Bakeru & Peglin Reviews: Nintendo Sale Highlights

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 2nd, 2024. While it's a holiday in the United States today, here in Japan, it's business as usual on this Monday. We have a packed lineup for you, including three reviews penned by me and a special review from our friend Mikhail. I'll be covering Bakeru, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, and Mika and the Witch’s Mountain, while Mikhail will share his insights on Peglin. Additionally, we have exciting news from Mikhail and a comprehensive list of deals from Nintendo’s Blockbuster Sale. Let’s dive in!

News

Guilty Gear Strive Nintendo Switch Edition Coming January 2025

Arc System Works has announced that Guilty Gear Strive will be coming to the Nintendo Switch on January 23rd, 2025. The game will feature 28 characters and rollback netcode for smooth online battles. Unfortunately, it won't support crossplay, but it's perfect for offline play and matches with other Switch users. Having enjoyed the game on Steam Deck and PS5, I'm eager to try it on the Switch. You can check out the official website here for more details.

Reviews & Mini-Views

Bakeru ($39.99)

Bakeru may evoke memories of Goemon/Mystical Ninja, but it's important to approach it as its own unique game. Developed by Good-Feel, a studio known for their work on Nintendo titles like Wario, Yoshi, and Kirby, Bakeru offers a charming, polished platforming experience. In this game, you'll follow Issun, who teams up with the tanuki Bakeru to save Japan from trouble. With over sixty levels to explore, each reflecting different Japanese locales, you'll engage in battles, collect items, and uncover secrets. The boss fights are particularly noteworthy, echoing the creative flair seen in other Good-Feel titles. While the game's performance on the Switch can be inconsistent, it remains a delightful journey that's well worth playing.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter ($19.99)

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter takes you back to the era of the prequel trilogy, focusing on Jango Fett's adventures. This game fills in the backstory of Jango, the bounty hunter whose DNA was used to create the clone army. You'll hunt targets and engage in missions assigned by Count Dooku, using a variety of weapons and your iconic jetpack. While the gameplay can become repetitive, and the mechanics feel dated, Aspyr's port enhances the visuals and controls. For fans nostalgic about the early 2000s gaming experience, this title offers a charming trip down memory lane, despite its rough edges.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Mika and the Witch’s Mountain ($19.99)

Inspired by Studio Ghibli's enchanting world, Mika and the Witch’s Mountain puts you in the shoes of a rookie witch tasked with delivering packages. After your broom breaks, you must navigate a vibrant town, taking on jobs to earn money for repairs. The game's core mechanic of zipping around on a broom is fun, though it can become repetitive. The Switch version faces some performance issues, with dips in resolution and framerate. Nonetheless, if you enjoy the concept and can overlook technical hiccups, this game offers a whimsical adventure.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Peglin ($19.99)

Peglin combines the excitement of pachinko with roguelike elements, offering a unique gaming experience. Launched in 1.0 across multiple platforms, including the Switch, Peglin challenges you to aim your orb to hit specific pegs, strategizing to defeat enemies and progress through zones. The game has evolved through updates, adding more depth and polish. While the Switch version has slightly longer load times and less smooth aiming, the overall experience remains engaging. Peglin excels on the Steam Deck, but it's also enjoyable on the Switch, especially with its touchscreen support and rumble features.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5 -Mikhail Madnani

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Nintendo’s Blockbuster Sale is offering a plethora of incredible deals, and while I’ve listed many here, there are even more to explore. I've also prepared a separate article highlighting the best picks from the sale, so be sure to check that out. Here’s a selection of some of the new sales available:

Avenging Spirit ($2.99 from $5.99 until 9/5)
NOISZ re:||COLLECTION G ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/7)
Fur Squadron ($2.79 from $6.99 until 9/8)
Agnostiko Origins ($13.74 from $24.99 until 9/9)
Sonic Mania ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle ($13.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
Puyo Puyo Tetris ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap ($5.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Super Bomberman R ($19.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
The Red Strings Club ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Goat Simulator The GOATY ($5.99 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Downwell ($2.00 from $2.99 until 9/10)
Sayonara Wild Hearts ($7.79 from $12.99 until 9/10)
Ghostbusters: The Video Game ($7.49 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Hotline Miami Collection ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Torchlight II ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Huntdown ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions ($7.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
Streets of Rage 4 ($11.24 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Disc Room ($3.74 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Kathy Rain: Director’s Cut ($4.94 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Mayhem Brawler ($6.79 from $19.99 until 9/10)
TMNT Shredder’s Revenge ($16.24 from $24.99 until 9/10)
GalGun Returns** ($16.49 from $49.99 until 9/10)
Gal*Gun Double Peace*** ($13.19 from $39.99 until 9/10)

Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection ($15.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
Infernax ($13.39 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Rise of the Third Power ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Astroneer ($11.99 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Lair Land Story ($5.99 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Return to Monkey Island ($12.49 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Shiro ($2.19 from $4.99 until 9/10)
Horgihugh And Friends ($14.99 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Card Shark ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Pac-man Museum+ ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Sonic Origins ($14.99 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Sonic Frontiers ($20.99 from $59.99 until 9/10)
Sonic Superstars ($29.99 from $59.99 until 9/10)
Escape Academy: Complete Edition ($17.99 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Gunbrella ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Unicorn Overlord ($41.99 from $59.99 until 9/10)
Terra Nil ($14.99 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Reverie Knights Tactics ($6.24 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Windjammers 2 ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Two Point Hospital: Jumbo Edition ($7.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
Blizzard Arcade Collection ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak Deluxe ($24.49 from $69.99 until 9/10)
Gloomhaven: Mercenaries Edition ($7.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
Fae Farm ($41.99 from $59.99 until 9/10)

Mr. Sun’s Hatbox ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Best Day Ever ($5.99 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Willy Morgan & the Curse of Bone Town ($7.49 from $24.99 until 9/10)
FEZ ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Tales of Kenzara: ZAU ($13.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Make Way ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/10)
ARK: Ultimate Survivor Edition ($24.99 from $49.99 until 9/10)
Cult of the Lamb Cultist Edition ($14.99 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Life is Strange 2 ($12.79 from $31.99 until 9/10)
Strayed Lights ($5.19 from $12.99 until 9/10)
Rakuen: Deluxe Edition ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Valrithian Arc: Hero School Story 2 ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Stones Keeper ($8.79 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Bat Boy ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Jack Jeanne ($29.99 from $49.99 until 9/10)
Bandle Tale: League of Legends Story ($12.49 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Song of Nunu: League of Legends Story ($14.99 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Convergence: League of Legends Story ($14.99 from $29.99 until 9/10)
The Mageseeker: League of Legends Story ($14.99 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Vanaris Tactics ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/10)
The Last Spell ($14.99 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Charon’s Staircase ($2.99 from $24.99 until 9/10)
The Vale: Shadow of the Crown ($14.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Dungeon Drafters ($19.99 from $24.99 until 9/10)

Pentiment ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Demon Slayer KnY – Sweep the Board ($41.99 from $59.99 until 9/10)
Tetris Effect: Connected ($19.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
Boomerang X ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Tenderfoot Tactics ($8.99 from $14.99 until 9/10)
CEIBA ($4.39 from $9.99 until 9/10)
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes ($9.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
Tears of Avia ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Vengeful Guardian Moonrider ($11.04 from $16.99 until 9/10)
Dorfromantik ($11.99 from $14.99 until 9/10)
Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi ($29.99 from $59.99 until 9/10)
Persona 3 Portable ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Persona 4 Golden ($11.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Persona 5 Royal ($29.99 from $59.99 until 9/10)
Persona 5 Strikers ($17.99 from $59.99 until 9/10)
Persona 5 Tactica Digital Deluxe ($39.99 from $79.99 until 9/10)
Astebros ($7.79 from $12.99 until 9/10)
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble ($37.49 from $49.99 until 9/10)
GetsuFumaDen: Undying Moon ($14.99 from $24.99 until 9/10)
Ys Origin ($5.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
Archetype Arcadia ($20.09 from $29.99 until 9/10)
Baten Kaitos I & II HD Remaster ($24.99 from $49.99 until 9/10)
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood ($10.79 from $17.99 until 9/10)
Solar Ash ($15.99 from $39.99 until 9/10)
Adore ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)

That wraps up today's edition of the SwitchArcade Round-Up. We'll be back tomorrow with more reviews, new releases, additional sales, and possibly some news. The typhoon has passed, leaving us with hot temperatures and sunny skies—a welcome change for a couple of days. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday, and as always, thank you for reading!