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

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. That means a fresh batch of game reviews for you – three from me, and one from the insightful Mikhail. I'll be covering Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail provides his expert take on Peglin. We also have some news from Mikhail, and a huge list of deals from Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's dive in!

News

Guilty Gear Strive Arrives on Nintendo Switch in January 2025

Get ready, fighting game fans! Arc System Works is bringing Guilty Gear Strive to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, 2025. The Switch version will include 28 characters and boasts rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play isn't included, it's still exciting news for offline and Switch-to-Switch battles. Having enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eager to check out the Switch version. Visit the official website for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

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

The game unfolds in a vibrant Japan, where you play as Issun, aided by the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru. You'll explore various prefectures, battling enemies, collecting coins, and uncovering hidden secrets across over sixty levels. While not every level is unforgettable, the overall experience is consistently engaging. The collectibles, often reflecting the game's locations, are a particular highlight, offering charming insights into Japanese culture.

The boss battles are a true standout, showcasing Good-Feel's knack for creative and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes some bold creative risks for a 3D platformer, and while some experiments are more successful than others, the overall quality is impressive. I genuinely enjoyed the game despite its imperfections, finding its charm infectious.

The game's only significant drawback is its performance on the Switch. The framerate can be inconsistent, fluctuating between 60 fps and noticeable dips during intense moments. While I'm not overly sensitive to framerate issues, this might bother more discerning players. Despite improvements since its Japanese release, some performance problems remain.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and creative elements. Its commitment to its unique style is almost contagious. While framerate issues prevent it from reaching its full potential on Switch, and those expecting a Goemon sequel will be disappointed, this is a highly recommended title.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)

The prequel trilogy era saw a surge in Star Wars merchandise, including a plethora of video games. While the films themselves were divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. This game focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, before his infamous demise in Attack of the Clones.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter follows Jango's quest to hunt a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, with opportunities to take on additional bounties along the way. You'll utilize a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of early 2000s games) become apparent. Targeting is problematic, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design often feels cramped and poorly guided.

Aspyr's updated version improves the visuals and performance, offering a better experience than the original. However, the archaic save system remains, meaning you might have to restart lengthy levels if you make mistakes. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, capturing the essence of early 2000s gaming. If you're looking for a rough-around-the-edges action game with a dash of nostalgia, this might appeal. Otherwise, its flaws might outweigh its charm.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following the less-than-stellar Nausicaa video games, Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki famously limited further game adaptations. Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, developed by Chibig and Nukefist, draws clear inspiration from Ghibli's aesthetic and storytelling.

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 the Switch struggles with performance at times, resulting in resolution and framerate drops. The gameplay, while fun, can become repetitive.

The game's Ghibli-inspired charm is undeniable, but its repetitive core mechanic and performance issues on Switch might not appeal to everyone. If you enjoy the concept, you'll likely find it enjoyable despite its flaws.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has evolved significantly since its early access release. Now available on Switch, this 1.0 version offers a more complete experience. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. The game is challenging, but rewarding.

The Switch port performs well, though aiming might feel less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls are a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam, but not excessively so. The inclusion of in-game achievement tracking is a nice touch. Cross-save functionality is absent, which is a missed opportunity.

Despite minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin is a fantastic addition to the Switch library, especially for fans of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The use of rumble, touchscreen, and button controls adds to its versatility.