What's your favorite Castlevania game?

[Gunstar Hero]

My favorite Castlevania game is Castlevania: Bloodlines for the Genesis... What's yours?

[redknight802]

My favorite castlevania games are Castlevania Belmonts Revenge for Gameboy and Castlevania Portrait of Ruin for Nintendo DS.

[o.pwuaioc]

Super Castlevania IV without a doubt, but then again, I've never played the Game Boy Advance ones.

[RPG_Fanatic]

Mine would have to be Castlevania - Symphony Of The Night on the PSone.

[Parodius Duh!]

Castlevania 3 and Super Castlevania 4

[SpaceHarrier]

For the longest time I would have said Symphony of the Night, but recently I've spent a ton of time playing Super Castlevania IV and now I'm convinced that it is the finest Castlevania adventure ever, and my true favorite.

[Slayter]

Super Castlevania IV

Runner Up: Circle of the Moon

[E Nice]

Castlevania: Dracula X on the SNES. It had a vibe of what the first game was like but in a 16bit era.

[treismac]

The original Castlevania on the NES.

[Razo00]

Rondo of Blood

[Retronick]

For me, it's a toss up between Rondo of Blood on the PCE, and Symphony of the Night on the good ol' PSX. As much as I love exploring the massive castle in SOTN I can't help but love finding the hidden paths and running through level by level in ROB.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Tough to say... I love many of the games, a lot.

[Wraith Storm]

Castlevania II: Simons Quest. Far and away my favorite. I love the huge open world, watching my character develop, and the excitement of saving up all those hearts for that special item or that awesome new whip.

It is a game that has always felt very rewarding and given me a sense of accomplishment throughout. I have always had a fondness for the game; it felt huge, epic and quest-like.

Every 2D castlevania game since symphony of the night has felt exactly the same and takes place in a freaking castle. Its the same recycled formula over and over again. Give me some variety... simons quest did.

[hellraiser]

How funny I was planning on starting a thread like this...

For me it used to be super castlevania iv. However I recently picked up bloodlines and was blown away by it.

[thegamezmaster]

Hard to say as I've got so many of them. Love the whole series. The GBA and DS ones are a little too complicated for me, must be OF Syndrome! Just got Castlevania Dracula X and am loving that. I don't know, they're all good!

[Tron 2.0]

Super Castlevania IV

Runner Ups Would Be
Dracula X Rondo of Blood
Castlevania Bloodlines

[XYXZYZ]

I'll say Castlevania II for pretty much the same reasons as Wraith Storm. Simon's Quest was the first Castlevania I played, and I loved it immediately. (Screw AVGN)

[Graham Mitchell]

Rondo of Blood

This. X 100.

Super Castlevania 4 and SotN come in second and third.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Castlevania III all the way.

SOTN is also high on my list as well and I have fond memories of the original Gameboy titles (Adventure 1 & 2 and Legends).

[megasdkirby]

Not my favorites, but I did enjoy Casltevania 64 (it's other variation as well) and Legacy of Darkness.

Yes, many despise these titles, particularly Castlevania 64, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. Not the best in any shape or form, but it was at least decent, IMO. The only thing I did not like from Legacy of Darkness was the overall speed: it felt very slow. However, I did enjoy the game as well, so for me that's the most important part.

Best Castlevania game? Not quite sure, really. SOTN was very good, though very easy later on. Super Castlevania IV was perhaps my favorite, as I thought the balance of difficulty was "just right".

[Gunstar Hero]

How funny I was planning on starting a thread like this...

For me it used to be super castlevania iv. However I recently picked up bloodlines and was blown away by it.

That's the exact thing that happened to me! Haha it's ironic that we were both gonna start the same thread and both had the same thing to say.

[Gunstar Hero]

Simon's Quest was the first Castlevania I played, and I loved it immediately. (Screw AVGN)

I really don't understand why he gave it such a bad wrap. I personally love it!

[WoodyXP]

Vampire Killer on the MSX.

[klausien]

Symphony of the Night for me, no contest. Easy difficulty aside, the music, graphics, gameplay and overall atmosphere win big time. The only sore spot is the menu system, which has been corrected in subsequent releases.

Of the NES games, the Japanese version of Castlevania 3, Akumajou Densetsu takes the cake. Grant with throwing knives is awesome, the difficulty is balanced better, and that VRC6 music is just... glorious.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I love Metroidvania. My favorite is Portrait of Ruin, but I am also extremely fond of Dawn of Sorrow, Aria of Sorrow and Symphony of the Night. I love the other games too, but Portrait of Ruin wins it for me.

[Dire 51]

The original Castlevania. And not only is it my favorite Castlevania game, it's my favorite game of all time.

[The 1 2 P]

Symphony of The Night without question. It beats every other Castlevania game I've played by a land slide because of how immersive it was gameplay and music wise. I'm going to give second place to Castlevania Chronicles, the PS1 remake of the first game. It was nothing like SOTN but still had it's moments. Right now I'm playing thru Circle of The Moon but haven't progressed far enough where I can give a meaningful opinion about it yet.

