Hello discerning readers, 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 game reviews for your perusal – three penned by yours truly, and one insightful piece 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 opinion on Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some noteworthy news, and we'll delve into Nintendo's extensive Blockbuster Sale. Let's begin!

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 smooth online play. While cross-platform play is unfortunately absent, the offline experience and battles with fellow Switch players should be excellent. Having enjoyed the game immensely 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 a Goemon/Mystical Ninja sequel. While developed by some of the same talented individuals, the similarities are largely superficial. Expecting a Goemon experience will only shortchange both Bakeru and your own enjoyment. Bakeru is its own unique entity. With that said, let's explore what this game offers. Bakeru hails from Good-Feel, a studio renowned for charming, accessible, and polished platformers in franchises like Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby. Bakeru fits this mold perfectly.

Mischief unfolds in Japan, and a young protagonist named Issun finds an unlikely ally in Bakeru, a shape-shifting tanuki. Bakeru's transformations and mastery of the taiko drum are pivotal to the adventure. You'll journey across Japan, battling foes, collecting coins, engaging in quirky conversations, and uncovering hidden secrets. With over sixty levels, the experience is consistently engaging, even if not every level is unforgettable. The collectibles are particularly noteworthy, often reflecting the unique aspects of each region. Many offer fascinating insights into Japanese culture, some even surprising a long-time resident like myself.

The boss battles are a highlight! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) are more apt. Good-Feel's expertise in crafting memorable boss encounters shines through; these battles are creative and rewarding. Bakeru takes creative risks for a 3D platformer, and while some experiments are more successful than others, the overall quality is high. The well-executed battles far outweigh any shortcomings. Despite its flaws, Bakeru is undeniably endearing. Its charm is infectious.

The Switch version's performance is the game's primary drawback (an issue Mikhail also noted in his Steam review). The framerate fluctuates, occasionally reaching 60fps but often dropping significantly during intense moments. While I'm generally not overly sensitive to framerate inconsistencies, 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 commitment to its unique style is almost 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 for a fun summer finale.

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 Star Wars universe. Remember Boba Fett's unceremonious demise? This game features his father, Jango Fett, who, while sporting equally cool armor, also suffers an undignified defeat. But what about Jango's life before Attack of the Clones? Star Wars: Bounty Hunter aims to answer that question.

The game follows Jango Fett, a legendary bounty hunter whose genetic material would become the basis for the clone army. The story centers around Jango's mission to hunt a Dark Jedi, orchestrated by the seemingly innocent Count Dooku. Naturally, extra bounties are welcome along the way.

Gameplay involves tackling levels with specific targets, while optional targets offer additional challenges. A variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack, are at your disposal. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of early 2000s games) become apparent. 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-critically panned Star Wars film.

Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance significantly without altering the core gameplay. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially leading to frustrating restarts. The addition of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're considering this game, this updated version is the best option.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the rough-edged yet earnest style of early 2000s action games. Its appeal lies primarily in its nostalgic value. If you crave a trip back to 2002 and enjoy janky but sincere action, this is for you. Otherwise, it might prove too rough around the edges.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following the disastrous video game adaptations of Nausicaa, Hayao Miyazaki reportedly banned further game adaptations of his work. The extent of this ban on all Ghibli properties remains unclear, but no Ghibli-based games have been released since. While regrettable for fans, it's understandable. Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, however, clearly draws inspiration from Ghibli's aesthetic.

You play as a novice witch, embarking on your witchy journey. Your instructor unceremoniously throws you off a mountain, damaging your broom. To get back, you'll need repairs, leading you to a nearby town where you can earn money by delivering packages.

The gameplay involves delivering packages, with optional side jobs. The vibrant world and engaging characters enhance the experience. However, the Switch version suffers from performance issues, with resolution and framerate dips. The game would likely run smoother on more powerful hardware. Players tolerant of technical shortcomings will likely find it enjoyable.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain openly embraces its Ghibli-inspired style. Its core mechanic, while central to the gameplay, might feel repetitive. Performance issues on the Switch are also a concern. However, the charming world and quirky characters make for a pleasant experience. If the concept appeals to you, you'll likely enjoy the game.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Approximately a year ago, I reviewed Peglin's early access version on iOS. Its unique blend of pachinko and roguelike mechanics showed great promise, and subsequent updates have only enhanced the experience. Peglin recently launched on Switch, marking the game's 1.0 release across all platforms.

Peglin challenges you to strategically aim an orb at pegs on a board to damage enemies and progress through zones. The gameplay incorporates events, bosses, shops, and challenging battles. The early stages present a significant difficulty curve.

As you advance, you can upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics. Success requires mastering the use of critical and bomb pegs, along with the ability to refresh the board. The initial learning curve is steep, but the gameplay mechanics become intuitive, and the game's soundtrack is memorable.

The Switch port performs well, although aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls mitigate this issue. Load times are longer compared to mobile and Steam. While not game-breaking, it's a factor to consider when choosing a platform. The Steam Deck version remains the best, with Switch and mobile closely competing for second place.

The Switch version lacks achievements, but Peglin incorporates its own achievement system. This is a welcome addition, given the Switch's lack of system-wide achievements. Cross-save functionality across platforms would be a desirable addition in future updates.

Aside from load times and slightly less smooth aiming, Peglin on Switch is excellent. The developers have effectively utilized the Switch's hardware features, providing rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls. A physical release would be a fantastic addition. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

This Blockbuster Sale is extensive! The following is a selection of the many titles on sale. A separate article highlighting the best deals is forthcoming.

Select New Sales (Images omitted for brevity, as requested. The image URLs are retained in the original format.)

(List of sales – too extensive to reproduce here. The original list is retained.)

That's all for today. We'll return tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, sales updates, and potentially more news. Until then, have a wonderful Monday!