Hello fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article features in-depth reviews, starting with the Castlevania Dominus Collection, followed by a closer look at Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and quick takes on the latest Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll then explore the day's new releases, including the charming Bakeru, and finally, dive into 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 exceptional, and the Castlevania Dominus Collection continues this trend. This third installment focuses on the Nintendo DS trilogy, expertly handled by M2. However, this collection offers more than just a simple port; it's arguably the most comprehensive 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 clumsy touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, utilizing a dual-character system. Order of Ecclesia stands out with its increased difficulty and design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are excellent games, highly recommended.

This collection marks the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploration-focused Castlevania games. While distinct, the games might reflect either IGA's creative exploration or a search for a winning formula amidst waning audience interest. Regardless, these games, while enjoyable, felt somewhat repetitive at the time.

Surprisingly, these aren't emulated but are native ports, allowing M2 to enhance the experience. Annoying touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with button presses, and the map is displayed alongside the main and status screens. While some DS elements remain, the games are fully playable with a controller, significantly improving Dawn of Sorrow and placing it among my top five Castlevania titles.

The collection boasts numerous options and extras. Region selection, button remapping, and customizable control schemes are available. A delightful credits sequence and a gallery featuring art, manuals, and box art are included. A music player with custom playlist functionality allows you to enjoy the fantastic soundtrack.

In-game options include save states, rewind, screen layout customization, background color choices, audio adjustments, and a comprehensive compendium for each game. While a few additional screen layout options would be welcome, this is a minor quibble. The collection offers exceptional value for money.

But there's more! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is included. M2 has also included a complete remake, Haunted Castle Revisited, which significantly improves upon the original's flaws while retaining its core elements. This is essentially a new Castlevania game!

If you're a Castlevania fan, the Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have. It includes a fantastic new game alongside three excellent DS titles, presented flawlessly. Even the original Haunted Castle is included. If you don't like Castlevania, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with the series, this collection, along with the others, is a great starting point. Another stellar release 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 enjoyed Tengo Project's previous releases, this remake of an 8-bit game felt less polished. The original game wasn't as strong as their other titles, and the team's limited involvement with the original source material added to my hesitation.

However, after playing the game extensively, my opinion has softened. While less well-rounded than their other works, the improvements are substantial. The presentation is excellent, the weapon and item system is refined, and the two playable characters are better differentiated. It's undoubtedly better than the original, while retaining its spirit. Fans of the original will love this.

For those who found the original merely decent, Reborn won't drastically alter that perception. The improved inventory system and always-available weapons are welcome additions. The presentation is a major upgrade, but the difficulty spikes can be frustrating. It's the definitive Shadow of the Ninja experience, but it's still Shadow of the Ninja.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, but its appeal depends heavily on your feelings toward the original. Newcomers will find a decent but not essential action game, retaining a distinct 8-bit feel.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Two new Pinball FX DLC tables have been released, The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball includes voice clips and video clips from the movie, a welcome addition. The table's design feels authentic and is satisfying to play. It's a well-executed licensed table, enjoyable 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 quirky table, best suited for veteran players. While initially bewildering, it offers hilarious moments once mastered. Goat Simulator fans will appreciate the wacky antics, but it requires more effort to learn than other tables.

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, Japan trivia, collectible souvenirs, and humor. The inconsistent framerate on Switch might deter some.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter reminiscent of 8-bit classics. Features shooting, dashing, and boss battles.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game where you take pictures and learn Japanese vocabulary.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several notable sales are ongoing, including OrangePixel's titles and rare discounts on Alien Hominid and Ufouria 2. THQ and Team 17 titles are also on sale. Check the full lists for more details.

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potentially more reviews. Enjoy the abundance of great games! Have a fantastic Tuesday!