Introduction to Bakeru
The foremost collectible in Bakeru isn’t an item you can stow away or display anywhere—it’s trivia. A little sprite in a puffer jacket named Scoop is tucked behind crates and in tiny caves; every time I found him, he gave me a “nugget of wisdom,” usually centered around Japanese history and food. It was through Scoop that I learned that the first underwater mailbox is located in Wakayama, the process to make bonito flakes, and that persimmons are best enjoyed in moderation.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Bakeru’s affection for Japanese folklore and culture is proudly worn on its sleeve, face, and just about everywhere else. Each of Japan’s 47 prefectures gets its own level as the titular tanuki goes around cleansing evil spirits. You explore levels in search of collectibles and paper lanterns, bashing enemies over the head with your sacred tanuki drum, and using the game’s four henge transformations to access different areas and give you the edge in fights.
A Tribute to Classic Gaming
Notably, Bakeru is a clear throwback to the good old days of Konami’s Ganbare Goemon series. These games aren’t always given the props they’re owed as pillars of the N64 and SNES libraries due to their meager traction in the West. Fan translations, emulation, and now natively recompiled “ports” have helped these games continue to reach new players and gain a following among PC players in Japan and out. Bakeru itself arrived in the West a year after it initially launched on the Switch, exclusively in Japan.
Unique Features and Gameplay Elements
The game is so glossy; everything from movement to combat blows anything on the Nintendo 64 out of the water. Little details go a long way—piles of fallen leaves typically fly apart to reveal coins when you run through them, but using the henge transformation that miniaturizes you, you simply rustle through them. Mechanically, Bakeru offers a satisfying, responsive experience reminiscent of classic platformers—but with significantly enhanced visuals and polish.
However, while Bakeru’s levels are colorful and varied, they aren’t convincing as a connected explorable world. The game’s levels are strictly linear, and many of its “secrets” are barely out of view. While Bakeru doesn’t need to mirror its inspirations perfectly, as a straight-up platformer, it sometimes feels too easy and mundane.