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, meaning a fresh batch of reviews await. I've tackled Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while our colleague 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
Get ready, Switch players! Arc System Works is bringing Guilty Gear Strive to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, featuring 28 characters and rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play isn't included, it promises excellent offline and Switch-to-Switch online battles. Having enjoyed it on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eager to experience this version. For more details, visit the official website.
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 important to approach Bakeru on its own merits. Developed by Good-Feel (creators of Princess Peach: Showtime! and known for their charming platformers), Bakeru delivers a polished and enjoyable experience.
The game follows Issun and Bakeru as they traverse Japan, battling foes, collecting coins, and uncovering secrets. While not every level is unforgettable, the sixty+ stages offer a consistently engaging gameplay loop. The collectibles are particularly noteworthy, often reflecting the unique aspects of each Japanese location.
The boss battles are a highlight, creative and rewarding encounters that showcase Good-Feel's expertise in level design. Bakeru takes creative risks, with some experiments working better than others, but the overall effect is positive. Despite some flaws, the game's charm is undeniable.
One caveat: Switch performance is inconsistent, with framerate fluctuations, particularly in busy sections. While this didn't detract from my enjoyment, those sensitive to framerate issues should be aware.
Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and inventive design elements. Its charm is infectious, although some framerate problems and the lack of a Goemon connection might disappoint certain players. Still, a highly recommended title for a fun summer's end.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)
The prequel trilogy era spawned numerous Star Wars games, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father. The game follows Jango as he undertakes various bounty hunting missions, culminating in his (spoiler alert) less-than-glorious encounter with a Jedi Master.
The gameplay involves targeting and eliminating targets, utilizing a variety of weapons and the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (a product of its 2002 release) can become tiresome. Targeting and cover systems are flawed, and level design feels cramped.
Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance, and the control scheme is better, but the game's core issues remain. The save system is particularly unforgiving, requiring restarts of lengthy levels. However, a Boba Fett skin is a nice addition.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a nostalgic charm, a reminder of early 2000s gaming. While rough around the edges, it's a genuinely earnest action game. But if you're not a fan of dated mechanics, it might be too much for you.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)
Inspired by Studio Ghibli's aesthetic, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain puts you in the shoes of a rookie witch whose flying broom breaks, leading her to deliver packages to earn money for repairs. The gameplay involves zipping around on your broom, completing deliveries, and undertaking side jobs.
The vibrant world and quirky characters are strengths, but the Switch struggles with performance, impacting resolution and framerate. The core gameplay loop, while charming, can become repetitive.
If you enjoy the concept, you'll likely find Mika and the Witch’s Mountain enjoyable despite its performance limitations. It's a charming game with a Ghibli-esque feel, but more powerful hardware might provide a smoother experience.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, has reached its 1.0 release on multiple platforms, including Switch. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. The game features upgrades, shops, bosses, and challenging battles.
The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls are an option. Load times are longer than on other platforms.
Despite some minor issues, Peglin is a great game, especially for fans of the genre. The Switch version offers good rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls.
The lack of cross-save is a missed opportunity, but the addition of in-game achievements is a plus. Load times and aiming smoothness could be improved with future updates.
Peglin is a fantastic game, a must-have for fans of pachinko roguelikes. Despite some minor issues, the Switch version is well-executed, offering multiple control options. -Mikhail Madnani
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
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
(Images of sale games here, as in the original input)
That’s all for today. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news! Have a great Monday!
