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 features in-depth reviews, including a comprehensive look at the Castlevania Dominus Collection, an analysis of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concise critiques of the latest Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, highlighting the unique and captivating Bakeru, followed by a rundown of the latest sales and expiring discounts. Let's dive in!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

Konami's recent track record with classic game collections has been outstanding, and the Castlevania franchise has been a particular beneficiary. Castlevania Dominus Collection, the third in the series on modern platforms, focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy. Developed by M2, this collection delivers exceptional quality, exceeding expectations and potentially becoming the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania games offer a unique and surprisingly diverse experience. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from cumbersome touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, utilizing a dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia stands apart with its increased difficulty and design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are excellent games, and highly recommended.

This collection marks the culmination of Koji Igarashi's era of exploratory Castlevania games. While each title possesses a distinct identity, questions remain regarding the series' direction at the time. Were these games a testament to Igarashi's creative exploration, or an attempt to recapture a dwindling audience's interest? Regardless, the collection offers a compelling retrospective.

Remarkably, these aren't emulated titles but native ports, allowing M2 to enhance the experience. The frustrating touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with more intuitive button presses, and a three-screen layout (main screen, status screen, and map) is implemented. This significantly improves Dawn of Sorrow, elevating it to a top-tier Castlevania entry for many.

The collection boasts an impressive array of options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mapping, adjust control schemes, and enjoy a charming credits sequence. A comprehensive gallery showcases artwork, manuals, and box art, while a music player allows for custom playlist creation. In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, customizable screen layouts, background color choices, audio adjustments, and exhaustive game compendiums. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This is a fantastic way to experience these three exceptional games at an incredible value.

But the surprises don't end there! The infamous arcade title, Haunted Castle, is included. While its inclusion in previous collections was questionable, it's now present with numerous options, including the essential unlimited continues feature. The game itself is notoriously difficult, but its inclusion is complemented by… a complete remake!

M2 has crafted a full remake of Haunted Castle, titled Haunted Castle Revisited. While retaining elements of the original, this remake stands as a completely separate and enjoyable experience. This is essentially a brand-new Castlevania game, a hidden gem within the collection.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. It features a fantastic new game alongside the three classic Nintendo DS titles, all presented impeccably. The inclusion of the original Haunted Castle adds a layer of nostalgic challenge. If you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, this collection is a perfect starting point. Another triumph from 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. Tengo Project's previous releases have been consistently excellent, but this remake presents unique challenges. The original game is less celebrated than their other projects, and the update focuses on an 8-bit title rather than a 16-bit one.

Initial impressions from last year's Tokyo Game Show were positive, but after completing the game, my opinion is more nuanced. Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, the improvements are substantial, including enhanced visuals, a refined weapon system, and differentiated playable characters. It's undoubtedly superior to the original while maintaining its essence. Fans of the original will adore this remake.

For those who found the original merely adequate, Reborn offers a similar experience with enhancements. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a significant improvement, and the updated inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, the game features some challenging difficulty spikes, and overall, it's more demanding than the original. It's the definitive version of Shadow of the Ninja, but it remains fundamentally Shadow of the Ninja.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, representing a significant upgrade. Its appeal depends on your feelings towards the original game. Newcomers will find an enjoyable, though not essential, action game.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

A quick look at the latest Pinball FX DLC, following a major update. Two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball incorporates voice clips and video clips from the movie, a welcome addition. Mechanically, the table is well-designed and authentic to the source material. It's relatively easy to learn but offers satisfying gameplay.

Zen Studios often misses the mark with licensed tables, but The Princess Bride Pinball is a standout. It's not the most innovative, but its familiarity adds to its charm. A great addition for both newcomers and veterans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces its source material's absurdity. It's a unique and unconventional table, only possible in a video game. The goat-related antics add quirky elements to the gameplay. It's initially challenging but rewarding upon mastering its mechanics. More suited for veteran pinball players, as Goat Simulator fans might find it difficult initially.

Goat Simulator Pinball is another solid DLC from Zen Studios. It's a challenging but ultimately entertaining addition. Fans of Goat Simulator who persevere will be rewarded with its wacky gameplay.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As mentioned in yesterday's review, Bakeru is a charming 3D platformer. Play as a tanuki on a mission to save Japan. Battle enemies, uncover hidden trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humorous elements. While the Switch version suffers from inconsistent framerate, it's a delightful game overall.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter described as an 8-bit homage. It features simple yet engaging gameplay: shoot, dash, acquire new weapons, and defeat bosses.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game where players take pictures and learn the Japanese names for objects. While not typically covered, it appears to offer a unique approach to language acquisition.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy sales are ongoing, including OrangePixel's titles. Alien Hominid is discounted, along with Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are also on sale. Explore both the new and expiring sales lists for potential bargains.

Select New Sales

(List of sales)

(List of sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of sales)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potentially more reviews. Enjoy the abundance of great games available, and have a fantastic Tuesday!