Princess Peach, Mario’s steadfast companion and Bowser’s perennial foil, stars in her own adventure on the Nintendo Switch. In Princess Peach: Showtime! players will assume various roles on the stage, including those of a ninja, cowboy, baker, detective, and mermaid.
Princess Peach: Showtime! garnered considerable anticipation prior to release. The game presents a more proactive Peach, departing from the stereotypical “damsel in distress” archetype (a contrast highlighted in Super Mario Bros. The Movie). Through carefully crafted cutscenes and dialogue, the game showcases Peach as brave, resourceful, and determined. This development offers a refreshing perspective on the character and underscores the importance of diverse representation in gaming, providing relatable figures for a broad audience. Princess Peach: Showtime! effectively delivers on the promise of its trailers, presenting a vibrant, imaginative, and creatively rich experience that aligns with Nintendo’s established standards.
The narrative centers around Princess Peach and her companion, Sparkla, as they attend a theatrical performance. Their evening is disrupted by the villainous Madame Grape, who seizes control of the stage productions. Peach and Sparkla must then assume the leading roles in each play, navigating levels filled with collectibles, enemies, and unexpected challenges.
Nintendo excels at crafting engaging and accessible gaming experiences. Princess Peach: Showtime! boasts a polished presentation, with levels designed to be appropriately paced and challenging for younger players. The game incorporates systems to aid progression, such as providing extra hearts (health) after multiple failures, and the option to bypass particularly difficult sections using collected coins. While the overall challenge may be moderate for experienced players, the game offers a delightful shared experience for adults and children, fostering collaboration and problem-solving.
Princess Peach: Showtime! generally maintains a consistent frame rate in docked mode, with occasional dips during graphically intense moments. Level design varies in quality; the Ninja, Space (referencing Mega Man), Cowboy, Mermaid, Figure Skating, and Detective transformations stand out as particularly engaging. Conversely, the Thief stages suffer from imprecise platforming, and the Baker levels can feel somewhat protracted.
In conclusion, Princess Peach: Showtime! is a commendable title. While minor shortcomings in execution and a relatively low difficulty level for experienced platformer players exist, it is highly recommended as a collaborative experience for younger audiences.
Nintendo provided a review copy for evaluation purposes. The provision of materials does not influence editorial independence.
