Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article features several game reviews, starting with in-depth analyses of Castlevania Dominus Collection and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, followed by quick takes on a pair of new Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, highlighting the unique and charming Bakeru, and finally, delve into 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 exceptional, and the Castlevania franchise has been a major beneficiary. Castlevania Dominus Collection, the third in the series on modern platforms, focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy. Developed by M2, this collection delivers excellent results and offers more than initially apparent, potentially making it the most comprehensive Castlevania compilation yet.
The Nintendo DS Castlevania games possess unique identities, forming a surprisingly diverse set. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from cumbersome touchscreen controls, now 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 alters the formula, boasting increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon’s Quest. All three are strong entries, with some even considered classics.
This collection marks the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploration-focused Castlevania games, a period that began with the revitalizing Symphony of the Night. While these DS titles are distinct, one might question whether their differences reflect Igarashi's creative exploration or attempts to recapture a waning audience's interest. Regardless, the games offer a unique experience.
Interestingly, these aren't emulations but native ports, allowing M2 to enhance the gameplay. Annoying touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with button presses, and the interface now displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. 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 select game regions, customize button mappings, and choose between stick-based movement or touch cursor control. A charming credits sequence and a gallery featuring artwork, manuals, and box art are included. A music player allows for custom playlists, showcasing the series' excellent soundtrack. In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, customizable screen layouts, background color choices, audio adjustments, and a comprehensive compendium for each game. The only minor omission is a lack of additional screen layout options to maximize the play area.
But the surprises don't end there! The infamous arcade title, Haunted Castle, is also included, along with an incredible remake, Haunted Castle Revisited. M2 has essentially created a new, improved version of this classic, offering a fresh Castlevania experience within this DS collection.
Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. The inclusion of a fantastic new game alongside the well-presented DS titles, plus the original Haunted Castle, makes it an exceptional value. If you’re unfamiliar with Castlevania, 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 mixed. While I’ve generally enjoyed Tengo Project’s previous work, this 8-bit remake presents unique challenges. The original game isn’t as strong as their other titles, and the lack of direct involvement from the team on the original source material adds to the uncertainty. However, after playing the game extensively, my opinion has evolved.
Compared to Tengo Project’s other releases, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels slightly less polished. Nevertheless, the improvements are significant: enhanced presentation and a refined weapon/item system. While no new characters are introduced, existing ones are better differentiated. It’s undoubtedly superior to the original while preserving its essence. Fans of the original will adore this remake.
However, if you found the original merely decent, this remake likely won't change your mind drastically. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword is more effective. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. The game features some challenging difficulty spikes, potentially exceeding the original's difficulty. It's the best iteration of Shadow of the Ninja, but it’s still fundamentally Shadow of the Ninja.
Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, showcasing perhaps their most substantial improvement over an original title yet. Its appeal depends heavily on your feelings towards the original game, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. Newcomers will find it an enjoyable but not essential action game.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)
Let's briefly review the new Pinball FX DLC, particularly given the recent major update improving Switch playability. 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 movie, a welcome addition. The table’s mechanics feel authentic and are satisfying to play.
Zen Studios sometimes misses the mark with licensed tables, often lacking music, voice acting, or accurate likenesses. The Princess Bride Pinball is a notable exception, offering a well-designed and enjoyable experience for both newcomers and seasoned pinball enthusiasts.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)
Goat Simulator Pinball perfectly captures the spirit of its license, resulting in a truly unique and bizarre table. The goat-related antics and effects add an element of chaos. While initially confusing, the table rewards persistence with its quirky gameplay. This table is better suited for experienced pinball players; Goat Simulator fans new to pinball might find it challenging.
Goat Simulator Pinball is another strong DLC offering from Zen Studios, showcasing their willingness to experiment. It’s challenging but ultimately rewarding, especially for fans of the Goat Simulator series who are willing to invest the time to master its mechanics.
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. The game features engaging combat, hidden secrets, collectible souvenirs, and humorous moments. However, the Switch version suffers from inconsistent framerate, which might deter some players.
Holyhunt ($4.99)
A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, described as an homage to 8-bit games. It's a straightforward shoot-and-dash experience with boss battles.
Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)
A language-learning game where players take photos and learn the Japanese names for objects.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Today's sales include several notable titles, including OrangePixel's collection of excellent games. Alien Hominid is on a rare sale, alongside Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are also ending their sales. Please refer to the full lists for all titles.
Select New Sales
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Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th
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That's all for today! We'll return tomorrow with more new releases, sales, and possibly news and reviews. Enjoy the abundance of great games available, and have a fantastic Tuesday!
