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

Hello, gaming enthusiasts! 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 assessment of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concise critiques of recently released Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll also cover today's new releases, spotlighting the unique and charming Bakeru, and round things off with the latest 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 boasts not only excellent emulation but also unexpected additions, making it arguably the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

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

This collection marks the culmination of Koji Igarashi's exploratory Castlevania era. While each game possesses a distinct identity, some argue the series was showing signs of fatigue. Whether this variety reflects Igarashi's creative exploration or a desperate search for audience engagement remains a question. Regardless, the collection presents a fascinating snapshot of a pivotal moment in the franchise's history.

Surprisingly, these aren't emulated but native ports, allowing M2 to implement improvements such as replacing Dawn of Sorrow's touchscreen controls with button presses and displaying the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. This enhancement significantly improves Dawn of Sorrow, solidifying its place among the best Castlevania titles.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can choose game regions, customize button mappings, and select control schemes. A charming credits sequence highlights the series' unsung heroes. A comprehensive gallery features art, manuals, and box art. A music player allows custom playlist creation. In-game, save states, rewind functionality, customizable screen layouts, background colors, and audio adjustments are available. A detailed compendium provides information on equipment, enemies, and items. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This is a fantastic way to experience these three classic games at an incredible price.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. While its inclusion in previous collections was questionable, here it comes with numerous options, including the much-needed unlimited continues. However, the real gem is the Haunted Castle Revisited – a complete remake by M2 that transforms the original's brutal unfairness into a genuinely enjoyable experience. This is essentially a brand-new Castlevania game!

If you're a Castlevania fan, the Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have. It includes a fantastic new game alongside three expertly presented Nintendo DS titles, plus the original Haunted Castle. If you dislike Castlevania, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with the series, start with this collection – you won't regret it. Another outstanding 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 Tengo Project's previous releases have been consistently excellent, this remake of an 8-bit game presents unique challenges. My initial hesitation stemmed from my less enthusiastic feelings towards the original game and the team's limited involvement with it. However, a preview at Tokyo Game Show reignited my interest.

After playing the full game, my opinion is nuanced. Compared to Tengo Project's other titles, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, improvements are evident in the presentation, weapon system, and item system. While no new characters are introduced, existing characters are better differentiated. It’s undoubtedly superior to the original while retaining its core essence. Fans of the original will adore this remake.

For those who, like me, found the original merely decent, Reborn offers a similar experience. The simultaneous access to both chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword is significantly more useful. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. The game features some challenging difficulty spikes, making it potentially more difficult than the original. 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 their most substantial improvement over a predecessor yet. Its appeal depends heavily on your opinion of the original game. 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)

These quick reviews celebrate the significant Pinball FX update improving Switch playability. Two new DLC tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball features voice clips and video clips from the film, a welcome addition. Mechanically, the table feels authentic and is satisfying to play. Zen Studios often misses the mark with licensed tables, but this is a notable exception. A fun table 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. This unique table is a video game-only creation, filled with silly goat-related events. While initially bewildering, its quirky gameplay is rewarding. This table is more challenging and suited for veteran players. Goat Simulator fans might find it difficult to fully appreciate without pinball experience.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As detailed 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. Fight enemies, discover hidden trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humor. Note that the Switch version has inconsistent framerates.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter described as an 8-bit homage. Shoot, dash, acquire new weapons, and battle bosses.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game where players take pictures and learn Japanese names for objects.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy games are on sale, including OrangePixel's titles and a rare discount on Alien Hominid. THQ and Team17 titles are also ending their sales. Explore both the new and expiring sales lists for potential bargains.

Select New Sales

(List of New Sales)

(List of New Sales Continued)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of Expiring Sales)

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