Castlevania series

Contents

1 Overview 1
1.1 ''Castlevania'' series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1.1 Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1.2 Common elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.1.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1.5 In other media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1.7 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2 Characters 9
2.1 Characters of the ''Castlevania'' series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.1.1 Castlevania and Simon's Quest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.1.2 The Adventure and Belmont's Revenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.1.3 Dracula's Curse and Curse of Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.1.4 Kid Dracula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.1.5 Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.1.6 Legends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.1.7 Bloodlines and Portrait of Ruin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.1.8 Castlevania (Nintendo 64) and Legacy of Darkness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.1.9 Circle of the Moon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.1.10 Harmony of Dissonance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.1.11 Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.1.12 Lament of Innocence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.1.13 Order of Ecclesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.1.14 Judgment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.1.15 Order of Shadows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.1.16 Lords of Shadow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
2.1.17 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2.2 Dracula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.2.1 Conception and design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.2.2 Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
2.2.3 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

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2.2.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
2.3 Alucard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
2.3.1 Conception and design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
2.3.2 Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2.3.3 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.3.4 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.3.5 Notes and references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.4 Characters of ''Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow'' and ''Dawn of Sorrow'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
2.4.1 Character conception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.4.2 Recurring characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
2.4.3 Antagonists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
2.4.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
2.4.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
2.4.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
2.5 Soma Cruz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
2.5.1 Conception and design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
2.5.2 Appearances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
2.5.3 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
2.5.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

3 Music 46
3.1 Music of the ''Castlevania'' series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3.1.1 Recurring themes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3.1.2 Notable composers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3.1.3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3.2 ''Castlevania: Symphony of the Night'' soundtrack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3.2.1 Creation and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3.2.2 Track listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.2.3 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.2.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.2.5 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.3 ''Castlevania'' soundtrack (Nintendo 64) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.3.1 Track listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.3.2 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.3.3 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

4 Games 49
4.1 ''Castlevania'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.2 ''Vampire Killer'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.2.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.2.2 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4.3 ''Castlevania II: Simon's Quest'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
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4.3.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
4.3.2 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.3.3 Controversy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.3.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.3.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
4.3.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.4 ''Haunted Castle'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.4.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.4.2 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.4.3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.5 ''Castlevania: The Adventure'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.5.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
4.5.2 Reception and legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.5.3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.5.4 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.6 ''Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.6.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.6.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.6.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
4.6.4 Reception and legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
4.6.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
4.6.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.7 ''Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.7.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.7.2 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.7.3 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.7.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.7.5 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
4.8 ''Super Castlevania IV'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
4.8.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
4.8.2 Development and release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
4.8.3 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
4.8.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
4.8.5 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
4.9 ''Kid Dracula'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
4.9.1 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
4.9.2 Legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
4.9.3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
4.10 ''Castlevania: Rondo of Blood'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
4.10.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
4.10.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
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4.10.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
4.10.4 Versions and re-releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
4.10.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
4.10.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
4.11 ''Castlevania: Bloodlines'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
4.11.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
4.11.2 Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
4.11.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4.11.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4.11.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4.11.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4.12 ''Castlevania: Symphony of the Night'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
4.12.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
4.12.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
4.12.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
4.12.4 Versions and re-releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
4.12.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
4.12.6 See also . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
4.12.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
4.12.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
4.13 ''Castlevania Legends'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
4.13.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
4.13.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
4.13.3 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
4.13.4 Other media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
4.13.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
4.14 ''Castlevania'' (Nintendo 64) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
4.14.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
4.14.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
4.14.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
4.14.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
4.14.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
4.15 ''Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
4.15.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
4.15.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
4.15.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
4.15.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
4.15.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
4.16 ''Castlevania: Circle of the Moon'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
4.16.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
4.16.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
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4.16.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
4.16.4 Critical reception and legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
4.16.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
4.17 ''Castlevania Chronicles'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
4.17.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
4.17.2 Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
4.17.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
4.17.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
4.17.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
4.18 ''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
4.18.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
4.18.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
4.18.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
4.18.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
4.18.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
4.18.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
4.19 ''Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
4.19.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
4.19.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
4.19.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
4.19.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
4.19.5 Sequel and re-release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
4.19.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
4.19.7 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
4.20 ''Castlevania: Lament of Innocence'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
4.20.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
4.20.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
4.20.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
4.20.4 Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
4.20.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
4.20.6 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
4.20.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
4.20.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
4.21 ''Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
4.21.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
4.21.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
4.21.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
4.21.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
4.21.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
4.21.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
4.22 ''Castlevania: Curse of Darkness'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
vi CONTENTS

