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 reviews – three from yours truly and one from our friend Mikhail – are ready for your perusal. We'll be exploring Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, with Mikhail providing his expert take on Peglin once again. Plus, Mikhail shares some exciting news, 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 in January 2025

Arc System Works is bringing the fighting action of Guilty Gear Strive to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! This port includes 28 characters and boasts rollback netcode for smoother online battles. While crossplay isn't included, it promises a great offline experience and engaging online matches with fellow Switch players. Having enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm definitely eager to give the Switch version a try. Check out the official website for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's be clear: Bakeru isn't Goemon/Mystical Ninja, despite being developed by some of the same talented individuals. While superficial similarities exist, Bakeru stands on its own merits. Comparing it directly to Goemon is unfair to both games. So, let's focus on Bakeru. Developed by Good-Feel, known for their work on Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles, Bakeru delivers a charming, accessible, and polished platforming experience.

In this adventure, you'll follow Issun and the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru, as they journey across Japan, battling foes, collecting cash, engaging in quirky conversations, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game boasts over sixty levels, providing a consistently enjoyable, if not always unforgettable, playthrough. I particularly enjoyed the collectibles, which often reflect the unique aspects of each region, offering fascinating insights into Japanese culture, even for long-time residents like myself.

The boss battles are a standout. Good-Feel's expertise shines through, delivering creative and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes creative risks, some more successful than others, but the overall effect is highly entertaining. I appreciated the ingenuity of the well-executed battles and easily forgave the less successful ones. Despite its flaws, Bakeru is undeniably endearing.

The only significant drawback is the Switch's performance. The framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but often dipping lower during intense moments. While I'm personally not overly sensitive to framerate inconsistencies, it's worth noting for those who are. Despite improvements since the Japanese release, some performance issues remain.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and innovative design elements. Its charm is infectious. While performance issues on Switch prevent it from reaching its full potential, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, Bakeru is still a highly recommended title for a fun summer send-off.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)

The prequel trilogy era saw a surge in Star Wars merchandise, including numerous 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 unfortunate demise in Attack of the Clones. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter fills in the gaps of Jango's backstory.

You play as Jango, a top bounty hunter, tasked by Count Dooku to hunt down a Dark Jedi. The gameplay involves taking on levels with primary targets, while also pursuing optional bounties. You'll utilize a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of a 2002 game) can become tiresome. Targeting and cover systems are flawed, and level design often feels cramped.

Aspyr's port boasts improved visuals and performance compared to the original, along with a better control scheme. However, the frustrating save system remains unchanged. Despite its age, the game retains a certain nostalgic charm, characteristic of early 2000s action games. If you crave a nostalgic trip back to 2002 and can tolerate its rough edges, this might appeal. Otherwise, it might be too clunky.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following the less-than-stellar Nausicaa game adaptations, Hayao Miyazaki's influence is clearly seen in Mika and the Witch’s Mountain. You play as a rookie witch whose teacher sends her tumbling down a mountain, breaking her broom. You must earn money by delivering packages to repair or replace your broom.

The gameplay involves zipping around on your broom, delivering packages. The vibrant world and charming characters enhance the experience, but the Switch struggles with performance, leading to resolution and framerate drops. While enjoyable, the core mechanic can become repetitive, and the technical limitations are noticeable.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is clearly inspired by Ghibli films. If you enjoy the premise, you'll likely find it enjoyable despite its flaws.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has finally reached version 1.0 across all platforms, including the Switch! The gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones. The game features upgrades, shops, battles, and a challenging early game.

The Switch port performs well, although aiming isn't as smooth as on other platforms, and load times are longer. Touch controls are a viable alternative. The addition of in-game achievements is a nice touch. Cross-save functionality would be a welcome addition in future updates.

Despite some minor issues, Peglin is a fantastic game for those who enjoy the blend of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The Switch version offers good rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls, providing flexibility.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

This is just a selection of the many games on sale; a more comprehensive list will follow in a separate article.

(Images of sale banners)

(List of games on sale, formatted for readability)

This concludes today's roundup. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news! Thanks for reading!