[Genesaturn]

As sad as it is , I've only ever played Bloodlines, SotN, and Order of Ecclesia, so Symphony of the Night takes the cake for me

[kupomogli]

In order of the games I've played...

CV, SCV4, CV2BR, CV2, CotM, CV3, DXC, RoB, DoS, LoI, SotN, AoS, Bloodlines, Chronicles, HoD(GBA,) CVLoD, CV64, CVL, PoR, OoE, CVA, VK, HoD(PSN/XBL)

[o.pwuaioc]

Castlevania Adventure can be so awesome, but level 2 just sucks. I hate those bats so very much. I'd like to see a 16 bit remake of CVA.

[Buyatari]

Having only played a few different Castlevania titles I will say I loved SOTN and beat it twice on PS1 which for me is saying a lot.

The other 3 I recall playing

The original Castlevania was cool but at the time it was just too hard for me. I haven't replayed it since then.

C64 Castlevania wasn't what I expected at all and wasn't very good.

Castlevania II also wasn't what I expected.

I'm not sure if I played any of the others.

[Tron 2.0]

I really don't understand why he gave it such a bad wrap. I personally love it!
He realy doesn't hate it in interviews he see's CVII as a flawed game that's all.For me i've never had a problem with CVII even with it's short comings.

[The 1 2 P]

The original Castlevania was cool but at the time it was just too hard for me. I haven't replayed it since then.

You should try the PS1 remake Castlevania Chronicles. It's much better than the original, which I also played and didn't like. I got stuck fighting death over and over again on the second to last level.

[AMG]

CastleVania III & CastleVania: SotN are tied as my two favorites.

[tom]

Legends
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=250014&g2_serialNumber=1

Ghost Manor, well, you're in a castle and you get to kill Dracula, works for me.
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=364093&g2_serialNumber=5

[Atarileaf]

I've only ever played Simons Quest so I guess that's my answer.

[Polygon]

Now that's a tough question. There's so many great games in that series.

In the end I'll have to go with the first Castlevania on the NES with Dracula's Curse in a close second. I have to mention that surprisingly, to some, that Bloodlines was a close contender. I really loved that game growing up. I also have to mention Symphony of the Night, Rondo of Blood, and Super Castlevania IV.

[RCM]

I'm not a huge fan of the series, but do enjoy Bloodlines for Genesis and Rondo of Blood for PC Engine.

[starchildskiss78]

Castlevania (NES)

From what I have seen and played, it is just the classic of the series. I think for its time the graphics are good, the music wonderful, and the gameplay timeless. Super Castlevania IV is very detailed and a sight to behold, but I have very limited exposure to it. I never played much of Castlevania III growing up and Castlevania II was actually the game I played the most of then (thanks to one of those "Beat Nintendo Games" VHS tapes) but now that I own the trilogy I can say the first is still the best, despite the multiple characters you can be in the third one.

[The 1 2 P]

Game Informer also counted down what the best Castlevania games from 25 to 1 here (http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/04/04/ranking-the-castlevania-bloodline.aspx?PostPageIndex=1&CommentPosted=true#commentmessage). And I agree with their number 1 pick because it's also my number 1 pick.

[buzz_n64]

Super Castlevania IV. Great graphic effects, gameplay, whipping abilities...

[otaku]

I've only played a few sympony of the night is the best but I love bloodlines for the genesis also

[retroman]

Simon's Quest for me..Then Sotn

[SonicBoom]

My favorite Castlevania game is Super Castlevania IV. Also my favorite SNES game.

[Polygon]

Game Informer also counted down what the best Castlevania games from 25 to 1 here (http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2012/04/04/ranking-the-castlevania-bloodline.aspx?PostPageIndex=1&CommentPosted=true#commentmessage). And I agree with their number 1 pick because it's also my number 1 pick.

I can agree with a lot of the choices. I can't agree with putting Lord of Shadows anywhere near the top.

[Edmond Dantes]

Thought this would be the topic to ask:

A local store has Castlevania Chronicels for PS1. Problem: its the Japanese version. Should I get it, or hunt down an American version? Are there any differences besides language?

[MarioMania]

Super Castlevania IV - SNES
Dracula X - PC Engine
Akumajou Densetsu - Famicom

[Scissors]

I'd say Bloodlines is my favorite. I've only put a decent amount of time in a few of them though (the original, IV, Bloodlines, and SotN).


Thought this would be the topic to ask:

A local store has Castlevania Chronicels for PS1. Problem: its the Japanese version. Should I get it, or hunt down an American version? Are there any differences besides language?

According to Wikipedia, there are a few differences:

Completing portions of the "Arrange Mode" also unlocks special features including an art gallery as well as a "Time Attack Mode". Exclusive to the U.S. and European versions of Chronicles, the art gallery features artwork by Ayami Kojima for Chronicles and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The latter game images were already featured in the Sega Saturn version of Symphony (the art of the Succubus is censored, since her chest in the original was topless). The "Time Attack Mode" allows the player to race through any stage, complete with a time meter, to beat their best time.
Also exclusive to the U.S. and European versions of Chronicles is an interview with Koji "IGA" Igarashi.

