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 post features several game reviews, including in-depth analyses of Castlevania Dominus Collection and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, plus quick takes on some recent Pinball FX DLC. We'll also explore the day's new releases, highlighting the charming Bakeru, and round things out 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 impressive, and the Castlevania Dominus Collection continues this trend. This third installment focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy, expertly handled by M2. But this collection offers more than just the core games, making it arguably the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

The DS Castlevania games offer a unique and surprisingly diverse set of experiences. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, features improved controls in this release, mitigating the original's cumbersome touchscreen elements. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen functionality into a bonus mode, focusing on its innovative dual-character gameplay. Finally, Order of Ecclesia stands apart with its increased difficulty and nostalgic nods to Simon's Quest. All three are excellent titles, well worth playing.

This collection marks the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploration-focused Castlevania games. While each game has its own identity, there's a question of whether this variety reflects creative exploration or a search for a winning formula in a changing market. Regardless, these titles, though perhaps showing signs of a formula becoming tired, are still highly enjoyable.

What sets this collection apart is that the games aren't emulated but are native ports. This allowed M2 to implement significant improvements, such as replacing Dawn of Sorrow's touchscreen controls with button presses and adding a third screen displaying the map alongside the main game and status screens. These changes drastically enhance the gameplay experience, particularly for Dawn of Sorrow, elevating it to a top-tier Castlevania entry for many.

The collection boasts a wealth of options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mappings, and adjust screen layouts. A charming credits sequence, an art gallery featuring concept art and box art, a music player with custom playlist functionality, and comprehensive game compendiums are all included. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This is a fantastic way to experience these classic games.

But the surprises don't end there! The collection also includes the notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, along with a complete remake, Haunted Castle Revisited. M2 has essentially created a new, improved version of this classic, offering a fresh and enjoyable Castlevania experience hidden within the collection.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for any Castlevania fan. The inclusion of a new Castlevania game alongside the enhanced DS trilogy makes it an incredible value. If you're unfamiliar with the series, this is an excellent starting point. Konami and M2 have delivered another exceptional collection.

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)

My experience with Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn has been mixed. While Tengo Project's previous remakes have been largely successful, this 8-bit update presents unique challenges. The original game isn't as strong as their other titles, and the remake, while significantly improved, doesn't quite reach the same heights.

The improvements are substantial, including enhanced visuals, a refined weapon system, and differentiated playable characters. It's undoubtedly better than the original, but it still retains the core feel of the NES title. Fans of the original will undoubtedly appreciate this version.

However, if you found the original merely decent, this remake might not significantly alter your opinion. While improvements like simultaneous access to both the chain and sword are welcome, the game retains a challenging difficulty curve. It's a polished version of a game that, while enjoyable, may not be essential for everyone.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, but its impact depends on your feelings towards the original. Newcomers will find a fun but not groundbreaking action game.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Two new Pinball FX tables have arrived, and The Princess Bride Pinball is a standout. Featuring voice clips and video clips from the movie, this table is a well-designed and authentic adaptation. It's a solid choice for both newcomers and veterans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces the absurdity of its source material. While initially confusing, this unique table offers a rewarding and hilarious experience for those willing to invest the time to learn its mechanics. More challenging than other tables, but ultimately very entertaining.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

A charming 3D platformer from Good-Feel. Despite some framerate inconsistencies, Bakeru offers a delightful and humorous adventure.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down twin-stick shooter with an 8-bit aesthetic. Simple but potentially fun.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game using photography as a learning tool.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy sales are happening, including discounts on OrangePixel titles, Alien Hominid, and Ufouria 2. Check the eShop for full details.

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more news, reviews, and sales. Happy gaming!