Castlevania: Dominus Collection Review and Today's App Highlights

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 analysis of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concise critiques of the latest Pinball FX DLC tables. Following that, we'll explore the day's new releases, highlighting the unique and captivating Bakeru, and then dive into the latest sales and expiring deals. Let's get started!

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 on modern platforms, focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy. Developed by M2, it delivers the usual high-quality experience, but this collection offers even more, potentially making it the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

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

This collection marks the final installment in the series of exploratory Castlevania games helmed by Koji Igarashi, whose work revitalized the franchise with Symphony of the Night. While these games offer distinct experiences, it's unclear whether this variety reflects Igarashi's creative exploration or an attempt to recapture audience interest. Regardless, many felt fatigued by this Castlevania formula at the time.

Interestingly, these aren't emulated but rather native ports, allowing M2 to implement improvements. The frustrating touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with button presses, and the game now displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. These enhancements significantly improve Dawn of Sorrow, elevating it to a top-five Castlevania title for many.

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 highlights unsung series contributors. A comprehensive gallery showcases artwork, manuals, and box art. A music player allows for custom playlist creation. In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, control remapping, screen layout customization, background color selection, and audio adjustments. A detailed compendium provides information on equipment, enemies, items, and other game elements. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This is a fantastic way to experience these three fantastic games, offering incredible value for the price.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. This addition is particularly notable given its absence from the first collection. It includes the much-needed option of unlimited continues. While the game itself is brutally challenging, it boasts great music and a memorable opening sequence. However, the real treat is the inclusion of Haunted Castle Revisited, a complete remake by M2 that transforms the original into a genuinely enjoyable experience. This is essentially a brand-new Castlevania game!

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. It includes a fantastic new game alongside the 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 the series, you should definitely check out all three collections. 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 somewhat mixed. While I've enjoyed Tengo Project's previous releases, this remake presented some unique challenges. The team's limited involvement with the original 8-bit game, and my personal reservations about the original, made me hesitant.

However, after playing the game extensively, my opinion has softened. Compared to their other titles, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is less polished. Nevertheless, the improvements are significant, including enhanced visuals and a refined weapon and item system. The two playable characters are now more distinct. It's undoubtedly superior to the original while retaining its essence. Fans of the original will adore this remake.

For those who found the original merely decent, this remake won't drastically alter that perception. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword is more effective. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is exceptional, masking its 8-bit origins. The game features some challenging difficulty spikes, making it tougher than the original. It's the best iteration of Shadow of the Ninja, but it's still fundamentally Shadow of the Ninja.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, representing one of their most substantial improvements over its predecessor. Its appeal depends on your feelings towards the original game, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. Newcomers will find an enjoyable but not essential action game, reflecting an 8-bit design philosophy.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

A couple of quick reviews of the latest Pinball FX DLC, celebrating the game's significant update. Two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball features voice clips and video clips from the movie. Mechanically, it feels like a well-designed table, relatively straightforward yet authentic to the license.

Zen Studios doesn't always succeed with licensed tables, often lacking music, voice acting, and accurate likenesses. The Princess Bride Pinball is a notable exception, providing a satisfying experience for both newcomers and veterans. While not the most innovative, its familiar design choices complement the theme.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball fully embraces its source material, resulting in a uniquely bizarre table. The goat-themed antics and ball effects add a layer of unpredictable fun. It's initially confusing but rewarding. This table is more suitable for veteran pinball players. Goat Simulator fans without pinball experience might struggle initially.

Goat Simulator Pinball is another strong DLC offering from Zen Studios. It's challenging to master but delivers genuinely wacky moments. Dedicated Goat Simulator fans will appreciate the effort, but it requires more effort to learn than other tables.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As mentioned 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 from an evil overlord. Battle enemies, discover hidden trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humor. The Switch version suffers from inconsistent framerate.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an homage to 8-bit games. It's a simple shoot-and-dash experience with boss battles.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

This language-learning game uses photography to teach Japanese vocabulary.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy sales are ongoing, including OrangePixel's titles. Alien Hominid is on a rare discount, along with Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are also ending their sales. Check both lists for more details.

Select New Sales

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Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

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That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with more new releases, sales, news, and potentially another review. Enjoy the abundance of great games! Thanks for reading!