ONE PIECE: Grand Gourmet Review (Nintendo Switch)

There are plenty of games based on ONE PIECE, but most focus on high-octane battles, Musou-style chaos, or grand adventures across the seas. ONE PIECE: Grand Gourmet takes a completely different route, swapping swords and Devil Fruit powers for menus, meal preparation, and restaurant management. Rather than saving the world, you're helping transform a second branch of the legendary Baratie into the finest dining destination on the Grand Line. It's a surprisingly cosy concept that fits the colourful world of ONE PIECE remarkably well.

At its heart, Grand Gourmet is a restaurant management simulation. Working alongside Sanji and the Straw Hat Crew, players gather ingredients, create dishes, build meal combinations, and keep customers happy while steadily expanding their culinary empire. The core gameplay loop is immediately accessible: discover recipes, prepare meals, serve guests, earn rewards, and use those rewards to improve your restaurant.

What makes the experience enjoyable is the way it ties cooking progression to exploration and discovery. New recipes constantly unlock, encouraging experimentation with ingredients and different menu combinations. Fans will appreciate seeing dishes inspired by the anime and manga alongside original creations that cleverly incorporate Devil Fruit concepts. The steady drip-feed of content ensures there's almost always something new to chase.

The management systems strike a comfortable balance between depth and accessibility. This isn't the sort of game that overwhelms players with spreadsheets or punishing micromanagement. Instead, the focus remains on building an efficient and visually appealing restaurant while enjoying time with favourite characters from the series.

The biggest selling point is undoubtedly the enormous cast. More than 400 characters appear as customers and staff, all recreated in charming pixel-art form. Seeing obscure fan favourites walk through the doors alongside major characters gives the restaurant a sense of life and authenticity that many licensed games struggle to achieve. Character interactions and special events add extra flavour, providing little rewards for dedicated fans who know the world inside and out.

The pixel art itself is delightful. Characters are instantly recognisable despite their tiny size, and the bright colours perfectly capture the upbeat energy of the source material. Watching beloved pirates, marines, and villains enjoying a meal together creates countless charming moments.

Beyond cooking, a significant portion of the game revolves around customisation. With more than 200 furniture and decorative items inspired by locations throughout the series, players have plenty of freedom to personalise their establishment. Whether you're drawn to the sweet aesthetics of Whole Cake Island or the futuristic style of Egghead, there's enough variety to make your restaurant feel unique.

The decorating system isn't just cosmetic either. Certain characters react positively to designs they enjoy and may visit more frequently, adding an extra strategic layer to restaurant planning. It's a simple mechanic, but one that helps make every design choice feel meaningful.

Those expecting action-heavy gameplay may find Grand Gourmet a little too laid-back. The pacing is deliberately relaxed, focusing on management and collection rather than challenge. While this creates a pleasant and stress-free atmosphere, it can occasionally make progression feel repetitive during longer sessions.

Fortunately, the constant stream of new recipes, character encounters, and customisation unlocks helps prevent the experience from becoming stale. The game understands that much of its audience is here to spend more time in the ONE PIECE universe rather than to tackle complex simulation systems.

Pros

• Charming pixel-art presentation

• Over 400 characters from across the series

• Relaxing and accessible management gameplay

• Huge variety of recipes to discover

• Extensive restaurant customisation options

Cons

• Can become repetitive during longer sessions

• Limited challenge for experienced simulation fans

• Gameplay loop prioritises comfort over complexity

ONE PIECE: Grand Gourmet successfully proves that not every anime tie-in needs to revolve around combat. By transforming the beloved world of ONE PIECE into a cosy restaurant management sim, it offers something genuinely refreshing for fans. The huge cast, charming pixel visuals, satisfying progression systems, and extensive customisation create a game that's easy to relax with and difficult not to smile at.

It may not have the depth to satisfy management sim veterans, but for ONE PIECE fans looking for a lighter adventure packed with fan service, personality, and plenty of delicious-looking food, this voyage is well worth taking.

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)

ONE PIECE: Grand Gourmet is available now!