New Reviews: 'Castlevania Dominus Collection', Today's Releases, and Sales

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 assessment of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concise critiques of two newly released Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, highlighting the unique and appealing Bakeru, before diving into the latest sales and expiring discounts. Let's jump 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 prime beneficiary. Castlevania Dominus Collection, the third such collection on modern platforms, focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy. Once again, M2 has handled development, delivering their usual high-quality results. However, this collection offers more than initially apparent, making it arguably the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

Let's start with the core games. The Nintendo DS era of Castlevania holds a significant place in the franchise's history, with both positive and negative aspects. On the plus side, each game boasts a unique identity, creating a surprisingly diverse trio. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, was released early in the DS's lifecycle and suffered from some awkward touchscreen controls. Fortunately, this release mitigates those issues. Portrait of Ruin relegates the touchscreen elements to a bonus mode, focusing instead on a novel dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia significantly deviates from its predecessors, offering increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are excellent games, and highly recommended.

The downside? This marked the end of the exploratory Castlevania titles helmed by Koji Igarashi, whose work revitalized the series with Symphony of the Night. Returns were dwindling, and Konami opted for MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow. Were the distinct identities of these games a result of IGA's creative exploration, or a desperate attempt to recapture audience interest? We may never know. Many players felt fatigued by this style of Castlevania, and even though I played them all on release, I admit to feeling a sense of repetition.

Surprisingly, these aren't emulated versions, but native ports. This allowed M2 to implement improvements, such as replacing Dawn of Sorrow's frustrating touchscreen controls with more intuitive button presses. The game now displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. While some DS-like elements remain, the games adapt well to controllers, significantly enhancing Dawn of Sorrow and solidifying its place among my top five Castlevania entries.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mappings, and choose between using the left stick for character movement or the touch cursor. A charming credits sequence showcases the unsung heroes of the series, and a gallery features art, manuals, and box art. The excellent soundtrack is also included, with custom playlist creation options.

In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, customizable controls, screen layouts, background colors, and audio adjustments. A comprehensive compendium details equipment, enemies, items, and other information. My only minor complaint is the lack of additional screen arrangement options to maximize the play area. This is a fantastic way to experience three exceptional games at an incredible price.

But the surprises don't end there! The infamous arcade title, Haunted Castle, is also included. Its inclusion here, rather than in the first collection, is puzzling. The game is notoriously difficult, but it features great music and a memorable opening. However, its brutal unfairness is mitigated by the inclusion of unlimited continues.

The final extra, and it feels almost inappropriate to call it an extra given its scope, is a complete remake of Haunted Castle. Similar to M2's Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth, this "Haunted Castle Revisited" retains elements of the original but is essentially a new game. We have a new, excellent Castlevania game hidden within a Nintendo DS collection!

If you're a Castlevania fan, Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-buy. It includes a fantastic new game and three classic DS titles in optimal form. The original Haunted Castle is a bonus. If you dislike Castlevania, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with the series, start with this collection and experience the greatness for yourself. 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 involvement with the original was limited, and this was an 8-bit game update, unlike their previous 16-bit remakes. I also find the original less compelling than their other titles.

My initial impressions at last year's Tokyo Game Show were positive, reigniting my enthusiasm. After completing the game multiple times, my opinion is more nuanced. Compared to their other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, the improvements are substantial, 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 undoubtedly superior to the original while preserving its essence. Fans of the original will adore this remake.

For those who, like me, found the original merely decent, this remake won't dramatically alter your perception. The simultaneous access to the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword is more useful. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, there are some frustrating difficulty spikes, and the game is generally more challenging than the original. This is 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 perhaps their most significant improvement over an original game. Whether it's worth purchasing depends on your feelings about the original, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. New players will find an enjoyable, albeit not essential, action game with a distinct 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

A couple of quick reviews of recent Pinball FX DLC, celebrating the game's significant update that greatly improves its Switch performance. Two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The former, based on the classic film, features voice clips and video clips. Mechanically, it feels like a well-designed, authentic pinball table. Relatively easy to learn, it's satisfying for both casual and competitive play.

Zen Studios hasn't always succeeded with licensed tables, often lacking music, voice acting, and accurate likenesses. The Princess Bride Pinball is an exception, appealing to fans of the film who enjoy pinball. While not the most innovative, its familiar design choices add to its charm.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball fully embraces its source material's quirky nature. It's a bizarre table that only works in a video game setting. Players encounter silly goat-related events, influencing the ball and triggering various table elements. Initially bewildering, it becomes rewarding with persistence. It's more challenging for experienced players. Goat Simulator fans new to pinball might struggle to appreciate its humor.

Goat Simulator Pinball is another solid DLC offering from Zen Studios. Its offbeat nature is a welcome change of pace. It's a difficult table to master, but the rewards are worth the effort. Fans of Goat Simulator will find it enjoyable, but it requires more dedication than other tables.

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 hidden trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humor. The Switch version suffers from inconsistent frame rates, but it's still a delightful game.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an homage to 8-bit games, though it doesn't quite resemble anything from that era. It's a simple shoot-'em-up with boss battles.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

While not typically covered, this language-learning app stands out. Take photos, learn Japanese names for objects. It's a unique approach to language acquisition.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy games are on sale, including OrangePixel's excellent titles. Alien Hominid is discounted, along with Ufouria 2. THQ and Team17 titles are also ending their sales. Explore both lists for more deals.

Select New Sales

(List of sales)

(List of sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of sales)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potentially a review. We're in the midst of a fantastic gaming season, so prepare your wallets! Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!