Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 2nd, 2024! While it may 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—awaiting your perusal. We'll be diving into Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch's Mountain, with Mikhail offering his expert insights on Peglin once again. Plus, Mikhail has some news to share, and we've got a huge list of deals from Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's jump 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 rollback netcode for smooth online play. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, offline battles and online matches with other Switch players should prove satisfying. Having thoroughly enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating this version. Visit the official website for more details.
Reviews & Mini-Views
Bakeru ($39.99)
Let's be clear: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While developed by some of the same team, the similarities are largely superficial. Expecting a Goemon clone is unfair to both Bakeru and yourself. Bakeru stands on its own merits. From Good-Feel, the studio behind titles in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby franchises (and recently, Princess Peach: Showtime!), Bakeru is a charming, accessible, and polished 3D platformer.
Mischief unfolds in Japan, with a young protagonist, Issun, aided by the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru. Bakeru's taiko drum and drumsticks are key to your adventure as you traverse Japan, battling foes, collecting cash, engaging in quirky conversations, and uncovering secrets. The game features over sixty levels, and while not all are unforgettable, the gameplay remains engaging throughout. The collectibles are particularly well-done, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location. Many little details about Japan are woven in, some even surprising to a long-time resident like myself.
The boss battles are a highlight! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel games) are more apt. Good-Feel understands the art of a great boss fight, and these encounters are creative and rewarding. Bakeru takes considerable creative risks for a 3D platformer, with some experiments working better than others. This is to be expected, and the successes far outweigh the minor missteps. The game's charm is undeniable, making it intensely likeable despite its flaws.
The main drawback is performance on the Switch, an issue Mikhail touched upon in his Steam review. The framerate fluctuates, reaching 60 fps at times but often dropping significantly during intense moments. While I'm generally not bothered by inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those more sensitive to such issues. Improvements have been made since the Japanese release, but some performance problems remain.
Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. Framerate issues prevent it from reaching its full potential on Switch, and players anticipating a Goemon clone will be disappointed. However, 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 tells the story of Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, before his ill-fated encounter in Attack of the Clones.
This game follows Jango as he undertakes various bounty hunting missions, including a pivotal assignment for Count Dooku. While initially engaging, the gameplay becomes repetitive, hampered by issues common in early 2000s games. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even at its release, it was considered average at best.
Aspyr's port has improved the visuals and performance, offering a better experience than the original. However, the saving system remains unchanged, potentially leading to frustrating restarts. The addition of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're interested in experiencing a game from this era, this version is the best option.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the rough-edged yet earnest style of early 2000s games. Its appeal is primarily for those seeking a trip down memory lane. Otherwise, its flaws might prove too significant.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch's Mountain ($19.99)
Following the less-than-stellar Nausicaa video game adaptations, Hayao Miyazaki's stance on video game adaptations of his works is well-known. Mika and the Witch's Mountain draws clear inspiration from Ghibli films.
You play as a novice witch whose flying broom is broken after a mishap. To earn money for repairs, you take on package delivery jobs, zipping around on your broom. The vibrant world and engaging characters add to the experience, but performance issues on the Switch, including resolution and framerate drops, detract somewhat.
The core gameplay loop of package delivery can become repetitive, and the technical limitations are noticeable. However, the charming world and characters make it an enjoyable experience, especially for those who appreciate its Ghibli-inspired aesthetic.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has reached its 1.0 release across platforms. Mikhail provides his expert perspective:
The goal is to aim your orb at specific pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones. The game features various upgrades, shops, and challenging encounters. The strategy involves skillful aiming and utilizing different peg types effectively.
The Switch port performs well, though aiming is less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls offer a workaround. Load times are longer compared to other versions. The inclusion of internal achievement tracking is appreciated, given the Switch's lack of system-wide achievements. Cross-save functionality is absent, but this is understandable for a smaller developer.
Despite some minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin is a fantastic addition to the Switch library, especially for fans of pachinko roguelikes. The developers have made good use of the Switch's features with rumble, touchscreen, and button controls.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
A massive selection of games are on sale! Check out the detailed list below, and stay tuned for a separate article highlighting the best deals.
(Images of sale games are here, as per the original input. I cannot display images directly.)
That's all for today! We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Have a great day!
