The Castlevania Thread [Archive] - Page 11

Arasoi

10-24-2007, 06:54 PM

Hah RSG, did you mean the pirate version with the SOTN and CV1 art pasted together to make a cheap label? I remember that one. Funky pirate carts like that are always amusing.

I've bought/bid on so much weird crap over the years, seriously.

Do you have an original(fat) PSP? I can imagine the directional movements are a pain on that pad, which is really just 4 seperate buttons instead. Thank goodness the PSP slim has an actual Dpad on it like a PSX pad.

RadiantSvgun

10-24-2007, 07:06 PM

On the Protogem Collection link, its photo #5, the one next to Vampire Killer. Oh, if you do sell any of your collection, I'm looking for a Castlevania Vinyl. I'd bet you'd have it. And yeah, I have the fatty psp.

Arasoi

10-24-2007, 07:40 PM

Ah that Dracula X is actually a gift from my friend (forum member mills) a while back, I've been meaning to buy a mint DX since then but havent gotten around to it, Im happy with it ATM.

As for the vinyl, it is one of the few things I do not have right now. I'm waiting for one to appear that still has it's original sleeve. Luxkiller has a really mint one with a variant sticker on it, probably some kind of radio station giveaway, or promotional deal in Japan. Pretty snazzy.

Cinder6

10-25-2007, 01:26 AM

I've come to realize something today. I think that DXC might have my favorite box art ever. Does anyone know where I could find a wall poster version of it, if such a thing exists? Or will I have to scan it in high resolution and use blockposters.com to make it?

Arasoi

10-25-2007, 01:46 AM

The Japanese Limited Edition release of the game comes with a poster, but it's probably a lot smaller than what you're thinking of.

Personally, CV1's cheesy old art is my fave ever =)

LuxKiller65

10-25-2007, 01:47 AM

Something like that?

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/1699/custodiacopyrightridmk8.jpg

Sorry for the big name on it... it was a private joke :kiss:. If it's the one, let me know per private message, if not, let me know which one you mean :p.

@HYB: thanks for replying :wink 2:.

@Mastah: what do you mean by variant sticker? Any pic of the "other" variant?

Arasoi

10-25-2007, 01:55 AM

Yours is the only one I saw with that label on it, the others were just black sleeves I think. Then again I haven't looked into this item as heavily as you and Sas have.

Also, good luck on the boxed CV2 Tiger LCD. You'll need it =)

LuxKiller65

10-25-2007, 01:58 AM

I don't need luck, I need money - and both of you have more than me. Good luck to you.

Yes, the only one for sale I've ever seen was on Yahoo! and it didn't have any sleeve at all. Fuzzly grizzly.

Arasoi

10-25-2007, 03:18 AM

Bah, I kid.

Not every nice thing is expensive at least, I thought I made out OK on this item:

http://www.twin-bell.com/v.cgi?aid=k45697698

A COD store demo disc, sealed. Fun fun. Interesting game items are what makes collecting fun for me, more so than OSTs and other goodies. (not that they arent fun mind you)

Can't wait to take new collection photos soon.

LuxKiller65

10-25-2007, 03:33 AM

:sob:

By the way, soundtracks are more fun than this kind of things (not that they aren't fun mind you).

:smash:

RadiantSvgun

10-25-2007, 01:14 PM

Dracula X artwork is by far my favorite too. Its suprising that animecast or someone else didn't put it on a wall scroll or something.

Arasoi

10-26-2007, 01:41 PM

Got the game yesterday.

I've been playing since last night, and I've noticed a decent amount of difference between the beta and the final release. The stage select is completely different, and the difficulty seems a tad lowered for Maria, though she still takes more damage than original rondo. Boss fights in general are easier, former standouts Dogether and Dullahan are now easy to beat by wailing on with less strategy than before.

Speaking of which. It is WEIRD to play OG Rondo in English, after playing it for 8 years in Japanese.. especially considering its the same voice acting as arrange Rondo. Freaky deaky.

