Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 2nd, 2024. While it appears to be a holiday in the US, it's business as usual here in Japan. This means a bounty of games awaits you, beginning with our customary Monday review roundup. I've penned three reviews, and our esteemed colleague Mikhail has contributed one. I'll be examining Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain. Mikhail once again delves into Peglin, a game he's uniquely qualified to assess. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some news, and we've compiled a comprehensive list of deals from Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's dive in!

News

Guilty Gear Strive's Nintendo Switch Debut Slated for January 2025

Arc System Works has delivered! Guilty Gear Strive is coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting 28 characters and rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play is unfortunately absent, the title promises a robust offline experience and engaging battles with fellow Switch users. Having thoroughly enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating this version. Visit 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 minds behind that beloved franchise, the similarities are largely superficial. Bakeru is its own entity, and approaching it with Goemon expectations will do a disservice to both the game and your enjoyment. Bakeru is a creation of Good-Feel, a studio known for its charming, accessible, and polished platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. And that's precisely what Bakeru delivers.

Mischief unfolds in Japan, where a young adventurer, Issun, unexpectedly teams up with Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities and a penchant for taiko drumming. Their adventure spans Japan, region by region, involving combat, treasure hunting, quirky conversations, and the discovery of hidden secrets. The game features over sixty levels, offering a consistently engaging, albeit not always memorable, experience. I found the collectibles particularly rewarding, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location, providing fascinating insights into Japanese culture, even for seasoned residents like myself.

The boss battles deserve special mention. Good-Feel's expertise in crafting engaging boss encounters shines through, delivering creative and rewarding challenges. Bakeru takes creative risks, with some elements succeeding more than others, a common occurrence in game development. However, the successes far outweigh the shortcomings, making for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I found myself captivated by the game's charm, overlooking its flaws. It's undeniably endearing.

The Switch version's performance, however, presents a challenge. As Mikhail noted in his Steam review, the framerate fluctuates, reaching 60fps at times but frequently dipping during intense moments. While I'm generally tolerant of inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those with higher sensitivities. Despite improvements since the Japanese release, performance issues persist.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer, boasting polished design and inventive gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While performance issues on Switch and the lack of Goemon lineage might disappoint some, it remains a highly recommended title to cap off your summer.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)

The Star Wars prequel trilogy era spawned a wave of merchandise, including numerous video games. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, filling in his backstory prior to Attack of the Clones.

The game follows Jango as he undertakes various bounty hunting missions, utilizing a variety of weapons and gadgets, including his iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of early 2000s games) detract from the overall experience. Targeting, cover mechanics, and level design all suffer from flaws, even by the standards of its time.

Aspyr's remaster improves visuals and performance, and the control scheme is enhanced. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially leading to frustrating restarts. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a welcome addition. This version is the best way to experience the game if you're inclined.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the idiosyncrasies of its era. It's recommended primarily for those seeking a nostalgic trip back to 2002. Otherwise, its rough edges might prove too cumbersome.

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 casts you as a novice witch tasked with delivering packages to earn money for broom repairs. The vibrant world and engaging characters contribute to the experience, but performance issues on the Switch, impacting resolution and framerate, detract from the overall polish. The game's core mechanic, while initially engaging, can become repetitive.

Despite its flaws, the game's charm and unique concept make it enjoyable for those who appreciate its style. A more powerful platform might offer a smoother experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Peglin, a pachinko-roguelike, has reached its 1.0 release across platforms, including Switch. The game's core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zones. The strategy involves utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively, and the game is challenging, particularly early on.

The Switch port performs well, although aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls provide a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile, but overall performance is acceptable. The addition of in-game achievements is a welcome feature. Cross-save functionality is absent, a potential drawback.

Despite minor performance issues, Peglin is a fantastic addition to the Switch library, especially for fans of the pachinko-roguelike genre. The developers' utilization of Switch features, including rumble and touchscreen support, enhances the experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

A vast array of games are on sale. A separate article highlighting the best deals will be published shortly.

(Images of sale banners are included here, mirroring the original format.)

That concludes today's update. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, sales, and potentially some news. Until then, have a wonderful Monday!