Software:Princess Peach: Showtime!

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Short description: 2024 video game

Princess Peach: Showtime!
Game icon showing Peach in her various transformations
Developer(s)Good-Feel
Publisher(s)Nintendo
Director(s)Etsunobu Ebisu
SeriesMario
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch
ReleaseMarch 22, 2024
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Lua error in Module:Lang/utilities at line 332: attempt to call field '_transl' (a nil value). is a 2024 action-adventure game developed by Good-Feel and published by Nintendo. The game was released for the Nintendo Switch on March 22, 2024. It is the first game to feature Princess Peach as the main protagonist since Super Princess Peach (2005).

The game received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its visuals, story, and soundtrack but criticized its repetitive gameplay, lack of depth, low difficulty, and technical issues. The game sold 1.22 million copies within 10 days.

Gameplay

A gameplay screenshot showcasing the theater setting of the game

Princess Peach: Showtime! is an action-adventure game.[1] The player controls Princess Peach and has the ability to interact with objects and characters with the help of a sentient ribbon named Stella. By standing on a circular platform, Peach will gain special abilities to fit each play's setting.[2] Peach's transformations include Swordfighter Peach, Patissiere Peach, Ninja Peach, Cowgirl Peach, Figure Skater Peach, Detective Peach, Dashing Thief Peach, Mighty Peach, Mermaid Peach, and Kung Fu Peach, each with unique abilities.[3][4][5] Peach's health is measured through five hearts, but an additional three hearts can be granted for easier difficulty by equipping the optional Heart Charm power-up. It is also possible to unlock skins (called "Ribbons") for Peach and Stella by rescuing a Theet named Ribboner in each of the game's levels, playing a "Rehearsal" challenge, or using Sparkle Gems, which act as the game's currency.[6]

Plot

One of Princess Peach's Toads receives a flyer advertising plays at the Sparkle Theater. Intrigued, Peach decides to attend the theater, accompanied by two of her Toads. As they arrive, a wicked sorceress named Grape and her minions, the Sour Bunch, invade and take over the theater, trapping many visitors inside the building, including Peach, who loses her crown during the commotion. Peach then meets Stella, the Sparkle Theater's guardian, and agrees to help her restore the theater. Making their way throughout all of the different plays, Peach and Stella work to rescue the Sparklas, who are the stars of all of the theater's plays.

After rescuing all of the Sparklas from the Sour Bunch, Peach assumes the form of Radiant Peach and confronts Grape at the theater's bottom floor, where the latter is eventually reduced to nothing more than her mask. However, Grape regains power and transforms into a giant version of herself, destroying the theater in the process. With support from the Theets, Peach and Stella resume battling Grape and eventually defeat her before restoring the theater to its original state. During the credits sequence, Peach performs with the Sparklas and reunites with the Toads, who give her crown back.

Development

During the June 21, 2023 Nintendo Direct, Nintendo announced a new game centered around Princess Peach was in development and would be released for the Switch in 2024.[7] The September 14, 2023 Direct revealed more details about the game, including its title, Peach's sidekick Stella, the first few transformations, the main villains Grape and the Sour Bunch, and a release date of March 22, 2024.[8][9] The game uses the Unreal Engine 4 game engine.[10]

On October 12, 2023, news outlets noted that the game's box art and key artwork had been changed to give Peach more determined facial expressions, which have been compared to her appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.[11][12]

The game's development company was not officially revealed until March 21, 2024, when it was discovered via credits that Good-Feel was the developer and that the game was directed by Etsunobu Ebisu.[13] Good-Feel's involvement with the game was leaked from its demo code two weeks prior.[14][15]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic74/100[16]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Destructoid8/10[18]
Eurogamer4/5[20]
Famitsu33/40[21]
Game Informer7.5/10[22]
GameSpot7/10[23]
GamesRadar+3.5/5[24]
IGN7/10[25]
Nintendo Life8/10[26]
Shacknews7/10[29]
The Guardian2/5[30]
VG2475/5[31]

