Castlevania Dominus Collection Review: A Nostalgic Treat

Hello discerning readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024. Today's feature includes several game reviews: in-depth analysis of Castlevania Dominus Collection, a look at Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concise critiques of recent Pinball FX DLC. Following this, we'll explore new releases, including the unique Bakeru, and 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 exceptional, 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, the collection boasts impressive quality, offering more than initially apparent, potentially making it the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania titles possess unique identities, forming a surprisingly diverse set. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from cumbersome touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin relegates touchscreen elements to a bonus mode, focusing on its dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia deviates significantly, featuring increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All are excellent games, arguably even great.

This collection marks the culmination of Koji Igarashi's exploratory Castlevania era. While each game has its own distinct identity, there's a question of whether this variety reflects creative exploration or attempts to recapture audience interest. Regardless, these titles represent a significant moment in the franchise's history.

Interestingly, these aren't emulated but are native ports, allowing M2 to implement enhancements. The irritating touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with button presses, and a third screen displays the map alongside the main and status screens. These improvements significantly enhance Dawn of Sorrow, elevating it to a top-tier Castlevania title.

The collection includes extensive options and extras: regional selection, button remapping, controller customization, a charming credits sequence, an art gallery, a music player with playlist creation, and comprehensive game compendia. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This is a superb way to experience three fantastic games at an exceptional price.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. This is accompanied by a complete remake, Haunted Castle Revisited, created by M2. This remake significantly improves upon the original, effectively adding a new, high-quality Castlevania game to the collection.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. It includes a fantastic new game alongside three excellent Nintendo DS titles, presented impeccably. The original Haunted Castle is also included. If you're not a Castlevania fan, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, acquire all three collections and prepare for an unforgettable experience. 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 successful, but this 8-bit remake presents unique challenges. The original game isn't as strong as their other titles, and the team's limited involvement with the original source material is noticeable. My initial enthusiasm was tempered by these factors.

After playing the game extensively, my opinion sits somewhere in the middle. Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, improvements are evident in the presentation, weapon system, and item system. While no new characters are introduced, existing characters are better differentiated. It's undoubtedly superior to the original while retaining its essence. Fans of the original will adore this.

For those who found the original merely decent, Reborn offers a similar experience with enhancements. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a significant improvement, and the sword's utility is enhanced. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, the game features some challenging difficulty spikes, making it more demanding than the original. 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 depends on your feelings toward the original game, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. New players 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)

These brief Pinball FX DLC reviews celebrate the game's significant update. Two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball incorporates voice clips and video clips from the film, a welcome inclusion. The table's mechanics feel authentic and are satisfying to 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, offering a fun experience for both newcomers and veterans. While not the most innovative, its familiar design choices enhance its appeal.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces its source material's absurdity. This results in a unique and unconventional table, only possible in a video game. The gameplay involves silly goat-related events, adding effects to the ball to activate various table elements. Initially confusing, it becomes rewarding with persistence. This table is more challenging, better suited for veteran players. Goat Simulator fans without pinball experience might find it difficult initially.

Goat Simulator Pinball is another strong DLC offering from Zen Studios. It's a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience, showcasing wacky antics. 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 detailed in yesterday's review, this charming 3D platformer from Good-Feel is a delightful experience. Play as Bakeru, a tanuki on a mission to save Japan. Battle enemies, discover hidden trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humor. The inconsistent framerate on Switch might deter some, but it remains an enjoyable game.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an homage to 8-bit games. It features shooting, dashing, weapon upgrades, and boss battles.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

This language-learning game involves taking pictures and learning Japanese names for objects. While not typically covered, its unique approach might appeal to some learners.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy games are on sale, including OrangePixel's titles. Alien Hominid has a rare discount, along with Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are ending their sales. Explore the full lists for more details.

Select New Sales

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Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

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That concludes today's roundup. Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potentially news and reviews. We're in a season of abundant excellent games, so protect your wallets and enjoy the fun! It's likely the Switch's last holiday season, so let's make it memorable. Have a fantastic Tuesday, and thank you for reading!