Indie Games Shine in SwitchArcade Review Roundup, Nintendo Sale Steals Spotlight

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. That means a fresh batch of reviews – three from me and one from our esteemed colleague Mikhail – awaiting your perusal. We'll be covering Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, with Mikhail providing his expert insights on Peglin. Plus, Mikhail has some news to share, and we've got a massive 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 the fighting action of Guilty Gear Strive to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd! This version boasts 28 characters and crucial rollback netcode for online play. While crossplay is unfortunately absent, offline battles and online matches with other Switch players should be a blast. Having loved the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eager to give the Switch version a try. Check out the official website for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Let's get one thing straight: Bakeru isn't Goemon/Mystical Ninja. While developed by some of the same team, the similarities are mostly superficial. Expecting a Goemon clone will only shortchange your experience with Bakeru. Bakeru is its own unique entity. With that said, let's explore what this game offers. Bakeru comes from Good-Feel, a studio known for charming, accessible platformers in the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. Their latest work, Princess Peach: Showtime!, showcases their knack for polished, enjoyable gameplay. And that's exactly what Bakeru delivers.

Mischief unfolds across Japan as a young adventurer, Issun, teams up with a shape-shifting tanuki named Bakeru. Using Bakeru's transformative abilities and a taiko drum, you'll journey across Japan, battling enemies, collecting cash, interacting with…well, let's just say some unusual characters, and uncovering hidden secrets. The game features over sixty levels, and while not all are equally memorable, the overall experience is consistently engaging. I found the collectibles particularly rewarding, often reflecting the unique aspects of each location, offering little snippets of Japanese culture, some even surprising to a long-time resident like myself.

The boss battles are a highlight! Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) are more apt. Good-Feel understands the art of a great boss fight, and Bakeru delivers creative, rewarding encounters. The game takes some bold creative risks for a standard 3D platformer, with varying degrees of success. But even the less successful attempts are forgivable, overshadowed by the sheer charm and infectious energy of the game. I genuinely enjoyed Bakeru despite its imperfections. It's that kind of game – intensely likable.

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

Bakeru is a delightful 3D platformer with polished gameplay and inventive design choices. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While framerate issues prevent it from reaching its full potential on Switch, and those expecting a Goemon clone will be disappointed, Bakeru is 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 spawned a wave of Star Wars merchandise, including a surprising number of video games. While the films themselves were divisive, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. Remember Boba Fett, the cool-armored bounty hunter who met an ignominious end? Well, meet his father! Jango Fett also boasts cool armor but suffers a similarly undignified demise. But what about his life before Attack of the Clones? Star Wars: Bounty Hunter aims to answer that question.

This game follows Jango Fett, a bounty hunter so skilled he became the template for a galactic army. The game's narrative centers around Jango's quest to hunt a Dark Jedi for the seemingly benevolent Count Dooku, with opportunities to take on extra bounties along the way.

The gameplay involves tackling levels with specific targets, while optional bounties add replayability. A variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack, are at your disposal. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (common for 2002 games) detract from the experience. Targeting is clunky, cover mechanics are unreliable, and level design feels cramped and poorly guided. Even at the time of its release, it was considered merely average.

Aspyr's remaster improves the visuals and performance, offering a smoother experience than the original. However, the frustrating save system remains unchanged, meaning lengthy stages might need to be replayed upon failure. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're considering playing this game, this remastered version is the best option.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, embodying the rough-around-the-edges style of early 2000s games. This nostalgic appeal is its strongest selling point. If you crave a trip back to 2002 and enjoy janky but earnest action, this game might appeal to you. Otherwise, it might prove too frustrating.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Following some poorly-received Nausicaa adaptations, Hayao Miyazaki famously prohibited further game adaptations of his works. The extent of this ban on all Ghibli properties remains unclear. However, it's clear that Mika and the Witch’s Mountain draws strong inspiration from Ghibli's aesthetic.

You play as a novice witch who, after a rather unorthodox initiation, finds herself with a broken broom. To repair it, you must earn money by delivering packages around town. This simple premise forms the foundation of the game's gameplay loop.

The game features a charming world and interesting characters, but the Switch struggles to maintain performance, resulting in frequent drops in resolution and framerate. The experience would likely be smoother on more powerful hardware. Despite its technical shortcomings, those willing to overlook performance issues will find an enjoyable experience.

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain openly embraces its inspiration, though its core gameplay loop can become repetitive. Performance issues on Switch further detract from the overall experience. However, if the premise appeals to you, you'll likely find the game enjoyable enough.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

I previously reviewed Peglin's early access version on iOS. This pachinko roguelike has always shown great potential, and recent updates have significantly enhanced it. Peglin has now launched on Switch, Steam, and mobile, reaching version 1.0.

Peglin is a game that will appeal to a specific type of player. The core gameplay involves aiming an orb at pegs on a board to damage enemies and progress through zones. The game features various events, battles, shops, and upgrades, presenting a challenging experience, particularly in the early stages.

Strategic orb aiming is key, utilizing critical and bomb pegs effectively. The ability to refresh the board adds another layer of strategy. While initially complex, the gameplay mechanics become intuitive, and the game's soundtrack is incredibly catchy.

The Switch port performs well, though aiming feels less smooth compared to other platforms. Touch controls are a viable alternative. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. While not disastrous, it's worth considering if you own other platforms. I'd rank the Steam Deck version highest, with mobile and Switch closely vying for second place.

The lack of system-wide achievements on Switch is compensated by Peglin's internal achievement system. The developers' commitment to adding their own achievements is appreciated. Cross-save functionality across platforms would have been a welcome addition, though likely challenging to implement for a smaller developer.

Minor issues aside, Peglin on Switch is a solid port. The developers have made use of the Switch's features, offering rumble, touchscreen, and button controls. A physical release would be a welcome addition. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

The Nintendo Blockbuster Sale is HUGE! This list only scratches the surface. I've compiled a separate article highlighting the best deals, so stay tuned for that. Happy hunting!

(Note: The extensive sales list has been omitted for brevity. The original text included numerous game titles and sale prices.)

That's all for today, folks! We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, sales updates, and possibly some news. Have a fantastic Monday! Thanks for reading!