Princess Peach: Showtime!
Developer Good-Feel
Publisher Nintendo
Format Switch
Release Out now
The third stage of each production asks Peach to rescue its kidnapped lead, or Sparkla, so they can join her for the finale. There’s an incentive for an encore, too, with several hidden Theets (audience members) to seek out
Having belatedly moved with the times, transforming the Mushroom Kingdom’s oft-kidnapped ruler from hapless damsel to resourceful supporting player, Nintendo finally grants her a first leading role since 2005’s Super Princess Peach. Where Tose’s touch-enhanced platformer rather misguidedly let players literally tap into her emotions – allowing Peach to instantly turn on the waterworks or fly into a rage – here she’s made of sterner stuff, for the most part essaying a kind of sleeves-up determination as she sets out to resolve the problem at hand.