Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article features several game reviews: in-depth thoughts on Castlevania Dominus Collection, a look at Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and quick takes on a pair of new Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll also cover the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and round things off with the latest sales and expiring deals. Let's dive in!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)
Konami's track record with classic game collections has been 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 delivers exceptional quality, offering more than initially meets the eye, and might just be the most essential Castlevania collection to date.
Let's start with the core games. The Nintendo DS Castlevania titles represent a pivotal, if somewhat uneven, period for the franchise. Each game boasts a unique identity, creating a surprisingly diverse set. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, is initially hampered by some awkward touchscreen controls (mitigated in this version). Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, focusing instead on its innovative dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia significantly shakes things up, with heightened difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are solid titles, and even some might argue great ones.
This trilogy marked the end of the exploratory Castlevania era spearheaded by Koji Igarashi, whose Symphony of the Night revitalized the series. While these games are distinct, one wonders if their differences reflect Igarashi's creative exploration or a desperate search for audience engagement as interest waned. Regardless, many felt a sense of fatigue with the formula at the time.
Interestingly, these aren't emulations but native ports, allowing M2 to implement significant improvements. The annoying touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with more intuitive button presses, and the game cleverly displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. This enhances Dawn of Sorrow considerably, placing it among my top five Castlevania titles.
The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can select game regions, remap buttons, customize controller mappings, and even adjust screen layouts. A delightful credits sequence is a must-see, and a comprehensive gallery showcases art, manuals, and box art. A music player with custom playlist creation adds further value. In-game options include save states, rewind, control remapping, background color choices, and audio adjustments. A detailed compendium provides information on equipment, enemies, and items. While a few additional screen layout options would be welcome, this is a minor quibble.
But the surprises don't end there! The collection includes the notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle. This is paired with a complete remake, Haunted Castle Revisited, where M2 has essentially crafted a superior version of the original. This is essentially a bonus, a whole new Castlevania game!
If you're a Castlevania fan, Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-buy. It offers a fantastic new Castlevania game along with the three excellent Nintendo DS titles in optimal form. The inclusion of the original Haunted Castle is a bonus. If you dislike Castlevania, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with the series, this, along with the other collections, is the perfect starting point. Konami and M2 have delivered another outstanding collection.
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 excellent, but this 8-bit remake presented some initial concerns. I personally found the original game less compelling than their other titles.
After playing the game extensively, my opinion sits somewhere in the middle. While it's a solid effort, it feels less polished than Tengo Project's other work. The improvements are significant, though, from the enhanced visuals to 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 core spirit. Fans of the original will adore this.
However, if you found the original only moderately enjoyable, Reborn likely won't drastically change your mind. The simultaneous access to both chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword is more useful than before. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. The difficulty is more challenging than the original, perhaps necessitated by its shorter length. It's the definitive Shadow of the Ninja experience, but it's still Shadow of the Ninja.
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another strong effort from Tengo Project, significantly improving upon its predecessor. Whether it's worth purchasing depends on your feelings towards the original. Newcomers will find a decent but not essential action game with a classic 8-bit feel.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)
Let's briefly review the new Pinball FX DLC, celebrating the recent update that improved Switch playability. Two new tables arrived: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball uses voice clips and video from the movie – a welcome addition, Zen! The table's mechanics feel authentic and are satisfying to play. Zen Studios sometimes misses the mark with licensed tables, but this one is a success. It's not the most innovative, but it's enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)
Goat Simulator Pinball perfectly captures its source material's absurdity. It's a unique table, only possible in a video game. It's initially confusing but rewarding. More suited to veteran players, Goat Simulator fans without pinball experience may struggle initially. It's a solid DLC offering, showcasing Zen Studios' ability to create wacky and fun tables.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Select New Releases
Bakeru ($39.99)
As mentioned in yesterday's review, this 3D platformer from Good-Feel is a delightful experience. Play as Bakeru, a tanuki saving Japan from an evil overlord. Battle enemies, uncover Japan trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humor. The inconsistent framerate on Switch might deter some.
Holyhunt ($4.99)
A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an 8-bit homage. It's a simple shoot-'em-up with boss battles.
Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)
A language-learning game where you take photos and learn Japanese vocabulary.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Several noteworthy sales are happening, including OrangePixel's titles and a rare discount on Alien Hominid. Check the eShop for details. THQ and Team17 titles are also on sale.
Select New Sales (List of games on sale)
Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th (List of games on sale)
That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and possibly more reviews. We're in the midst of a fantastic gaming season, so hold onto your wallets and enjoy the ride! Have a great Tuesday!