4.22.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

4.22.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
4.22.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
4.22.4 Reception and legacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
4.22.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
4.22.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
4.23 ''Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
4.23.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
4.23.2 Plot and setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
4.23.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
4.23.4 Merchandise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
4.23.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
4.23.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
4.23.7 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
4.24 ''Castlevania: Order of Shadows'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
4.24.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
4.24.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4.24.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4.24.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4.24.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4.25 ''Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4.25.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
4.25.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
4.25.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
4.25.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
4.25.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
4.25.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
4.26 ''Castlevania Judgment'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
4.26.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
4.26.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
4.26.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
4.26.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
4.26.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
4.26.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
4.27 ''Castlevania: The Arcade'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
4.27.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
4.27.2 Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4.27.3 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4.27.4 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4.28 ''Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4.28.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
CONTENTS vii

4.28.2 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

4.28.3 Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4.28.4 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4.28.5 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
4.28.6 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
4.29 ''Castlevania: Lords of Shadow'' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
4.29.1 Gameplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
4.29.2 Synopsis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
4.29.3 Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
4.29.4 Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
4.29.5 Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
4.29.6 Sequels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
4.29.7 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
4.29.8 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

5 Appendix 126
5.1 List of ''Castlevania'' media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
5.1.1 Video games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
5.1.2 Other media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
5.1.3 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
5.1.4 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
5.1.5 External links . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

