Nintendo Games Bakeru, Peglin Feature in SwitchArcade Review

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 2nd, 2024! While it may be a holiday in the US, it's business as usual here in Japan, bringing you a fresh batch of reviews to kick off the week. I've crafted three, and our friend Mikhail contributed one. We'll explore Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch's Mountain, with Mikhail offering his expert insights on Peglin. Plus, Mikhail has some news to share, and we'll dive into Nintendo's massive Blockbuster Sale deals. Let's jump in!

News

Guilty Gear Strive Arrives on Nintendo Switch in January 2025

Arc System Works is bringing Guilty Gear Strive to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! This version includes 28 characters and boasts rollback netcode for smooth online battles. While crossplay isn't included, it's a welcome addition for offline play and battling other Switch players. Having enjoyed it on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm 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 team. While sharing superficial similarities, it's a distinct experience. Approaching it with Goemon expectations is unfair to both Bakeru and yourself. Bakeru is its own entity. Developed by Good-Feel (known for Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles), Bakeru is a charming, polished platformer.

Mischief unfolds in Japan, with a young adventurer, Issun, teaming up with the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru. Bakeru's skills – form-changing and taiko drumming – are key to their adventure. You'll traverse Japan, battling foes, collecting coins, interacting with...unique characters, and uncovering secrets across sixty-plus levels. While not all levels are unforgettable, the gameplay remains engaging. I found the collectibles particularly enjoyable, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location, offering interesting cultural insights.

The boss battles shine! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel games) are warranted. The team clearly understands the art of a good boss fight, crafting creative and rewarding encounters. Bakeru takes creative risks, with some elements working better than others – a common occurrence in such endeavors. I appreciated the successful risks and readily forgave the less successful ones. Despite its flaws, Bakeru is intensely likable.

Performance on Switch is the main drawback, echoing Mikhail's Steam version observations. The framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but often dipping lower during intense moments. While I'm not overly sensitive to inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those who are. Despite improvements since the Japanese release, performance issues remain.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its charm is infectious. While framerate issues prevent it from reaching its full potential on Switch, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, it's still a highly recommended title.

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 focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father. It fills in the backstory of this iconic bounty hunter, whether you wanted it or not.

The game follows Jango's journey as he hunts a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, picking up extra bounties along the way. You'll utilize various weapons and gadgets, including the jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of a 2002 game) become apparent. Targeting is problematic, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even at its release, it was average at best.

Aspyr's port improves visuals and performance, and the control scheme is better. However, the save system remains unchanged, meaning you might have to replay lengthy stages. A Boba Fett skin is a nice bonus. This version is the best way to experience the game, if you must.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter has a nostalgic charm, embodying the rough-edged yet earnest style of early 2000s games. If you crave a time-travel trip back to 2002 and enjoy janky action, this might appeal. Otherwise, it might be too rough around the edges.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch's Mountain ($19.99)

Following Miyazaki's stance on Ghibli game adaptations, Mika and the Witch's Mountain stands out. You play as a rookie witch whose teacher throws her off a mountain, breaking her broom. You'll need to fix it by taking on package delivery jobs in a nearby town.

The gameplay involves zipping around on your broom, delivering packages. While functional, the repetitive nature and performance issues (resolution and framerate dips) on Switch detract from the experience. A more powerful system might offer a smoother experience. Those tolerant of technical imperfections will likely enjoy it.

Mika and the Witch's Mountain is clearly inspired by Ghibli, and its core mechanic, while fun initially, can become repetitive. Performance issues on Switch are a concern. If the concept sounds appealing, you'll likely enjoy it despite its flaws.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has finally reached version 1.0! The Switch port performs well, though aiming isn't as smooth as on other platforms (touch controls are a good alternative). Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. Despite these minor issues, it's a solid port.

The gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones. The strategy involves using critical and bomb pegs effectively, and refreshing the board. It's challenging but rewarding. The game includes a built-in achievement system.

Cross-save functionality is absent, but the developers have confirmed more free updates are coming. My only concerns are the load times and less-than-perfect aiming. These minor issues don't significantly impact the overall enjoyment.

Even in early access, Peglin was fantastic. Minor balance issues aside, it's a must-have for fans of pachinko roguelikes. The Switch version utilizes the hardware well, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls.