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 penned three, and our friend Mikhail contributed one. We'll be exploring Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch's Mountain, with Mikhail offering his expert insights on Peglin. Plus, Mikhail has 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 Guilty Gear Strive to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! Expect 28 characters and rollback netcode for online play. Sadly, no cross-play, but offline and Switch-to-Switch battles should be a blast. Having loved it on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eager to give the Switch version a try. Check the official website for details.
Reviews & Mini-Views
Bakeru ($39.99)
Let's be clear: Bakeru isn't Goemon/Mystical Ninja, though some of its creators worked on that series. While surface similarities exist, Bakeru is its own entity. Comparing it directly to Goemon is unfair to both. Developed by Good-Feel (known for Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby titles), Bakeru is a charming, accessible, and polished 3D platformer.
The story involves a tanuki named Bakeru aiding a young boy, Issun, in a Japanese adventure. You'll explore various prefectures, battling enemies, collecting cash, and uncovering secrets across sixty-plus levels. While not all levels are unforgettable, the gameplay remains engaging. I particularly enjoyed the collectibles, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location – a fun way to learn about Japan.
The boss battles are a highlight! Good-Feel understands the importance of memorable boss encounters, and Bakeru delivers. These creative showdowns are rewarding and well-designed. The game takes creative risks, some more successful than others, but the strong ones more than make up for any shortcomings. Despite its flaws, Bakeru's charm is infectious.
The Switch version's performance is a minor drawback, with a fluctuating framerate. While I'm not overly sensitive to this, those who are should be aware. Despite improvements since its Japanese release, some performance issues persist.
Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and inventive design. Its charm is hard to resist. While framerate issues prevent a perfect score, 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 spawned numerous Star Wars games, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunter features Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father. This game delves into Jango's life before Attack of the Clones, chronicling his bounty hunting adventures and his involvement with Count Dooku.
Gameplay involves targeting specific individuals within each level, with optional targets adding replayability. You'll utilize various weapons and the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (targeting, cover system, level design) show its age. Even at its release, it was merely average.
Aspyr's remaster improves visuals and performance, and the controls are better. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially leading to frustrating restarts. Unlocking a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a nostalgic charm, reflecting its PlayStation 2/GameCube/Xbox era origins. If you crave a retro gaming experience with its quirks and charm, this remaster is worth considering. Otherwise, its dated mechanics might prove too much.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)
Inspired by Ghibli films, Mika and the Witch's Mountain puts you in the role of a young witch whose broken broom necessitates package delivery jobs to earn repairs. The vibrant world and charming characters are highlights, but the Switch struggles at times with resolution and framerate. Better performance on more powerful hardware is expected.
The core gameplay loop of package delivery can become repetitive, but the enjoyable world and characters compensate. If the premise appeals, you'll likely find it enjoyable despite its technical limitations.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, combines aiming mechanics with roguelike progression. You'll aim an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones, upgrading orbs and collecting relics. The initial learning curve is steep, but the gameplay becomes rewarding and addictive.
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 and Steam. The addition of in-game achievements is a nice touch. Cross-save functionality would be a welcome addition in future updates.
Despite minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin is a fantastic game on Switch, utilizing the hardware features effectively. Future updates are promised.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
This is just a small selection of the many games on sale. Check out a separate article for more detailed recommendations.
Select New Sales
(List of games on sale, shortened for brevity)
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Have a great day!