The new SOTN dub and translation is as I expected, much much closer to the Japanese original overall. The classic lines are gone, but it flows better IMO.

Now I'm waiting for some enterprising individual to crack into the UMD image of the game and port this back onto the PSX (component/progressive scan from PSP Slim with SOTN on TV = argh)

Arasoi

10-26-2007, 10:42 PM

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n310/Protogem/102607_19241.jpg

My PSP slim just payed for itself ^__^

Projector screen + surround sound + DXC = happy Arasoi.

RadiantSvgun

10-27-2007, 12:04 AM

My only gripe is the psp controls for symphony. I wish I could use a usb controller instead.

Arasoi

10-27-2007, 01:56 AM

Apparently theres a way to use an Xbox 360 controller if your PSP has the latest firmware.. but Im not sure how exactly. Just read it somewhere.

Arasoi

10-27-2007, 03:58 PM

http://www.purpleguppy.net/music/dracu-lax/

JLost is re-ripping the whole DXC OST, he has the ones I missed here when I was ripping from the beta, I believe.

retro

10-27-2007, 07:08 PM

Just checked yahoo for fun, and there's quite some nice stuff. Instantly I found at least 3 auctions protogem is bidding on xD (good old times :P)

I wonder why he is not bidding here:

http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w14549691

what the hell are those anyway?

Arasoi

10-27-2007, 07:45 PM

They're SOTN tradng cards.. and I'm bidding on them now XD (Thanks man!)

Heres my latest collection update with item listing:

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n310/Protogem/102707_15011.jpg

Konami 1991 Summer-Autumn Japanese Product catalog (With Dracula Densetsu ad)
Dracula Apocalypse Promotional sticker sheet
Castlevania: Akatsuki no Minuet promotional phone card
Akumajou Dracula: Yami no Juin Promotional phone card
Akumajou Dracula: Yami no Juin Offcial Guide
Akumajou Dracula: Yami no Juin (PS2)
Akumajou Dracula: Yami no Juin Re-release (PS2)
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness Promotional Display box (beta screens on the back)
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness Demo Disc (Xbox Magazine)
Akumajo Dracula X: Chi nO Rondo Japanese Guidebook
Akumajou Dracula: Sougetsu no Juujika (DS)
Akumajou Dracula: Sougetsu no Juujika Re-release (DS)
Akumajo Dracula: Gallery of Labyrinth (DS)
Konami the Best Selection VHS tape (with Akumajo Dracula arcade superplay)
NECA Simon Belmont 8 bit pixel figurine (SDCC, CV1 colors)
NECA Simon Belmont 8 bit pixel figurine (DXC Preorder, CV2 colors)
Dracula X Chronicles Beta (Februrary 2007 build)
Dracula X Chronicles (US)
Beep Magazine August 2001 (Featuring Castlevania Chronicles Simon Belmont on the cover)
Dracula 1997 Doujin (not countable as an official item)
Akumajo Special: Boku Dracula Kun (GB)
The Konami Game Freaks Cassete Tape OST (Featuring Akumajo Dracula Arcade's OST)
Akumajo Dracula Music Book
September/October 1988 Nintendo Power (Featuring Castlevania 2)
Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku promotional phone card (Alucard)
Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku promotional phone card (Dracula)
Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku promotional phone card (Richter)
Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku promotional phone card (Maria)

LuxKiller65

10-27-2007, 07:54 PM

Sorry wrong message why can't I even delete my own post...

retro

10-28-2007, 06:17 AM

They're SOTN tradng cards.. and I'm bidding on them now XD (Thanks man!)

Damn! xD

I'm definitively to jung to keep on collecting AD.

Teh last stuff for me was 2 promo posters, maybe I will take some pics, but actually I don't want to unscroll them.

Arasoi

10-28-2007, 08:42 AM

Which promo posters did you get?

retro

10-28-2007, 04:06 PM

I think it was AnM and such a vertical one from the 2nd PS2 AD.

