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

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024. Today's feature includes several game reviews: an in-depth analysis of Castlevania Dominus Collection, a look at Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concise critiques of two recently released Pinball FX DLC tables. Following this, we'll explore the day's new releases, highlighting the unique and engaging Bakeru, and conclude with 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 undeniably impressive, and the Castlevania franchise has been a prime 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 to date.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania titles hold a unique place in the franchise's history, marked by both strengths and weaknesses. Positively, each game boasts a distinct identity, creating a surprisingly diverse trio. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from cumbersome touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin relegates touchscreen elements to a bonus mode, emphasizing its innovative dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia significantly diverges, presenting a higher difficulty and design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are noteworthy, even exceptional, titles.

However, this collection also represents the final installment in the exploratory Castlevania series helmed by Koji Igarashi, whose work revitalized the franchise with Symphony of the Night. Diminishing returns and Konami's shift towards MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow marked a turning point. Were these games' distinct styles a testament to Igarashi's creative exploration, or a desperate attempt to recapture audience interest? The answer remains elusive. Many felt fatigued by this Castlevania formula, and despite my personal enjoyment, I also sensed a creative stagnation.

Interestingly, these aren't emulated versions but native ports, enabling M2 to implement significant improvements. The frustrating touchscreen controls of Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with intuitive button presses, and the display now incorporates the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. While retaining some DS-like elements, the games are fully playable with a controller, significantly enhancing Dawn of Sorrow, propelling it into my personal top five Castlevania games.

The collection is rich with options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mappings, and choose between left stick control for character movement or the touch cursor. A charming credits sequence highlights unsung contributors, while a comprehensive gallery showcases art, manuals, and box art. The excellent soundtrack is also included, allowing for custom playlist creation.

In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, customizable controls, screen layout adjustments, background color choices, and audio level control. A detailed compendium provides information on equipment, enemies, and items. My only minor criticism is the lack of additional screen arrangement options to maximize the play area. This is a fantastic way to experience three exceptional games at an incredible price.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is also included. Its inclusion here, rather than its previous omission, is a welcome addition. Numerous options, including the much-needed unlimited continues, are available. While brutally unfair, the game boasts great music and a memorable opening. But the true revelation lies within...

The final extra, a complete remake of Haunted Castle titled Haunted Castle Revisited, is a remarkable feat. Similar to M2's Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth, this remake reimagines the original, retaining its spirit while significantly improving gameplay. This is essentially a new Castlevania game, and a good one at that, hidden within a Nintendo DS collection.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. It includes a fantastic new game and impeccably presented Nintendo DS titles. The inclusion of the original Haunted Castle adds further value. If you're not a Castlevania fan, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with the series, acquiring all three collections is highly recommended. This is 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. I've generally enjoyed Tengo Project's previous releases, considering their versions of Wild Guns and The Ninja Warriors definitive. While I had some reservations about Pocky & Rocky, it was still enjoyable. Shadow of the Ninja, however, presented a different challenge. The team's limited involvement with the original 8-bit game, and my personal assessment of the original's quality, made me apprehensive about this remake.

My initial experience at Tokyo Game Show last year was positive, reigniting my enthusiasm. After completing the game multiple times, my opinion is more nuanced. Compared to the developer's other titles, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, improvements are evident, including enhanced presentation and a refined weapon and item system. While lacking new characters, the existing characters are better differentiated. It's undeniably superior to the original while preserving its core essence. Fans of the original will adore this remake.

For those who, like myself, found the original merely decent, Reborn won't drastically alter that perception. The simultaneous access to the chain and sword is a significant improvement, with the sword proving more useful. The new inventory system adds welcome complexity. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, some challenging difficulty spikes are present, making it arguably more difficult than the original. Its brevity might necessitate this increased challenge. It's the best Shadow of the Ninja available, but it remains Shadow of the Ninja.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, representing a substantial improvement over its predecessor. Its appeal hinges on one's appreciation for the original game, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. Newcomers will find an enjoyable, though not essential, action game with a distinct 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

These brief Pinball FX DLC reviews celebrate the game's significant update, finally making it properly playable on Switch. Two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The former, based on the classic film, incorporates voice clips and video footage, a welcome addition. Mechanically, it feels like a realistic pinball table, straightforward to learn, authentic to the license, and satisfying for score-attack gameplay.

Zen Studios' licensed tables often lack music, voice acting, and likeness, but The Princess Bride Pinball excels in these aspects. Fans of the movie who enjoy pinball should definitely check it out. While not the most innovative, its familiar design choices enhance its appeal. A great option for both newcomers and veterans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball fully embraces its license, resulting in a truly unique and bizarre table. Its inherent absurdity is only possible in a video game. Players will encounter various goat-related antics, using ball effects to trigger table elements. Initially bewildering, persistence is rewarded. This table is more challenging, better suited for veteran players. Goat Simulator fans without pinball experience might find it difficult to fully appreciate its humor.

Goat Simulator Pinball is another strong DLC offering from Zen Studios, showcasing their willingness to experiment. It's a challenging table, but mastering it unlocks truly wacky gameplay. Goat Simulator fans who persevere will be rewarded, though 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 highly enjoyable. Playing as Bakeru, a tanuki on a mission to save Japan, players will battle enemies, uncover Japan trivia, collect souvenirs, and experience humorous moments. The Switch version's inconsistent framerate might deter some, but otherwise, it's a delightful game.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an homage to 8-bit games, though its style isn't entirely reminiscent of that era. It offers a fun, repetitive cycle of shooting, dashing, acquiring new weapons, and facing bosses.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

While typically avoiding language-learning apps, this one seems more thoughtfully designed. Players take photographs and learn the Japanese names for objects. While I wouldn't personally pay $20, its unique approach might appeal to some learners.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales include OrangePixel's selection of excellent pick-up-and-play titles. Alien Hominid is on a rare discount, alongside Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are ending their sales. Please refer to their publisher pages for a complete list, as only a selection is included here. Browse both lists carefully.

Select New Sales

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is included)

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is included)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is included)

This concludes today's roundup. We'll return tomorrow with more new releases, sales, and potentially news and reviews. The abundance of excellent games necessitates careful budgeting! Enjoy the fun, and thanks for reading!