Recent Reviews, Releases, and Sales from the App Store

Hello, fellow gamers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Roundup for September 3rd, 2024! Today's article brings you fresh reviews, including in-depth analyses of Castlevania Dominus Collection and Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, plus quick takes on some new Pinball FX DLC tables. We'll also explore today's new releases, spotlighting the unique and charming Bakeru, and round things off with 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 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, it delivers the usual high-quality presentation, but this collection surpasses expectations, potentially becoming the most essential Castlevania compilation yet.

The Nintendo DS Castlevania games hold a unique place in franchise history, offering a blend of positive and negative aspects. On the plus side, the trilogy boasts distinct identities, creating a surprisingly diverse set of experiences. Dawn of Sorrow, a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow, initially suffered from clunky touchscreen controls, thankfully mitigated in this release. Portrait of Ruin cleverly integrates touchscreen elements into a bonus mode, focusing on its innovative dual-character mechanic. Order of Ecclesia boldly departs from its predecessors, featuring increased difficulty and a design reminiscent of Simon's Quest. All three are excellent games, highly recommended.

However, this trilogy marked the end of Koji Igarashi's era of exploration-focused Castlevania titles. While each game had its own identity, it also reflected a possible waning interest in the formula. Looking back, it's unclear whether the distinct styles stemmed from creative exploration or a search for a winning formula in a changing market. This collection offers a fascinating retrospective on that pivotal period.

Surprisingly, these aren't emulated versions but rather native ports, allowing M2 to implement significant improvements. The frustrating touchscreen controls in Dawn of Sorrow are replaced with more intuitive button presses, and the game now displays the main screen, status screen, and map simultaneously. These enhancements significantly improve the overall gameplay experience, particularly in Dawn of Sorrow, elevating it to a contender for my top five Castlevania games.

The collection is packed with options and extras. Players can select game regions, customize button mapping, and choose between left stick control for movement or cursor control. A charming credits sequence highlights unsung contributors, and a comprehensive gallery showcases art, manuals, and box art. A music player lets you create custom playlists from the game soundtracks. In-game options include save states, rewind functionality, customizable control schemes, screen layouts, background colors, and audio adjustments. A detailed compendium provides information on equipment, enemies, and items. The only minor drawback is the limited screen arrangement options. Overall, this is a fantastic way to experience these three exceptional games at an incredible price.

But the surprises don't end there! The notoriously difficult arcade game, Haunted Castle, is also included. While its inclusion in previous collections was questionable, this version offers several options, including the almost essential "unlimited continues" feature. Despite its brutal difficulty, the game boasts great music and a stylish opening sequence.

The final, and surprisingly substantial, extra is a complete remake of Haunted Castle: Haunted Castle Revisited. M2 has essentially created a new, improved version of the game, retaining the spirit of the original while significantly enhancing the gameplay. This is, in essence, a brand-new Castlevania game hidden within a Nintendo DS collection!

If you're a Castlevania fan, Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-buy. It offers a fantastic new Castlevania game alongside the three classic DS titles, presented flawlessly. The original Haunted Castle is also included. If you're not a Castlevania fan, well, we can't be friends. And if you're unfamiliar with Castlevania, start with this collection – you won't regret it. 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. I've enjoyed Tengo Project's previous releases, but Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn presents some unique challenges. The team's involvement with the original game was limited, and this is an update of an 8-bit title, unlike their previous 16-bit remakes. I also found the original game less compelling than their other projects. Therefore, my initial reaction to this remake was cautious.

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

However, if you found the original merely decent, this remake won't drastically alter your perception. The simultaneous access to both the chain and sword is a welcome improvement, and the sword is more useful than in the original. The new inventory system adds depth. The presentation is excellent, masking its 8-bit origins. However, some frustrating difficulty spikes are present, making it arguably more challenging than the original. 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. Whether it's worth buying depends on your feelings about the original game, as the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. Newcomers will find an enjoyable but not essential action game with a distinct 8-bit aesthetic.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Let's briefly review the latest Pinball FX DLC. Two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball utilizes real voice clips and video clips from the movie, a welcome addition. The table's mechanics feel authentic and satisfying. It's a well-designed table, faithful to the license, and enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball embraces the absurdity of its license. It's a unique and quirky table, best suited for experienced pinball players. The goat-related antics are hilarious, but the table's complexity might initially challenge newcomers. It's a solid DLC offering, but it requires more effort to master.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As mentioned in yesterday's review, this 3D platformer from Good-Feel is a charming and breezy experience. Play as Bakeru, a tanuki on a quest to save Japan. The inconsistent framerate might deter some, but overall, it's a delightful game.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

A top-down arena twin-stick shooter reminiscent of classic 8-bit games. It's a simple but potentially fun shooter.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

A language-learning game where you take pictures and learn Japanese vocabulary. Its effectiveness depends on individual learning styles.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Several noteworthy games are on sale, including OrangePixel's titles. Alien Hominid is rarely discounted, and Ufouria 2 is also available at a great price. THQ and Team17 titles are ending their sales soon. Check both lists for more details.

Select New Sales

(List of Sales)

(List of Sales Ending Tomorrow)

That's all for today! Join us tomorrow for more new releases, sales, and potential reviews. We're in the midst of a fantastic gaming season, so hold onto your wallets and enjoy the ride! Have a great Tuesday!