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 analysis of Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and concise critiques of the latest Pinball FX DLC tables. Following this, we'll explore the day's new releases, highlighting the charming Bakeru, and then dive into the latest sales and expiring discounts. Let's begin!
Reviews & Mini-Views
Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)
Konami's recent track record with classic game collections has been exceptional, and the Castlevania Dominus Collection is no exception. This third installment focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy, expertly handled by M2. This collection might just be the most essential Castlevania compilation yet.
The Nintendo DS Castlevania games offer a unique and varied experience. 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 the touchscreen into a bonus mode, utilizing a dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia stands out with its increased difficulty and design reminiscent of Simon’s Quest. All three are excellent titles.
This collection represents the final chapter of Koji Igarashi's exploratory Castlevania era. While distinct, the games also reflect a potential creative fatigue within the series. The transition to MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow marked a significant shift in the franchise's direction.
Interestingly, these aren't emulated but are native ports, allowing M2 to enhance the gameplay. The frustrating touchscreen elements in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with button controls, and a three-screen layout (main screen, status screen, and map) is implemented. This significantly improves Dawn of Sorrow, elevating it to a top-tier Castlevania title for many.
The collection boasts a wealth of options and extras. Players can choose game regions, customize button mapping, and adjust control schemes. A delightful credits sequence and a comprehensive gallery featuring art, manuals, and box art are included. A music player with custom playlist functionality is also a welcome addition. In-game options include save states, rewind, screen layout customization, background color selection, audio adjustments, and a detailed compendium for each game. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options.
But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. This is accompanied by numerous options, including the much-needed unlimited continues. However, the real treat is the inclusion of Haunted Castle Revisited, a complete remake by M2 that transforms the original's flaws into a genuinely enjoyable experience. This is essentially a brand new Castlevania game!
Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. It offers a fantastic new game alongside three expertly presented Nintendo DS titles. Even the inclusion of the original Haunted Castle adds to the overall value. This is 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 mixed bag. While Tengo Project's previous remakes have been exceptional, this one presents a different challenge, being an 8-bit game update rather than a 16-bit one. The original game wasn't as strong as their other titles, leading to initial hesitation.
After playing the game extensively, I've found it to be a solid, if not groundbreaking, improvement. The presentation is superb, and the weapon and item systems are refined. The two playable characters are now more distinct. It's undoubtedly better than the original, while retaining its core spirit. Fans of the original will undoubtedly love this.
However, those who found the original merely decent might not find this a significant upgrade. While improvements exist (simultaneous access to both chain and sword, a better sword, and a new inventory system), the core gameplay remains similar. The difficulty spikes are noticeable, and the overall length is relatively short. 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 hinges on one's appreciation for the original game. Newcomers will find an enjoyable, but not essential, action game.
SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5
Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)
Two new Pinball FX DLC tables have arrived: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball stands out with its inclusion of voice clips and video clips from the movie. Mechanically, it's well-designed and authentic to the source material. A satisfying and accessible table for both newcomers and veterans.
SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5
Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)
Goat Simulator Pinball embraces its source material's absurdity. It's a unique and challenging table, best suited for veteran players. While initially bewildering, it offers wacky gameplay and rewards persistence.
SwitchArcade Score: 4/5
Select New Releases
Bakeru ($39.99)
A charming 3D platformer from Good-Feel. Play as a tanuki saving Japan from an evil overlord. Features engaging combat, hidden collectibles, and Japanese trivia. Note the inconsistent framerate on Switch.
Holyhunt ($4.99)
A top-down arena twin-stick shooter reminiscent of classic 8-bit games. Simple yet engaging gameplay loop.
Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)
A language-learning game where players take photos and learn Japanese vocabulary.
Sales
(North American eShop, US Prices)
Several noteworthy sales are ongoing, including OrangePixel's titles and rare discounts on Alien Hominid and Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are also ending their sales soon.
Select New Sales
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Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th
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That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potentially a new review. Enjoy the abundance of great games!