6 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses 132

6.1 Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
6.2 Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
6.3 Content license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Chapter 1
Overview
1.1 ''Castlevania'' series
This article is about the video game series. For other
uses, see Castlevania (disambiguation).
Castlevania (キャッスルヴァニア Kyassuruvania), also
known in Japanese as Akumajō Dracula (悪魔城ドラ
キュラ Akumajō Dorakyura, “Devil's Castle Dracula”
),* [1] is a video game series created and developed by
Konami, centered on the Belmont family, a clan of vam-
pire hunters, and their fight with Dracula.
The series debuted in Japan on September 26, 1986,
with the release for the Family Computer Disk System
(FCD), followed by an alternate version for the MSX2
platform on October 30. Although the MSX 2 port (local-
ized in Europe and Brazil as Vampire Killer) was released
first outside Japan, the series did not receive wide atten-
tion outside Japan until the FCD version was ported to
cartridge format for the Nintendo Entertainment System
and localized for North American and European releases
of Castlevania in 1987 and 1988, respectively.* [2]* [3]
The series became one of Konami's main series.
The Castlevania titles have been released on various plat-
forms, from early systems including the Nintendo En-
tertainment System to modern consoles. It has also
been released for Pocket PCs emulators and mobile
phones.* [4]* [5]
1.1.1 Games
See also: List of Castlevania media
The first console title, Castlevania, released for the NES
in 1986 by Konami, is a typical platform game in which
the player takes the role of Simon Belmont, a descen-
dant of the Belmont clan, a family of vampire hunters.
He travels to Dracula's demonic castle, Castlevania, and
fights his way through the castle destroying Dracula him-
self and the castle. Belmont's main weapon is a whip
called “Vampire Killer”, while the secondary weapons
are powered by Hearts, collected by attacking candles and
killing monsters. Secondary weapons available are Dag-
gers, Holy Water (Fire Bomb), Flying Axe, Stop Watch
and the Cross (Boomerang). Hidden items such as power- A major turning point in the gameplay mechanics of the
1
Screenshot of Castlevania on the NES
ups and food (health replenishment) items are also found
by attacking walls within the levels, a feature inspired
by Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. with countless hidden
items across the game's levels.
Vampire Killer, released in 1986 for the MSX computer,
took a departure from the traditional platform gameplay
of Castlevania, instead introducing an open-ended form
of gameplay.* [6] The game's non-linear design had a
similar structure to Metroid released that same year.* [7]
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, released in 1987, featured
non-linear gameplay more open-ended than that of Vam-
pire Killer and Metroid, with several exclusive elements
such as a world map the player was free to explore and re-
visit.* [8] The player could also purchase supplies, equip-
ment and weapon upgrades in several different towns,
making it more like an action role-playing game. It also
introduced a persistent world with its own day-night cy-
cle that affects when certain NPCs appear in certain lo-
cations and offered three possible endings depending on
the time it took to complete the game.* [9] Castlevania III:
Dracula's Curse, released for the NES in 1989, while hav-
ing more in common with the original NES Castlevania,
added new features, including non-linear elements such
as alternate branching paths with different stages and al-
ternate endings depending on the player's choices, as well
as multiple player characters.* [10]
2 CHAPTER 1. OVERVIEW
series was Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, released
in 1997 for the Sony PlayStation and for the Sega Saturn
in 1998. Expanding on the open-ended style of game-
play previously used in Castlevania II: Simon's Quest,* [8]
Symphony of the Night's style of gameplay has been
termed “Metroidvania”due to its similarities with the
non-linear and exploration-focused side-scrolling games
of the Metroid series.* [11] It also used role-playing video
game elements, such as collectible weapons, armor and
hidden orbs. Many subsequent Castlevania games have
since followed this template.
Ayami Kojima's art was introduced in Symphony of the
Night, and has been featured in a few other titles. Years
later, the first two Castlevania games for the Nintendo
DS returned to the anime style used in the original
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, among other titles, in hopes
of broadening the player demographic by not discourag-
ing slightly younger Nintendo DS owners to be put off by
Kojima's art.* [12] Dawn of Sorrow was the first game to
