Castlevania Collection Review and Daily Game Releases

Hello, game enthusiasts! 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. Following the reviews, we'll explore the day's new game releases, spotlighting the unique Bakeru, and then delve into the latest sales and expiring deals. Let's jump in!

Reviews & Mini-Reviews

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

Konami's recent track record with classic game collections has been undeniably impressive, and the Castlevania franchise is a prime example. 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 and offers more than initially meets the eye, potentially making it the most essential Castlevania compilation yet.

Let's start with the core games. The Nintendo DS era of Castlevania holds a significant place in franchise history, with both highs and lows. Positively, the trilogy presents a surprisingly diverse set of titles, each with a unique identity. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from cumbersome touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly incorporates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, utilizing a dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia stands apart with increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are excellent games, highly recommended.

However, this collection also marks the end of the exploratory Castlevania games overseen by Koji Igarashi, whose work revitalized the franchise with 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 response to waning audience interest remains unclear. Many players felt fatigued by the formula at the time, and even despite my personal enjoyment, I sensed the series stagnating. The value of these games only became truly apparent in retrospect.

This collection features native ports rather than emulations, allowing M2 to implement enhancements such as replacing Dawn of Sorrow's touchscreen controls with more intuitive button presses. The presentation cleverly displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. While some DS elements remain, the games are fully playable with a controller, significantly improving Dawn of Sorrow, now firmly among my top five Castlevania titles.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mapping, and choose between using the left stick for movement or cursor control. A charming credits sequence and a gallery featuring art, manuals, and box art are included. A music player with custom playlist functionality allows you to savor the fantastic soundtrack.

In-game options include save states, rewind, customizable controls, screen layout adjustments, background color choices, and audio level control. A comprehensive compendium details equipment, enemies, items, and other relevant information. My only minor criticism is the lack of additional screen layout options to maximize the play area. This is a fantastic way to experience three exceptional games, offering incredible value for the price.

And the surprises keep coming! The collection includes the notoriously difficult arcade title, Haunted Castle. Its inclusion here, rather than its previous absence, is a welcome addition. Numerous options are available, including the practically essential unlimited continues feature. While the game itself is brutally challenging, it boasts a memorable opening sequence and a fantastic soundtrack. But the real gem lies elsewhere...

The final extra, almost too significant to be considered just an extra, is a complete remake of Haunted Castle. Similar to M2's Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth, this "Haunted Castle Revisited" retains the spirit of the original while offering a vastly improved gameplay experience. Essentially, we have a brand-new, excellent Castlevania game hidden within a Nintendo DS collection!

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for any Castlevania fan. The inclusion of a completely remade Haunted Castle alone makes it worthwhile. The three Nintendo DS IGAvania titles are presented impeccably. If you're not a Castlevania fan, well, we can't be friends. And if you're new to the series, this, along with the other collections, is the perfect starting point. 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. Tengo Project's previous releases have been largely excellent, but this remake presented some unique challenges. The team's involvement with the original 8-bit game was limited, and the original game itself isn't as strong as their other projects. This made me initially apprehensive.

My initial impressions at Tokyo Game Show were positive, renewing my enthusiasm. After completing the game multiple times, my assessment lies somewhere in the middle. Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, the improvements over the original are significant, from the enhanced presentation to a refined weapon and item system. While no new characters are added, the existing characters are more distinct. It's undoubtedly superior to the original while preserving its essence. Fans of the original will adore this remake.

For those who, like myself, found the original merely decent, this remake won't dramatically alter that perception. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, with the sword significantly enhanced. The new inventory system adds depth to the gameplay. The presentation is exceptional, masking its 8-bit origins. The game features some challenging difficulty spikes, and overall, it's more demanding than the original. This might be necessary given its shorter length. It's 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 a substantial improvement over its predecessor. Its appeal hinges on your appreciation of the original, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. Newcomers will find an enjoyable, though not essential, action game with a distinct 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Let's briefly review the recent Pinball FX DLC, celebrating the game's substantial update that finally makes it enjoyable on Switch. Two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball expertly utilizes voice clips and video from the movie, a feature I hope to see more of in licensed tables. Mechanically, it feels like a realistic pinball table, easy to learn, authentic to the license, and highly replayable.

Zen Studios doesn't always succeed with licensed tables, often lacking music, voice acting, and character likenesses. The Princess Bride Pinball is a notable exception, appealing to fans of the movie and pinball enthusiasts alike. While not the most innovative, its familiar design choices are fitting. A fun table for both newcomers and veterans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball perfectly embodies its license, resulting in a truly unique and quirky table. The goat-related antics and effects add a layer of unpredictable fun. It's initially confusing but rewarding. This table is better suited for veteran players. Goat Simulator fans without pinball experience might find it challenging to fully appreciate its humorous elements.

Goat Simulator Pinball is another strong DLC offering from Zen Studios, showcasing their willingness to experiment. It's a difficult table to master, but the rewards are worth the effort. Fans of Goat Simulator who persevere will be handsomely rewarded, though 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 framerate, so those sensitive to technical issues might prefer other platforms. Otherwise, it's 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 strongly resemble any specific titles from that era. It appears fun and straightforward: shoot, dash, acquire new weapons, and repeat. Boss battles add an extra layer of challenge.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

While typically not covered, this language-learning title seems more thoughtfully designed. Take photos, learn Japanese vocabulary. Personally, I wouldn't pay $20, but different learning styles exist, and this might be effective for some.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's selection includes OrangePixel's excellent pick-up-and-play titles. Alien Hominid is on a rare discount, along with Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 sales are ending soon. Check their publisher pages for a complete list. Browse both the new and expiring sales.

Select New Sales

(List of new sales)

(More new sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of expiring sales)

That's it for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potentially news and reviews. We're in the midst of a fantastic gaming season, so protect your wallets and enjoy the abundance of great games. This might be the Switch's last major holiday season, so let's make it memorable! Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!