Cinder6

10-29-2007, 01:55 AM

Here's a little debate that cropped up in another forum that's discussing DXC: Are Maria and Annette really sisters? Or was that something just added into the SNES Dracula XX?

I've been arguing that they're sisters, given how the SotN manual says Maria is Richter's sister-in-law, but that could still be part of the localization. I'll check the DXC manual tomorrow, but does anyone know whether the Japanese SotN manual clarifies the relationship at all? I don't speak Japanese, but can scan the Saturn manual, if somebody else can translate it.

Arasoi

10-29-2007, 01:59 AM

Interesting question.. I can have it translated if you like.

HYB

10-29-2007, 10:08 AM

Blarg, you guys hog all the good stuff.

Ugh, It'll be all four NECA figures for me next if body mods won't win me over.

Ohoho,I'll be starting my VG tattoo fund when I turn 17 so I'll have a year to save up for some ink. First up are the heart refresh sprite on the right side of my hip and CV logo (the newer one) tattooed on my wrists (2-part). Damn it costs so much to get tattoos here, I'll barely have any money for collecting for at least a year from now on (flight tickets to Belgium and tattoo fund, not to mention food for my soon to be gotten cornsnakes).

Arasoi

10-29-2007, 11:28 AM

You can be a unique Castlevania collector, in that you collect Castlevania tattoos instead of stuff :D

Cinder6

10-29-2007, 03:04 PM

Interesting question.. I can have it translated if you like.

If it's not too much trouble, that'd be great. Conveniently, Richter's bio is on the opposite page, so if one doesn't mention their relationship, maybe the other will. Click on the image for a larger version.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c375/Cinder6/nitmcharacterscan-small.png (http://www.box.net/shared/static/uv7me23lcy.png)

Also, I checked out the DXC manual, and all it says is that Maria has a distant blood relation to the Belmonts, which says nothing about her relationship to Annette.

Arasoi

10-29-2007, 04:46 PM

http://www.nintendo-master.com/blog/zero_darkmind:article-7679-0

I keep running across stuff like this all the time, this one is pretty old tho'.

Anyway, Cinder I'll talk to my friend who can translate the text tonight. Thanks for posting the scan.

Cinder6

10-30-2007, 02:18 AM

Looking forward to it, thanks.

HYB

10-30-2007, 10:48 AM

You can be a unique Castlevania collector, in that you collect Castlevania tattoos instead of stuff :D

I collect body art XD It's be great to do a collage or something from CV tattoos. It's not a popular subject though and I know of only two people who have CV tattoos. I might have seen one or two in the BME tattoo gallery but that's about it. Who knows what kind of CV things I'll get tattooed eventually.

Arasoi

10-30-2007, 09:29 PM

Looking forward to it, thanks.

My friend had a chance to translate it. It says that she is Richter's sister in law, and she is a distant relative to the Belmonts. Thats pretty much it. It does not mention Annette specifically.

I have a couple Japanese NITM guides, that could probably clear this up. But I dont have a scanner right now. Argh.

Cinder6

10-30-2007, 11:30 PM

My friend had a chance to translate it. It says that she is Richter's sister in law, and she is a distant relative to the Belmonts. Thats pretty much it. It does not mention Annette specifically.

I have a couple Japanese NITM guides, that could probably clear this up. But I dont have a scanner right now. Argh.

Awesome, thanks. That doesn't really say, concretely, that they are sisters, but logically, unless Richter has some siblings we know nothing about (unlikely), they are.

RadiantSvgun

10-31-2007, 09:51 PM

Well, its not the first question I've had about the lineage in the belmont line. First question of indirect incest, yes.

Buyatari

11-02-2007, 03:39 AM

I found this one while trying to clean up.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/WastingOrpheus/MVC-010S.jpg

HYB

11-02-2007, 10:32 AM

EDIT: I'm bidding so if any of you dares to raise the bid on purpose there will be hell on earth. I want something dammit!