do this, and the second DS release Portrait of Ruin fol-
lowed with the same style.* [13]
The first games in the series to employ 3D graphics
were Castlevania and Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
for the Nintendo 64 in 1999. In 2003, the next 3D
Castlevania title featured combat-oriented hack and slash
gameplay that drew comparisons to the 2001 title Devil
May Cry, though Lament of Innocence introduced sev-
eral unique features to set itself apart from Capcom's
title.* [14] The game has also drawn comparisons to
the 2002 release Rygar: The Legendary Adventure and
2005's God of War, both of which used similar chained-
blade weapons, while the latter also used similarly flashy
and smooth attacks that could change direction in the
middle of a combo.* [15] In 2007, Koji Igarashi stated
that, if The Dracula X Chronicles did well, the series
may return to the more traditional style of the original
games.* [16] Trivia about the series has also been men-
tioned in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition
2008.* [17]* [18]
1.1.2 Common elements
Plot
The earliest games borrowed source material from motifs
in iconic horror cinema and other monsters from the
Universal Horror and Hammer era of films. Examples in-
clude werewolves, Frankenstein's monster, The Mummy,
Medusa, the Grim Reaper and Count Dracula himself.
The earlier games paid homage to these films. The staff
roll of the original Castlevania mentioned parody names
modeled after famous people associated with the horror
genre, such as “Vram Stoker”– a play on Bram Stoker,
writer of the original Dracula novel. Later games also
Another timeline was released by Konami on their
include many monsters from mythological sources.
Japanese website in 2007. This timeline does not in-
Most of the Castlevania video game franchise has been
about the vampire hunting family of the Belmonts and
Dracula. Almost every hundred years, Dracula is res-
urrected and generally the Belmonts must defeat him.
Though most games in the series involve the Belmonts or
their descendants, some protagonists, such as Soma Cruz
and Alucard, are unrelated. The series is loosely based
on Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. The novel is included
in the official timeline of the series, with Castlevania:
Bloodlines taking place shortly afterwards.* [27] The con-
nection even goes so far as to claim that Quincey Morris,
a character from the novel, is in fact a distant Belmont
descendant.
The most iconic weapon of the series is a whip called
Vampire Killer. It is the legendary weapon used by the
Belmonts in the fights against Count Dracula, although it
is sometimes passed through other families as well. The
story of its origin is shown in Castlevania: Lament of In-
nocence, where it is created by Rinaldo Gandolfi for Leon
Belmont, through the use of alchemy. This whip is later
fused with the soul of Leon's betrothed, Sara Trantoul,
to create the Vampire Killer.* [28] A similar, but differ-
ent whip is used by the main character, Nathan Graves,
in Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, the“Hunter's Whip”
can be augmented with magic to enhance its capabilities
and the wielder depending on what is equipped. There are
extra weapons available, such as fire, knives, and axes.
According to the Portrait of Ruin, only those possessing
the“Belmont Warlord Chromosomes”are able to use the
whip's full potential without paying a price, for the whip
simply drains the life of users who are not of the Bel-
mont lineage. This was learned by John Morris, for after
his battle with Dracula, he noticed that his injuries never
healed. Unable to fully utilize the Vampire Killer whip's
powers without harming his own life, he soon succumbed
and died. However, his son, Jonathan Morris, was able to
receive the whip's full power for a short time through a
ritual that was performed by the Lecarde sisters. The rit-
ual required Jonathan to defeat the whip's memory of the
previous owner, which was an entity bearing the likeness
of Richter Belmont.* [29] After Jonathan defeated a vam-
pire by the name of Brauner who was utilizing Dracula's
power, the whip was soon returned to the Belmont family.
An official timeline in English was released along with
the Castlevania 20th anniversary edition of Portrait of
Ruin in 2006 available through pre-order. This time-
line solves many questions of the fans about the chronol-
ogy of Castlevania games, including the previously non-
canonical Circle of the Moon, Legacy of Darkness and
Castlevania 64 as part of official canon. Also the timeline
confirms that the events that took place in Dracula are a
part of official canon and that Quincey Morris was the
distant descendant of the Belmont clan. It does not in-
clude other canonical games, novels and other media that
were published after Portrait of Ruin.* [30]
1.1. ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES 3

