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

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 2nd, 2024. While it appears to be a holiday in the US, here in Japan it's business as usual. That means a bounty of gaming goodness awaits, starting with a trio of reviews from yours truly, and a fourth insightful perspective from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. My reviews cover Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain. Mikhail provides his expert analysis of Peglin, a game he understands better than anyone else at TouchArcade HQ. Additionally, 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 crucial rollback netcode for smooth online matches. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, the offline experience and battles with fellow Switch players should be excellent. Having enjoyed the game extensively on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating this version. For more details, visit the official website.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's clarify: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While developed by some of the same team, the similarities are largely superficial. It's crucial to approach Bakeru on its own merits, not as a Goemon sequel. Bakeru is its own unique entity. With that said, Bakeru hails from Good-Feel, a studio known for its charming, accessible, and polished platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. And Bakeru fits that mold perfectly.

The game unfolds in a Japan beset by trouble, where a young adventurer named Issun finds an unlikely ally in Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities and a mastery of the taiko drum. Players explore Japan, region by region, battling enemies, collecting cash, engaging in quirky interactions, and uncovering hidden secrets. The sixty-plus levels offer a consistently engaging, albeit not always memorable, experience. I found the collectibles particularly rewarding, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location, offering delightful insights into Japanese culture.

The boss battles are a highlight! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) are warranted. Good-Feel consistently delivers exceptional boss encounters, and Bakeru is no exception. These creative showdowns are both challenging and rewarding. While the game's creative liberties aren't always successful, the triumphs far outweigh the occasional missteps. Despite its flaws, Bakeru's charm is infectious.

The Switch version's performance is the main drawback, echoing Mikhail's observations on the Steam release. The framerate fluctuates significantly, ranging from a smooth 60 fps to noticeable dips during intense moments. While I'm generally tolerant of inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those more sensitive to such issues. Despite improvements since the Japanese release, performance problems persist.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and inventive elements. Its dedication to its unique style is almost contagious. While performance issues on Switch prevent it from reaching its full potential, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, it remains a highly recommended title for a fun summer's end.

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. While the films themselves were divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. This game features Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, before his ignominious demise in Attack of the Clones.

The game follows Jango Fett's journey as he hunts a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, picking up additional bounties along the way. Players utilize a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (common in early 2000s games) hinder the experience. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped and poorly guided.

Aspyr's remaster improves visuals and performance, and the control scheme is enhanced. However, the frustrating save system remains unchanged, potentially leading to significant replay of lengthy stages. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. This enhanced version is the definitive way to experience the game.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the rough-edged yet earnest style of early 2000s action games. Its appeal lies mainly in its nostalgic value. If you're seeking a time-travel adventure to 2002, this is a worthwhile experience. Otherwise, its dated mechanics may prove too frustrating.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following negative experiences with Nausicaa game adaptations, Hayao Miyazaki effectively banned further video game adaptations of his works. While the extent of this ban remains unclear, the absence of Ghibli-based games since then suggests a broad restriction. Mika and the Witch’s Mountain clearly draws inspiration from Ghibli's aesthetic.

Players assume the role of a novice witch whose flying broom is destroyed, forcing her to take on package delivery jobs to earn money for repairs. The vibrant world and memorable characters enhance the experience. However, the Switch version suffers from performance issues, impacting resolution and framerate. The game likely performs better on more powerful hardware. Despite technical limitations, the enjoyable core gameplay loop makes it a worthwhile experience.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain openly embraces its inspiration. While its core mechanic can become repetitive, the charming world and characters compensate. Performance issues on Switch are a drawback. If the concept appeals, it's likely to be an enjoyable experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Approximately a year ago, I reviewed Peglin's early access version on iOS. Now, in its 1.0 release, it's a more complete experience, though it caters to a specific type of player. The gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps, similar to Slay the Spire. The game's difficulty is significant initially.

Players upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics as they advance. Strategic peg targeting is crucial, utilizing critical or bomb pegs effectively. The initial learning curve is steep, but the gameplay becomes intuitive, and the game's soundtrack is memorable.

The Switch port's performance is generally good, although aiming isn't as smooth as on other platforms. Touch controls mitigate this issue. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. While not severely problematic, it's worth considering if you own multiple platforms. The Steam Deck version is arguably superior, but the Switch version is a close second to the mobile version.

The absence of Switch achievements is compensated by Peglin's internal achievement system. The lack of cross-save functionality across platforms is a missed opportunity.

Beyond load times and aiming smoothness, the Switch version is excellent. The developers' use of Switch features, including rumble, touchscreen, and button controls, enhances the experience.

Even in its early access phase, Peglin was exceptional. While some balance issues remain, it's a must-have for Switch owners who enjoy the "pachinko x roguelike" combination. The developers' implementation of Switch features makes it a versatile and enjoyable experience. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The following is a selection of the many games on sale, representing only a fraction of the offerings. A separate article detailing the best deals from the sale is forthcoming.

Select New Sales

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That concludes today's roundup. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales updates, and potential news. The typhoon has passed, leaving behind sunny skies and warm temperatures. Have a fantastic Monday, and thank you for reading!