Castlevania Collection Debuts, New Games Arrive on Switch

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article features in-depth reviews, starting with a comprehensive look at the Castlevania Dominus Collection, followed by an analysis of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concluding with concise reviews of the latest Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and finally, delve into 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 undeniably impressive, and the Castlevania franchise has been a significant beneficiary. Castlevania Dominus Collection, the third in the series for modern platforms, focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy. Developed by M2, this collection boasts exceptional quality, exceeding expectations and potentially becoming the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania games hold a unique place in franchise history, offering a blend of positive and negative aspects. Positively, each game possesses a distinct identity, resulting in a surprisingly diverse collection. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from awkward touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, focusing on a compelling dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia stands out with increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are strong titles, arguably even great.

However, this trilogy marked the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploratory Castlevania games, a run that began with the revitalizing Symphony of the Night. The diminishing returns led Konami to pursue MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow series. Whether the stylistic differences stemmed from Igarashi's creative exploration or a desperate attempt to recapture audience interest remains a mystery. Many felt fatigued by the formula at the time, and even with personal enjoyment of the games, a sense of repetitive design was prevalent.

Surprisingly, these aren't emulated but native ports, allowing M2 to implement significant improvements. Annoying touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with button inputs, and a three-screen layout (main screen, status screen, and map) enhances gameplay. While some DS elements persist, the games are fully playable with a controller, significantly improving Dawn of Sorrow and solidifying its place among the top Castlevania titles.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mapping, and choose between stick controls for movement or cursor control. A charming credits sequence highlights unsung contributors, and a gallery showcases art, manuals, and box art. A music player allows custom playlist creation, and in-game options include save states, rewind, control remapping, screen layouts, background colors, audio adjustments, and a comprehensive compendium for each game. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This is an exceptional presentation of three fantastic games, offering incredible value for the price.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. While its absence from the first collection was puzzling, it's now present, complete with the essential unlimited continues option. Despite its brutal difficulty, the game boasts excellent music and a memorable intro.

The final extra—and it feels almost inappropriate to call it an extra—is a complete remake of Haunted Castle. Similar to M2's Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth, Haunted Castle Revisited takes the original concept and crafts a genuinely enjoyable game. This is essentially a new Castlevania title, a high-quality addition nestled within a Nintendo DS collection.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. The inclusion of a fantastic new game, along with the excellent presentation of the three Nintendo DS titles and the original Haunted Castle, makes this a remarkable package. If you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, acquiring all three collections is highly recommended. 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 I've generally enjoyed Tengo Project's previous releases, this remake presented some unique challenges. The team's limited involvement with the original 8-bit game, coupled with my personal reservations about the original's quality compared to their other work, initially caused hesitation.

However, a preview at Tokyo Game Show reignited my enthusiasm. After completing the game multiple times, my assessment falls somewhere in the middle. Compared to their other titles, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. The improvements are substantial, including enhanced presentation and a refined weapon/item system. While no new characters are introduced, existing characters are better differentiated. It's undoubtedly superior to the original, while retaining its core spirit. Fans of the original will adore this remake.

For those who, like myself, found the original merely decent, the remake won't dramatically alter that perception. Simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword is significantly more useful. The new inventory system adds a needed layer of depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, some challenging difficulty spikes are present, making it arguably harder than the original. The game's brevity might necessitate this increased difficulty. It's the best version of Shadow of the Ninja, but it remains fundamentally Shadow of the Ninja.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid Tengo Project effort, arguably their most substantial remake to date. Its appeal hinges on your feelings towards the original game, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. 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 the recent Pinball FX DLC, celebrating the game's significant update. Two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball incorporates voice clips and video clips from the movie, a welcome inclusion. The table's mechanics feel authentic and satisfying, providing a straightforward yet engaging experience.

Zen Studios occasionally misses the mark with licensed tables, but The Princess Bride Pinball is a success. It's not groundbreaking but effectively captures the movie's essence. A solid choice 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. It's a unique and unconventional table, truly only possible in a video game. The goat-related antics add unpredictable elements, making for a rewarding but initially bewildering experience. More suited for veteran players, it may prove challenging for Goat Simulator fans unfamiliar with pinball.

Zen Studios' consistent output allows for creative experimentation, and Goat Simulator Pinball is a testament to that. Its challenging learning curve is compensated by its wacky gameplay. Goat Simulator fans willing to invest the time will be rewarded, but it requires more effort than other tables.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As detailed in yesterday's review, this charming 3D platformer from Good-Feel is a delightful experience. Playing as Bakeru, a tanuki on a mission to save Japan, you'll battle enemies, uncover hidden trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the game's humor. While the Switch version suffers from inconsistent framerate, it's still a worthwhile title.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an homage to 8-bit games. Its simple shoot-and-dash gameplay, coupled with boss battles, offers straightforward fun.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game where you photograph objects and learn their Japanese names. While not typically covered, its unique approach may appeal to certain learners.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales include OrangePixel's catalog of games, with Alien Hominid at a rare discount, and Ufouria 2 also on sale. THQ and Team 17 titles are ending their sales. Explore both lists for further deals.

Select New Sales

(List of sales)

(List of sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of sales)

That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with more new releases, sales, news, and potentially another review. Enjoy the abundance of great games available, and have a fantastic Tuesday!