Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 2nd, 2024. While it appears to be a holiday in the US, it's business as usual here in Japan – Monday, to be precise. That means a bounty of gaming goodness awaits, kicking off with a trio of reviews from yours truly, and a fourth insightful perspective from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. My contributions cover Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail offers his unparalleled expertise on Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some noteworthy news, and we'll delve into the extensive deals offered in Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's dive in!

News

Guilty Gear Strive Arrives on Nintendo Switch in January 2025

Arc System Works has delivered! Guilty Gear Strive is making its way to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting 28 characters and the highly anticipated rollback netcode for smooth online play. While cross-platform functionality is unfortunately absent, the offline experience and battles with fellow Switch players promise to be a treat. Having thoroughly enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating this version. For more details, visit the official website.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's address the elephant in the room: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While developed by some of the same talented individuals behind that beloved series, the similarities are largely superficial. Expecting a Goemon clone is a disservice to both Bakeru and your own enjoyment. Bakeru is its own unique entity. With that clarified, let's explore this game on its own merits. Bakeru hails from Good-Feel, a studio renowned for its charming, accessible, and polished platformers within the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. Their latest creation, Princess Peach: Showtime!, further exemplifies this expertise. And Bakeru? It's more of the same.

Mischief unfolds across Japan, and a small, endearing character named Issun finds an unlikely ally in Bakeru, a tanuki with shape-shifting abilities and a penchant for wielding a taiko drum and drumsticks. Together, they embark on a journey across Japan, battling foes, collecting currency, engaging in whimsical conversations, and uncovering hidden secrets. With over sixty levels, the experience is consistently engaging, even if not every level is instantly memorable. The collectibles, however, are a standout feature, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location. The game offers numerous fascinating tidbits about Japan, some even surprising to a long-time resident like myself.

The boss battles deserve special mention. Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) are entirely justified. This team clearly understands the art of crafting memorable boss encounters, and these battles are exceptionally fun. They're creative spectacles that reward skillful play. Bakeru takes considerable creative risks for a straightforward 3D platformer, and while some experiments are more successful than others, the overall effect is highly enjoyable. I appreciated the inventive battles and readily forgave any minor shortcomings. Despite its flaws, Bakeru charmed me. It's intensely likable.

The only significant drawback is the Switch's performance, an issue Mikhail touched upon in his review of the Steam version. The framerate fluctuates considerably, sometimes reaching 60 fps but often dipping significantly during intense moments. While I'm generally not overly sensitive to inconsistent framerates, it's worth noting for those who are. Despite improvements since its Japanese release last year, performance issues persist.

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished design and innovative gameplay elements. Its charm is infectious. While framerate issues prevent it from reaching its full potential on Switch, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, it's a highly recommended title to end your summer on a high note.

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 films were divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. Remember Boba Fett, the iconic bounty hunter unceremoniously dispatched into a Sarlacc pit? Well, meet his father, Jango Fett! He boasts equally cool armor but suffers a similarly undignified demise. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter explores Jango's backstory, whether you were curious or not.

This game follows Jango Fett, a bounty hunter of such renown that he served as the genetic template for the clone army. The game depicts Jango's pivotal mission for the seemingly innocent Count Dooku – hunting a Dark Jedi, with opportunities for lucrative side quests along the way.

The gameplay involves tackling levels with specific targets, alongside optional bounties. A diverse arsenal of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack, is at your disposal. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and outdated mechanics (typical of a 2002 game) become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even at its release, it was merely an average game, unfortunately tied to one of the weaker Star Wars films.

Aspyr's updated version improves the visuals and performance, and the control scheme is significantly better. However, the archaic save system remains, potentially forcing restarts of lengthy levels. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're considering this game, this updated version is the superior choice.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the distinct characteristics of the PlayStation 2/GameCube/Xbox era. It's in this context that I can most confidently recommend it. If you crave a trip back to 2002 and enjoy rough-around-the-edges action games, this is for you. Otherwise, the considerable jank might prove overwhelming.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following the disastrous video game adaptations of Nausicaa, Hayao Miyazaki effectively banned further games based on his works. The extent of this ban on all Ghibli properties remains unclear, but the lack of subsequent Ghibli-based games suggests a comprehensive prohibition. While I respect this stance, it does mean we'll never see my dream Porco Rosso open-world flying game. Oh well. Chibig and Nukefist's Mika and the Witch’s Mountain clearly draws inspiration from another Ghibli film.

The game casts you as a novice witch, embarking on your witchy career. Your instructor's unconventional teaching method involves tossing you off a mountain, breaking your broom. Repairing your broom requires a trip to a nearby town, where you'll earn money by delivering packages. The vibrant world and engaging characters enhance the experience. However, the Switch struggles at times, resulting in resolution and framerate drops. The game would likely perform better on more powerful hardware. Players tolerant of technical shortcomings will likely find it enjoyable.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain openly embraces its inspiration, but its repetitive core mechanic can become tiresome. Performance issues on the Switch further detract from the experience. Despite these flaws, the charming world and characters make it a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate its concept.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Approximately a year ago, I reviewed Peglin's early access version on iOS. Its launch on mobile was also featured as our Game of the Week. Peglin, a unique blend of pachinko and roguelike mechanics, has consistently shown promise, further enhanced by significant updates. Its recent release on Switch, announced during Nintendo's Indie World showcase, marks a significant milestone. I initially assumed it was simply a port of the existing game, but it's actually the full 1.0 version.

Peglin reached version 1.0 across Steam and mobile platforms simultaneously with its Switch debut, representing a more complete experience. However, Peglin caters to a specific type of player. The objective involves skillfully aiming an orb at pegs on the board to damage enemies and progress through zone maps in a manner reminiscent of Slay the Spire. The game features events, bosses, shops, numerous battles, and a challenging early game.

Progressing through the zones involves upgrading orbs, healing, and collecting relics. Strategic aiming is crucial, utilizing critical or bomb pegs effectively. Refreshing the board is also possible. The initial learning curve is steep, but the gameplay becomes intuitive, and the soundtrack is highly memorable.

The Switch port performs well, although aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls mitigate this issue. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. While these aren't major problems, they're worth considering if you own multiple platforms. I'd rate Peglin highest on Steam Deck, with mobile and Switch closely competing for second place.

The absence of Switch achievements is compensated by Peglin's internal achievement system. This is a welcome addition, given the Switch's lack of system-wide achievements. Cross-save functionality across platforms is absent, a limitation likely due to development constraints.

My only issues with the Switch version are load times and aiming smoothness. Hopefully, these will be improved in future updates, which the developers at Red Nexus Games have confirmed are planned.

Even in its early access phase, Peglin was exceptional. While minor balance issues exist, it's an essential Switch title for fans of the "pachinko x roguelike" genre. The developers have effectively utilized the Switch's features, including rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls, offering flexible play options. A physical release would be a fantastic addition. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The sheer volume of sales is impressive. The following is a selection, but only a fraction of the available deals. A separate article highlighting the best deals is forthcoming.

Select New Sales

(List of games on sale, formatted for readability)

That concludes today's roundup. Join us tomorrow for more reviews, new releases, further sales information, and potentially some news. The typhoon has subsided, leaving behind warm temperatures and sunny skies. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday, and thank you for reading!