Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup 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 our week in typical fashion. I've personally reviewed Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail has once again delved into the depths of Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some news, and we've got a massive 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 Guilty Gear Strive to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! This version boasts 28 characters and crucially, rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, it promises a solid offline experience and battles with other Switch players. Having enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm definitely looking forward to this release. Check out the official website for more details.
Reviews & Mini-Views
Bakeru ($39.99)
Let's be clear: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While developed by some of the same team, it's a distinct experience. Comparing it directly to Goemon is unfair to both games. Bakeru is its own entity. With that said, let's discuss this charming platformer from Good-Feel, the studio behind Princess Peach: Showtime! and various Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles. Their expertise in polished, fun platformers shines through here.
The game follows Issun and Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities, as they traverse Japan, battling enemies, collecting cash, and uncovering secrets. The over sixty levels offer a consistently engaging, if not always memorable, experience. I particularly enjoyed the collectibles, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location, offering little snippets of Japanese culture.
The boss battles are a highlight, creative and rewarding. Bakeru takes creative risks, with some elements working better than others – a common occurrence in this genre. Despite its flaws, the game's charm is undeniable. I found myself genuinely enjoying it despite its imperfections.
The Switch version's performance is the main drawback, echoing Mikhail's Steam review. The framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but frequently dipping lower 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 remain.
Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While performance issues on Switch and the lack of Goemon similarities might disappoint some, it's 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 plethora of Star Wars merchandise, including many video games. While the films themselves were divisive, they undeniably opened up new narrative possibilities. This game focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, before his infamous demise in Attack of the Clones.
The game follows Jango as he hunts a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, picking up extra bounties along the way. While initially engaging, the gameplay becomes repetitive due to a lack of variation. The game suffers from typical early 2000s issues: clunky targeting, ineffective cover mechanics, and poorly designed levels. Even at its release, it was considered average at best.
Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance, and the control scheme is better than the original. However, the frustrating save system remains unchanged, potentially leading to repeated playthroughs of lengthy stages. Unlocking a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're going to play it, this version is the best option.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a nostalgic charm typical of early 2000s games. Aspyr's improvements help, but the core gameplay remains rough around the edges. If you crave a nostalgic, janky action game, this might be 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 the negative reception of Nausicaa-based games, Hayao Miyazaki's influence on video game adaptations is undeniable. Mika and the Witch’s Mountain clearly draws inspiration from Ghibli films.
The game casts you as a rookie witch whose flying broom breaks, forcing you to deliver packages to earn money for repairs. The vibrant world and characters enhance the experience, but the Switch struggles with performance, impacting resolution and framerate. It would likely run better on more powerful hardware.
The core gameplay loop, while dedicated, can feel repetitive. Performance issues are present. However, if the concept appeals to you, you'll likely find enjoyment in its quirky characters and world.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has seen significant improvements since its early access release. This 1.0 version, released on Steam, mobile, and Switch simultaneously, offers a more complete experience. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps.
The game features upgrades, shops, and challenging battles. The strategy lies in utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively. While initially complex, the gameplay becomes intuitive.
The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls mitigate this issue. Load times are longer than on mobile. Despite these minor flaws, the game makes good use of Switch features, including rumble and touchscreen support.
The lack of Switch achievements is offset by the in-game achievement system. Cross-save functionality would be a welcome addition in future updates.
Despite minor performance issues, Peglin is a fantastic game, especially for fans of pachinko and roguelikes. The developers' use of Switch features makes it highly enjoyable.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
A huge number of games are on sale! 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 (Images omitted for brevity, but maintain original image order)
(List of sales remains largely unchanged, but formatting is adjusted for clarity)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 3rd (Images omitted for brevity, but maintain original image order)
(List of sales remains largely unchanged, but formatting is adjusted for clarity)
That's it for today! We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Have a great Monday!
