Princess Peach: Showtime! Review: Nintendo Switch’s Stage is Set for the Princess’ Triumphant Return

Princess Peach: Showtime! Review – Princess Peach Returns to the Spotlight on Nintendo Switch Princess Peach has long played second fiddle in Nintendo’s vast stable of iconic characters.

While Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and Captain Toad have each enjoyed their own starring moments across multiple console generations, Princess Peach’s time as the central protagonist has been notably brief.

Her only prior lead role came in 2005’s "Super Princess Peach" on the Nintendo DS.

Now, nearly twenty years later, Peach claims center stage once more in "Princess Peach: Showtime!" for Nintendo Switch—an eagerly anticipated adventure marking her much-deserved return. Developed and published by Nintendo, "Princess Peach: Showtime!" stands as a Switch exclusive, launching worldwide in March 2024.

The game broadens Peach's legacy, delivering inventive mechanics and an entirely new setting: the Sparkle Theater.

Here, Peach is joined by Stella, the theater’s guardian, and faces the villainous Madame Grape alongside her Sour Bunch, setting off a theatrical quest that extends beyond the familiar Mushroom Kingdom.

This fresh backdrop, populated by the new Theet race, infuses the experience with a distinct narrative flavor as Peach must assume the starring role in multiple stage plays disrupted by Madame Grape’s meddling. Nintendo’s approach with "Princess Peach: Showtime!" emphasizes gameplay variety over narrative depth.

Each stage represents a different play, presenting Peach with new challenges and genres that mirror archetypal theatrical performances.

Players will find Peach donning a diverse range of costumes—ten in total—each unlocking unique mechanics and playstyles.

These include Swordfighter Peach, offering hack-and-slash action; Ninja Peach, who employs stealth tactics; and Detective Peach, focusing on environmental puzzle-solving without combat.

While stages are brief and generally linear, the shift in gameplay with each ensemble adds both charm and replayability, albeit with some overlap among the more combat-oriented costumes. However, critics point out that while "Showtime!" excels in variety, certain gameplay styles lack the depth seen in more focused Mario titles.

For instance, there is limited distinction between some combat roles, and a few control quirks—such as Figure Skater Peach’s handling or fixed camera angles—can detract from the experience.

Nonetheless, accessible difficulty, generous checkpoints, and frequent health pickups make this entry especially attractive to younger and novice players. Completionists will appreciate the game’s collectathon elements: each stage contains hidden Sparkle Gems and ribbons, with some requiring quick reflexes or thorough exploration to obtain.

Boss battles, reminiscent of classic Mario games, punctuate each floor of the theater and require using ensemble abilities to identify and attack weaknesses.

Sparkle Gems also function as a gateway to new content, but progression remains steady and is unlikely to impede most players. Visually, "Princess Peach: Showtime!" is a showpiece on Nintendo Switch, with elaborate, layered set pieces that evoke the handcrafted style of "Paper Mario" and "Yoshi's Woolly World." Each stage bursts with color, and Peach’s animations dynamically reflect her current role, bringing her character to life in fresh ways.

Bosses are similarly creative, fitting the overarching theater theme.

Yet, reviewers note technical blemishes, such as lengthy loading times and occasional slowdown, particularly during stage transitions.

Handheld mode can introduce visual blurring, hinting at the Switch’s hardware constraints, though performance remains steady during actual gameplay. The sound design is notably dynamic, featuring stage-appropriate compositions—Ninja Peach stages embrace traditional Japanese instruments, while superhero motifs energize Mighty Peach segments.

Voice acting is sparse, mainly limited to brief dialogue and sound effects, aligning with tradition in Mario franchise spinoffs. While the main story can be completed in roughly ten hours, extra objectives and unlockable content extend "Princess Peach: Showtime!" for those seeking full completion.

Cosmetic costumes available from the in-game theater shop and post-game challenges provide further reasons to revisit the Sparkle Theater. In summary, "Princess Peach: Showtime!" is a vibrant and welcoming addition to the Mario universe, distinguished by its inventive variety and theatrical presentation.

Despite minor technical setbacks and some shallow mechanics, the title establishes Princess Peach as a compelling solo lead on Nintendo Switch, making for a delightful and accessible experience for franchise fans and newcomers alike. Score: 8/10 A review copy of Princess Peach: Showtime! was provided by Nintendo UK.

Nintendo Switch Peach Nintendo Mario Switch Princess Peach Princess Peach: Showtime Super Princess Peach Luigi Yoshi Captain Toad Madame Grape Sparkle Theater Stella Nintendo UK Sour Bunch