Castlevania Returns! Dominus Collection Review, Releases, and Sales.

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's post features several game reviews, starting with an in-depth look at the Castlevania Dominus Collection, followed by a review of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and quick takes on a pair of recently released Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, including the unique Bakeru, and finally, round up the latest sales and expiring discounts. 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 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, offering more than initially meets the eye; it may very well be the most essential Castlevania collection to date.

First, let's discuss the core games. The Nintendo DS era of Castlevania holds a unique place in franchise history, with both positive and negative aspects. The trilogy offers a surprising variety, with each game possessing a distinct 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 integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, emphasizing its interesting dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia significantly alters the formula, boasting 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 era spearheaded by Koji Igarashi, whose work revitalized the franchise with Symphony of the Night. Diminishing returns and Konami's shift towards MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow series marked a turning point. Were the distinct game designs a creative exploration or a desperate attempt to recapture audience interest? It remains a question. Many felt fatigued by the formula at the time, and even though I played them all upon release, I shared that sense of creative stagnation. Sometimes, you don't appreciate something until it's gone.

Interestingly, these aren't simple emulations but rather native ports. This allowed M2 to implement significant improvements, such as replacing Dawn of Sorrow's frustrating touchscreen controls with more intuitive button presses. The presentation cleverly displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously, resembling a three-screen Nintendo system. While some DS elements remain, the games are fully playable with a controller, significantly enhancing Dawn of Sorrow and placing it among my top five Castlevania titles.

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

In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, customizable controls, screen layout adjustments, background color choices, audio level control, and detailed compendiums for each game, covering equipment, enemies, and items. My only minor complaint is the lack of additional screen layout options to enlarge the play area. This is an exceptional way to experience three fantastic games, offering incredible value for the price.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade title, Haunted Castle, is also included. Its inclusion here, rather than in the first collection or the Konami arcade collection, is curious. Thankfully, unlimited continues are an option; this game is brutally unforgiving. While featuring great music and a stylish opening sequence, the original game is undeniably flawed. Or is it?

The final, and surprisingly substantial, extra is a complete remake of Haunted Castle: Haunted Castle Revisited. Similar to M2's Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth, this remake revitalizes the original, retaining its spirit while offering a vastly improved experience. Essentially, we have a new Castlevania game, a very good one, hidden within a Nintendo DS collection!

Castlevania fans should absolutely purchase Castlevania Dominus Collection. It includes a fantastic new Castlevania game and the three excellent Nintendo DS titles in optimal form. The original Haunted Castle is also present. If you dislike Castlevania, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with the series, grab all three collections and prepare for an amazing experience. This is 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 bit of a journey. I've enjoyed Tengo Project's previous releases, particularly their versions of Wild Guns and The Ninja Warriors, which I consider definitive. While I had some minor issues with Pocky & Rocky, it was still a very fun game. Shadow of the Ninja, however, felt different. The team's involvement with the original was limited, and this was an 8-bit game update rather than a 16-bit one. I also personally find the original less compelling than their other titles. Therefore, I was initially hesitant about this remake.

After playing a demo at last year's Tokyo Game Show, my enthusiasm was renewed. Having now completed the game multiple times, my opinion sits somewhere in the middle. Compared to their other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, the improvements are numerous, from the excellent presentation to a refined weapon and item system. While no new characters are introduced, existing characters are better differentiated. It's undoubtedly superior to the original while preserving its essence. Fans of the original will adore this.

However, if you're like me and found the original merely decent, this remake won't drastically alter your perception. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a significant improvement, with the sword being more useful. The new inventory system adds welcome depth. The presentation is outstanding, masking its 8-bit origins. The difficulty spikes are noticeable, and it's arguably more challenging 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 Tengo Project effort, representing one of their most substantial improvements over the original. Whether it's worth purchasing depends on your feelings towards the original, as the core gameplay remains similar. Newcomers will find an enjoyable but not essential action game with a distinct 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

A quick look at two Pinball FX DLC tables, celebrating the game's significant update that greatly improves Switch playability. Two new tables are available: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The former, based on the classic film, features voice clips and video clips, a welcome inclusion. Mechanically, it feels like a realistic pinball table. It's easy to learn, authentic to the license, and satisfying for score attacks.

Zen Studios sometimes misses the mark with licensed tables, lacking music, voice acting, or accurate likenesses. The Princess Bride Pinball excels in these areas, and fans of the movie who enjoy pinball should check it out. While not the most innovative, its familiar design choices feel appropriate. A great time for both newcomers and veterans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball fully embraces its source material, resulting in a truly unique table. Its absurdity is inherently video game-centric. Players encounter various goat-related antics, adding effects to the ball to trigger table elements. It's initially confusing but rewarding. This table is better suited for veteran players. Goat Simulator fans without pinball experience might struggle to fully appreciate its humor.

Goat Simulator Pinball is another solid DLC offering from Zen Studios. Its unconventional design is a refreshing change of pace. It's challenging to master but offers truly wacky moments. Goat Simulator fans who persevere will be rewarded, but it requires more effort 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 mission to save Japan from an evil overlord. Battle enemies, discover hidden trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humor. The Switch version suffers from inconsistent framerate, so those sensitive to technical issues may prefer other platforms. Otherwise, it's a delightful Switch title.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

This top-down arena twin-stick shooter describes itself as an 8-bit homage, though it doesn't quite resemble typical games from that era. It appears fun, offering simple shoot, dash, and upgrade gameplay.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

While I typically avoid language-learning apps, this one seems more polished. Players photograph objects and learn their Japanese names. While I wouldn't personally pay $20, it might be a suitable learning method for some.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales include OrangePixel's selection of excellent pick-up-and-play titles. Alien Hominid is rarely discounted, and Ufouria 2 is also available at a good price. THQ and Team 17 titles are ending their current sales. Explore both lists for more details.

Select New Sales

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is included)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of sales omitted for brevity, but original list is included)

That's it for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, news, and possibly another review. We're in the midst of a fantastic gaming season, so hold onto your wallets and enjoy the fun. This might be the Switch's last major holiday season, so let's make it count. Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!