Two words.

Holy shit.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nintendo-VS-Castlevania-Video-Arcade-Game-Upgrade-Kit_W0QQitemZ330181820867QQihZ014QQcategoryZ13718Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohost ing
http://cgi.ebay.com/Nintendo-VS-Castlevania-Video-Arcade-Game-PCB-Working_W0QQitemZ330181025934QQihZ014QQcategoryZ13 718QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphoto hosting

I know what I want for my birthday. MAN I wish I had money, I've been looking for Vs. Castelvania (and Haunted Castle) for ages. I'd buy a cabinet a fix it too with some help from a finnish arcade board. It's stupid having no money.

Arasoi

11-02-2007, 10:50 AM

Ah yes, those VS kits are nice. I bought mine about 5 years ago, it's still one of my favorite collection pieces (especially the "NEW" fold out display). I ended up buying a second VS marquee to hang on the wall later as well.

HYB

11-02-2007, 11:23 AM

I really, REALLY want those. Not only will I be the only CV collector in Finland who probably has one but I just really want it.

Arasoi

11-02-2007, 12:04 PM

Just FYI HYB, those kits go for about $100 USD + generally, with the classic gaming market the way it is it's probably going to be closer to 125 or 150. Sniping is your friend XD

Cinder6

11-02-2007, 12:23 PM

HYB: You're lucky the Vs. Castlevania board isn't JAMMA, else I would start bidding :) Good luck.

HYB

11-02-2007, 01:12 PM

I know they're pricey. Since the main board and the kit are separate too. Not to mention shipping (36 for the kit,26 for the main board).

I've been wondering it for a while, what model/cabinet is the Vs. Castelvania made for since it isn't JAMMA. I don't know that much about arcade machines.

Arasoi

11-02-2007, 02:21 PM

They're proprietary, I believe. Here are my queries on the subject:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86370

HYB

11-02-2007, 11:49 PM

Ah, thanks Arasoi.

I decided to give up the main board for now. I'll see how much the kit goes for and if it's too much I'll start looking for it when I move to the US. Cheaper shipping at least and if the main board and the kit are bundled togheter, I wouldn't have to have two bidwars. It's a shame to let this one go if it gets too expensive but I still have to maintain my budget.

The main board ended in 66. We'll see how much the kit goes for. It's currently 61 dollars with almost 2 days left.

RadiantSvgun

11-03-2007, 10:44 AM

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y188/Shin-Richard/000_0350.jpg

Holy grail for me today. Now I have all the console castlevanias.

Arasoi

11-03-2007, 11:27 AM

Sweet, the most difficult US release to get at a fair price. Were you collecting US releases only?

RadiantSvgun

11-03-2007, 11:50 AM

So far, yes. I do want the Super Famicom Akumajo Dracula, because I feel its a better version of our Super Castlevania IV. I'd like to get the famicom Castlevanias, but I want a Sharp Famicom Twin before I work on that. Its also a matter of money too.

HYB

11-04-2007, 05:10 AM

As far as getting console Castlevanias go I'd really like to find Vampire's Kiss. That baby costs more than the LE Symphony these days. Ah, and the first 4 Castlevanias complete would be nice too.

retro

11-05-2007, 02:44 PM

to find Vampire's Kiss

Well, its not rare... There are lots of them on ebay. Just the price sucks. But hey, if you want to collect Castlevania, you need a big, BIG wallet.

Actually there is no rare pal or us games for homesystems, even the jap games are very often around anymore nowadays :(

RadiantSvgun

11-05-2007, 03:58 PM

Well, its not rare... There are lots of them on ebay. Just the price sucks. But hey, if you want to collect Castlevania, you need a big, BIG wallet.

Actually there is no rare pal or us games for homesystems, even the jap games are very often around anymore nowadays :(

You just have to be persistent and resourceful. I don't have much money at all. Best thing to do is watch ebay carefully, or ask around on here.

