Castlevania Collection Revealed on Switch

Hello, game enthusiasts! Welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 3rd, 2024. Today's article features several game reviews, starting with in-depth analyses of Castlevania Dominus Collection and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, followed by shorter looks at some new Pinball FX DLC. We'll then cover the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and conclude with a roundup of current and expiring sales. 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 Dominus Collection is no exception. This third installment focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy, expertly handled by M2. This might be the most comprehensive Castlevania collection to date, offering more than initially apparent.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania games represent a pivotal, albeit somewhat uneven, period for the franchise. Positively, the trilogy boasts unique identities, creating a surprisingly diverse set. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from awkward touchscreen controls, now thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, utilizing a dual-character system. Order of Ecclesia deviates further, offering increased difficulty and design reminiscent of Simon’s Quest. All three are excellent titles.

However, this trilogy marked the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploration-focused Castlevania games. While innovative, these titles may have also reflected a search for a new direction amidst waning audience interest. Despite their individual merits, the series felt somewhat stagnant at the time.

Interestingly, these aren't emulated but rather native ports. This allowed M2 to enhance Dawn of Sorrow significantly by replacing touchscreen controls with button presses, and cleverly incorporating the map as a third screen alongside the main and status screens. While retaining some DS-like aspects, the games adapt well to controller use, significantly improving the experience.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mapping, choose control schemes, and enjoy a delightful credits sequence. A comprehensive gallery showcases art, manuals, and box art, while a music player allows for custom playlists. In-game options include save states, rewind, customizable screen layouts, background colors, and audio adjustments. A detailed compendium provides information on equipment, enemies, and items. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This is an exceptional value for three outstanding games.

But that's not all! The collection also includes the notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, along with a complete remake, Haunted Castle Revisited. M2 has essentially created a new, significantly improved version of this classic, adding a surprising and welcome bonus to the package.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for any Castlevania fan. It features a fantastic new game alongside the three classic DS titles, presented flawlessly. Even the inclusion of the original Haunted Castle adds to the overall package. If you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, this collection, along with its predecessors, is a great starting point. 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 mixed. While Tengo Project's previous remakes have been exceptional, this one presents some unique challenges. The original game, unlike their previous projects, wasn't as strong, and this is a remake of an 8-bit title. My initial hesitation was tempered by a positive experience at last year's Tokyo Game Show. After playing the full game, my feelings remain somewhat ambivalent.

Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, improvements are numerous, including enhanced presentation and a refined weapon/item system. The two playable characters are better differentiated, and the game is undoubtedly superior to the original while preserving its core identity. Fans of the original will undoubtedly appreciate this remake.

If, like me, you found the original merely decent, your opinion of Reborn will likely be similar. Simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword is more useful. The new inventory system adds an enjoyable element. The presentation is superb, and the game plays well. However, there are some challenging difficulty spikes, making it arguably harder than the original. It's the best version 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, offering a substantial improvement over the original. Whether or not it's worth purchasing depends on your feelings about the original game. 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)

Following the significant Pinball FX update, two new DLC tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball is a well-executed licensed table, incorporating voice clips and video clips from the movie. The gameplay is well-designed and authentic to the source material. It's a satisfying experience for both casual 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 uniquely bizarre and entertaining table. While initially confusing, the table's quirky gameplay is rewarding. It's better suited for experienced pinball players, as its unconventional design may prove challenging for newcomers.

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. Despite some framerate inconsistencies on Switch, it's a fun and engaging game.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena shooter reminiscent of classic 8-bit games. It's a simple but potentially entertaining twin-stick shooter.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game that uses photography as a learning tool. Its effectiveness will vary depending on individual learning styles.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy sales are currently running, including discounts on OrangePixel titles, Alien Hominid, and Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are also on sale, so check their publisher pages for a complete list.

Select New Sales (List of sales)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th (List of sales)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potentially more reviews. Enjoy the abundance of great games available! Have a fantastic Tuesday!