As a gamer who grew up playing Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon on my trusty Nintendo 64, I can say that Bakeru has brought back some fond memories and nostalgic vibes. The game’s quirky style, vibrant colors, and sense of humor harken back to the days when I was captivated by the weirdness of Goemon games.
As a child, one of my most cherished video games was Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon on the Nintendo 64. Looking back, this choice may have played a significant role in shaping me. It was an unusual game, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics, exaggerated anime elements, and catchy pop tunes into a unique experience. The gameplay was somewhat cumbersome and challenging, but I was so captivated by its eccentric atmosphere that I persevered until the end. Since then, few games have shared this distinctive flavor, mainly because Konami abandoned the Ganbare Goemon-slash-Mystical Ninja series some time ago, ceasing localization efforts even before that. Occasionally, Konami has resurfaced Goemon for appearances in Bomberman and Smash Bros., or on Nintendo’s Virtual Console, but that’s about the extent of it.
Bakeru in the saddle
The game, named Bakeru, aims to resurrect the unique atmosphere of the series, while avoiding any potential conflicts with the intellectual property, much like other contemporary Japanese games that pay homage to retro spiritual successors (such as Bloodstained and Eiyuden Chronicle). Developed by Good-Feel, a studio founded by Etsunobu Ebisu, who previously worked on several Goemon titles at Konami and later left to establish his own independent company. Notably, Good-Feel is known for creating family-friendly games for Nintendo (like Kirby’s Epic Yarn and Princess Peach: Showtime!).
The main character, Bakeru, bears little resemblance to Goemon – quite the contrary! He’s dressed in red and yellow attire, sports large, vibrant blue fur, and engages in combat using an unusual weapon: a drum instead of the traditional pipe. What makes him even more unique is that he’s actually a mischievous tanuki, a legendary creature resembling both raccoons and dogs. With his ability to change shape, Bakeru often finds himself in and out of various predicaments. In this storyline, Japan faces turmoil from an evil figure, prompting Bakeru to embark on a nationwide quest to put an end to the chaos. Throughout his journey, he learns new transformations, encounters eccentric characters, and eventually pilots a flying tea kettle that serves as both a massive mech for combat.
Yeah, okay, we can see the vision.
In this game, you’ll find all the vibrant colors, lively spirit, and humorous touches typical of the Goemon series. While it may not reach the same level of quirky and rebellious as some classic Goemon games, it maintains a youthful and fun atmosphere that is characteristic of Good-Feel’s style. The humor here is more playful and less complex, with jokes that range from silly to lighthearted.
In Bakeru, the gaming experience mirrors its cheerful and uncomplicated vibe. Battles are a breeze; you just need to rhythmically tap the drumstick buttons without worrying too much about precision. There’s an added layer of fun when you go back and forth, but even sticking to one button is perfectly fine. The same ease applies to the dodge-and-block mechanic. Bakeru appreciates your fancy moves, but they aren’t essential for progression.
A different kind of old school, 3D platformer
Consistently, the game Bakeru incorporates unique features to prevent the monotony of its straightforward combat. You’ll encounter race tracks where you ride a transforming canine-like creature, mech fights, and more exciting elements such as destructive races on Mario Kart-style speed pads or classic auto-scrollers reminiscent of 90s platformers. Essentially, it feels like playing a well-refined Nintendo 64 game in the year 2024 without the telltale signs of technological aging. However, seasoned Goemon fans should temper their expectations before diving into Bakeru. These segments may not match up to the Impact sequences in Mystical Ninja, but nothing can truly surpass those moments.
While I don’t have the same affection for Bakeru as I do for Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon, that’s perfectly fine. It’s more about atmosphere than it is a direct continuation. Good-Feel in 2024 isn’t like Konami was in 1998. There’s definitely a sense of nostalgia, but Bakeru stands on its own with a unique identity. I admire it, even though it may not be my cup of tea. A young person like I was back then, who was just getting into anime and Japanese culture, would likely enjoy it immensely. Today, there are fewer barriers for this kind of content, allowing Bakeru to express itself freely – something that might have been difficult or impossible in the past due to international distribution issues. Overall, it seems like Bakeru is aiming for a specific feel, and I believe it succeeds in achieving that.
On September 3, 2024, Bakeru will be released for both the Nintendo Switch and PC platforms. For the purpose of this review, we were given a Nintendo Switch code by the publisher.
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2024-08-24 03:27