Arasoi

11-05-2007, 04:20 PM

Actually there is no rare pal or us games for homesystems, even the jap games are very often around anymore nowadays :(

Well those store demo discs for J and Pal systems are pretty rare, Produn(Guillame?) beat me for the last one I need on Ebay last week (LOI Pal store disc).

But mostly this is true.. 3 years ago you'd be hard pressed to find the FDS titles or Boku Dracula Kun on Ebay commonly, or Vampire Killer for MSX2 (PAL). But it's all changed, the higher prices have made much more available.

retro

11-05-2007, 04:50 PM

Well those store demo discs for J and Pal systems are pretty rare, Produn(Guillame?) beat me for the last one I need on Ebay last week (LOI Pal store disc).

Well yeah, the exceptional stuff is more rare for sure. I was more focussing on the stuff you could buy in the stores back then. There was a pal SotN promo version on ebay lately too, I think.

But mostly this is true.. 3 years ago you'd be hard pressed to find the FDS titles or Boku Dracula Kun on Ebay commonly, or Vampire Killer for MSX2 (PAL). But it's all changed, the higher prices have made much more available.

Yes, all this stuff is on ebay now -.-
Bokus are on yahoo suddenly in massses, cant explain why they werent before.

Very funny was the Sharp AD that went for US$ 900+ (I mean, wtf?? oO)

Castlevania-collecting was like a race you can only win with big money, that sucked. Proto and Guillaume are the winners lol. I wonder when the first collectors appear, which can mess with you 2 guys.

Arasoi

11-05-2007, 05:26 PM

Well yeah, the exceptional stuff is more rare for sure. I was more focussing on the stuff you could buy in the stores back then. There was a pal SotN promo version on ebay lately too, I think.

Yes, all this stuff is on ebay now -.-
Bokus are on yahoo suddenly in massses, cant explain why they werent before.

Very funny was the Sharp AD that went for US$ 900+ (I mean, wtf?? oO)

Castlevania-collecting was like a race you can only win with big money, that sucked. Proto and Guillaume are the winners lol. I wonder when the first collectors appear, which can mess with you 2 guys.

It is like.. item count only now, I am getting less satisfaction than I used to. Sasalucard, Guillame.. probably a few others have more items than me, but item count is almost worthless in a way because of varying tastes in what is fun to collect, even within just the realm of one thing like Castlevania.

I could have close to 400 items by now easy if I bought every magazine with a Castlevania article or cover, but I get less satisfaction from this then getting a rare game or item. So I am willing to live with a lesser item count than others. It's all based on what you enjoy.

As for who can get more items now, thats easy ; fellows like Hallowbastion (guy who payed 900 for Sharp X68k Akdra) have much more money to spend on collecting than I do, if you look him up on Ebay you can see the mad rate at which he is amassing stuff. He'll be a terror if he gets a deputy service for YJ.

Unlike many people who complain about me, Im not too upset about this idea. I love collecting CV stuff, but if/when it exceeds the amount I'm willing to spend on it I can wait for the "market" to slow down, or move on. Complaining about people who are willing to spend more is useless, they will continue to spend more anyway.

Bottom line for me, if it becomes too expensive, or you no longer enjoy it seriously consider letting it go. As cool as it all is, it's only cardboard and plastic at the end of the day and the chase is far more exciting than the catch.

MarkMan

11-07-2007, 03:33 AM

Arasoi, sent ya a PM.

Arasoi

11-07-2007, 11:25 AM

PM replied.

RadiantSvgun

11-07-2007, 07:29 PM

I've always wondered why Vampire Killer (Mega Drive) fetched such a high price. Is it that rare? Or just collectible? Or because the title sounds cooler and the artwork looks better than the other releases?

Arasoi

11-07-2007, 07:51 PM

I guess it is more rare in Japan, maybe a lower print number. It's worth more in the US than in Japan probably because of the different name and cover art.

