Mobile Gaming News: Bakeru and Peglin Reviews, and Nintendo Blockbuster Sale Highlights

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. That means a bounty of gaming goodness awaits, beginning with a trio of reviews from yours truly, and a fourth penned by our esteemed colleague, Mikhail. I'll be tackling Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch's Mountain, while Mikhail offers his expert analysis of Peglin. Beyond the reviews, Mikhail shares some noteworthy news, and we'll delve into the extensive deals featured 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 coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, boasting a roster of 28 characters and the highly-anticipated rollback netcode for online play. While cross-platform play is unfortunately absent, the offline experience and battles with fellow Switch owners should prove satisfying. Having thoroughly enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eager to experience the Switch version. 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 talented individuals, the similarities are largely superficial. Expecting a Goemon clone is a disservice to both Bakeru and your own enjoyment. Bakeru stands on its own merits. With that said, let's explore this unique title. Bakeru hails from Good-Feel, a studio known for its charming, accessible, and polished platformers within the Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby universes. Their recent work on Princess Peach: Showtime! further showcases their expertise. And that's precisely what Bakeru is: a delightful platformer.

Mischief unfolds in Japan as Issun, a lovable goofball, encounters Bakeru, a resourceful tanuki. Bakeru's shape-shifting abilities and mastery of the taiko drum make him the perfect ally. Players will traverse Japan, prefecture by prefecture, battling foes, collecting cash, engaging in quirky conversations, and unearthing hidden secrets. While not every level is unforgettable, the journey remains consistently engaging across its sixty-plus stages. The collectibles are particularly noteworthy, often reflecting the unique characteristics of each location, offering fascinating insights into Japanese culture, some even surprising to long-term residents.

The boss battles deserve special mention. Here, comparisons to Goemon (or other Good-Feel titles) are warranted. Good-Feel demonstrates a masterful understanding of compelling boss encounters, and Bakeru delivers on this front. These creative showdowns reward skillful play. Bakeru takes creative risks, and while some don't always land perfectly, the successes far outweigh the misses. The game's endearing charm shines through its flaws, making it intensely likable.

The Switch version's performance is the only significant drawback, an issue Mikhail touched upon in his Steam review. The framerate fluctuates, occasionally reaching 60fps but often dipping noticeably during intense action. While I'm personally not overly sensitive to inconsistent framerates, this could be a concern for others. Despite improvements since the Japanese release, performance issues persist.

Bakeru is a captivating 3D platformer with polished design and innovative gameplay elements. Its commitment to its unique style is infectious. While framerate inconsistencies detract from the Switch experience, 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 Star Wars prequel trilogy spawned a wave of merchandise, including numerous video games. While the films themselves received mixed reviews, they undeniably expanded the Star Wars universe. Remember Boba Fett? The iconic bounty hunter unceremoniously dispatched by a blind Jedi? Well, meet his father, Jango Fett! He too boasts impressive armor, but also suffers an undignified defeat. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter explores Jango's backstory, whether you requested it or not.

This game chronicles Jango Fett's rise to become the galaxy's top bounty hunter, the template for the clone army. The story follows Jango as he hunts a Dark Jedi, at the behest of the seemingly innocent Count Dooku, while also taking on additional bounties.

The gameplay involves tackling levels with specific targets, while also pursuing optional objectives. Players utilize a variety of weapons and gadgets, including the iconic jetpack. While initially engaging, the repetitive gameplay and dated mechanics (typical of early 2000s games) become apparent. Targeting is imprecise, cover mechanics are flawed, and level design, while aiming for openness, often feels cramped and poorly guided. Even at its release, it was considered merely average.

Aspyr's updated version improves the visuals and performance, and the control scheme has been enhanced. However, the saving system remains unchanged, meaning lengthy stages may need to be restarted if mistakes are made. The inclusion of a Boba Fett skin is a nice touch. If you're inclined to play this game, this version is the superior choice.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter possesses a certain nostalgic charm, reflecting the characteristics of early 2000s games. Its appeal lies primarily in its nostalgic value. If you're seeking a time warp back to 2002 and enjoy rough-edged yet sincere action games, this is for you. Otherwise, the dated mechanics might prove too challenging.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch's Mountain ($19.99)

Following poorly-received Nausicaa video games, Hayao Miyazaki's firm stance effectively halted further game adaptations of his works. The extent to which this impacted other Studio Ghibli properties remains unclear. Regardless, no Ghibli-based games have emerged since. While understandable, this means we'll never see my dream Porco Rosso open-world flying game. Chibig and Nukefist's Mika and the Witch's Mountain clearly draws inspiration from a Ghibli film—I'll leave the specific title to your deduction.

Players take on the role of a fledgling witch, embarking on her magical journey. Her instructor's unexpected decision to toss her off a mountain, damaging her broom, sets the stage for the adventure. Repairing her broom requires a trip to a nearby town, where she'll undertake package delivery jobs to earn money. The vibrant world and engaging characters enhance the experience.

The core gameplay loop involves delivering packages, with optional side jobs available. While functional, the repetitive nature of the core mechanic can become somewhat tiresome. The Switch version suffers from occasional performance issues, impacting resolution and framerate. The game would likely perform better on more powerful hardware. Players tolerant of technical imperfections will find it more enjoyable.

Mika and the Witch's Mountain openly embraces its inspiration, but its reliance on a single core mechanic can lead to monotony. Performance issues on the Switch are also a concern. However, the charming world and quirky characters make the broom-riding package delivery surprisingly fun. If the concept appeals, you'll likely enjoy the game.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Approximately a year ago, I reviewed Peglin's early access version on iOS. Its pachinko roguelike gameplay showed immense promise, and subsequent updates have only enhanced it. Last week's Nintendo Indie World showcase announced and released Peglin for Switch. I initially assumed it was simply a port of the existing game, but it turned out to be the full 1.0 release.

Peglin reached version 1.0 across Steam and mobile alongside its Switch debut, offering a more complete experience. However, its appeal is highly specific. The objective is to aim an orb at pegs on the board to damage enemies and progress through zones, similar to Slay the Spire. The game features events, bosses, shops, numerous battles, and a challenging early game.

Players upgrade orbs, heal, and collect relics as they advance. Strategic aiming is crucial, utilizing critical or bomb pegs effectively. Refreshing the board is also a key mechanic. While initially complex, the gameplay becomes intuitive, and the soundtrack is quite catchy.

The Switch port's performance is largely commendable. Aiming feels slightly less smooth than on other platforms, but touch controls mitigate this. Load times are longer than on mobile and Steam. These aren't major issues, but worth noting for those with multiple platforms. I'd rank Peglin highest on Steam Deck, with mobile and Switch closely competing for second place.

The lack of Switch achievements is addressed by Peglin's internal achievement system. This is a welcome addition, given the Switch's system-wide absence of achievements. Cross-save functionality across platforms would have been a desirable addition, though understandably challenging for a smaller developer.

Beyond load times and aiming smoothness, my only concerns are minor. Hopefully, future updates will address these. Further free updates are planned by Red Nexus Games.

Even in early access, Peglin was exceptional. While some balance issues remain, it's a must-have on Switch for fans of pachinko roguelikes. The developers have effectively utilized Switch features, including rumble, touchscreen support, and button controls. A physical release would be a fantastic addition. -Mikhail Madnani

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

This sale is extensive, and the following list only scratches the surface. A separate article highlighting the best deals will be available shortly. Good luck with your shopping! I'll see you at the bottom.

Select New Sales

(A comprehensive list of sales follows, mirroring the original text's format with images.)

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