I love game collections and remakes. Although I’ve played multiple adventure games countless times, I appreciate having a series in one place, and I also like how older titles are brought back to life for new players who weren’t around when they were first released. For this reason, I’m always really happy when Konami dusts off old classics and starts selling them in bundles instead of individually. As a huge Castlevania freak, I especially appreciate collections centered around Dracula and his constant battle with the Belmont family, and now it’s time for another round, as the Castlevania Dominus Collection was recently released for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
In this collection of titles we find three games for the Nintendo DS that still maintain an incredibly high level of gameplay today. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is perhaps the most appreciated adventure in the collection and also the one that has received the best reviews overall, but Portrait of Ruin and Order of Ecclesia also live up to their older brother and currently offer top-notch entertainment standards. Personally, I would probably say that “Portrait of Ruin” is the best of the trio (although I know that may be due to nostalgia), because I like the variety of environments as well as the ability to play as both the badass Jonathan and the sorceress Charlotte.
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The portability of each game is well done, and the way they’ve redesigned the DS hardware’s two screens to work with the Nintendo Switch’s handheld mode (or on a large screen) is nearly seamless. Now, you can quickly pull up information on everything from maps to characters on the right edge of the screen, and you can even adjust settings to suit your needs. The motion controls of the originals have also been incorporated in different ways, as the Nintendo Switch’s touch function lets you paint different patterns with your fingers or introduce new combinations if you want to be more traditional or play in a different format.
Additionally, the games have some new and appreciated features. One of these is the ability to quick save, and there is also a rewind option for those who need a little extra help with more difficult challenges. The package also includes a gallery of concept art from the development of the games and the soundtrack for each title.
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However, it doesn’t end there. Alongside the trio of DS adventures, the Dominus Collection also includes the arcade game Haunted Castle and a remake of the same game. The original dates back to 1987 and, to be honest, isn’t the most entertaining game in the sequel series and features many archaic design decisions. The remastered version, Castlevania Haunted House Revisited, fixes most of the problems and what was initially a dusty relic of the past has now become an adventure that can stand alongside games like Super Castlevania without being embarrassed.
Ultimately, however, the main reason to buy the Castlevania Dominus Collection (aside from the outstanding Metroidvania entertainment) is the price. Because if you had to buy each DS title individually, in a store or via auction, you would have to spend a lot of money. The Retro Games Store, for example, charges up to $180 for Dawn of Sorrow, and while there are cheaper alternatives on Tradera and Blocket, you can expect to pay at least $50-100 per game, and that’s only if you’re lucky and manage to get a good deal. However, the Dominus Collection only costs around $25, and is a good deal compared to what it seemed just a few weeks ago before this official alternative became a reality.
If you like Metroidvania in general and Castlevania in particular, this is a package you won’t want to miss. The Nintendo DS offered three fantastic Castlevania titles between 2005 and 2008, and it’s incredibly satisfying to be able to get them all without having to dip into your retirement savings or dig out that old DS console from the attic. Ultimately, the Castlevania Dominus Collection gets almost everything right, and for the price, you can’t ask for much more.
