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.

@kupomogli: I think modern games are being sold as "experiences" more so than "games". Open world, crafting, grinding (or paying) to get virtual clothes for your avatar and of course online play really is a huge draw for the average gamer these days, it's mind boggling. My 22-year-old stepson gets a thrill from grinding for items in "Identity 5" (I think it's called). He'll schedule himself for special events to get the virtual tchotchkes and will gloat about it with his siblings. That and "Ghenshin Impact" (at least for a time) were his peanut butter and jelly. As for my other kids: they have access to a Nintendo Switch and a healthy supply of games of various genres AND can (and have) checked out games from the library. For those limited time games from the library you'd think they'd play the snot out of it, right? Nope-most of the allowed game time gets funneled into certain games in Roblox. They can spend a HUGE chunk of time in a game that just has.....dancing.

I dunno, like the song says "times they are a-changing". It's still video entertainment however you slice it but it's definitely turning into virtual toy boxes more so than the games we're used to.