Nothing beats a good side-scrolling game like Castlevania, a franchise that has pioneered the genre for decades. It was unfortunate to see Konami keep the IP dormant for quite a while, but slowly and surely, they’ve listened — reviving their biggest franchises one by one. Castlevania Dominus Collection got fans riled up with excitement when it was shadow-dropped during a Nintendo Direct Showcase. It’s a strong statement from Konami showing they still care about the fans — not only by showcasing the best Castlevania titles but also by compiling them into what might be the pinnacle of the series. The collection features not one, two, or three, but four games — plus a remake of the arcade classic Haunted Castle — all in a single package. What a surprise banger that caught everyone off guard.
From the get-go, credit where it’s due — and that goes to none other than Koji Igarashi. He has inspired millions of players and developers around the world, fundamentally reshaping the side-scrolling landscape and paving the way for modern titles such as Hollow Knight. Without the likes of Order of Ecclesia and Dawn of Sorrow, we might never have seen so many incredible metroidvania games today. Igarashi’s design philosophy remains timeless: simple yet satisfying one-slash attacks, powerful magic abilities, and an extensive Bestiary system that lets players summon and aid characters throughout their journey.
Each entry in the collection represents a pivotal point in the series. Haunted Castle — originally an arcade game from 1987 — follows Belmont as he confronts Dracula after his wife is kidnapped. Konami went the extra mile to deliver a full-fledged remake of this title, striking a perfect balance between classic arcade gameplay and polished new visuals. It’s a thoughtful addition for newcomers and long-time fans alike.
We also get three other Castlevania entries that deviate from the traditional Belmont lineage, each with its own distinct storyline, moving beyond the classic Castlevania era.
First, there’s Order of Ecclesia, set around 18XX A.D., in a time when the Belmonts have vanished without a trace. In their absence, new organisations have formed with the shared goal of preventing Dracula’s return. You play as Shanoa, a member of the Ecclesia order and bearer of Dominus — a glyph created to oppose Dracula. Through her relentless pursuit, she eventually discovers that her mentor Barlowe has his own dark intentions to revive Dracula.
Next is Portrait of Ruin, set in 1944 A.D., shortly after World War II. Amidst the devastation, the souls of the dead begin to wander the earth, and the pain and suffering once again summon Dracula back to life. You play as Jonathan Morris, son of John Morris and a descendant of the Belmonts, who wields the family’s legendary Vampire Killer whip. Together with his companion Charlotte, he faces off against Brauner to seal Dracula once more.
Lastly, Dawn of Sorrow takes place in 2036 A.D. and follows Soma Cruz, who has broken free from Dracula’s curse but is still haunted by his dark legacy. Forced to confront the darkness within himself, Soma faces a difficult choice — to embrace Dracula’s power or risk being killed by the one destined to inherit it. The story takes several intriguing twists and turns, keeping players hooked until the very end.
These DS-era titles shine brighter than ever with this new port. Initially, fans were concerned about how Konami would adapt the original dual-screen setup of the Nintendo DS. Thankfully, with the emulation expertise of M2, everything fits together seamlessly. The main action screen now takes the left side, while the smaller interface screens that were once on the DS’s bottom display appear neatly on the right — fitting all three perfectly. The developers even reworked the touchscreen mechanics into button inputs, maintaining both functionality and fluidity. Nothing feels awkward or compromised; every action feels natural and intuitive.
On top of that, Castlevania Dominus Collection includes a treasure trove of bonus content — classic art galleries, never-before-seen concept art, and detailed character profiles — all presented in a museum-style gallery that offers fans a fascinating glimpse into the creative process behind the franchise.
Konami continues to set the standard for preserving and celebrating its classic games. Castlevania Dominus Collection stands as another shining example in their growing library of timeless titles — a reminder to new generations of just how incredible side-scrolling games once were, and still are. With M2’s support and Konami’s renewed focus on honoring their legacy, the future looks bright for the company’s classic IPs. These games aren’t just fun — they’re near-perfect examples of game design excellence.
Castlevania Dominus Collection is available now on PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X|S.
Thank you again, Konami, for the review code.
