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 for your enjoyment – three by yours truly, 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 provides his expert analysis of Peglin. Plus, we have some news from Mikhail and a massive rundown 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 game sensation, Guilty Gear Strive, to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! Expect 28 characters and rollback netcode for smooth online play. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, offline battles and online matches with other Switch players should still be fantastic. Having loved the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eager to give the Switch version a whirl. For more details, visit the official website.
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 superficial similarities exist, it's crucial to remember Bakeru stands on its own merits. Comparing it directly to Goemon is unfair to both games. 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 unfolds in a Japan-inspired setting, where you play as Issun, aided by the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru. Expect a journey across various prefectures, filled with combat, treasure hunting, quirky characters, and hidden secrets. The over sixty levels offer a consistently engaging experience, and the collectibles are particularly noteworthy, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location. It's a fun way to learn about Japan, even for long-term residents.
The boss battles are a highlight, showcasing Good-Feel's knack for creative and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes numerous creative risks, with some elements working better than others – a common occurrence in game development. However, the successes far outweigh any shortcomings. I found myself genuinely enjoying the game despite its imperfections, a testament to its inherent charm and likeability.
The only significant drawback is the inconsistent framerate on the Switch, an issue Mikhail mentioned in his Steam review. While not a major concern for me personally, players sensitive to framerate drops should be aware of this potential issue, even with improvements since the Japanese release.
Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and innovative ideas. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While framerate inconsistencies on Switch prevent it from reaching its full potential, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, it's a highly recommended title for a fun, summer-ending adventure.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)
The prequel trilogy era spawned a plethora of Star Wars merchandise, including a surprising number of video games. While the films themselves remain divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. This game features Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, before his untimely demise. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter fills in the backstory, whether you wanted it or not.
The game follows Jango Fett's journey as he hunts down a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, picking up extra bounties along the way. You'll utilize a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and outdated mechanics (a common issue for early 2000s games) become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design often feels cramped and poorly guided. Even at its release, it was merely average.
Aspyr's porting efforts have improved the visuals and performance, but the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. The saving system is still problematic, potentially requiring restarts of lengthy stages. However, the inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're going to play this game, this improved version is the way to go.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the unique characteristics of early 2000s gaming. It's recommended primarily for those seeking a nostalgic trip back to that era. If you prefer polished modern gameplay, this might be too rough around the edges.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)
Following the disastrous Nausicaa game adaptations, Hayao Miyazaki's stance on video game adaptations of his work is well-known. While the specifics are unclear, the lack of subsequent Ghibli-based games suggests a broader policy. Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, developed by Chibig and Nukefist, clearly draws inspiration from Ghibli's aesthetic.
You play as a novice witch whose flying broom is broken after being tossed off a mountain by her teacher. To earn money for repairs, you undertake package delivery jobs, utilizing your broom for quick travel. The vibrant world and quirky characters enhance the experience. However, performance issues on the Switch, impacting resolution and framerate, are noticeable. A more powerful platform would likely provide a smoother experience. Despite this, those who can tolerate technical flaws will likely enjoy the game.
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain openly embraces its inspiration, but its repetitive core mechanic can become tiring. The Switch performance issues are a further drawback. Nevertheless, the charming world and characters make for a pleasant, if somewhat flawed, experience. If the concept appeals to you, you'll likely enjoy the game.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Having previously reviewed the early access version on iOS, I'm excited to see Peglin (a pachinko roguelike) finally reach its 1.0 release on Switch. This 1.0 version, also released on Steam and mobile, offers a more complete experience. The game's core mechanic involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones, similar to Slay the Spire. Expect a challenging experience early on, with numerous battles, events, shops, and upgrades.
Strategic aiming is key, utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively. The game's complexity becomes more apparent as you progress, unlocking new orbs and relics. The Switch port performs well, although aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls mitigate this issue. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam, but overall performance is acceptable.
The Switch version includes an in-game achievement system, a welcome addition given the lack of system-wide achievements. Cross-save functionality between platforms would have been a nice addition, but is understandable given the developer's size. Despite longer load times and less-than-perfect aiming, Peglin on Switch is a solid port.
Even in early access, Peglin was exceptional. While some balance issues persist, it's a must-have for Switch owners who appreciate the unique combination of pachinko and roguelike elements. The developers have effectively utilized the Switch's features, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls. A physical release would be a fantastic addition. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
This Blockbuster Sale is huge! I've highlighted some of the best deals below, but there's much more available. Check out a separate article for a more comprehensive list. Good luck with your shopping!
(Note: Images of sales are omitted due to the inability to reproduce them in this text format. The text descriptions of the sales remain.)
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and potentially some news. Have a great Monday!
