Reviews Featuring ‘Castlevania Dominus Collection’, Plus Today’s Releases and Sales – TouchArcade Leave a comment

Whats up mild readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Spherical-Up for September third, 2024. In at present’s article, I’ve a number of extra critiques for you. Some prolonged ideas on Castlevania Dominus Assortment, a take a look at Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, and a few fast critiques of a pair of Pinball FX tables that lately arrived as DLC. After that, we take a look at the brand new releases of the day together with the quirky and funky Bakeru, then roll into the most recent gross sales and expiring reductions for the day. Let’s get into it!

Evaluations & Mini-Views

Castlevania Dominus Assortment ($24.99)

Say what you’ll about Konami within the trendy period, but it surely has been completely killing it with most of its basic collections. Castlevania specifically has been having fun with an excessive amount of love on this regard, with Castlevania Dominus Assortment being its third on trendy platforms. This time round, the main target is on the Nintendo DS trilogy of video games within the franchise. The event chores have once more been dealt with by M2, with the standard wonderful outcomes. However there’s extra right here than meets the attention, and with all the things taken under consideration this might be probably the most important Castlevania assortment but.

I’m getting forward of myself, although. Let’s speak about the primary course first. The Nintendo DS period of Castlevania was a historic one in some methods for the franchise, and never all of them good. On the optimistic aspect, all three of the video games had a singular id and make for a surprisingly diversified trio. Daybreak of Sorrow is a direct sequel to Aria of Sorrow. It hit very early within the Nintendo DS’s life, and is thus cursed to some silly touchscreen gimmicks which have fortunately been mitigated on this launch. Portrait of Destroy shoves the touchscreen nonsense right into a bonus mode, counting on an attention-grabbing dual-character gimmick to tell apart itself. Order of Ecclesia actually mixes issues up, with significantly greater problem than its predecessor and a design that calls again to Simon’s Quest of all video games. All good video games. Nice even? Would suggest.

On the detrimental aspect, this was the final gasp of the run of exploratory Castlevania video games created by Koji Igarashi, who gave the collection a kick within the pants with Symphony of the Evening when it wanted it most. Returns had been diminishing, and Konami thought it had a greater play in MercurySteam’s Lords of Shadow. Effectively, hindsight is 20/20 I suppose. Had been these video games so distinct from one another as a result of IGA wished to stretch his artistic legs, or was it a determined try to search out one thing that will follow an more and more disinterested viewers? We’ll by no means know. I do keep in mind on the time many individuals had been feeling exhausted with any such Castlevania, and I’ll shamefully admit that regardless of shopping for them on day one each time and enjoying the heck out of them, I used to be additionally feeling just like the collection was falling right into a rut. Don’t it at all times appear to go that you just don’t know what you’ve received ’til it’s gone?

So, bizarre factor right here is that these video games don’t seem like emulated, however are as an alternative native ports. That allowed M2 to do neat issues like change the annoying touchscreen seals in Daybreak with much more manageable button presses, and present you not solely the primary display and the standing display always, but additionally the map as a 3rd display. What is that this, a Nintendo TS? There are nonetheless some very DS-like features to those video games, however all of them needed to work with a controller for docked mode, and they also all do. This truly makes Daybreak of Sorrow lots higher, and I’d now put it inside my high 5 Castlevania video games of all-time.

When it comes to choices and extras, there may be loads right here. For normal choices, you get a alternative of which area of every sport you’d wish to play, the power to swap affirm/cancel button mapping, and the selection of whether or not you need the left follow be mapped to character motion or the contact cursor. The latter is essential for one of many bonus modes in Portrait of Destroy. There’s additionally an extremely lovely credit sequence the place one of many unsung heroes of the collection achieves his desires. Be sure you watch them. There’s a pleasant gallery the place you may view some artwork, guide scans, and field artwork for every of the three DS video games. You too can hearken to the music from the entire included video games, and when the music is that this good you realize that’s a deal with. You may even make your personal customized playlist of tunes.

As soon as in-game, you may make use of save states and a rewind function, remap the controls as you want, regulate how the three screens are laid out, select from a handful of background colours, and regulate the degrees on the completely different audio components. There’s additionally an exhaustive compendium for every sport, with data on tools, enemies, objects, and different factors of curiosity. Just about something you would want to take pleasure in these video games to the utmost. About all I may ask for is probably a number of different display association choices that enable me to make the play space greater, however that’s a really minor nitpick. It is a nice strategy to take pleasure in three very cool video games, and for the value it’s an absurd worth.

However wait! There’s extra! The completely dreadful arcade Castlevania sport, Haunted Fort, has been included right here. I’m unsure why it was left off the primary assortment and shunted to the in any other case shooter-heavy Konami arcade assortment, however right here it’s. Right here too you get a wide range of choices, together with the nearly mandatory choice for limitless continues. Severely, this sport is brutally unfair. Good music, a terrific opening that sees Simon in a snazzy tux, however the sport itself is horrible and utterly irredeemable. Or… is it?

