Castlevania Collection Dominates SwitchArcade Reviews

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 quick takes on a couple of newly released Pinball FX DLC tables. Following that, we'll explore the day's new game releases, highlighting the charming Bakeru, and then dive into the latest sales and expiring deals. Let's get started!

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 particular 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 and surpasses expectations, potentially becoming the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

The Nintendo DS era of Castlevania was pivotal, showcasing both strengths and weaknesses. Positively, each of the three games possesses a unique identity, creating a surprisingly diverse set. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from cumbersome touchscreen controls, now thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, using a dual-character mechanic to differentiate itself. Order of Ecclesia stands apart with a significantly higher difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon’s Quest. All three are strong titles.

However, this marked the end of the exploratory Castlevania games helmed by Koji Igarashi, whose work revitalized the franchise with Symphony of the Night. The diminishing returns led Konami to favor MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow. Were the distinct game designs a result of Igarashi'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 even with personal enjoyment of the games, a sense of stagnation was palpable.

Interestingly, these aren't emulated but native ports, enabling M2 to implement improvements like replacing Dawn of Sorrow's touchscreen controls with button presses, and displaying the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. This significantly enhances Dawn of Sorrow, elevating it to a top-five Castlevania title for me.

The collection offers a wealth of options and extras. Players can choose game regions, customize button mapping, and select stick controls. An adorable credits sequence and a gallery featuring art, manuals, and box art are included. A music player allows for custom playlists, and each game has a comprehensive compendium. The only minor drawback is the limited screen layout options. This is a superb way to experience three fantastic games at an incredible value.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is also included. Why it was omitted from the first collection is unclear, but its presence here is a welcome addition. Unlimited continues are a must for this brutally unfair game, though the music and opening sequence are excellent.

And there's more! A complete remake of Haunted Castle, Haunted Castle Revisited, is included. Similar to M2's Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth, this remake takes the original and transforms it into a genuinely enjoyable experience. It's essentially a new Castlevania game, cleverly tucked away within this DS collection.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. The inclusion of a fantastic new game, along with the well-presented DS titles and the original Haunted Castle, makes this an exceptional package. If you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, this collection, along with the others, is a great starting point. Konami and M2 have delivered another stellar achievement.

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 largely successful, this remake presented some challenges. The team's limited involvement with the original 8-bit game, and my personal reservations about the original, led to initial hesitation.

However, after playing the game extensively, my opinion has softened. Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is slightly less polished. Nevertheless, improvements are evident, from the enhanced presentation to the refined weapon and item system. While no new characters are introduced, the existing ones are better differentiated. It's undeniably superior to the original while retaining its core spirit. Fans of the original will adore this.

For those who found the original merely decent, this remake won't drastically alter that perception. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword's utility is enhanced. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is top-notch, masking its 8-bit origins. However, some challenging difficulty spikes are present, making it more demanding than the original. It's the best version of Shadow of the Ninja, 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 depends heavily on your feelings towards the original. Newcomers will find an enjoyable but not essential action game, retaining a distinct 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Two quick reviews of Pinball FX DLC, celebrating the recent update that improved Switch playability. The Princess Bride Pinball includes voice clips and video clips from the movie. Mechanically, it feels like a realistic pinball table, easy to learn, faithful to the license, and rewarding for score attacks. Zen Studios often misses the mark with licensed tables, but this is a strong entry.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces its license fully, resulting in a bizarre but enjoyable table. The goat-related antics and effects add unique elements. It's more challenging for veteran players, while Goat Simulator fans might struggle initially. It's a quirky and well-executed DLC.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

A delightful 3D platformer from Good-Feel. Play as a tanuki saving Japan from an evil overlord. Features combat, Japan trivia, souvenir collection, and humor. Inconsistent framerate on Switch.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, reminiscent of 8-bit games. Shoot, dash, collect guns, and battle bosses.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

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

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy sales, including OrangePixel's titles, a rare discount on Alien Hominid, and Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are ending their sales. Check both lists for more details.

Select New Sales

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is included in the response.)

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is included in the response.)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is included in the response.)

That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with more news, reviews, and sales. Enjoy the abundance of great games! Have a fantastic Tuesday!