Just speculation on my part really..

MarioMania

11-10-2007, 02:52 AM

Arasoi: What the diffenets between the Beta Castlevania Next Generation & the Normal one

Arasoi

11-10-2007, 01:43 PM

Some different levels mainly. Screenshots showed a level with a blimp in them. I know a collector in Europe who has one of the beta carts (I can confirm it has been copied but not dumped) who offered to take some videos of the different materials, but I havent heard from him since.

Buyatari

11-11-2007, 09:25 PM

N64 castlevania legacy of darkness kit

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/WastingOrpheus/MVC-029S-3.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/WastingOrpheus/MVC-030S-3.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/WastingOrpheus/MVC-031S-3.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/WastingOrpheus/MVC-032S-2.jpg

Arasoi

11-11-2007, 11:34 PM

That is a really cool, and rare item. I don't believe I've ever seen it before. Thank you for posting pictures for us so we could see it. It looks like a press kit, one of the nicest ones I've seen.

retro

11-12-2007, 01:06 AM

wow, nice! never seen too...

RadiantSvgun

11-12-2007, 04:51 PM

I've never seen Castlevania shirts. One of my friends was talking about it the other day. Do they exist, or should I go bootleg them myself? I mean like real Konami ones.

Arasoi

11-12-2007, 05:26 PM

Buyatari

11-12-2007, 05:44 PM

They do exist, and many are official. They're just the trendy type ones that say "WMD" and show the CV1 subweapons, and whatnot. There are other shirts that were promotional items as well such as the COD ones that are on Ebay now and then.

I'm sure I have a few that were sent out as promotional items to the press etc mostly for PS2 thou. Nothing spectacular. You should be able to find them if you look hard enough.

Buyatari

11-12-2007, 09:32 PM

Of all the known items (not counting items that do not exist in collector hands) whats the holy grail of Castlevania collecting?

Arasoi

11-12-2007, 11:24 PM

That's an interesting question, you'll get different answers from different collectors.

Casual fans used to say Rondo, but thats pretty pedestrian for a real CV collector.

For non commercial items I'd probably say the Castlevania Bloodlines beta, which I believe is 1 or 2 carts in existence at this point. Never dumped, it has different levels and such.

For commercially released games, the rarest by far is the Amiga PC port. It's kind of my own personal CV holy grail, I waited a long time to obtain it. It isnt just expensive, it's tough to find. Thats what makes it worthy of that title to me.

Then theres any number of bizarre or rare Japanese promo items, while they have insane rarity I don't think they qualify as collection centerpieces necessarily.

RadiantSvgun

11-13-2007, 01:01 AM

Isn't the Rondo promo item up there? I've never heard of Rondo being rare, just expensive. I can always see a copy of it on ebay. Now Akumajo Dracula on the Sharp computer is one that has eluded me for quite a while. It amazes me though, as all the Castlevania games (including the N64 ones) have excellent sound and music. Sometimes I wonder how Konami does it.

That reminds me, one of my friends was listening to the SOTN soundtrack today, and she asked me if it was classical music. She was shocked to learn that Lost Painting came from a video game.

Buyatari

11-13-2007, 02:13 AM

I need pics to help me. I'm a Castlevania rookie. Whats Rondo?

Buyatari

11-13-2007, 02:16 AM

I have a few promos and such like the whip etc. Just curious if there was one thing everyone wanted so I'd know what to look for.

A top 10 Castlevania items every Castlevania collector MUST own list would be fun.

RadiantSvgun

11-13-2007, 09:29 AM

Rondo aka Dracula X Rondo of Blood. The only Castlevania game on the TurboDuo/ Pc-engine. Some consider it to be the purest incarnation of classic Castlevania. Either way, it is one of the best in the series.

If you need pics, just look in the reviews section of the site, and check DUO, the one by Dire 51 has the most pics.

MarioMania

11-17-2007, 06:58 PM