Princess Peach: Showtime! received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[16] Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received strong approval, being recommended by 60% of critics.[17] In Japan, four critics from Famitsu gave the game two eights, one nine, and one eight for a total score of 33 out of 40.[21]

IGN's Logan Plant gave the game a 7 out of 10, praising its variety with the stage play, story, costumes, and music, while also praising its bosses as "strong suits." However, he criticized the completion aspect, commenting that the length of the levels were rather long due to the cutscenes. Plant also raised concerns about the graphics and framerate, saying that Peach's model was rather "blurry" at times, and found that the loading screens also lagged slightly. In the end, he applauded the game for putting more emphasis on Peach and enjoyed the genres available.[25]

GamesRadar+'s Dustin Bailey also liked the variety in stage design, praising one of the levels as "the type of mystery the player would be solving in the vein of a classic point-and-click adventure game." He also stated that the game did not have much replay value.[24]

In a more critical review, The Guardian disliked the game's repetition, calling it "paper-thin". They also considered the game rather "shallow", saying that some of the game's ideas felt like they were "prototypes which escaped Nintendo headquarters." Their more positive notes included the ice-skating levels and kung-fu vignette adding appeal.[30]

Sales

Princess Peach: Showtime! was the best selling game in Japan for the week of 24 March, with a total of 77,562 units sold.[33][34] It remained number one in Japan the following week.[35][36] In the UK, it debuted at number 3 for the week of 26 March.[37][38] The game was the 6th best selling title in the US during March 2024, without digital sales included.[39] Princess Peach: Showtime! was the 3rd best selling game between April 1 to April 28 in Japan.[40] The game sold 1.22 million copies,[41][42] which it achieved in 10 days.[43] In May 2024, it was the 9th best selling physical game in Japan.[44]

Awards

The game was nominated for "Best Family Game" at The Game Awards 2024.[45]

