SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring ‘Castlevania Dominus Collection’, Plus Today’s Releases and Sales

Hello, gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for September 3rd, 2024. Today's article brings you several more reviews, including in-depth thoughts on Castlevania Dominus Collection, a look at Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and quick critiques of two new Pinball FX tables. We'll also explore the latest new releases, such as the quirky Bakeru, and highlight the newest sales and expiring discounts. Let's dive right in!

Reviews & Mini-Views

Castlevania Dominus Collection ($24.99)

Konami's modern collections have been exceptional, and Castlevania is no exception. The Castlevania Dominus Collection is the third installment on modern platforms, focusing on the Nintendo DS trilogy. M2's development ensures top-notch quality, making this collection a must-have for Castlevania enthusiasts.

The DS trilogy includes Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia, each with unique identities and gameplay styles. Dawn of Sorrow is a sequel to Aria of Sorrow, now improved with better touchscreen controls. Portrait of Ruin introduces a dual-character mechanic, while Order of Ecclesia challenges players with its increased difficulty and Simon's Quest-inspired design.

This collection features native ports rather than emulations, allowing M2 to enhance the gameplay experience significantly. You'll enjoy three screens simultaneously: the main screen, status screen, and map. The collection also offers various options, including regional choices, customizable controls, and a delightful credits sequence.

Additional features include save states, rewind functionality, customizable screen layouts, and an extensive in-game compendium. For fans of classic Castlevania, this collection is a treasure trove, especially with the inclusion of Haunted Castle and its remarkable remake, Haunted Castle Revisited.

If you love Castlevania, Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-buy. It not only delivers the DS trilogy in pristine form but also surprises with a new, excellent Castlevania game.

SwitchArcade Score: 5/5

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn by Tengo Project presents a mixed bag. While their previous remakes of Wild Guns and The Ninja Warriors were definitive, Shadow of the Ninja felt less polished. The original game, an 8-bit title, received significant enhancements, from improved presentation to a refined weapon system.

The remake maintains the spirit of the original while offering better gameplay mechanics. Players can now use both chain and sword at all times, and the new inventory system adds depth. However, the game still retains some challenging spikes and remains relatively short.

For fans of the original, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a delightful upgrade. For newcomers, it's a solid but not essential action game that echoes 8-bit design sensibilities.

SwitchArcade Score: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Pinball FX recently received a major update, making it more playable on the Switch. Alongside this, two new tables were released: The Princess Bride Pinball and Goat Simulator Pinball. The Princess Bride Pinball incorporates real voice and video clips from the movie, creating an authentic and engaging experience.

The table design is straightforward yet satisfying, fitting well within the Pinball FX framework. It's a must-try for fans of the movie and pinball enthusiasts alike.

SwitchArcade Score: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Goat Simulator Pinball captures the quirky essence of its source material, offering a unique and challenging table. The gameplay involves triggering various goat-related antics, which can be bewildering at first but rewarding once mastered.

This table is better suited for veteran players and Goat Simulator fans willing to invest time in learning its mechanics. It's a testament to Zen Studios' creativity and willingness to experiment.

SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

Select New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

As mentioned in yesterday's review, Bakeru is a charming 3D platformer from Good-Feel. Play as a tanuki named Bakeru on a mission to save Japan from an evil overlord. The game is filled with Japan trivia, souvenir collection, and light-hearted moments. Despite some inconsistent framerate on the Switch, it's a delightful experience.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

Holyhunt is a top-down twin-stick shooter that pays homage to 8-bit games. It offers simple yet engaging gameplay: shoot, dash, upgrade, and face bosses. It's a fun, if not groundbreaking, addition to the genre.

Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography ($20.00)

Shashingo offers a unique approach to learning Japanese through photography. While not typically covered in game-focused reviews, its innovative method might appeal to those interested in language learning through interactive means.

