As a child of the ’90s, I can vividly remember the days when Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon graced my Nintendo 64 screen, a game that was as quirky as it was captivating. So, when Bakeru crossed my path, it was like a blast from the past, albeit with a fresh coat of paint and a new furry friend at its helm.
As a child, one of the video games I adored was Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon on the Nintendo 64. Looking back, it might account for quite a bit. It was an unusual game with a unique blend of traditional Japanese motifs, exaggerated anime actions, and catchy pop tunes. The controls were a bit awkward and challenging, but I found myself so captivated by its quirky atmosphere that I persisted until the end. Since then, there haven’t been many games like it, partly because Konami abandoned the Ganbare Goemon-slash-Mystical Ninja series some time ago, and stopped localizing the franchise even earlier than that. Konami has occasionally brought Goemon out of obscurity for appearances in Bomberman or Smash Bros., or for Nintendo’s Virtual Console… but that’s mostly it.
Bakeru in the saddle
Bakeru aims to restore the unique charm of the series while maintaining creative independence from the original intellectual property, much like various modern Japanese reimaginings of classic spiritual sequels (such as Bloodstained and Eiyuden Chronicle). This project is spearheaded by Good-Feel, a studio founded by Etsunobu Ebisu, who previously directed several Goemon games at Konami. Although Good-Feel has gained recognition for creating family-friendly Nintendo titles like Kirby’s Epic Yarn and Princess Peach: Showtime!, it operates as an independent company.
The main character, named Bakeru, is quite unlike Goemon in every way. He dons vibrant red and yellow attire, sports large, electric-blue fur, and engages in combat using an unusual weapon – a drum instead of the traditional pipe. Interestingly, Bakeru isn’t human at all; he’s a mischievous tanuki, a legendary creature that resembles both raccoons and dogs. This mythical being has the ability to change its form, often finding itself in various tricky situations. In this storyline, Japan is plagued by a menacing figure, prompting Bakeru to embark on a nationwide journey to vanquish him. Throughout his adventure, he discovers new transformations, encounters peculiar characters, and even pilots a flying tea kettle that transforms into a colossal, combative mech.
Yeah, okay, we can see the vision.
In this game, the vibrant colors, lively energy, and humorous tone typical of the Goemon series are all present. It’s not as offbeat and unconventional as some of the older games, but it maintains a playful and child-friendly atmosphere that is characteristic of Good-Feel, making the humor more whimsical and less complex. For instance, in each level, you gather trivial facts from a character literally shaped like feces, whose introduction is filled with puns whenever found. There are numerous puns and absurd jokes scattered throughout, which may require some familiarity or interest in Japanese culture to fully appreciate. To add to the enjoyment, imagine playing this game in the 90s, considering how amusing the localization could have been!
Gameplay in Bakeru is just as light and friendly as its style. Combat is a simple matter of mashing the bumpers to swing each drumstick, and doing so back and forth gives you a sort of extra flow. But you can choose to only mash one button and still be okay. Same deal with a dodging and blocking/parrying mechanic: Bakeru gives you some respectful fanfare if you do cool things, but they are far from necessary to get through. Even the transformations you unlock really don’t impact the core of what you’re doing throughout the game. Coins are everywhere as well, which are mostly useful to buy healing items if you need them. Being challenged is not the point here, and any engagement with the full depth of combat is for your own satisfaction rather than intense prompting from the game itself.
A different kind of old school, 3D platformer
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but anticipate the unique twists that Bakeru throws into its straightforward combat. There are exhilarating race levels where you soar on a versatile canine-like creature, epic mech battles, and more thrilling experiences like demolition derbies on Mario Kart-style speed boost pads or retro-style auto-scrollers reminiscent of classic 90s platformers. Playing Bakeru feels like experiencing a well-preserved Nintendo 64 game in the future, minus the obvious signs of its technological era. However, it’s crucial for Goemon veterans to adjust their expectations before diving into Bakeru. While these segments may not surpass the Impact sequences from Mystical Ninja, nothing can truly match up to them.
As someone who grew up in the ’90s, immersed in a world of Konami classics like Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon, it’s hard for me not to compare Bakeru to those cherished memories. However, I must admit that my feelings for Bakeru are not as strong as they were for the ninja adventures of my youth. This game is more like a nostalgic wink to the past, a tribute to a time when Japanese pop culture was just starting to captivate me.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’m excited to share that “Bakeru” will be released on my Nintendo Switch and PC on September 3, 2024! The publisher graciously provided me with a Nintendo Switch code for this very review.
Read More
- CORE PREDICTION. CORE cryptocurrency
- Top gainers and losers
- SYS PREDICTION. SYS cryptocurrency
- KUNCI PREDICTION. KUNCI cryptocurrency
- BTC PREDICTION. BTC cryptocurrency
- CFG PREDICTION. CFG cryptocurrency
- Best coins for today
- DOGE PREDICTION. DOGE cryptocurrency
- THOR PREDICTION. THOR cryptocurrency
- STFX PREDICTION. STFX cryptocurrency
2024-08-25 15:04