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, kicking off the week in our usual style. I've penned three, and our friend Mikhail contributed one. My reviews cover Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail provides his expert take on Peglin. Plus, Mikhail shares some news, and we've got 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 crossplay isn't included, it should still be a great experience for offline battles and playing with other Switch owners. Having enjoyed 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-level similarities with the classic series. It's developed by some of the same team, but it's its own unique experience. Manage your expectations accordingly! Bakeru comes from Good-Feel, a studio known for charming, accessible platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. Bakeru fits right into that tradition.
The game unfolds in a whimsical Japan, where you play as Issun and team up with the shape-shifting tanuki, Bakeru. You'll explore Japan, region by region, battling enemies, collecting coins, and uncovering secrets across over sixty levels. The gameplay is smooth and engaging, and I particularly enjoyed the collectibles, which often reflect the unique aspects of each location. It's a fun way to learn a bit about Japan, even for long-time residents.
The boss battles are a highlight! Good-Feel knows how to design memorable boss encounters, and Bakeru delivers. They're creative and rewarding. The game takes some creative risks for a 3D platformer, and while some experiments work better than others, the overall effect is positive. I genuinely enjoyed the game despite its flaws; it's simply that charming.
The Switch version's performance is the main drawback, echoing issues Mikhail noted in the Steam version. The framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but often dipping lower during intense moments. While I'm not overly sensitive to framerate inconsistencies, it's worth noting for those who are. Despite this, it didn't significantly impact my enjoyment.
Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and inventive ideas. Its charm is infectious. While performance issues on Switch hold it back slightly, 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 prequel trilogy era saw a surge of Star Wars games, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father. It fills in his backstory before Attack of the Clones, detailing his rise as a top bounty hunter and his connection to Count Dooku.
The gameplay involves hunting targets, with optional bounties to pursue. 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) become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even for its time, it was merely average.
Aspyr's port improves the visuals and performance, offering a better experience than the original. However, the save system remains unchanged, meaning you might need to replay lengthy stages if you make mistakes. The addition of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter has a nostalgic charm, embodying the rough-around-the-edges style of early 2000s games. If you appreciate that retro feel and don't mind its flaws, it might be worth a look. Otherwise, it might feel too dated.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)
This game clearly draws inspiration from Studio Ghibli films. You play as a rookie witch whose broom breaks, forcing you to take on package delivery jobs to earn money for repairs and upgrades.
The core gameplay loop of delivering packages is simple but enjoyable. The vibrant world and charming characters enhance the experience. However, the Switch version suffers from performance issues, with resolution and framerate dips impacting the visuals. It likely plays better on more powerful hardware.
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is charming and fun, but its repetitive gameplay loop and performance issues on Switch might be a deterrent for some players. If the concept appeals to you, and you can overlook some technical limitations, you'll likely enjoy it.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a pachinko-style roguelike, has reached its 1.0 release across platforms, including Switch. The gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones. It’s a challenging but rewarding experience with upgrades, events, shops, and bosses.
The Switch port performs well, although aiming isn't as smooth as on other platforms. Touch controls are a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. The inclusion of in-game achievements is a nice touch, compensating for the lack of Switch system-wide achievements. Cross-save functionality would have been a welcome addition.
Despite minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin is a fantastic game, especially for fans of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The developers have made good use of the Switch's features, offering rumble, touch controls, and button controls.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
The Nintendo Blockbuster Sale is massive! I've highlighted some of the best deals below, but check out a separate article for a more comprehensive list.
Select New Sales
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That's all for today! We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Have a great day!
