SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘Castlevania Dominus Collection’, Plus Today’s Releases and Sales

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article brings you several game reviews, starting with in-depth analyses of Castlevania Dominus Collection and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, followed by quick takes on the latest Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and wrap things up with a look at the current sales and expiring deals. Let's dive in!

Reviews & Mini-Reviews

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

Konami's recent track record with classic game collections has been exceptional, and the Castlevania franchise is a prime example. Castlevania Dominus Collection, the third in the series on modern platforms, focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy. Developed by M2, this collection delivers excellent results, offering more than initially apparent and potentially becoming the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania games hold a unique place in franchise history, a mix of highs and lows. Positively, the trilogy boasts distinct identities, creating a surprisingly diverse set. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from clunky touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated here. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, focusing on a novel dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia significantly deviates, presenting a challenging experience reminiscent of Simon’s Quest. All are strong titles; some might even argue "great." Highly recommended.

However, this trilogy marked the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploratory Castlevania titles, an era that began with the revitalizing Symphony of the Night. While each game has merit, there's a question of whether their distinct styles represented creative exploration or attempts to recapture a waning audience's interest. Looking back, many felt fatigued by the formula, a sentiment I shared despite enjoying each game upon release. It highlights the adage: you don't know what you've got until it's gone.

Surprisingly, these aren't emulations but native ports, allowing M2 to implement significant improvements. The annoying touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with button inputs, and a three-screen layout (main screen, status screen, and map) is implemented. While some DS elements remain, the controller support in docked mode enhances the experience, making Dawn of Sorrow a top contender among Castlevania titles for me.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can choose game regions, customize button mappings, and adjust controller configurations. A charming credits sequence featuring an unsung hero is a delightful touch. A comprehensive gallery includes art, manuals, and box art. The superb soundtrack is also included, allowing custom playlist creation.

In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, control remapping, screen layout customization, background color choices, and audio adjustments. A detailed compendium provides information on equipment, enemies, and items. My only minor critique is the lack of additional screen layout options to maximize the play area. This is a fantastic way to experience three excellent games, offering incredible value for the price.

But that's not all! The infamous arcade title, Haunted Castle, is included. Its inclusion here, rather than in the first collection, is curious. It's notoriously unforgiving, but boasts great music and a stylish opening. However, its brutal difficulty is mitigated by the inclusion of unlimited continues. But... there's more!

The final extra, a full remake of Haunted Castle, is a game-changer. M2 has created Haunted Castle Revisited, a substantial overhaul that retains the original's spirit while significantly improving gameplay. It's essentially a new Castlevania game cleverly hidden within this DS collection!

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. The inclusion of a fantastic new game alongside the expertly presented DS titles makes it a remarkable value. The original Haunted Castle is a bonus, albeit a challenging one. If you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, this collection, along with the others, is a great starting point. Another stellar collaboration between Konami and M2.

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)

My experience with Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn has been a mixed bag. While I've enjoyed Tengo Project's previous titles, this remake presented some unique challenges. The team's limited involvement with the original 8-bit game and my personal reservations about the original's quality created initial hesitation.

However, a preview at Tokyo Game Show last year reignited my enthusiasm. Having now played the game extensively, my opinion sits somewhere in the middle. Compared to Tengo Project's other works, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. Nevertheless, the improvements are substantial, encompassing presentation and refined weapon/item systems. While new characters are absent, the existing ones are well-differentiated. It's undoubtedly superior to the original while capturing its essence. Fans of the original will adore this.

For those who, like me, found the original merely decent, this remake won't drastically alter that perception. The simultaneous access to both chain and sword is a significant improvement, with the sword being more useful. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. The difficulty, however, presents some frustrating spikes, making it more challenging than the original. This is the best version of Shadow of the Ninja, but it's still Shadow of the Ninja.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, representing a significant improvement over its predecessor. Its appeal depends heavily on one's feelings toward the original. Newcomers will find an enjoyable but not essential action game, retaining an 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

A quick look at the recent Pinball FX DLC, celebrating the game's significant update. Two new tables arrived: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball utilizes voice clips and video from the movie, a welcome addition. The mechanics feel authentic and satisfying, offering a well-designed and enjoyable experience for both newcomers and veterans.

Zen Studios sometimes misses the mark with licensed tables, lacking music, voice acting, and likeness. The Princess Bride Pinball excels in this regard. While not the most innovative, its familiar design choices contribute to its appeal.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces its source material's absurdity. This unique table is only possible in a video game. It's initially bewildering but rewarding. More suited to experienced players, it might prove challenging for Goat Simulator fans unfamiliar with pinball.

Zen Studios delivers another solid DLC, showcasing their creativity. It's a complex table, but mastering it reveals hilarious antics. Goat Simulator fans who persevere will be rewarded, but it requires more effort than other tables.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As mentioned in yesterday's review, this charming 3D platformer from Good-Feel is a delightful experience. Play as Bakeru, a tanuki saving Japan from an evil overlord. Battle enemies, uncover Japan trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humor. The Switch version suffers from inconsistent framerate, but otherwise, it's a fun title.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an 8-bit homage, though its style isn't strictly reminiscent of that era. It's a simple shoot-'em-up with boss battles.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

While typically outside our focus, this language-learning game stands out. Take photos and learn Japanese vocabulary. While the price might be steep, it offers a unique learning method.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales include OrangePixel's games, a rare discount on Alien Hominid, and a sale on Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are also ending their sales. Explore both the new and expiring sales lists below.

Select New Sales

(List of games on sale)

(List of games on sale)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of games on sale)

That's it for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and possibly a review. We're in the midst of a fantastic gaming season, so hang onto your wallets and enjoy! Have a great Tuesday!