Sales

(North American eShop, US Prices)

Today's sales feature a variety of enticing deals. OrangePixel's pick-up-and-play titles, rare discounts on Alien Hominid, and Ufouria 2 are highlights. Meanwhile, sales from THQ and Team 17 are ending soon, so check their publisher pages for more.

Select New Sales

• Space Grunts ($8.39 from $13.99 until 9/7)
• Meganoid ($5.39 from $8.99 until 9/7)
• Stardash ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
• Gunslugs ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
• Gunslugs 2 ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
• Heroes of Loot ($4.79 from $7.99 until 9/7)
• Heroes of Loot 2 ($5.99 from $9.99 until 9/7)
• Warhammer 40k Dakka Squadron ($1.99 from $19.99 until 9/9)
• Castle Crashers Remastered ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/10)
• Alien Hominid HD ($9.59 from $11.99 until 9/10)
• Alien Hominid Invasion ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/10)
• Conscript ($17.59 from $21.99 until 9/15)
• Overdelivery ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/15)
• Hero-U: Rogue to Redemption ($2.99 from $19.99 until 9/16)
• Agent Intercept ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/16)

• Secret Files Tunguska ($2.09 from $14.99 until 9/16)
• Secret Files Puritas Cordis ($2.09 from $14.99 until 9/16)
• Secret Files Sam Peters ($2.02 from $6.99 until 9/16)
• Lost Horizon ($2.09 from $14.99 until 9/16)
• Lost Horizon 2 ($2.09 from $14.99 until 9/16)
• Zombo Buster Advance ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/16)
• Skautfold Usurper ($7.49 from $14.99 until 9/17)
• Nuclear Blaze ($4.99 from $9.99 until 9/17)
• Helvetii ($5.09 from $16.99 until 9/17)
• Heidelberg 1693 ($4.49 from $14.99 until 9/17)
• Sophstar ($6.49 from $12.99 until 9/17)
• Harmony’s Odyssey ($2.99 from $14.99 until 9/17)
• Ufouria 2: The Saga ($17.49 from $24.99 until 9/17)
• Promenade ($12.49 from $24.99 until 9/17)
• Shinorubi ($9.99 from $19.99 until 9/17)
• Last Night of Winter ($6.99 from $9.99 until 9/17)
• Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge ($15.99 from $19.99 until 9/18)
• Nobody Saves The World ($9.99 from $24.99 until 9/23)
• Summer in Mara ($7.99 from $19.99 until 9/23)
• Guacamelee 2 ($4.99 from $19.99 until 9/23)
• Railbound ($2.59 from $12.99 until 9/23)

Sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

• Capes ($29.99 from $39.99 until 9/4)
• Fates of Ort ($4.49 from $14.99 until 9/4)
• Floogen ($1.99 from $3.99 until 9/4)
• Fluffy Horde ($1.99 from $9.99 until 9/4)
• Gum+ ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/4)
• Hopping Girl Kohane EX ($16.74 from $24.99 until 9/4)
• Kingdom Come Deliverance ($29.99 from $49.99 until 9/4)
• Kona II: Brume ($11.99 from $29.99 until 9/4)
• Metro 2033 Redux ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/4)
• Metro Last Light Redux ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/4)
• Outward Definitive ($23.99 from $39.99 until 9/4)
• Overcooked Special Edition ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/4)
• Rolling Car ($1.99 from $7.99 until 9/4)
• Stunt Paradise ($5.19 from $7.99 until 9/4)
• Tiny Pixels Vol 1 Ninpo Blast ($3.99 from $4.99 until 9/4)
• Worms WMD ($5.99 from $29.99 until 9/4)
• Yoku’s Island Express ($3.99 from $19.99 until 9/4)

That's all for today, friends. We'll be back tomorrow with more new releases, sales, and possibly some news. Maybe even a review? No promises. We're officially in the season of TOO MANY GOOD GAMES, so hold onto your wallets and enjoy the ride. It's likely the Switch's last holiday season, so let's make it memorable. Have a terrific Tuesday, and as always, thanks for reading!