Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article dives into several game reviews, starting with in-depth analyses of Castlevania Dominus Collection and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, followed by quick takes on the latest Pinball FX DLC. We'll then explore the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and wrap up with the latest sales and expiring deals. Let's jump in!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

Konami's classic collections have been consistently excellent, and the Castlevania franchise is no exception. 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, offering more than initially apparent and potentially becoming the most essential Castlevania compilation yet.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania games possess unique identities, creating a surprisingly diverse set. 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 stands out with increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are excellent, even great games.

This collection marks the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploratory Castlevania titles. While distinct, the games' variations might reflect either Igarashi's creative exploration or attempts to recapture a waning audience's interest. Regardless, the collection presents these games as native ports, not emulations, allowing M2 to enhance the experience. The removal of frustrating touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow, combined with the addition of a map screen alongside the main and status screens, significantly improves gameplay.

The collection boasts extensive options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mapping, and choose between left stick control for character movement or the touch cursor. A delightful credits sequence and a gallery featuring artwork, manuals, and box art are included. A music player allows for custom playlists. In-game, save states, rewind functionality, customizable screen layouts, background color choices, audio adjustments, and comprehensive compendiums for each game are available. While a few additional screen layout options would be welcome, this is a minor quibble.

Surprisingly, the notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is also included. This brutal title, despite its flaws, features great music and an impressive opening sequence. However, the real surprise is the inclusion of Haunted Castle Revisited, a complete remake by M2 that transforms the original into a genuinely enjoyable experience. This hidden gem is a significant bonus.

Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for Castlevania fans. The inclusion of a fantastic new Castlevania game, along with the enhanced DS trilogy and the original Haunted Castle, makes this an exceptional value. If you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, this is a great starting point. Konami and M2 have delivered another stellar 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 Tengo Project's previous remakes have been exceptional, this one presents some unique challenges. The original game wasn't as strong as their other titles, and this being an 8-bit update rather than a 16-bit one made me initially hesitant.

After playing it extensively, my opinion is nuanced. Compared to Tengo Project's other work, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn feels less polished. However, improvements are significant, including enhanced presentation and a refined weapon/item system. While no new characters are introduced, existing characters are better differentiated. It's undoubtedly superior to the original while retaining its core spirit. Fans of the original will adore this remake.

For those who found the original merely decent, this remake won't dramatically alter that perception. Simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword is more useful. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is superb, masking its 8-bit origins. However, some challenging difficulty spikes are present, making it potentially harder than the original.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, representing a substantial upgrade. Its appeal hinges on your feelings towards the original game, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. 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 been released, and this review covers The Princess Bride Pinball. Based on the classic movie, it features voice clips and video clips, a welcome addition. Mechanically, it feels like a well-designed table, relatively easy to learn, faithful to the source material, and satisfying to play. This is a superior licensed table, avoiding common pitfalls. It's enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball is a unique and quirky table. Its oddball nature reflects the source material, creating a challenging yet rewarding experience. While initially bewildering, it becomes more enjoyable with practice. It's better suited for veteran pinball players, as Goat Simulator fans without pinball experience might struggle initially. It's a solid addition to the Pinball FX library.

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 combat, Japan trivia, collectible souvenirs, and humor. While the framerate is inconsistent on Switch, it's still a fun game.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter, reminiscent of classic 8-bit games. Simple gameplay loop of shooting, dashing, and acquiring new weapons.

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 a rare discount on Alien Hominid. THQ and Team 17 titles are also ending their sales soon. Check the full lists for details.

(See images for sales lists)

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