It was also nominated for four NAVGTR Awards for Artistic Animation, Camera Direction in a Game Engine, Franchise Family Game, and won the award for Franchise Original Light Music Score.[46]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ ""Princess Peach: Showtime!"". Nintendo. Nintendo of America, Inc.. https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/princess-peach-showtime-switch/. 
  2. ↑ (in en) Princess Peach: Showtime! - Official Announcement Trailer - IGN, 2023-09-14, https://www.ign.com/videos/princess-peach-showtime-official-announcement-trailer, retrieved 2024-03-07 
  3. ↑ Hoban, Brie (2023-09-14). "Princess Peach Showtime: Every Transformation Confirmed So Far" (in en). https://gamerant.com/princess-peach-showtime-all-transformations-swordfighter-detective-patissier/. 
  4. ↑ (in en) Princess Peach: Showtime! - Official Transformation Trailer - IGN, 2024-01-23, https://www.ign.com/videos/princess-peach-showtime-official-transformation-trailer, retrieved 2024-03-07 
  5. ↑ (in en) Princess Peach: Showtime! - Official Transformation Trailer #2 - IGN, 2024-02-14, https://www.ign.com/videos/princess-peach-showtime-official-transformation-trailer-2, retrieved 2024-03-07 
  6. ↑ "Princess Peach™: Showtime! for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site" (in en-US). https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/princess-peach-showtime-switch/. 
  7. ↑ Moogan, Logan (June 21, 2023). "New Princess Peach Game Announced for Nintendo Switch". https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/princess-peach-game-nintendo-switch/. 
  8. ↑ LeBlanc, Wesley (September 14, 2023). "Princess Peach Showtime Hits Switch This March". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2023/09/14/princess-peach-showtime-hits-switch-this-march. Retrieved September 14, 2023. 
  9. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (September 14, 2023). "Nintendo Announces Princess Peach Showtime!, Due Out on Switch in 2024" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-announces-princess-peach-showtime-due-out-on-switch-in-2024. 
  10. ↑ Doolan, Liam (February 13, 2024). "Nintendo's New Princess Peach Game Appears To Be Powered By Unreal Engine". https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/02/nintendos-new-princess-peach-game-appears-to-be-powered-by-unreal-engine. 
  11. ↑ Dinsdale, Ryan (2023-10-12). "Princess Peach Box Art Updated to Look a Little More Like She Does in the Super Mario Bros. Movie" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/princess-peach-box-art-updated-to-look-a-little-more-like-she-does-in-the-super-mario-bros-movie. 
  12. ↑ Bellingham, Hope (2023-10-12). "Peach chooses violence in the new Princess Peach: Showtime box art" (in en). https://www.gamesradar.com/peach-chooses-violence-in-the-new-princess-peach-showtime-box-art/. 
  13. ↑ Robinson, Andy (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach Showtime is Goemon designer's first directorial role in over 25 years". Video Games Chronicle. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/princess-peach-showtime-is-goemon-designers-first-directorial-role-in-over-25-years/. 
  14. ↑ Norman, Jim (March 7, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime! Developer Seemingly Revealed In Demo's Code". Nintendo Life. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/03/princess-peach-showtime-developer-seemingly-revealed-in-demos-code. 
  15. ↑ Phillips, Tom (March 8, 2024). "Nintendo says to wait for Princess Peach: Showtime's credits to find out which developer made it" (in en). Eurogamer.net. https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-says-to-wait-for-princess-peach-showtimes-credits-to-find-out-which-developer-made-it. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Princess Peach: Showtime! for Switch Reviews". https://www.metacritic.com/game/princess-peach-showtime/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch. Retrieved April 11, 2024. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Princess Peach: Showtime!". OpenCritic. https://opencritic.com/game/15497/princess-peach-showtime-. 
  18. ↑ Carter, Chris (March 21, 2024). "Review: Princess Peach: Showtime". https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-princess-peach-showtime/. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  19. ↑ Colantonio, Giovanni (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime! review: Peach's solo adventure is a fine first act". https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/princess-peach-showtime-review-nintendo-switch/. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  20. ↑ Bardhan, Ashley (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime! review - the damsel in distress becomes an RPG queen". https://www.eurogamer.net/princess-peach-showtime-review. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Romano, Sal (March 19, 2024). "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1842". https://www.gematsu.com/2024/03/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1842. 
