Hello, gaming enthusiasts! 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 – three by yours truly, and one from our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. We'll be diving into Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, with Mikhail offering his expert opinion on Peglin. Plus, we have some news from Mikhail, and a huge list of deals from Nintendo's Blockbuster Sale. Let's jump in!
News
Guilty Gear Strive Arrives on Nintendo Switch in January 2025
Arc System Works has announced the Nintendo Switch release of Guilty Gear Strive on January 23rd, 2025! The Switch version will include 28 characters and boasts rollback netcode for online play. While cross-play won't be a feature, it's still excellent news for offline play and battles between Switch players. Having enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eagerly anticipating this release. For more details, visit the official website.
Reviews & Mini-Views
Bakeru ($39.99)
Let's be clear: Bakeru is not Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While developed by some of the same team, the similarities are superficial. Expecting a Goemon clone is unfair to both Bakeru and yourself. Bakeru is its own unique entity. With that said, let's discuss this delightful title from Good-Feel, a studio known for charming, accessible platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes.
The game follows Issun and his tanuki companion, Bakeru, as they traverse Japan, battling foes, collecting cash, and uncovering secrets across over sixty levels. While not all levels are unforgettable, the experience is consistently engaging. The collectibles are particularly noteworthy, often reflecting the unique aspects of each Japanese prefecture, offering educational tidbits even for long-time residents like myself.
The boss battles are a highlight! Good-Feel's expertise in crafting memorable boss encounters shines through here. They're creative and rewarding spectacles. Bakeru takes creative risks, with some elements working better than others – a common occurrence in game development. The successes are genuinely appreciated, and the minor stumbles are easily forgiven. Despite its flaws, Bakeru is intensely likable.
The Switch version's performance is the main drawback, echoing Mikhail's Steam review. The framerate fluctuates, sometimes reaching 60fps but often dipping lower during intense moments. Personally, inconsistent framerates don't bother me greatly, but those sensitive to such issues should be aware. Improvements have been made since the Japanese release, but some performance issues remain.
Bakeru is a charming 3D platformer with polished design and inventive gameplay. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While performance issues on Switch and the lack of Goemon similarities might disappoint some, it's a highly recommended title for a fun summer send-off.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)
The prequel trilogy era saw a surge in Star Wars games. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter focuses on Jango Fett, Boba Fett's father, filling in his backstory. It's a tale of Jango's rise as a bounty hunter, culminating in his fateful encounter with Count Dooku. The gameplay involves hunting targets, utilizing various weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack.
While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and technical limitations (common for 2002 games) become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design feels cramped. Even at the time of its release, it was considered average at best.
Aspyr's remaster improves visuals and performance, and the control scheme is enhanced. However, the archaic save system remains a significant drawback. Despite its flaws, the game holds a certain nostalgic charm, capturing the essence of early 2000s gaming. If you crave a nostalgic experience or a taste of early 2000s action games, this remaster is the way to go. Otherwise, it might be too rough around the edges.
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 role of a rookie witch whose broom breaks after being tossed off a mountain. You'll take on delivery jobs to earn money for repairs and upgrades, exploring a vibrant world and interacting with a quirky cast of characters.
The gameplay loop is simple but enjoyable. However, the Switch version suffers from performance issues, impacting resolution and framerate. The game's charm and engaging world compensate for some technical shortcomings. If you appreciate the concept, you'll likely enjoy the game despite its flaws.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Peglin ($19.99)
Peglin, a pachinko-roguelike, has reached version 1.0, launching simultaneously on Steam, mobile, and Switch. It's a challenging game with a unique blend of aiming mechanics and roguelike progression. The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth than on other platforms. Touch controls are a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile, but overall, it's a solid port.
The game includes a built-in achievement system, a welcome addition given the Switch's lack of system-wide achievements. Cross-save functionality between platforms is absent, but this is understandable for a smaller developer. The Switch version offers excellent rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls, catering to various play styles.
Despite some balance issues and minor performance quirks, Peglin is a must-have for fans of pachinko and roguelike mechanics. The developers' commitment to utilizing the Switch's features makes it a highly enjoyable experience.
-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 a more comprehensive list will be available in a separate article. Happy hunting!
(Note: Due to the extensive sales list, I've omitted it here to maintain brevity. The original list is preserved in the image files.)
That's all for today! We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, sales updates, and news. Have a great Monday!
