Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article features in-depth reviews, including a comprehensive look at the Castlevania Dominus Collection, an assessment of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and quick takes on a pair of recently released Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, highlighting the unique and appealing Bakeru, and conclude with a rundown of 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 undeniably impressive, and the Castlevania franchise has been a particular beneficiary. Castlevania Dominus Collection, the third in the series on modern platforms, focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy. Developed by M2, this collection boasts exceptional quality and surpasses expectations, potentially becoming the most essential Castlevania compilation to date.
The Nintendo DS era of Castlevania holds a unique place in the franchise's history. The trilogy offers a surprisingly diverse set of games, each with its own distinct identity. 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, emphasizing its dual-character gameplay. Order of Ecclesia deviates significantly, presenting a notably higher difficulty and design reminiscent of Simon’s Quest. All three are strong titles, and highly recommended.
This collection marks the culmination of Koji Igarashi's exploratory Castlevania titles, a run that began with the revitalizing Symphony of the Night. While the games are distinct, questions linger about their individual design choices. Were they a testament to Igarashi's creative exploration, or a response to waning audience interest? Regardless, the collection presents a valuable opportunity to revisit these titles.
Interestingly, these aren't emulated versions but native ports, allowing M2 to enhance the experience. The annoying touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow have been replaced with more intuitive button presses, and the game now displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. While retaining some DS-like elements, the games are fully playable with a controller, significantly improving Dawn of Sorrow and solidifying its place among the top Castlevania titles.
The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mapping, and choose between left stick controls for character movement or the touch cursor. A charming credits sequence and a gallery featuring art, manuals, and box art add further value. A music player allows for custom playlists, and each game includes a comprehensive compendium detailing equipment, enemies, and items. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. This is an exceptional way to experience three fantastic games at an incredible price.
But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. M2 has also included a complete remake, Haunted Castle Revisited. This remake retains elements of the original but significantly improves upon its gameplay. Essentially, this collection includes a brand new, high-quality Castlevania game!
If you appreciate Castlevania, the Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have. It offers a fantastic new game alongside the three excellent Nintendo DS titles, all 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 the others, is a great starting point. Konami and M2 have delivered another exceptional 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. While I've enjoyed Tengo Project's previous releases, 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 made me initially hesitant.
However, after playing the game extensively, my opinion has evolved. While not as polished as Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn still offers significant improvements. The presentation is excellent, the weapon and item system is refined, and the two playable characters are more distinct. It's undoubtedly superior to the original, capturing its essence while enhancing its core mechanics. Fans of the original will undoubtedly appreciate this remake.
For those less familiar with the original, the improvements are welcome, but the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a significant improvement, as is the new inventory system. The presentation is top-notch, but the game features some challenging difficulty spikes. It's a shorter game overall, but potentially more difficult than its predecessor. 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 the original. Its appeal depends heavily on your feelings towards the original game. Newcomers will find an enjoyable but not essential action game, while veterans will find a refined and enhanced experience.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)
These quick reviews celebrate the major Pinball FX update that has greatly improved the Switch version. The Princess Bride Pinball DLC table successfully incorporates voice clips and video clips from the movie, setting a high standard for licensed tables. The gameplay is well-designed, authentic to the source material, and highly replayable.
Zen Studios sometimes falters with licensed tables, but The Princess Bride Pinball is a notable exception. While not overly innovative, its familiar design choices contribute to its overall appeal. It's a fun table for both newcomers 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 unique and unconventional table. The goat-themed antics and interactive elements create a chaotic but entertaining experience. It's a more challenging table, better suited for experienced players. While Goat Simulator fans might find it amusing, the learning curve might prove steep for those unfamiliar with pinball.
Goat Simulator Pinball is another strong DLC offering from Zen Studios, showcasing their willingness to experiment. Its challenging gameplay and wacky elements reward persistence, but it requires more effort to master than other tables.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Select New Releases
Bakeru ($39.99)
As mentioned in yesterday's review, Bakeru is a charming 3D platformer from Good-Feel. Players control a tanuki on a mission to save Japan, battling enemies, collecting souvenirs, and uncovering Japanese trivia. While the Switch version suffers from inconsistent framerate, it remains an enjoyable experience.
Holyhunt ($4.99)
This top-down arena shooter is described as an 8-bit homage, featuring twin-stick controls and a focus on shooting, dashing, and boss battles.
Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)
This language-learning game involves taking pictures and learning the Japanese names for objects.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Today's sales include OrangePixel's selection of games, along with rare discounts on Alien Hominid and Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are also ending their sales. Be sure to check both lists for more details.
Select New Sales
(List of 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 possibly a review. Enjoy the abundance of great games available! Have a fantastic Tuesday!
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