Castlevania Collection Debuts, Switch eShop Updates Unveiled

Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article features in-depth reviews, starting with a comprehensive look at the Castlevania Dominus Collection, followed by an analysis of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concluding with concise reviews of the newly released Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and finally, delve into 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 Dominus Collection is no exception. This third installment focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy, masterfully handled by M2. This might be the most essential Castlevania collection yet, offering more than initially apparent.

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 clumsy touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, utilizing a dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia significantly raises the difficulty, harkening back to the style of Simon’s Quest. All three are excellent titles.

This collection marks the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploration-focused Castlevania games. While distinct, the games also reflect a potential search for a winning formula amidst a waning audience interest. Interestingly, these aren't emulated but native ports, allowing M2 to enhance the experience. The troublesome touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with button presses, and a three-screen layout (main screen, status screen, and map) is implemented. This significantly improves Dawn of Sorrow, elevating it to a top-tier Castlevania title for many.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can choose game regions, customize button mapping, and select control schemes. A delightful credits sequence and a comprehensive gallery featuring art, manuals, and box art are included. A music player with custom playlist creation adds another layer of enjoyment. In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, customizable screen layouts, background color choices, and audio adjustments. Each game boasts a detailed compendium covering equipment, enemies, items, and more. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This is a fantastic way to experience three exceptional games at an incredible value.

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, offering a fresh and enjoyable Castlevania experience.

The Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. It includes a superb new game alongside three classic DS titles, presented impeccably. Even the original Haunted Castle is included. If you're not a Castlevania fan, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with the series, this collection, along with the others, is a great starting point. Another triumph from 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. While Tengo Project's previous releases have been largely successful, this remake of an 8-bit title presents unique challenges. The original game isn't as strong as their other works, and the team's limited involvement with the original source material is noticeable.

After playing the game extensively, my opinion lies somewhere in the middle. Compared to Tengo Project's other titles, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, improvements are numerous, including enhanced presentation and a refined weapon and item system. While lacking new characters, the existing ones are better differentiated. 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 significant improvement, and the sword is more useful. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, some challenging difficulty spikes and a shorter playtime are present. 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 towards the original, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. Newcomers will find an enjoyable, albeit not essential, action game with a distinct 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Two quick reviews of the newly updated Pinball FX DLC tables: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball is a well-executed licensed table, featuring voice clips and video clips from the movie. The gameplay is intuitive, authentic to the source material, and highly replayable. Zen Studios has successfully captured the essence of the movie in this table.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces the absurdity of its source material. This unique table is a departure from traditional pinball, incorporating silly goat-related events. While initially confusing, the table rewards persistence with humorous antics. This table is more challenging and better suited for experienced pinball players. Goat Simulator fans will find it enjoyable, but the learning curve is steeper than other tables.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

A delightful 3D platformer from Good-Feel, featuring a tanuki on a mission to save Japan. Expect charming gameplay, engaging combat, hidden secrets, and humorous moments. However, inconsistent framerate on the Switch might deter some players.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an 8-bit homage. The core gameplay loop involves shooting, dashing, acquiring new weapons, and defeating bosses.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game where players photograph objects and learn their Japanese names.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy sales are ongoing, including discounts on OrangePixel's titles, Alien Hominid, and Ufouria 2. Sales from THQ and Team 17 are also ending soon.

(Sales lists omitted for brevity)

That’s all for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potentially a review or two. We're in the midst of a fantastic gaming season, so hang on to your wallets and enjoy the ride! Have a great Tuesday!