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 game reviews for you – three from me, and one from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. I'll be covering Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail provides his expert insights on Peglin. Plus, Mikhail has some news to share, and we've got a huge list of deals from Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's dive in!
News
Guilty Gear Strive Arrives on Nintendo Switch – January 2025
Arc System Works is bringing the fighting game phenomenon, Guilty Gear Strive, to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! The Switch version will boast 28 characters and crucial rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, it promises a solid offline experience and engaging battles with other Switch players. Having enjoyed the game extensively on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating the Switch edition. For more details, visit the official website.
Reviews & Mini-Views
Bakeru ($39.99)
Let's be clear: Bakeru isn't Goemon/Mystical Ninja. However, it's developed by some of the same talented individuals behind that beloved series. While superficial similarities exist, it's crucial to approach Bakeru on its own merits. It's a unique experience. Developed by Good-Feel, known for their charming platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby franchises (including the recent Princess Peach: Showtime!), Bakeru is a delightful, polished platforming adventure.
The game unfolds in a whimsical Japan, where a young protagonist, Issun, teams up with a shape-shifting tanuki named Bakeru. Using Bakeru's transformative abilities and a taiko drum, you'll traverse Japan, battling enemies, collecting treasure, and uncovering secrets across over sixty levels. While not every level is unforgettable, the gameplay remains consistently engaging. I particularly enjoyed the collectibles, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location, offering fascinating glimpses into Japanese culture.
The boss battles are a highlight! Good-Feel truly understands the art of crafting memorable boss encounters, and Bakeru delivers creative and rewarding challenges. The game takes creative risks, with some experiments working better than others – a common occurrence in game development. Despite its imperfections, the game's charm and likability shine through.
The Switch version's performance is the only significant drawback, mirroring issues Mikhail noted in his Steam review. The framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but often dipping lower during intense moments. While I'm generally tolerant of inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those more sensitive to performance issues.
Bakeru is a captivating 3D platformer with polished gameplay and innovative design elements. Its charm is infectious. While framerate issues slightly detract from the Switch experience, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, Bakeru is a highly recommended title to cap off your summer.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)
The Star Wars prequel trilogy era spawned a wave of video games, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a product of that time. This game follows Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, before his infamous demise in Attack of the Clones. The story centers on Jango's quest to hunt down a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, with opportunities to take on additional bounties along the way.
Gameplay involves navigating levels, targeting enemies, and utilizing a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (common for early 2000s games) become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even at its release, it was an average game at best.
Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance, and the control scheme is enhanced. However, the frustrating save system remains unchanged, potentially requiring restarts of lengthy levels. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're interested in experiencing this game, this remastered version is the best option.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter holds a certain nostalgic appeal, capturing the essence of early 2000s gaming. If you crave a trip back in time to play a rough-around-the-edges but earnest action game, this might be for you. Otherwise, its dated mechanics might prove too challenging.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain draws clear inspiration from Studio Ghibli films. You play as a young witch who, after a mishap, must earn money by delivering packages around town to repair her broom. The vibrant world and charming characters are highlights, but the Switch version struggles with performance issues, impacting resolution and framerate. A more powerful system might offer a smoother experience.
The core gameplay loop, while charming, can become repetitive. If the concept appeals to you, you'll likely enjoy the game despite its technical limitations.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a unique pachinko roguelike, has reached its 1.0 release across multiple platforms, including Switch. The game's core mechanic involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. 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 issue. Load times are longer than on mobile, but overall, it's a solid port. The inclusion of in-game achievements is a welcome addition. Cross-save functionality would be a desirable future improvement.
Despite some minor performance quirks, Peglin is a fantastic game, especially for those who enjoy the blend of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The developers have effectively utilized the Switch's hardware features, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
The Nintendo Blockbuster Sale is massive! I've highlighted some of the best deals below, but be sure to check out a separate article for a more comprehensive list.
(Images of sale games)
This concludes today's round-up. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news! Have a great Monday!
