Summary
With at least one stage for every prefecture in Japan, there are a ton of action platforming adventures to be had in Good-Feel’s Japanese action platformerBakeru. That begs the question though: with so many stages to choose from, which of Bakeru’s over 50 stages are the most fun to play?
From Hokkaido to Okinawa, these eleven stages are the ones that stand out among the crowd as the best that Bakeru’s fairy tale Japan has to offer.
11Gunma
Choina Choina!
Based on the iconic and beautiful kusatsu onsen hot springs, the stage uses the steamy nature of the onsen to its advantage, with slippery footing from all the condensation and dangerously hot water making for a difficult but rewarding platforming challenge in a unique setting.
Full disclosure here, I am a bit biased toward Gunma prefecture, having lived there for quite a while. Even so, the way the level design utilizes the setting toramp up the difficultywould still be worthy of praise, even if it wasn’t set in my favorite prefecture.
The “choina choina” chant repeated by enemies in this stage is actually part of a traditional bathing song which originated in kusatsu onsen. The chant itself has no English equivalent, but is infamous in the Gunma prefecture, and especially in the kusatsu onsen area.
10Chiba
You’re Not Fooling Anyone, Good-Feel
This late game parade stage is notable mostly because it’s very clear that the so-called “Oracleland” is actually meant to be a legally distinct depiction of Tokyo Disneyland, Chiba’s most popular tourist attraction and Japan’s most famous theme park.
That being said, the way the stage plays with shifting environments on the various floats makes it a much better execution of the moving screen parade idea than the one you play through in Kyoto, and the parody of Disneyland adds a bit of extra charm to the stage as well.
9Okinawa
Finally, A Good Underwater Level
Owing to Okinawa’s reputation as “the Hawaii of Japan”, it’s only natural that the stage based on the area, near where you meet Urashimataro and acquire his henge, takes full advantage of the tropical ocean setting by putting you in a giant city in an undersea dome.
There can be issues with performance in this area onNintendo Switch, but the atmosphere and energy of the stage, combined with its sheer size and scale, make Okinawaa vacationto remember, regardless of the frame rate.
8Hyogo
The White Heron Castle In All Its Glory
Castle Himeji is far and away the most famous stronghold in all of Japan, and the rich history of the White Heron Castle is on full display with references and details galore in thisvisual spectacleof a stage.
Running atop the roof of the keep and fighting the various daruma and tako enemies as you do will feel absolutely incredible to those who have explored the castle before, but even if you’ve never been to Himeji, the castle rooftop setting still makes for an unforgettable experience.
7Wakayama
What An Introduction
Wakayama is technically the second stage in Bakeru, but if you don’t counttutorials, which run rampant in the Tanuki Clan’s home prefecture of Tokushima, Wakayama is the first time the game fully opens up to you, and it is one heck of an opener.
With delightfully creative details littering the landscape, and a beautiful seaside setting fitting of Wakayama prefecture, it really feels like the game has come alive with excitement, putting its best foot forward and getting you excited about what’s to come.
6Niigata
Of Rice And Robots
Given that Niigata prefecture is famous for producing the best rice in all of Japan, it makes perfect sense that the prefecture’s dedicated boss stage sees you fighting as agiant mechakettle against a giant enemy rice ball.
In all seriousness, we had to include at least one of Bakeru’s tokusatsu fights, and of all the fights in the game utilizing the giant robot Bunbuku, the one that stands out as the most enjoyable is Niigata and its roughhousing rice ball.
5Kagawa
The Isle Of Demons
Momotaro’s hunting ground makes great use of the Isle of Demons legends to bring a combat-focused stage that pulls off the continuous brawling of its theme in a much better way than other similarly themed stages in Bakeru, with an epic backdrop to boot.
As the lighting strikes and you enter the demon stronghold, you’ll need to use every tool the game has given you to survive the onslaught ahead. It’s a great challenge to overcome, and it feels incredible to explore the cursed island on your own.
4Mie
Race On The Famous Suzuka Circuit
The robotic canine companion that Bakeru throws your way in select levels is just one of the ways Bakeru shows its players that the game is packed to the brim with pleasant surprises, but the very first time you race in a robotic dog also happens to have the track with the best layout.
Screeching around the corners of the renowned Suzuka Circuit track and dodging the Festival Troop’s obstacles as you fly past the trees at blinding speeds, there really is nothing quite like a good race in Bakeru. Plus, it’s much easier to find Scoop in this stage, too.
3Shimane
City Escape 2.0
Shimane prefecture, home to the famous Eshima Ohashi bridge, is one of the most exciting levels in the entire game. Packed to the brim with boost pads and cars, the entire affair feels like playing anespecially good Sonic game, and its unlike anything else in Bakeru.
Running through enemies at high speed feels great, but the best part about Shimane is that you’re free to stop sprinting and avoid the boost pads if you’d like as well, which adds to the level’s replayability and allows for player creativity. Take notes here, Sonic.
2Yamagata
A Gorgeous Snowy Village
The incredible atmosphere of Yamagata’s snow-filled village is only the tip of the iceberg. Exploring the rooftops of the village, the bathhouses that line the streets, and tricky layout make this one of the most memorable stages in the entire game, visuals aside.
This is one of those video game levels that just gets what it means to be an action platformer. It combines the best aspects of every other level in the game, and has a plethora of engaging combat opportunities to boot.
