Of course, at that time,Castlevaniawas a much different franchise.
Still, of the pair,Castlevaniais arguably better known today.
Top of the pack?
Ad content continues below
19.
Its also the firstCastlevaniagame to plant its stake (tee-hee) in offering a 3D platforming and exploration experience.
This game also offers a second protagonist: the franchise-obligatory magical girl Carrie Fernandez.
Theres also a time limit mechanic that affects the ending you receive.
For all its flaws, though, its definitely aCastlevaniaworth exploring.
Kid Dracula
If you cant have fun and be yourself, what are you even doing on this Earth?
Konami answered this question for themselves in 1990 with the original Japan-only version ofKid Dracula.
Look, were not all twitch reflex gamers, okay?
The only thing holdingOrder of Ecclesiaback from the higher ranks is that it is sogod damned hard.
If youre stubborn, though, youre in for a treat.
Theyre poised for future success after Shanoas journey.
No fair, Konami.
Best of all, this game rendersCastlevania Legends(a title notably absent from this list) non-canon.
The translation mucks thelast name into Bartley, but thats her all right.
The result is a classicCastlevaniathats easy to miss today.
Its available in the 2019 Anniversary Collection, and definitely worth a visit.
Trevor came out of this just fine, folks.
And Hector, beloved anime fans?
Yeah, hes genuinely that sad and floppy inside.
Probably our greatest gripe?
Holy stake-splinters, can we get a couple more save points in this place?
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
Harmony of Dissonanceis a straight upgrade toCircle of the Moon.
whip abilities into a charcuterie of possible combinations.
Exploration is a treat, especially once the reveal about the twin Castles hits you.
Castlevania II: Simons Quest
This is it, folks.
Its also remember-to-unclench-your-jaw hard.
A chunky translation provided action fans with the nightmares classicKings Questfans dealt with.
Are the hints accurate?Arethere hints?
Download a GameFAQ while the site lasts and dig in.
The confusion is further deepened byCastlevania: The Dracula X Chroniclesincluding a remastered version of the originalRondo.
More impactful to the gameplay ofCastlevania(yet not as personally annoying) was the Magic Seal system.
Just remember to do some hand exercises before you settle in.
It then doubles down on the weird by making the real-life Romanian painterVictor Braunerone of its vampire foes.
A tasty bistro cheeseburger of aCastlevania.
The basics begin here.
A franchise is born.
Its being a cultural landmark that earns the game its lofty place.
Give it a shot, though, as its easily available in the Anniversary Collection.
At worst, consider it proof that evolution is a good thing.
At best, its still a great game for its time.
Its a stumble that undercuts whats genuinely a great attempt at revivifying old vamps with new tricks.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Get over Soma Cruzs plump Macklemore coat.
That means this is a pure post-Symphony, RPG pajama-wearing,Castlevania.
Castlevania III: Draculas Curse
Every one of our top three games is a must-play.
Skill issue, if you will.
But of that pedigree, this is the apex.
Im sorry for writing it like that.
Okay, not that sorry.
Its a top-tier remaster of the originalCastlevania, returning to the original hunter, Simon Belmont.
No more getting cheesed out by bats and mudmen this time.
If you suck, you suck.
Comfortingly, its hard to suck that bad at this baby.
The difficulty mostly lies in platforming your way to the end without tanking too much damage from the mooks.
Alucard is slick to handle with level-ups that add heft to his abilities.
Symphony of the Nightisnt just the apexCastlevaniaexperience.
Its a delight that transcends genre.
Even if you dont like platforming games, you may click with this one.
Like Ridley ScottsAlien, its as fresh as the day it launched.
If you havent played it, you owe it to yourself to at least try it out.
