than the original. However, the frustrating save system remains. Unlocking a Boba Fett skin is a nice bonus.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a nostalgic charm, embodying the rough edges of early 2000s gaming. If you crave a trip back in time to experience a flawed yet earnest action game, this is for you. Otherwise, the dated mechanics might prove too much.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Inspired by Studio Ghibli films, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain casts you as a rookie witch whose flying broom breaks, forcing her to deliver packages to earn money for repairs. The vibrant world and charming characters enhance the experience.

The core gameplay loop of package delivery, while simple, can become repetitive. The Switch version suffers from performance issues, impacting resolution and framerate. Better performance could be expected on more powerful hardware.

If the premise appeals to you, you'll likely enjoy Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, despite its technical shortcomings and repetitive gameplay.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has reached its 1.0 release across all platforms. The core 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.

The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls mitigate this. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. The lack of cross-save functionality is a missed opportunity.

Despite some minor issues, Peglin on Switch is a fantastic addition to the platform, offering a unique blend of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The inclusion of built-in achievements and support for various control schemes enhances the experience.

Peglin is a must-have for fans of the genre. Improvements to load times and aiming would further enhance the experience. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The Nintendo Blockbuster Sale offers a massive selection of discounted titles. A separate article will highlight the best picks.

(Images of sale games are included here, but I can't reproduce the image formatting from the original text. The image captions would be included as alt text in the images themselves.)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Have a great Monday!