Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 2nd, 2024. While it appears to be a holiday in the US, it's business as usual here in Japan. That means a bounty of gaming goodness awaits, starting with a trio of reviews from yours truly, and a fourth from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. I'll be tackling Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch's Mountain, while Mikhail offers his expert insights on Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail also shares some noteworthy news, and we'll delve into the extensive deals available in Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's dive 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 crucial rollback netcode for online matches. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, the offline experience and battles with fellow Switch players should be a treat. Having enjoyed the game extensively on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating this version. For more details, visit the official website.
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 a disservice to both Bakeru and your own enjoyment. Bakeru stands on its own merits. With that said, let's explore this unique title from Good-Feel, a studio known for its charming, accessible platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. Bakeru fits seamlessly into this tradition.
The game unfolds against a backdrop of trouble in Japan, where a young protagonist, Issun, finds an unlikely ally in Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities and a penchant for taiko drumming. Across over sixty levels, you'll journey through Japan, battling enemies, collecting cash, engaging in quirky conversations, and uncovering hidden secrets. While not every level is unforgettable, the gameplay remains consistently engaging. I found the collectibles particularly rewarding, offering fascinating insights into Japanese culture, some even surprising to a long-time resident like myself.
The boss battles are a standout element, reminiscent of the best of Good-Feel's work. These creative encounters are rewarding and well-designed. Bakeru takes several creative risks within its 3D platforming framework, with varying degrees of success. However, the triumphs far outweigh the missteps, and the overall experience is immensely enjoyable. I genuinely fell for this game despite its flaws, a testament to its infectious charm.
The Switch version's performance is the main drawback, an issue Mikhail touched upon in his Steam review. The framerate fluctuates, reaching 60fps at times but often dropping significantly 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, performance issues persist.
Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished design and innovative gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique vision is almost contagious. While framerate issues prevent a perfect score, and those expecting Goemon will be disappointed, Bakeru is 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. While the films themselves were divisive, they undeniably expanded the franchise's narrative possibilities. This game focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, exploring his life before Attack of the Clones.
The game follows Jango as he undertakes various bounty hunting missions, culminating in a pivotal assignment from Count Dooku. The gameplay involves tracking targets, utilizing a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and technical limitations of a 2002 game become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped.
Aspyr's updated version improves visuals and performance, and the control scheme is enhanced. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially leading to frustrating restarts. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. This updated version is the best way to experience the game, if you choose to do so.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter holds a certain nostalgic charm, embodying the rough-edged yet earnest style of early 2000s games. If you crave a time-travel experience to 2002 and enjoy janky action games, this is for you. Otherwise, it might be too much "Jank-o Fett."
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch's Mountain ($19.99)
Following negative experiences with Nausicaa game adaptations, Hayao Miyazaki famously restricted further game adaptations of his works. Mika and the Witch's Mountain clearly draws inspiration from Ghibli's style and aesthetic.
The game casts you as a novice witch whose flying broom is destroyed, forcing you to take on delivery jobs to earn money for repairs. The vibrant world and engaging characters enhance the experience. However, the Switch version suffers from performance issues, with resolution and framerate drops. The game would likely run better on more powerful hardware.
Mika and the Witch's Mountain is a charming game, but its core mechanic can become repetitive, and performance issues on the Switch detract somewhat. If the concept appeals to you, you'll likely enjoy it despite its flaws.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a pachinko-roguelike, has been a promising title since its early access release. This 1.0 version, released simultaneously on Steam, mobile, and Switch, represents a significant improvement. It's a game that will appeal to a specific type of player.
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. The game is challenging initially, but becomes more intuitive as you progress.
The Switch port performs well, though aiming is less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls provide a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile. While not disastrous, it's worth considering if you own other platforms.
The absence of Switch achievements is offset by the game's internal achievement system. The lack of cross-save functionality across platforms is a missed opportunity.
Despite minor drawbacks, Peglin is a fantastic game for those who enjoy the combination of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The developers have effectively utilized the Switch's features, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls.
Peglin is an essential Switch title for fans of the genre. The use of Switch features is commendable. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
This is just a small selection of the many games on sale. A separate article detailing the best deals will follow.
(Images of sale games are omitted due to the inability to process images in this text-based format.)
A comprehensive list of games on sale is provided, categorized by sale end date.
That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Have a great Monday!