The final further, and it feels ridiculous to name one thing so substantial an additional but it surely’s M2’s wording not mine, is an entire remake of Haunted Fort. Very similar to when it took on the duty of remaking Castlevania: The Journey with Castlevania: The Journey Rebirth on the Nintendo Wii (please reissue the entire Rebirth video games), M2 principally took a take a look at the unique sport and determined to make an excellent one as an alternative. Haunted Fort Revisited takes a variety of cues from the arcade authentic, but it surely actually does its personal factor nearly from high to backside. Sure, we now have a brand new Castlevania sport! An excellent one! It’s tucked away within the Extras tab of a Nintendo DS assortment, but it surely’s right here!

In case you like Castlevania, you actually can purchase Castlevania Dominus Assortment. There’s a complete new Castlevania sport right here and it type of guidelines. You additionally get what you’re ostensibly shopping for the gathering for with the three Nintendo DS IGAvanias, offered in as high-quality a kind as you may hope for. The unique Haunted Fort can be right here. If, then again, you don’t like Castlevania, we’re not pals. And eventually, in case you don’t know Castlevania, you must choose up all three of the collections and get to the nice occasions. One other completely stellar displaying from Konami and M2.

SwitchArcade Rating: 5/5

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn ($19.99)

I’ve been by a little bit of a curler coaster with Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn. I’ve loved all of Tengo Challenge’s releases thus far, and I imagine its variations of Wild Weapons and The Ninja Warriors are definitive in each method. I had a number of points with Pocky & Rocky, however general that was additionally a really fulfilling romp. Shadow of the Ninja appeared like a special kettle of fish in a variety of methods, nevertheless. The Tengo Challenge crew members didn’t have a lot to do with the unique sport, and this was an 8-bit sport being up to date reasonably than a 16-bit one. I additionally personally don’t suppose the unique sport is nearly as good as Wild Weapons, The Ninja Warriors, and Pocky & Rocky had been. Because of this, when this remake was introduced I used to be just a little hesitant.

Then I had an opportunity to play the primary little a part of the sport on the Tokyo Sport Present final yr, and I loved that nicely sufficient to get excited once more. Now that I’ve performed by the sport a number of occasions, I’ve settled someplace within the center. I believe relative to the opposite video games from this developer, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a bit much less well-rounded. The enhancements from the unique sport are many, from the wonderful presentation to a extra refined weapon and merchandise system. You don’t get any enjoyable new characters on this one, however the two current playable characters have been differentiated. It’s, as one would anticipate, higher than the unique sport whereas sustaining the essential features of its spirit. In case you liked Shadow of the Ninja, you’ll actually love this.

If then again you’re like me and solely discovered the unique to be an honest action-platformer, you in all probability gained’t land a lot farther from that mark with Reborn. Accessing each the chain and the sword always is a superb enchancment, and the sword on the entire is extra helpful than it was within the authentic sport. The brand new stock system is cool, including just a little spice to a sport that wanted one thing like that. The presentation is superb, and you’ll by no means understand it was based mostly on an 8-bit sport. There are a few impolite problem spikes, and I believe that is truly a more difficult sport on the entire than the unique. Maybe that’s mandatory, because it’s not a really prolonged affair general. It’s the very best Shadow of the Ninja you may play, however it’s nonetheless Shadow of the Ninja.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is one other strong effort from Tengo Challenge, and in some methods is probably the most substantial enchancment over its predecessor of any of their releases but. Whether or not or not you must choose it up is actually going to rely on how you’re feeling about that authentic sport, as a result of the core continues to be very a lot in keeping with that NES title. These with none prior expertise will discover an fulfilling however not important motion sport right here, one which very a lot subscribes to an 8-bit design sensibility.

SwitchArcade Rating: 3.5/5

Pinball FX – The Princess Bride Pinball ($5.49)

Simply a few fast Pinball FX DLC critiques, partly to have fun the huge replace Pinball FX has acquired that lastly makes it correctly playable on Change. To go along with that, two new tables had been launched as DLC: The Princess Bride Pinball, and Goat Simulator Pinball. The previous is predicated on the cult basic film, and it consists of not solely actual voice clips but additionally video clips from the movie. Now that’s the type of factor I wish to see in these licensed tables, Zen. Mechanically talking, this desk appears like one thing you may truly see an actual bodily model of. Comparatively easy to be taught, comparatively genuine to the license, and satisfying to attain assault on.