clude Legends, Circle of the Moon, Legacy of Darkness The music for the first Castlevania game was composed
and Castlevania 64 as part of the canonical timeline.* [19] by Satoe Terashima and Kinuyo Yamashita,* [37]* [38] of
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a reboot of the franchise, Konami's Kukeiha Club of composers, shortly after grad-
and features Gabriel Belmont on a quest to defeat the tit- uating from college. Yamashita was credited under the
ular Lords of Shadow. While it does indeed feature the pseudonym James Banana *
for her work on the Disk Sys-
usual Castlevania motifs of vampires, werewolves and the tem version of the game. [39]
undead, the plot is set before the rise of Dracula.* [31] Most of Castlevania's music changes from game to game,
but some themes recur often. These include Vampire
Killer, composed by Terashima, Bloody Tears (⾎の涙
1.1.3 Development Chi no Namida), first composed by Kenichi Matsubara,
and Beginning by Jun Funahashi. These three tracks first
Localization appeared in Castlevania, Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse respectively. Several
In Japan, the series is known as Akumajō Dracula (悪魔 songs, including both Vampire Killer and Bloody Tears
城ドラキュラ Akumajō Dorakyura, translated Devil's were also featured in the soundtracks of other Konami
Castle Dracula).* [1] However, not every installment of games, including Konami Wai Wai World, Contra: Hard
the franchise had that title. For example, the first two in- Corps, and Konami Krazy Racers. Rap group Army of
stallments for the Game Boy were released under the title the Pharaohs also used a sample of the song as a back-
Dracula Densetsu and the game known in North America ground for their song, also called Bloody Tears.* [40]
as Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse was originally released
in Japan as Akumajō Densetsu. Castlevania: Bloodlines
was also released as Vampire Killer in Japan. Starting 1.1.4 Reception
with the release of Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
for the Game Boy Advance, the Japanese games adopted The Castlevania franchise has received significant amount
the Castlevania (キャッスルヴァニア Kyassuruvania) of critical acclaim, with the most acclaimed game being
name for a brief period. According to series producer Symphony of the Night for the PlayStation and the most
Koji Igarashi, the developers chose to adopt the Castleva- panned being Judgment, with aggregate scores of 93 and
nia title as a way to involve scenarios that do not solely re- 49, respectively, on Metacritic and 93.38% and 52.71%,
volve around Dracula himself.* [32] After some demand respectively, on GameRankings.
from fans in Japan, Konami returned to the Akumajō
Dracula title with the Japanese release of Castlevania: Many of the games have appeared on lists of “best
Dawn of Sorrow. However, Konami chose to not using games ever”. Symphony of the Night appeared at #16
Akumajō Dracula on the Japanese title of Castlevania: on IGN “Top 100 games”and was one of the first to
Lords of Shadow series for the lack of involvement of be introduced on the GameSpot “The Greatest Games
Dracula, though this was returned with the Japanese re- of All Time”. Both acclaimed the game to success-
lease of Lords of Shadow 2 where Dracula was portrayed fully making a game in 2D while the industry was moving
as a centre character. to 3D.* [101]* [102] Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse was
named the 9th best 8-bit game by GameTrailers.* [103]
The series is also known for the differences between the Super Castlevania IV was named the 11th best game
Japanese and English language versions. Particularly in of the SNES by ScrewAttack on their “Top 20 SNES
earlier installments, the localization process usually cen- Games”.* [104] The series as a whole was also named one
sored a heavy share of violence, nudity and religious im- the 4th best franchises in game ever by IGN, behind only
agery. Removal of such material is prevalent in titles Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda and Mario, and citing
released for Nintendo platforms such as Castlevania III: Symphony of the Night, Aria of Sorrow and Super Castl-
Dracula's Curse, Super Castlevania IV and, to a lesser evania IV as highlights.* [105] Aria of Sorrow was also
degree, Castlevania: Dracula X, because of Nintendo named the 2nd best game on the Game Boy Advance and
of America's censorship policies at the time.* [33]* [34] one of the must buy for the system, according to the same
Castlevania: Bloodlines, for the Genesis, was retitled website.* [106]* [107] Three games appeared on Nintendo
Castlevania: The New Generation for European and Aus- Power “Top 200 Games”, namely Castlevania, Aria of
tralian releases to avoid the reference to blood used in Sorrow and Circle of the Moon, at #23, #22 and #108 re-
the North American title.* [35] In addition, blood was re- spectively.
colored, the gore was removed and the death scene of a
character was changed in the European version.* [36]
1.1.5 In other media
Music
Further information: List of Castlevania media
Main article: Music in the Castlevania series
Simon Belmont was one of the stars in the animated series
4 CHAPTER 1. OVERVIEW

