Castlevania Dominus Collection: A Nostalgic Revival on Xbox Series X|S

The Castlevania Dominus Collection has made its grand debut on Xbox Series X|S, bringing together a treasure trove of classic Castlevania titles originally designed for the Nintendo DS. This collection includes Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, and Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, along with a reimagined version of the original Castlevania arcade game, titled Haunted Castle Revisited. This package comes enriched with modern quality-of-life features, new artwork, and more, serving as a comprehensive celebration of the iconic series.

Honoring Castlevania’s Legacy

In a conversation with Tsutomu Taniguchi, the producer behind the Castlevania Dominus Collection, we delved into the excitement and challenges of revisiting these classic games. Taniguchi shared insights into adapting nearly two-decade-old mechanics for modern consoles, emphasizing the team’s commitment to honoring the legacy of Castlevania for long-time fans while attracting new players to the series.

Nostalgia and Modern Adaptations

When revisiting these classic Castlevania games, Taniguchi mentioned that seeing these titles on a TV or monitor is a surprising experience, especially considering they were originally played on a 3-inch LCD screen. The detailed backgrounds, intricate character animations, and incredible soundtracks evoke fond memories and bring back the excitement of playing these games on the DS for the first time.

Given the original Nintendo DS format, which featured two 3-inch LCD screens with a 4:3 aspect ratio, adapting these games to the current 16:9 Full HD displays posed a significant challenge. To address this, the team prepared five different screen modes, allowing users to select the layout that best suits their preferences. One recommended layout is the three-screen mode, featuring an enlarged game window as the main screen, alongside smaller status and map windows as sub-screens. This setup enhances the gameplay experience by keeping both map and character status screens open simultaneously, a feature not possible in the original game.

Challenges and Rewards

Bringing this collection to life was both exciting and challenging for the development team. They were motivated by the opportunity to make these beloved titles available on current consoles, responding to online comments expressing a desire to play the DS titles on modern platforms. The team’s dedication to this project was fueled by the joy of seeing players’ continued interest in these games.

Timing the Comeback

The idea of making Castlevania available on current consoles began around 2019, sparked by comments from players who loved exploration-based action games but had never played a Castlevania title. At that time, no ported versions of the exploration-action style Castlevania titles were available on current consoles, and the originals were costly, making it difficult for new players to access these games. The team decided to follow the release order, starting with the Castlevania Advance Collection in 2021, which was well-received, paving the way for the DS titles in the Dominus Collection.

New Features and Content

The Castlevania Dominus Collection offers more than just the games. It includes features like ‘Gallery Mode,’ where players can view concept and design documents, a newly-added Encyclopedia, and a Music Player Mode, providing a deeper dive into the world of Castlevania. Additionally, the collection includes Haunted Castle Revisited, an adaptation of the original arcade game, offering both the redesigned and original formats.

Playing Order and Recommendations

For new players unsure of where to start, the development team suggests playing the games in the order they were released. However, they believe players will enjoy the titles regardless of the order they choose. Each game offers a unique experience, and exploring them in their release sequence might provide a more cohesive understanding of the series’ evolution.

Revamping the Original Arcade Game

The inclusion of Haunted Castle Revisited in the collection was a collaborative decision with M2 Co. Ltd., the co-development studio. The idea was to redesign an arcade title that was notoriously difficult, making it more accessible for console play. The result is a game that retains the original pixel feel while featuring beautiful graphics and an engaging design.

Conclusion

The Castlevania Dominus Collection is a must-have for both long-time fans and newcomers to the series. It offers a nostalgic journey through some of the most beloved titles in the franchise, enhanced with modern features and additional content. Whether you’re reliving your favorite moments or discovering Castlevania for the first time, this collection provides a comprehensive and enjoyable experience.

For more information and to purchase the collection, visit the official Xbox store page.

Castlevania Dominus Collection Details

• Titles Included:
  • Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow: Follow Soma Cruz in his quest to stop a cult from resurrecting Dracula.
  • Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin: Switch between Jonathan and Charlotte as they investigate the resurfaced Dracula’s Castle.
  • Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia: Play as Shanoa, the only human capable of using glyphs, as she seeks to defeat Dracula.
  • Haunted Castle Revisited: Enjoy a redesigned version of the original Castlevania arcade game, along with its original format.
• Price: $24.99

  Experience the world of Castlevania like never before, with new features such as rewind, quick saves, and much more. Rediscover the magic of these classic titles with the Castlevania Dominus Collection on Xbox Series X|S.

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