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 several game reviews, starting with in-depth analyses of Castlevania Dominus Collection and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn. We'll also offer quick takes on a couple of recently released Pinball FX DLC tables. Following the reviews, we'll explore the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and conclude with a look at the latest sales and expiring deals. Let's dive in!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

Konami's recent track record with classic game collections has been exceptional, 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 excellent results, offering more than initially apparent and potentially becoming the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

Let's start with the core games. The Nintendo DS era of Castlevania was pivotal, with both highs and lows. Positively, the trilogy boasts unique identities, creating a surprisingly diverse set of titles. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from awkward touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin relegates touchscreen elements to a bonus mode, instead focusing on a compelling dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia stands apart with increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are excellent games, highly recommended.

However, this trilogy also marked the end of the exploratory Castlevania era under Koji Igarashi, whose work revitalized the series with Symphony of the Night. Diminishing returns and Konami's shift towards MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow series marked a turning point. Were the distinct game designs a result of IGA's creative exploration or a desperate attempt to recapture audience interest? The answer remains elusive. Many felt fatigued by the formula at the time, and despite enthusiastically purchasing each game, even I felt the series was stagnating. Sometimes, you don't realize what you have until it's gone.

Interestingly, these aren't emulated versions but native ports. This allowed M2 to implement significant improvements, such as replacing Dawn of Sorrow's frustrating touchscreen controls with more manageable button presses. The presentation displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. While some DS-like aspects remain, the controller support for docked mode makes the games far more enjoyable, especially Dawn of Sorrow, which now ranks among my top five Castlevania entries.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can choose game regions, customize button mapping, select stick controls (movement or cursor), and enjoy a charming credits sequence. A comprehensive gallery showcases art, manuals, and box art. The excellent music is also available for listening or custom playlist creation.

In-game options include save states, rewind, control remapping, screen layout customization, background color selection, audio adjustments, and detailed compendiums for each game. My only minor complaint is the limited screen arrangement options. Overall, this is a superb way to experience three fantastic games, offering exceptional value for the price.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. Its inclusion here, rather than in the first collection, is puzzling. Fortunately, it comes with unlimited continues, a virtually essential option given the game's brutal difficulty. Despite its challenging gameplay, Haunted Castle features great music and a stylish opening sequence.

The final, and surprisingly substantial, extra is a complete remake of Haunted Castle: Haunted Castle Revisited. Similar to M2's Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth, this remake takes the original and creates a truly enjoyable experience. This is essentially a new Castlevania game, a very good one, tucked away within a Nintendo DS collection.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. It includes a fantastic new game and presents the three Nintendo DS titles impeccably. 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, grab all three collections and prepare for a good time. 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 enjoyed Tengo Project's previous releases, particularly their versions of Wild Guns and The Ninja Warriors. While I had some reservations about Pocky & Rocky, it was still enjoyable. Shadow of the Ninja, however, felt different. The team's limited involvement with the original 8-bit game and my personal preference for the other titles made me hesitant about the remake.

My initial impressions at Tokyo Game Show last year were positive, reigniting my excitement. After completing the game several times, my opinion is more nuanced. Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. The improvements are numerous, including enhanced presentation and a refined weapon/item system. While no new characters are added, the existing ones are more distinct. It's undoubtedly superior to the original, retaining its core spirit. Fans of the original will adore this.

However, if you're like me and found the original merely decent, this remake won't drastically change your opinion. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a significant improvement, with the sword being more useful. The new inventory system adds welcome depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, there are some frustrating difficulty spikes, making it more challenging than the original. The game's relatively short length might necessitate this increased difficulty. 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 its predecessor. Whether it's worth purchasing depends on your feelings towards the original game, as the core remains largely unchanged. Newcomers will find an enjoyable but not essential action game with a distinct 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Let's quickly review the Pinball FX DLC. The recent update significantly improved the Switch version's playability. Two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball utilizes actual voice clips and video from the movie, a welcome inclusion. Mechanically, it feels like a realistic pinball table, relatively easy to learn, faithful to the source material, and satisfying for score-attacking.

Zen Studios doesn't always succeed with licensed tables, often lacking music, voices, and likenesses. The Princess Bride Pinball is a notable exception, appealing to fans of the movie and pinball enthusiasts. While not the most innovative table, its familiar design choices are fitting. Enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball perfectly embodies its license, resulting in a unique and bizarre table. The goat-related antics and ball effects add chaotic fun. It's initially confusing but rewarding. This table is better suited for experienced players. Goat Simulator fans without pinball experience may struggle initially.

Zen Studios continues to deliver solid DLC, with Goat Simulator Pinball being a quirky and challenging addition. Learning the table requires effort, but the payoff is worth it. Fans of Goat Simulator who persevere will be rewarded with wacky gameplay.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As mentioned in yesterday's review, I thoroughly enjoyed this charming 3D platformer from Good-Feel. Play as Bakeru, a tanuki on a quest to save Japan from an evil overlord. Battle enemies, uncover Japan trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humor. The Switch version suffers from inconsistent framerates, but if that's not a concern, it's a delightful game.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down, arena-based twin-stick shooter described as an homage to 8-bit games. The gameplay loop involves shooting, dashing, acquiring new weapons, and facing bosses.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

While typically outside our focus, this language-learning game seems more thoughtfully designed. Take photos, learn Japanese names for objects. The price might be a deterrent for some.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales include OrangePixel's excellent pick-up-and-play titles. Alien Hominid is on a rare discount, along with Ufouria 2. THQ and Team17 titles are ending their sales. Explore both lists for more deals.

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

(List of new sales continued)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of sales ending tomorrow)

That's all 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 hold onto your wallets and enjoy the fun. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!