Bakeru and Peglin Headline SwitchArcade Review Bonanza News - Latest Updates and Information

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 you – three from yours truly, 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 offers his expert take on Peglin. Plus, we've got some news from Mikhail and 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! Expect 28 characters and rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play isn't included, offline battles and online matches with other Switch players should be a blast. Having loved the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm definitely looking forward to this version. 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 sharing some surface similarities and being developed by some of the same team. It's its own unique experience. So, ditch any Goemon expectations – it'll only hinder your enjoyment of Bakeru. Developed by Good-Feel (known for their work on Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles), Bakeru is a charming, polished 3D platformer.

The game throws you into a whimsical adventure across Japan, following Issun and the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru. You'll battle enemies, collect cash, chat with…well, let's just say some unusual characters, and uncover secrets across over sixty levels. While not all levels are unforgettable, the gameplay remains consistently engaging. I especially enjoyed the collectibles, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location. It's a fun way to learn about Japan, even for long-time residents.

The boss battles are a highlight! Good-Feel knows how to craft memorable boss encounters, and Bakeru delivers creative, rewarding challenges. The game takes some bold creative risks for a 3D platformer, with some successes and some misses – but the strong design more than compensates. I genuinely loved this game despite its flaws. It’s intensely likable.

The only significant drawback is the Switch's performance. The framerate fluctuates, sometimes hitting 60fps but often dipping lower during intense moments. While I'm usually not bothered by inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those more sensitive to performance issues.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and inventive design elements. Its charm is infectious. While some framerate issues exist and expectations of a Goemon clone will be disappointed, Bakeru is a highly recommended title for a fun summer adventure.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)

The prequel trilogy era spawned a wave of Star Wars games, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is one of them, focusing on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father. This game explores Jango's life before Attack of the Clones, detailing his rise as a bounty hunter and his involvement with Count Dooku.

Gameplay involves completing levels with specific targets, alongside optional bounties. You'll use a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (a product of its 2002 release) can become tiresome. Targeting is clunky, cover is unreliable, and level design feels cramped. Even for its time, it was an average game at best.

Aspyr's remaster improves visuals and performance, and the controls are better than the original. However, the archaic save system remains, meaning potential frustration from having to replay lengthy stages. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter holds a certain nostalgic charm for fans of early 2000s games. This remaster is the best way to experience it, but those seeking polished modern gameplay might find it too rough around the edges.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Clearly inspired by Studio Ghibli, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain puts you in the role of a rookie witch whose flying broom breaks after being unceremoniously tossed off a mountain. You’ll take on delivery jobs to earn money for repairs and upgrades, exploring a vibrant world and interacting with quirky characters.

The gameplay loop of package delivery is fun, enhanced by the world's charm and characters. However, the Switch struggles with performance at times, impacting resolution and framerate. The game likely runs better on more powerful hardware.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is a charming game with a repetitive core loop, but its Ghibli-inspired aesthetic and fun gameplay make up for some technical shortcomings.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has reached its 1.0 release on multiple platforms, including Switch. The goal is to strategically aim an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. The game features upgrades, shops, battles, and a challenging early game.

The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls are a good alternative. Load times are longer than on other platforms. The inclusion of internal achievements is a plus. Cross-save functionality would be a welcome addition in future updates.

Despite minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin is a fantastic game for fans of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The developers' use of Switch features (rumble, touch controls, button controls) is excellent.