For years games, in the Mushroom Kingdom have been a bit of a ‘lads-only’ affair. Mario, his brother Luigi and Toad all have had the starring role in their own game, while Princess Peach sat on the sidelines or worse still – in another castle. But, Nintendo’s latest title Princess Peach: Showtime! attempts to redress this balance. with a game based around everyone’s favourite Mushroom Kingdom princess. Pipe down, Daisy fans.
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Developed by Japanese studio Good-Feel, Princess Peach: Showtime! is very much built as an entry point into the world of gaming. This is not a negative, of course, but, it’s an element the veteran players may need to keep in mind; on both the depth and challenge front.
Welcome, New Gamers
It’s also clear to see that this game is a result of the huge success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie last year. The game overtly aims to capture those fans, with a few new and interesting ideas.
The game’s tale is light, but acts well at sticking the stages together – where one of Princess Peach’s Toads receives a flyer advertising plays at the Sparkle Theatre. Intrigued, Peach decides to attend.
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But a wicked Sorceress named Grape and her minions, the Sour Bunch, invade and take over the theatre, trapping the visitors inside the building, including you. So, it’s up to Peach to battle through a number of different plays to save the day.
Peach Chameleon
This core idea sees the game truly changing from level to level. Peach will gain special abilities to fit each play’s setting, seeing her transform into a particular build. Swordfighter Peach, Detective Peach, Pâtissier Peach, Kung Fu Peach, Ninja Peach and Cowgirl Peach to name just a few.
Each Peach comes packed with unique abilities you’ll have to master. Like Cowgirl Peach having a lasso, or Swordfighter Peach being exactly what she’s says on the tin. This feature creates a smorgasbord of real delights and wonder. You never really know what you’ll be from scene to scene, and that novelty never wears off.
Depth Unexplored
Though, sadly, there are so many swaps along the way that none of them really get to be explored in any depth, beyond a few challenges that require that set skill. This is a shame as there are some truly interesting ideas at play across the different skills in Princess Peach: Showtime!. And, at times, you wish you could have had a few more levels with each.
But, in that oh-so-Nintendo way, you’ll be expected to re-run levels to grab any missing collectables. This does let you have some more time with level’s skill sets, which is nice. A few extra levels with each Peach would have been nicer, though.
Peach Boss Fights
Boss fights are also a highlight Princess Peach: Showtime!. Each delivers a well-designed fight, that makes the best from the skill sets. The creativity on show during boss fights is wonderful, and the execution is often stellar.
Princess Peach: Showtime! is full of charm and whimsy, which seems to have influenced the level of challenge you’ll face. For most, this lack of challenge won’t be an huge issue beyond being able to complete it very quickly.
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For those who do struggle with the game there are a number of accessibility options on call in Princess Peach: Showtime!. Options like getting more lives, or being able to auto complete the level if you are stumped. However, there is a cost to using some of the more facilitating accessibility options.
Again, this highlights the games target audience being mainly non-gamers or youngsters, which is an admirable move if I am honest. Not every game has to be Dark Souls, and we all have to start somewhere.
Art of Mario
Princess Peach: Showtime! looks great with that signature Nintendo art style; chunky and colourful while being pack with charm, which is only amplified when Peach gets a new skill as her full outfit changes to the skill.
Plus, the game fully embodies its theatre theme throughout, with lots of nice touches; like a spotlight being on Peach. Sound is also of the standard you would expect from a first party Nintendo title. The audio is filled with joy; catchy tunes, cute utterances and cartoon sound effects.
Time to Switch
Although it’s not all sunshine, lollipops and rainbows. The game has a few technical issues, some of which highlights how Nintendo Switch is showing its age. Stuff like long loading times, and lots of them. The low overall resolution doesn’t sully the style or art, but you do notice it. Especially when it drops to a lower-res suddenly.
Princess Peach: Showtime! is a fun and joy filled title that knows who its targeting and that audience will have a blast and easily overlook its rough spots, whereas more seasoned players will find a chilled-out title, that is easy going with a few surprises along the way.