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

Hello gaming enthusiasts, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's update features in-depth reviews, including a comprehensive look at the Castlevania Dominus Collection, an analysis of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concise assessments of two recently released Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, highlighting the unique and charming Bakeru, before diving into the latest sales and expiring deals. Let's begin!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

Konami's recent track record with classic game collections has been exceptional, and the Castlevania Dominus Collection continues this trend. This third installment focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy, expertly handled by M2. This collection surpasses its predecessors, offering a compelling package of classic gaming.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania games offer a unique and varied experience. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from awkward touchscreen controls, now elegantly addressed in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly utilizes a dual-character mechanic, while Order of Ecclesia delivers a significantly challenging experience, reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three titles are strong entries in the series.

This collection marks the culmination of Koji Igarashi's exploratory Castlevania era. While each game possesses a distinct identity, the collection also highlights the series' evolution and eventual shift in direction. These games represent a significant chapter in the franchise's history.

Remarkably, these aren't emulations but native ports, allowing M2 to enhance gameplay. The frustrating touchscreen elements of Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with intuitive button controls, and a three-screen layout (main screen, status screen, and map) enhances the experience. This modernization significantly improves Dawn of Sorrow, elevating it among the franchise's best.

The collection boasts extensive options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mappings, and configure control schemes. A charming credits sequence and a gallery featuring artwork, manuals, and box art are included. A music player with playlist functionality allows fans to enjoy the series' memorable soundtrack. In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, customizable screen layouts, background color choices, and audio adjustments. A comprehensive compendium provides detailed information on equipment, enemies, and items. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This collection provides an exceptional way to experience these classic titles.

The collection unexpectedly includes the notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle. While initially puzzling, its inclusion is justified by the addition of a complete remake, Haunted Castle Revisited. M2 has effectively transformed this challenging title into a genuinely enjoyable experience. This remake is a welcome surprise, effectively adding a whole new Castlevania game to the package.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. The inclusion of a fantastic remake of Haunted Castle alongside the expertly presented DS trilogy makes this an incredible value. If you're unfamiliar with the series, this is an excellent starting point. Konami and M2 have once again delivered an outstanding 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 exceptional, this 8-bit update presents a different challenge. The original game's less compelling nature compared to their other projects initially raised concerns. However, after playing the game extensively, I've found it to be a solid, if not exceptional, entry.

The improvements over the original are substantial, with enhanced presentation and a refined weapon and item system. While lacking new characters, the existing characters are well-differentiated. It's undoubtedly superior to the original while maintaining its core essence. Fans of the original will undoubtedly appreciate this remake.

However, those who found the original merely decent may not find this remake drastically different. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, as is the new inventory system. The presentation is excellent, but the game features some frustrating difficulty spikes. It's a more challenging experience than the original, but its relatively short length might be a factor. It's the definitive version of Shadow of the Ninja, but it remains essentially the same game at its core.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, but its overall impact depends heavily on one's opinion of the original game. Newcomers will find a fun, if unessential, action game.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Two new Pinball FX DLC tables have arrived: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball stands out with its inclusion of voice clips and video clips from the movie. The table's mechanics are well-designed and feel authentic to the source material. It's a well-executed licensed table, enjoyable for both newcomers and experienced pinball players.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces the absurdity of its license, resulting in a unique and unconventional pinball experience. The table's quirky gameplay and humorous elements are engaging, but its complexity might challenge less experienced players. It's a more challenging but rewarding experience for veteran pinball enthusiasts.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

A charming 3D platformer from Good-Feel, Bakeru features a tanuki on a quest to save Japan from an evil overlord. The game's breezy charm and Japan-themed trivia are appealing, but inconsistent framerate may deter some players.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena-based twin-stick shooter reminiscent of classic 8-bit games. It offers straightforward, action-packed gameplay.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game that uses photography to teach Japanese vocabulary.

Sales

Several notable sales are happening, including discounts on OrangePixel titles and others. Check the full lists for details.

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th: (List of games and prices)

That concludes today's roundup. Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potential news and reviews! Enjoy the games!