Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 2nd, 2024. While it appears to be a holiday in the United States, here in Japan, it's business as usual. That means I have some treats in store for you, beginning with our customary week-opening review bonanza. Three penned by yours truly, and one from our esteemed colleague Mikhail. I'll be examining Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch's Mountain. Mikhail once again delves into Peglin, a game he's uniquely qualified to assess at TouchArcade Towers. Beyond the reviews, we've got some news from Mikhail, and a comprehensive 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 has delivered! Guilty Gear Strive is coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting 28 characters and rollback netcode for online matches. Sadly, cross-play won't be a feature, but it should provide a solid offline experience and online play with other Switch users. I'm a huge fan of the game on Steam Deck and PS5, and I'll definitely be giving the Switch version a try. 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 Goemon will do a disservice to both Bakeru and your enjoyment. Bakeru is its own entity. With that expectation managed, let's discuss the game. Bakeru comes from Good-Feel, a studio known for its collaborations with Nintendo on Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles, most recently Princess Peach: Showtime!. Their expertise lies in charming, accessible, and polished platformers. And that's precisely what Bakeru is.
Mischief unfolds across Japan, and a young adventurer named Issun finds an unlikely ally in Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities and a penchant for taiko drumming. You'll journey across Japan, battling foes, collecting cash, engaging in whimsical conversations, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game features over sixty levels, and while not all are unforgettable, the experience remains engaging throughout. I found the collectibles particularly rewarding, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location. The game offers many fascinating tidbits about Japan, some even surprising to a long-term resident like myself.
The boss battles are exceptional! This is where comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel games) are warranted. The team clearly understands the importance of well-designed boss encounters, and these are incredibly fun. They're creative spectacles that handsomely reward skillful play. Bakeru takes several creative risks for a straightforward 3D platformer, and while some succeed more than others, I appreciated the ambition. I genuinely enjoyed the game despite its flaws, finding it intensely likable.
The Switch version's performance is the only significant drawback, an issue Mikhail touched upon in his review of the Steam version. The framerate is inconsistent, fluctuating between 60 fps and significantly lower during intense moments. While I'm 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 inventive gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style 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 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 spawned a wave of merchandise, including numerous video games. While the films received mixed reviews, they undeniably opened up new narrative possibilities. Remember Boba Fett? The cool-armored bounty hunter unceremoniously dispatched by a blind Jedi? Well, meet his father! He also sports cool armor, but suffers a similarly undignified defeat. Curious about Jango Fett's life before Attack of the Clones? Star Wars: Bounty Hunter provides that backstory, whether you wanted it or not.
The game follows Jango Fett, a bounty hunter so impressive he served as the genetic template for an entire army. The galaxy's best! Don't dwell on his swift demise at the hands of a Jedi Master. Cool armor! But what made him clone-army material? That's the game's central question. Jango's audition, if you will. He's tasked by the seemingly innocent Count Dooku to hunt a Dark Jedi, with additional bounties welcomed along the way.
Each level presents a primary target, but optional targets can be pursued. 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) detract from the experience. Targeting is problematic, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even at its release, it was an average game at best, associated with a then-poorly-received Star Wars film.
Aspyr's efforts have improved the game's presentation and performance. It looks and runs better than ever, with an improved control scheme. However, the save system remains unchanged, so be prepared for potential frustration. A Boba Fett skin is a nice bonus. If you're inclined to play, this is the definitive version.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter holds a certain nostalgic charm, embodying the rough-edged yet earnest style of early 2000s games. Its appeal lies primarily in that nostalgic element. If you crave a time-travel experience to 2002 and enjoy janky action games, this is for you. Otherwise, it might be too "Jank-o Fett" for your tastes.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch's Mountain ($19.99)
Following poorly-received Nausicaa adaptations, Hayao Miyazaki effectively banned further games based on his works. Whether this extended to all Ghibli properties is unclear. Regardless, no Ghibli-based games have appeared since. While I respect this, it means my dream Porco Rosso open-world flying game remains unrealized. Chibig and Nukefist clearly drew inspiration from a Ghibli film for Mika and the Witch's Mountain.
You play as a novice witch, embarking on your witchy journey. Your instructor throws you off a mountain, breaking your broom. Repairing it requires a trip to a nearby town, where you'll take on package delivery jobs to earn money. The vibrant world and engaging characters enhance the experience. However, the Switch struggles at times, with resolution and framerate dips. It would likely perform better on more powerful hardware. Those who can overlook technical imperfections will likely enjoy the game.
Mika and the Witch's Mountain openly draws inspiration from its source material. The core gameplay mechanic, while dedicated, can become somewhat repetitive. Performance issues on the Switch also detract. If the concept appeals to you, you'll likely find it enjoyable.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Approximately a year ago, I reviewed Peglin's early access version on iOS. It was also our Game of the Week upon its mobile release. Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has always shown great potential, and significant updates have enhanced it. Last week's Nintendo Indie World showcase announced and released Peglin for Switch. I initially believed it was simply a port of the existing game, but it's actually the 1.0 version.
Peglin reached version 1.0 last week across Steam and mobile alongside its Switch debut. It's a more complete experience, but caters to a specific player type. The goal is to aim an orb at specific pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps, similar to Slay the Spire. The game features events, bosses, shops, numerous battles, and a challenging early game.
As you progress, you can upgrade or unlock orbs, heal, and collect relics. Strategic peg targeting is crucial, utilizing critical or bomb pegs effectively. You can also refresh the board. While initially complex, the gameplay becomes intuitive, and the soundtrack is memorable.
The Switch port's performance is mostly excellent. Aiming is less smooth than on other platforms, but touch controls mitigate this. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. These aren't major issues, but worth considering if you own multiple platforms. Peglin is arguably best on Steam Deck, with mobile and Switch closely competing for second place.
The Switch lacks achievements, but Peglin includes its own achievement system. This is a welcome addition. Cross-save functionality across platforms would have been a desirable feature, but is perhaps unrealistic for a smaller developer.
My only significant concerns with the Switch version are the load times and slightly less smooth aiming. Hopefully, future updates will address these. More free updates are planned, as confirmed by Red Nexus Games.
Even in early access, Peglin was fantastic. While some balance issues exist, it's a must-have on Switch if the "pachinko x roguelike" genre appeals to you. The developers effectively utilized Switch features, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls. A physical release would be a welcome addition. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
The sale is extensive, and this is just a fraction of the offerings. I've compiled a separate article highlighting the best deals, so keep an eye out for that. Good luck with your shopping!
Select New Sales
(List of games on sale – too numerous to reproduce here. The original text contains a large list of games and their sale prices.)
That concludes today's roundup. We'll return tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, additional sales, and potentially more news. The typhoon has subsided, leaving behind sunny skies and warm temperatures. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday, and thank you for reading!
