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 fresh reviews, starting with an in-depth look at the Castlevania Dominus Collection, followed by a review of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and quick takes on a couple of new Pinball FX DLC tables. After that, we'll explore the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and dive into the latest sales and expiring deals. Let's jump 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 major beneficiary. Castlevania Dominus Collection, the third in the series for 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 yet.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania games hold a unique place in franchise history. All three possess distinct identities, creating a surprisingly diverse set. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from cumbersome touchscreen controls, thankfully addressed in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, focusing on a compelling dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia significantly departs from its predecessors, boasting increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are excellent games, highly recommended.

This collection marks the culmination of Koji Igarashi's era of exploratory Castlevania games, an era that began with the revitalizing Symphony of the Night. While these games are undeniably good, diminishing returns and Konami's shift towards MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow series left many feeling fatigued. This collection offers a fascinating retrospective on a pivotal period in the franchise's history.

Surprisingly, these aren't emulated versions but native ports. This allowed M2 to implement significant improvements, replacing frustrating touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow with more intuitive button presses. The addition of a map as a third screen alongside the main and status screens enhances gameplay considerably. While some DS elements remain, the games are fully playable with a controller, making Dawn of Sorrow particularly enjoyable.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mapping, and choose between using the left stick for movement or cursor control. A charming credits sequence highlights unsung contributors, and a gallery showcases art, manuals, and box art. A music player with playlist creation adds another layer of enjoyment.

In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, customizable controls, screen layout adjustments, background color selection, and audio level control. A comprehensive compendium provides details on equipment, enemies, and items. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. Overall, this is a fantastic way to experience three exceptional games, offering incredible value for the price.

And the surprises continue! The infamous arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. This brutally unfair but musically brilliant title is enhanced by the addition of unlimited continues. But the real treat is Haunted Castle Revisited, a complete remake by M2. Similar to their Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth, this remake transforms the original into a genuinely enjoyable experience. It's a new Castlevania game, hidden within a DS collection!

If you appreciate Castlevania, the Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have. It includes a fantastic new game and the three DS titles in optimal form. The original Haunted Castle is also present. If you dislike Castlevania, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with the series, acquire all three collections and prepare for a memorable experience. 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 largely impressive, but this remake presented some challenges. The team's limited involvement with the original 8-bit game and my personal reservations about the original's quality created initial hesitation.

After playing the game extensively, my opinion sits somewhere in the middle. Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, the improvements are substantial, including enhanced presentation and a refined weapon and item system. While no new characters are introduced, the existing characters are better differentiated. It's undoubtedly superior to the original while preserving its essence. Fans of the original will adore this.

If, like me, you found the original merely decent, this remake won't dramatically alter your perspective. The constant access to both the chain and sword is a significant upgrade, and the sword is more useful. The new inventory system adds welcome depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, the game features some frustrating difficulty spikes and is overall more challenging than its predecessor. It's 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 substantial improvement over the original. Whether it's worth purchasing depends on your feelings towards the original game. Newcomers will find it enjoyable but not essential, retaining a distinct 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

A quick look at two Pinball FX DLC tables, celebrating the game's significant update that improves Switch playability. The Princess Bride Pinball features voice clips and video clips from the movie, a welcome addition. The table's mechanics feel authentic, relatively straightforward, and satisfying to play.

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 authenticity and enjoyable gameplay make it a worthwhile purchase for fans of the movie.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces its license fully, resulting in a uniquely bizarre table. The goat-related antics and effects add a layer of chaotic fun. It's initially confusing but rewarding. This table is more suited to veteran pinball players. Goat Simulator fans without pinball experience may find it challenging.

Goat Simulator Pinball is another solid DLC offering from Zen Studios, showcasing their willingness to experiment. It's tricky to master, but the rewards are worth the effort. Fans of the Goat Simulator games who persevere will be entertained, but it requires more dedication than other tables.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As mentioned in yesterday's review, this 3D platformer from Good-Feel is a charming and breezy experience. Play as Bakeru, a tanuki on a mission to save Japan. Battle enemies, uncover hidden trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy some laughs. The inconsistent framerate on Switch might deter some players.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an homage to 8-bit games. It's a simple shoot, dash, and upgrade cycle with boss battles.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game where players take pictures and learn Japanese names for objects. Its effectiveness depends on individual learning styles.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales include OrangePixel's games, a rare discount on Alien Hominid, and a good deal on Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are ending their sales. Explore both lists for more deals.

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

(List of new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of expiring sales)

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