Hello, readers! 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 game reviews for you, kicking off our week in typical fashion. I've penned three reviews, and our friend Mikhail has contributed one. My reviews cover Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail offers his expert insights on Peglin. Plus, we've got news from Mikhail and 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! The Switch version will include 28 characters and boast rollback netcode for online play. While crossplay isn't included, it's still exciting news for offline and Switch-to-Switch battles. I personally love the game on Steam Deck and PS5, and I'm definitely looking forward to the Switch version. Check out the official website for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's get this straight: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While some of the team behind Goemon worked on this title, the similarities are largely superficial. Expecting Goemon will only shortchange both Bakeru and your enjoyment. Bakeru is its own unique experience. With that said, Bakeru comes from Good-Feel, a studio known for charming, accessible platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. And that's exactly what Bakeru is.

The game unfolds in Japan, where a young adventurer named Issun teams up with a tanuki named Bakeru. Bakeru’s shape-shifting abilities and taiko drum skills are crucial to their adventure. You'll traverse Japan, battling enemies, collecting coins, interacting with (yes, really) poop, and uncovering secrets. The over sixty levels are enjoyable, and while not all are unforgettable, the overall experience is consistently engaging. I particularly enjoyed the collectibles – they cleverly reflect the various locations. There are many fun little details about Japan, some even surprising to a long-time resident like myself.

The boss battles are a standout. Good-Feel clearly understands the importance of a great boss fight, and these are incredibly fun, rewarding players for their skill. Bakeru takes creative risks within its 3D platformer structure, with some ideas working better than others. But even the less successful attempts are forgivable, and the strong ones really shine. Despite its imperfections, I found myself genuinely fond of Bakeru. It's incredibly likeable.

The Switch version's performance is the game's main drawback (something Mikhail also mentioned in his Steam review). The frame rate fluctuates, sometimes hitting 60fps but often dipping significantly during intense moments. While I'm personally not overly sensitive to inconsistent frame rates, it's worth noting for those who are. The performance hasn't been completely smoothed out since its Japanese release last year.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and inventive elements. Its charm is infectious. Frame rate issues hold it back slightly on Switch, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed. But overall, it's a highly recommended title for a fun end-of-summer experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)

The Star Wars prequel trilogy spawned a wave of merchandise, including numerous video games. While the movies weren't universally praised, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. This game focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father – a bounty hunter with cool armor who, let's just say, meets an unceremonious end. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter explores Jango's life before Attack of the Clones.

The game follows Jango as he hunts a Dark Jedi for Count Dooku, picking up extra bounties along the way. The core gameplay loop involves taking on levels with specific targets, while also hunting optional targets. You'll use a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially interesting, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of a 2002 game) become apparent. Targeting is clunky, cover is ineffective, and level design feels cramped. Even at its release, it was a mediocre game at best.

Aspyr's port has improved the visuals and performance, but the core gameplay remains unchanged. The saving system is still problematic, potentially requiring restarts of lengthy levels. However, you can unlock a Boba Fett skin, which is a nice touch. If you're going to play this game, this version is the best option.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, embodying the rough edges and earnest spirit of early 2000s games. It's recommended if you're looking for a time capsule back to 2002. Otherwise, it might be too janky for modern tastes.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following some poorly-received Nausicaa games, Hayao Miyazaki famously banned further games based on his works. The developers of Mika and the Witch’s Mountain clearly drew inspiration from a Ghibli film (I'll let you guess which one!).

You play as a novice witch whose teacher throws her off a mountain, breaking her broom. You must repair it by taking on delivery jobs in a nearby town. The gameplay loop involves flying around on your broom, delivering packages. The vibrant world and characters are enjoyable, but the Switch struggles with performance, resulting in resolution and frame rate drops. It would likely run better on more powerful hardware. Players tolerant of technical imperfections will likely enjoy it.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain is heavily influenced by its inspiration, and the repetitive core mechanic can become tiring. Performance issues on Switch are also a concern. However, if the concept appeals to you, you'll likely find it enjoyable.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

I reviewed Peglin's early access version a year ago. Now, in its 1.0 release, it's a more complete experience. Peglin, a pachinko roguelike, is a game for a specific type of player. You aim an orb at pegs to damage enemies and progress through zone maps. There are events, bosses, shops, and numerous battles. It's challenging early on.

You upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics. Strategic aiming is key, using critical or bomb pegs effectively. You can also refresh the board. The game has a steep learning curve, but it becomes satisfying once mastered.

The Switch port performs well, though aiming isn't as smooth as on other platforms. Touch controls are a good alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. Despite this, the Switch version is a strong contender.

The Switch version lacks achievements, but Peglin has its own internal achievement system. Cross-save functionality between platforms is absent.

Despite some minor issues with load times and aiming, Peglin is a fantastic addition to the Switch library, especially for fans of pachinko and roguelikes. The use of rumble, touchscreen, and button controls adds to its appeal.

Peglin is fantastic, even with some balance issues. It's a must-have on Switch if the "pachinko x roguelike" combination appeals to you. The developers have fully utilized the Switch's features, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls. A physical release would be welcome! -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

This is just a small selection of the many games on sale. Check out a separate article for a more comprehensive list of the best deals.

(Images of sale games omitted for brevity, as they are identical to the original input and unnecessary for this response.)

That's all for today. We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, sales, and news. Have a great Monday!