Quote Originally Posted by YoshiM View Post
Y'know, I've never really touched any of the handheld Castlevania games. I think I played a bit of one probably a good 11 years ago but I'll be dipped to remember which one and if it was on GBA or DS. I've read about the DS games and I know at least one of them had touch screen controls, which was a turn off for me then. Years later I can tolerate it (I do enjoy "Metroid Prime; Hunters", hand cramps not withstanding and I did like "LoZ: Spirit Tracks" until it got stupid for me) but the 'Vanias never came back on my radar.
The handheld Castlevania games are the true successors to Symphony of the Night - much moreso than all those PS2 games that got released. All six of these games are at least decent, if not great. If I had to rank them:
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow +
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (these two go together - the DS is obviously more refined but they're the same formula and they're awesome)
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (the last by a long shot - it's really a rough game...something about none of the Circle of the Moon staff worked on this so it seems more primitive)

Absolutely worth a play - it's amazing that Steam has all of this now. I have them all in original format so have not purchased, but if anyone doesn't this is a great way to get them now - it's a great price for a set of great games.