Castlevania Collection Reviewed on SwitchArcade

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 critiques of the newly released Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and wrap things up with a look at the latest sales and expiring deals. Let's dive in!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

Konami's recent track record with classic game collections has been undeniably impressive, and the Castlevania franchise has been a particular beneficiary. 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 potentially solidifying its place as the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.

The Nintendo DS era of Castlevania holds a unique place in the franchise's history, marked by both triumphs and shortcomings. Positively, the trilogy boasts distinct identities, resulting in a surprisingly diverse collection. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from cumbersome 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 departs from its predecessors, featuring increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are strong titles; arguably even great.

However, this trilogy also marked the end of Koji Igarashi's run of explorative Castlevania titles, a period that began with the revitalizing Symphony of the Night. The diminishing returns led Konami to favor MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow. Whether the stylistic differences stemmed from Igarashi's creative exploration or a desperate attempt to recapture audience interest remains a mystery. It's worth noting that many felt fatigued by the Castlevania formula at the time.

Surprisingly, these aren't emulated games but native ports, allowing M2 to implement significant improvements. The frustrating touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with more intuitive button presses. The presentation cleverly displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. While some DS-like elements persist, the games are fully playable with a controller, significantly enhancing Dawn of Sorrow and elevating it to a top-tier Castlevania title for many.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mappings, and choose between left stick controls for character movement or the touch cursor. A charming credits sequence highlights unsung contributors, and a comprehensive gallery showcases art, manuals, and box art. A music player allows for custom playlist creation, and each game includes an exhaustive compendium detailing equipment, enemies, items, and more. Minor nitpicks aside (like a desire for more screen layout options), this is a fantastic presentation of three excellent games, offering exceptional value.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. Why it was omitted from the first collection is unclear, but its inclusion here is a welcome addition. The collection provides options like unlimited continues, a necessity given the game's brutal difficulty. Despite its flaws, the game boasts great music and an impressive opening sequence.

However, the true gem lies in the inclusion of a complete Haunted Castle remake, Haunted Castle Revisited. M2 has essentially created a superior game, retaining the spirit of the original while significantly improving gameplay and overall experience. This is essentially a brand-new Castlevania game, hidden within a DS collection!

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. The inclusion of a fantastic remake alongside the well-presented DS trilogy, and even the original Haunted Castle, makes this an exceptional package. If you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, this collection (along with the others) is a great starting point. Konami and M2 have once again delivered a stellar product.

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 consistently excellent, but this remake presented some unique challenges. The team's limited involvement with the original 8-bit game, and my personal reservations about the original's quality, initially made me hesitant.

However, a preview at Tokyo Game Show sparked renewed excitement. After completing the game multiple times, my assessment is nuanced. Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. Nevertheless, the improvements are substantial, including enhanced presentation and a refined weapon/item system. While no new characters are introduced, 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 remake.

Those who, like me, found the original merely decent will likely find Reborn similarly unremarkable. The simultaneous access to both chain and sword is a welcome improvement, as is the new inventory system. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, the game features some frustrating difficulty spikes, making it arguably more challenging than the original. Its brevity might necessitate this increased challenge. 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 Tengo Project effort, representing their most substantial remake yet. Its appeal hinges on one's appreciation for the original game. Newcomers 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)

A quick review 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 cleverly incorporates voice clips and video clips from the film. Mechanically, it feels like a well-designed table, relatively easy to learn, authentic to the license, and satisfying to play.

Zen Studios often misses the mark with licensed tables, lacking music, voices, and accurate likenesses. The Princess Bride Pinball is a notable exception, appealing to both pinball veterans and fans of the film. While not the most innovative, its familiar design choices contribute to its charm.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces its source material's absurdity. This unique table is distinctly video-game-centric, incorporating silly goat-related events and ball effects. Initially bewildering, it rewards persistence with wacky antics. It's more challenging than The Princess Bride table, better suited for experienced pinball players. Goat Simulator fans may struggle initially but will find it rewarding once mastered.

Goat Simulator Pinball is another solid DLC offering from Zen Studios, showcasing their willingness to experiment. Its challenging gameplay is balanced by its unique humor, making it a worthwhile addition for dedicated players.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As mentioned in yesterday's review, this 3D platformer from Good-Feel is a charming and breezy experience. Play as Bakeru, a tanuki on a mission to save Japan from an evil overlord. The game features engaging combat, hidden Japan trivia, collectible souvenirs, and humor. However, inconsistent framerate on Switch might deter some players.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter described as an 8-bit homage. Its simple gameplay loop of shooting, dashing, and acquiring new weapons might appeal to those seeking straightforward action.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game where players photograph objects and learn their Japanese names. While not typically covered, its unique approach might appeal to certain learners.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales include OrangePixel's titles, a rare discount on Alien Hominid, and a discounted Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are ending their sales. Explore both the new and expiring sales lists for potential bargains.

Select New Sales

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Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

(List of expiring sales)

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