Zen Studios doesn’t at all times hit with its licensed tables, typically lacking issues like music, actual voices, and likenesses. The Princess Bride Pinball is among the higher ones in that regard, and I believe any fan of the film who isn’t allergic to pinball would do nicely to test it out. It’s not probably the most revolutionary of tables, counting on a variety of well-worn design selections, however I believe that too matches. A great time for newcomers or veterans alike.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4.5/5

Pinball FX – Goat Simulator Pinball ($5.49)

Then we now have Goat Simulator Pinball, and this one understands its license equally nicely. Which means it is a very odd desk in a variety of methods, and it definitely may solely exist in online game kind. You’ll become involved in a variety of foolish goat-related incidents, including results to your ball to set off numerous components of the desk. It’s just a little bewildering at first, however keep it up and also you’ll be rewarded. Extra of a desk for the veteran gamers, I believe. Goat Simulator followers with no pinball expertise will in all probability have some problem getting a deal with on it sufficient to see a number of the funnier antics.

Goat Simulator Pinball is one other strong piece of DLC from the oldsters at Zen Studios, who’ve made so many tables by now that they possible relish an opportunity to do one thing off-the-wall like this. It’s a difficult desk to be taught, however when you do you’ll get to see some really wacky stuff. Followers of the Goat Simulator video games who can follow the sport lengthy sufficient to be taught the ropes will probably be rewarded, but it surely’s going to take a bit extra work to get there than with another tables.

SwitchArcade Rating: 4/5

Choose New Releases

Bakeru ($39.99)

In case you learn my evaluate yesterday, you’ll know I actually loved this breezy, charming 3D platformer from the high-quality people at Good-Really feel. Play as a tanuki named Bakeru who’s on a mission to save lots of Japan from an evil overlord who has trapped individuals in an everlasting pageant. Battle enemies, get attention-grabbing Japan trivia from hidden poo, acquire souvenirs, and possibly even chortle right here and there. The framerate on this Change model is inconsistent, so tech heads could wish to play it elsewhere. In case you don’t thoughts that side, it is a good sport to play in your Change.

Holyhunt ($4.99)

It is a top-down arena-based twin-stick shooter. It describes itself as a love letter to 8-bit video games, however I don’t actually keep in mind seeing many video games like this again then. At any price, it seems to be amusing sufficient for what it’s. Shoot, shoot, sprint, sprint, get new gun, repeat. Be careful for bosses. That type of factor.

Shashingo: Be taught Japanese with Images ($20.00)

I don’t usually embrace these language-learning issues since we’re extra game-focused right here, however this one a minimum of appears to have some further effort put into it. You go round, take photos of issues, and be taught the Japanese names for them. Would I spend twenty on it? Most likely not. However everybody learns in several methods, and this is likely to be the way you be taught.

Gross sales

(North American eShop, US Costs)

Some respectable video games within the inbox at present, together with OrangePixel’s collection of nice pick-up-and-play titles. Alien Hominid is having fun with a particularly uncommon low cost, and you may as well scoop up Ufouria 2 at a pleasant value. Over within the outbox, titles from THQ and Workforce 17 are ending up their newest reductions. Try their writer pages as I’ve solely included a handful for every. Have a gander by each lists, as ever.

Choose New Gross sales

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

Secret Information Tunguska ($2.09 from $14.99 till 9/16)
Secret Information Puritas Cordis ($2.09 from $14.99 till 9/16)
Secret Information Sam Peters ($2.02 from $6.99 till 9/16)
Misplaced Horizon ($2.09 from $14.99 till 9/16)
Misplaced Horizon 2 ($2.09 from $14.99 till 9/16)
Zombo Buster Advance ($1.99 from $3.99 till 9/16)
Skautfold Usurper ($7.49 from $14.99 till 9/17)
Nuclear Blaze ($4.99 from $9.99 till 9/17)
Helvetii ($5.09 from $16.99 till 9/17)
Heidelberg 1693 ($4.49 from $14.99 till 9/17)
Sophstar ($6.49 from $12.99 till 9/17)
Concord’s Odyssey ($2.99 from $14.99 till 9/17)
Ufouria 2: The Saga ($17.49 from $24.99 till 9/17)
Promenade ($12.49 from $24.99 till 9/17)
Shinorubi ($9.99 from $19.99 till 9/17)
Final Evening of Winter ($6.99 from $9.99 till 9/17)
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge ($15.99 from $19.99 till 9/18)
No one Saves The World ($9.99 from $24.99 till 9/23)
Summer season in Mara ($7.99 from $19.99 till 9/23)
Guacamelee 2 ($4.99 from $19.99 till 9/23)
Railbound ($2.59 from $12.99 till 9/23)

Gross sales Ending Tomorrow, September 4th

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

That’s all for at present, pals. We’ll be again tomorrow with extra new releases, extra gross sales, and maybe some information. Possibly a evaluate? No guarantees. I believe we’re formally within the season of TOO MANY GOOD GAMES, so maintain on to your wallets and benefit from the enjoyable. It’s in all probability the Change’s final vacation experience, so let’s make it definitely worth the whereas. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as at all times, thanks for studying!