Hello, fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article brings you fresh reviews, including in-depth analyses of Castlevania Dominus Collection and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, plus quick takes on some new Pinball FX DLC. We'll then dive into the day's new releases, featuring the charming Bakeru, followed by a look at 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 outstanding, 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, this collection delivers exceptional quality, but it's more than just a simple compilation—it might be the most essential Castlevania collection yet.
Let's start with the core games. The Nintendo DS Castlevania titles represent a pivotal, if somewhat uneven, period for the franchise. On the plus side, the trilogy boasts unique identities, creating a surprisingly diverse experience. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from clunky touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, focusing on its innovative dual-character gameplay. Order of Ecclesia significantly departs from its predecessors, offering increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are excellent games, highly recommended.
However, this trilogy marked the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploratory Castlevania games, a run that began with the revitalizing Symphony of the Night. While these games were distinct, one wonders if that stemmed from creative exploration or attempts to recapture a waning audience's interest. Looking back, many felt fatigued by the formula, and even despite enjoying them at launch, I sensed a repetitive pattern. It’s often said you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone.
Surprisingly, these aren't emulated games but native ports, enabling M2 to make significant improvements. The annoying touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with button presses, and the display cleverly incorporates the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. While retaining some DS-era characteristics, the controller support for docked mode enhances the experience, making Dawn of Sorrow a contender for my top five Castlevania titles.
The collection is packed with features. Options include region selection, button remapping, and controller customization for the touch cursor. A charming credits sequence and a comprehensive gallery featuring art, manuals, and box art are included. A music player with playlist creation rounds out the audio options.
In-game, save states, rewind functionality, control remapping, screen layout customization, background color choices, and audio adjustments are available. A detailed compendium for each game provides information on equipment, enemies, items, and more. While a few additional screen layout options would be welcome, this is a near-perfect presentation. This is a fantastic way to experience three fantastic games, and the price makes it an incredible value.
And the surprises keep coming! The notoriously difficult arcade title, Haunted Castle, is included. Its inclusion here, rather than in the first collection, is a mystery, but its presence is a welcome addition. Unlimited continues are a must for this brutally unforgiving game. Despite its challenging gameplay, it features excellent music and a stylish opening sequence. But is it truly irredeemable?
The final extra—and it feels odd to call something so significant an "extra"—is a complete remake of Haunted Castle. Similar to M2's Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth, Haunted Castle Revisited reimagines the original, creating a genuinely enjoyable experience. This is essentially a new Castlevania game, and a good one at that, tucked away within a Nintendo DS collection.
Castlevania fans, this collection is a must-have. A fantastic new Castlevania game, along with the three excellent Nintendo DS titles, all presented impeccably. The original Haunted Castle is also included. If you dislike Castlevania, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, grab all three collections and prepare for a treat. 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 a rollercoaster. Tengo Project's previous releases, such as their versions of Wild Guns and The Ninja Warriors, have been exceptional. While I had some minor issues with Pocky & Rocky, it was still highly enjoyable. However, Shadow of the Ninja felt different; the team's involvement was limited, and it was an 8-bit game update, not a 16-bit one. Personally, I find the original less compelling than their other titles. This remake made me hesitant.
After playing a preview at Tokyo Game Show last year, my excitement returned. Now, having completed the game multiple times, my opinion is more nuanced. Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. The improvements are significant, from the enhanced presentation to the refined weapon and item system. While lacking new characters, the existing characters are better differentiated. It surpasses the original while retaining its core spirit. Original Shadow of the Ninja fans will adore this.
However, if you're like me and found the original merely decent, this remake won't drastically alter your perception. The simultaneous access to both chain and sword is a welcome improvement, with the sword being more useful. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. The difficulty spikes are noticeable, making it more challenging than the original. 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. New players will find an enjoyable but 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 look at some Pinball FX DLC, celebrating the game's major update that finally delivers proper Switch functionality. Two new tables: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride table uses voice clips and video clips from the movie—a welcome inclusion, Zen! Mechanically, it feels like a real pinball machine. Relatively easy to learn, faithful to the license, and satisfying for score attacks.
Zen Studios doesn't always nail licensed tables, often lacking music, voices, and likenesses. The Princess Bride Pinball is a standout, appealing to fans of the movie and pinball enthusiasts alike. It's not the most innovative table, but its familiar design choices contribute to its charm. A great time for both newcomers and veterans.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)
Goat Simulator Pinball perfectly embodies its source material. It's a unique and bizarre table, exclusively suited for a video game format. The goat-related antics and ball effects add to the chaos. Initially confusing, it rewards persistence. This table is more challenging for veteran players. Goat Simulator fans new to pinball might struggle to appreciate its humor fully.
Goat Simulator Pinball is another strong DLC offering from Zen Studios. It's a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience with truly wacky moments. Goat Simulator fans willing to learn the ropes will be richly rewarded, but it requires more effort 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, uncover Japan trivia, collect souvenirs, and enjoy the humor. The Switch version's inconsistent framerate might deter some, but otherwise, it's a worthwhile addition to your Switch library.
Holyhunt ($4.99)
A top-down arena twin-stick shooter described as an 8-bit homage. The gameplay loop of shooting, dashing, acquiring new weapons, and facing bosses appears simple yet entertaining.
Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)
While typically not covered, this language-learning game incorporates photography to teach Japanese vocabulary. While the price might be steep, it offers a unique learning method.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Today's sales include OrangePixel's excellent pick-up-and-play titles. Alien Hominid is on a rare discount, and Ufouria 2 is also attractively priced. THQ and Team 17 titles are ending their sales. Explore both lists for potential bargains.
Select New Sales
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Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th
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That's it for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potentially news and reviews. We're in the midst of a season of fantastic games, so hold onto your wallets and enjoy the ride. It's likely the Switch's last holiday season, so let's make it count! Have a great Tuesday, and thanks for reading!
