017: Hands-On With Princess Peach: Showtime! (Demo)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/49pYHQA6scFFir0G0BEaDS
The Nintendo Switch is nearing the end of its life-cycle and it seems increasingly likely that 2024 will be the last full year of it being the only console Nintendo is selling. That said, they aren't hanging current owners completely out to dry as 2024 will see a steady drip of new content for players. First was the remake of Mario Vs. Donkey Kong and second will be this month's Princess Peach: Showtime!. In advance of the release of this new franchise, Nintendo has released a demo so players can experience what the general gameplay flow of this game will be.
The demo introduces the player to the general world of the game (Peach is going to a show at the Sparkle Theater and it gets attacked by Grape and the Sour Bunch so she has to team up with a ribbon named Stella to save the show) and the first two levels. Going into the game, it was announced that each level would have Peach learn a new ability, however the demo does solidify that each level's ability would be bound to that level. Granted, each level makes use of a specific ability because it is relevant to the plot of the play that's been invaded, however considering how the early part of both levels play kind of identically, it would be nice to be able to switch costumes and abilities for that part.
The second issue I have with the demo is its length. I'm not saying the demo has to be tremendously long because it's really designed to just give the player a taste for what the game is, but the levels appear to just be the first two areas from the full game and I blew through it in about an hour. Considering it did not appear that there were too many more worlds after that, this would be a relatively quick experience that is being sold at the full retail price of $59.99.
The gameplay in the second level was kind of what intrigued me and kept me interested in the full release, namely that it is not combat-focused and it is designed more around baking and cake decorating. It's an interesting departure from the first level and could be indicative of the fact that the game is closer to a Mario Party game that's just long minigames, but again the price is a sticking point if that is what this is. When Nintendo released Mario Party: The Top 100 on the 3DS, that was also the full standard launch price for a 3DS title but that was still $20 less and had more variety.
I am still excited for the full launch, even if this latest demo has put a bit of a wet blanket over it. We will see when it releases next week though.