  22. ↑ Hilliard, Kyle (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime Review - Unassuming Encore". Game Informer. https://www.gameinformer.com/review/princess-peach-showtime/unassuming-encore. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  23. ↑ Watts, Steve (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach Showtime Review - Drama Teacher". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/princess-peach-showtime-review-drama-teacher/1900-6418198/. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Bailey, Dustin (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime review: "A charming little morsel of a game"". https://www.gamesradar.com/princess-peach-showtime-review-a-charming-little-morsel-of-a-game/. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Plant, Logan (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime! Review". https://www.ign.com/articles/princess-peach-showtime-review. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  26. ↑ O'Reilly, PJ (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime! Review (Switch)". https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/princess-peach-showtime. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  27. ↑ Shutler, Ali (March 21, 2024). "'Princess Peach: Showtime!' review: leaves the audience wanting more". https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/princess-peach-showtime-review-nintendo-3603934. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  28. ↑ Greenwald, Will (April 2, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime! Review". PCMag. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/princess-peach-showtime. Retrieved August 31, 2024. 
  29. ↑ Mejia, Ozzie (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime! review: One woman show". https://www.shacknews.com/article/139189/princess-peach-showtime-review-score. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Regan, Tom (March 22, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime review – a paper-thin performance". https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/mar/22/princess-peach-showtime-review-nintendo-switch. Retrieved March 22, 2024. 
  31. ↑ Raynor, Kelsey (March 21, 2024). "Princess Peach: Showtime review – Nintendo's leading lady is anything but asleep at the Switch". https://www.vg247.com/princess-peach-showtime-review. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  32. ↑ Robinson, Andy (March 21, 2024). "Review: Princess Peach Showtime is a spirited, if safe starring role for Nintendo's iconic heroine". https://www.videogameschronicle.com/review/princess-peach-showtime/. Retrieved March 21, 2024. 
  33. ↑ "Japanese Charts: Princess Peach: Showtime Rules Over The Competition" (in en-GB). 2024-03-28. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/03/japanese-charts-princess-peach-showtime-rules-over-the-competition. 
  34. ↑ "Princess Peach: Showtime! Beats Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Rise of the Ronin to Top Weekly Japanese Charts". https://gamingbolt.com/princess-peach-showtime-beats-dragons-dogma-2-and-rise-of-the-ronin-to-top-weekly-japanese-charts/amp. 
  35. ↑ "Japanese Charts: Princess Peach: Showtime Wears The Crown Once Again" (in en-GB). 2024-04-04. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/04/japanese-charts-princess-peach-showtime-wears-the-crown-once-again. 
  36. ↑ "Princess Peach: Showtime! Tops Weekly Japanese Sales Charts Again". https://gamingbolt.com/princess-peach-showtime-tops-weekly-japanese-sales-charts-again/amp. 
  37. ↑ "UK Charts: Princess Peach: Showtime Can't Usurp EA From Its Throne" (in en-GB). 2024-03-25. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/03/uk-charts-princess-peach-showtime-cant-usurp-ea-from-its-throne. 
  38. ↑ "Dragon’s Dogma 2 Debuts at No. 2 in Weekly UK Retail Charts, Rise of the Ronin at No. 5". https://gamingbolt.com/dragons-dogma-2-debuts-at-no-2-in-weekly-uk-retail-charts-rise-of-the-ronin-at-no-5/amp. 
  39. ↑ Kaser, Rachel (2024-05-02). "Dragon’s Dogma 2 charts highest of March 22 titles | Circana March 2024" (in en-US). https://venturebeat.com/games/dragons-dogma-2-charts-highest-of-march-22-titles-circana-march-2024/. 
  40. ↑ Writer, Jeffrey Rousseau Staff (2024-05-15). "Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is April's best-selling game | Japan Monthly Charts" (in en). https://www.gamesindustry.biz/eiyuden-chronicle-hundred-heroes-is-aprils-best-selling-game-japan-monthly-charts. 
  41. ↑ "Princess Peach: Showtime! And Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Both Pass 1 Million Sales" (in en-GB). 2024-05-07. https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/05/princess-peach-showtime-and-mario-vs-donkey-kong-both-pass-1-million-sales. 
  42. ↑ Fertino, Anthony (2024-05-07). "Mario vs. Donkey Kong & Princess Peach: Showtime Sold Over 1 Million Units" (in en-US). https://insider-gaming.com/mario-vs-donkey-kong-princess-peach-showtime-sold-over-1-million-units/. 
  43. ↑ Caballero, David (2024-05-07). "Princess Peach and Mario vs Donkey Kong become million sellers" (in en). https://www.gamereactor.eu/princess-peach-and-mario-vs-donkey-kong-become-million-sellers-1387853/. 
  44. ↑ Writer, Sophie McEvoy Staff (2024-06-14). "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door debuts at No.1 | Japan Monthly Charts" (in en). https://www.gamesindustry.biz/paper-mario-the-thousand-year-door-debuts-at-no1-japan-monthly-charts. 
  45. ↑ Jackson, Destiny (18 November 2024). "The Game Award Nominations: ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’ Slices Its Way To Victory With Seven Nominations". Deadline. https://deadline.com/2024/11/the-game-award-nominations-2024-1236180078/. 
  46. ↑ "Metaphor: ReFantazio wins Game of the Year from NAVGTR". 25 March 2025. https://navgtr.org/2024-indiana-jones-and-metaphor-refantazio-tie-for-most-wins/. 



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