During regular gameplay, there are a few noticeable changes between the Japanese release and the U.S./European release of Chronicles. The marionettes on stage 17 cry out "Yamete!" ("Stop!" in Japanese) and "Omae wa dare?" ("Who are you?", in Japanese) when attacked in Akumajō Dracula (X68000) and the Japanese Chronicles. For localization purposes, they are silent other than when they are destroyed in the U.S. and European versions. Audio-wise, the Japanese version of Chronicles had slowdown issues with the music playback. These were fixed for the U.S. and European releases.[7] Lastly, exclusive to "Arrange Mode" on the U.S. and European versions, the player can save the game at stage 24 (the battle with Dracula).

[wiggyx]

As much as I'd like to say it's some obscure title, it's Symphony, 110%.

[o.pwuaioc]

As much as I'd like to say it's some obscure title, it's Symphony, 110%.

I'm not really sure any proper Castlevania title can be called "obscure".

[FoxNtd]

I'm not really sure any proper Castlevania title can be called "obscure".

You sure about that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akumajo_Special_:_Boku_Dracula-kun

Oh, you said "proper". My mistake. It's still a fun game though. :) I would choose Akumajou Densetsu as my favorite. Once you go VRC6 you don't go back. :puppydogeyes:

[wiggyx]

I'm not really sure any proper Castlevania title can be called "obscure".

Obscure in the context of the Castlevania series, not relative to the rest of the gaming world ;)

[Edmond Dantes]

I'm not really sure any proper Castlevania title can be called "obscure".

Haunted Castle in the arcades? Vampire Killer on the MSX? Castlevania Legends on Gameboy?

and it sounds like I better hold out for the US version of Castlevania Chronicles, although I might get the import anyway for collectability's sake and because I'm becoming a classic-style CV fan.

[Genjackson]

IV or Bloodlines. I like SOTN too. Decisions decisions. . . IV but it was close.

[o.pwuaioc]

You sure about that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akumajo_Special_:_Boku_Dracula-kun

Oh, you said "proper". My mistake. It's still a fun game though. :) I would choose Akumajou Densetsu as my favorite. Once you go VRC6 you don't go back. :puppydogeyes:

I said proper just for that title. ;)

[Edmond Dantes]

Exploration-oriented Castlevanias: Symphony definitely wins (though I actually liked Simon's Quest, going by memory). The GBA and later games really felt like they were just trying to be Symphony but weren't quite as good.

Classic Platform-style: At the moment I'd have to say Bloodlines (Super CV4 is a close second but I just find Bloodlines' levels and bosses more interesting), but note I haven't played Dracula X yet and I strongly suspect it could dethrone Bloodlines.

[disorderlyvision]

Castlevania Bloodlines and Circle of the Moon

[Edmond Dantes]

Got a question:

Will Akumajo Densetsu play on an NES with a converter or will I have to spring for a Famicom?

[Jakethenub]

Either Super Castlevania IV or SOTN. SOTN was REALLY easy and that's the only gripe I have about it. Even as Richter.

[M.Buster2184]

Well I've enjoyed most the Castlevania games I've played, but two of my favorites are the original Castlevania for NES and Symphony of the night. Would it be sacrilege to say I loved Lords of Shadow?

[kupomogli]

Well I've enjoyed most the Castlevania games I've played, but two of my favorites are the original Castlevania for NES and Symphony of the night. Would it be sacrilege to say I loved Lords of Shadow?

Lords of Shadow was amazing. It's a Castlevania game for no reason other than to save itself from cancellation, so I call it Lords of Shadow and take the game as a new ip in which it was planned. I used to, but no longer blindly dislike the game since the Castlevania name was slapped on it. Easily one of my favorite games this gen.

[FoxNtd]

Got a question:

Will Akumajo Densetsu play on an NES with a converter or will I have to spring for a Famicom?

I heard that it will run but you won't hear the BGM correctly because the VRC6 uses all the channels in the FC which NES doesn't have. The FC is cheap enough and probably won't get any cheaper than it already is, just get one. Modifying a NES to fix the audio channel issue and finding a converter probably isn't worth either the money or effort to do. In addition, if you just use a real FC, you don't have to worry about coming across a game that won't work.

[mylifewithsega]

The original, followed by IV.

[M.Buster2184]

Lords of Shadow was amazing. It's a Castlevania game for no reason other than to save itself from cancellation, so I call it Lords of Shadow and take the game as a new ip in which it was planned. I used to, but no longer blindly dislike the game since the Castlevania name was slapped on it. Easily one of my favorite games this gen.


I agree kupo. Definitely one of my favorite games this generation, up there with Gears 2, Forza 4, Uncharted 2 and Darksiders for me. The original Castlevania and Symphony of the Night have a place in my heart, but I enjoyed every moment of Lords of Shadow. Can't wait to see how the series progresses.