Captain N: The Game Master.* [108] He was a member ula and Simon Belmont would be key characters in the
of the N-Team, a group of mostly video game characters film. Anderson also indicated that the “very lush, Ro-
who defended Videoland against the antagonist Mother mantic, Gothic look”of the 3D incarnations of the Castle-
Brain from Metroid. Dracula, referred to only as 'the vania series would be used in the film. He also expressed
count', also appeared as a villain in Captain N. Alucard his hope in using the games' composer, Michiru Yamane,
appeared in one episode, though he was portrayed as a to score the film's soundtrack.* [118]
rebellious skateboarding teenager. Several other Castle- In November 2006, Rogue Pictures replaced Dimension
vania monsters had minor roles, including Frankenstein's Films, who reneged over script differences, in handling
Monster, the Mummy, the Wolf Man, and the Skull
North American distribution of Castlevania, with Crystal
Knight. Simon is portrayed as egotistical on the show Sky Pictures handling international distribution. Paul W.
and his physical appearance differs from his design in the
S. Anderson described Castlevania to take place in many
video game series. time periods, but primarily in 15th century Transylvania.
The franchise also has its own toy line manufactured by The director and producer Jeremy Bolt had scouted loca-
NECA which consists of six figures of Simon Belmont, tions in Hungary and Romania, with plans to build castle
Alucard, Dracula (available in two variants with one vari- interiors in Budapest. Principal photography was slated
ant with its mouth closed and the another one with its to begin in spring 2007.* [119]
mouth open showing Dracula's vampire fangs), Succubus In January 2007, director Anderson said the studio was
and a Pixel Simon mini figure which was exclusively avail- still finalizing the film's budget, and filming would begin
able as a promotional item at Comic-Con 2007 where the in fall or winter in Transylvania and Hungary. Accord-
figures were first shown in full form.* [109]* [110] In 2005 ing to the director, the filming was postponed because
IDW Publishing released a comic book adaptation Castl- production had desired snow on the ground for the film's
evania: The Belmont Legacy written by Marc Andreyko forest scenes. Anderson described the locations: “It
with art by E. J. Su. It was based on the Castlevania: The was like discovering Mordor as a real location ̶epic,
Adventure.* [111] dramatic, and above all scary. These locations haven't
In 2008, a graphic novel adaption of Curse of Darkness been shot properly in a mainstream movie, so that is al-
was released by Tokyopop in English.* [112] ways extra exciting... to put something on camera that
The franchise also consists of a calendar of Lament of hasn't been seen before.”The director also revealed that
post-production and effects work for Castlevania would
Innocence available with the limited edition of the game *
and containing seven illustrations* [113] and another re- be done in London. [120]
leased as a promotion for Castlevania Judgment from In June 2007, Anderson conceded directing duties to
April 2009 – March 2010 containing images of various Sylvain White in order to take on the project Death Race,
Castlevania characters from the game.* [114] Artbooks of a remake of Death Race 2000. White, who played the
many games* [113] have also been released. The fran- Castlevania video game in the early 1990s, was attracted
chise also contains comics, prize collection artworks of to the prospect of filming a vampire film. White ex-
Symphony of the Night and Judgment as part of its print plained: “Most of the vampire films have been present
media. or set in the future, from Blade to Underworld, and I was
Two collector cards series have also been released. One is attracted by the chance to make a dark, epic period movie
available with Simon's Quest and the other with Symphony that almost has an anime feel to it”. The new director,
of the Night. Soundtracks of various games have also been who negotiated a salary of seven figures, will rewrite the
released separately. script with Anderson's assistance. The premise will fol-
low Trevor Belmont and his younger brother Christopher
as they are ordered into service to the church, to take the
Film cursed castle of Dracula and live up to the legend set by
their ancestor Leon. Production of Castlevania was slated
In November 2005, Crystal Sky Pictures acquired the to begin in late fall 2007 in South Africa and Romania. *
rights to adapt the video game series into a motion pic- Castlevania was planned for a late 2008 release. [121]
ture. The company attached Paul W. S. Anderson to write In October 2007, Anderson said that he hoped to have a
and direct the film adaptation, with production slated to script within two or three weeks before the onset of the
begin in mid-2006.* [115] Later in the month, Dimension 2007 Writers Guild of America strike. Producer Jeremy
Films entered negotiations with Crystal Sky for North Bolt said *
that production was intended to begin in spring
American distribution of Castlevania. The film adapta- 2008. [122]
tion was estimated to have a budget of $50 million.* [116] In December 2007, Rogue Pictures halted active develop-
In July 2006, producer Jeremy Bolt explained that Castl- ment of Castlevania due to the writers' strike and, later,
evania will “integrate a Dracula origin story... with the the sale of the studio to Relativity Media and possibil-
story of the Belmonts”. Bolt also said that the film would ity of a screen actors' guild strike. Despite the shelving,
refer back to early versions of the games.* [117] Director White remains committed to direct the film.* [123] On
Anderson reiterated Bolt's description, adding that Drac-
1.1. ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES
May 27, 2009, the Castlevania film was reported as offi-
cially canceled.* [124] However, on July 22, horror web-
site Bloody Disgusting broke the news that Saw co-creator
James Wan had been signed to pen a new draft, as well as
to direct.* [125] A few months later it was reported that
Paul W. S. Anderson is still circling the project.* [126]
In 2012, while promoting Resident Evil: Retribution Paul
W.S. Anderson stated that he would like to make it; how-
ever, the rights are an issue.* [127]
TV show
In August 2015, film producer Adi Shankar mentioned
that he will produce an animated mini-series based on
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.* [128] Fred Seibert will [19] “Konami Castlevania timeline 2007” (in Japanese).
also serve as an executive producer.
1.1.6 References
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27
[8] Jeremy Parish, Metroidvania Chronicles II: Simon's
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呪印｣が元となっています (Pachislot Akumajo Drac-
ula is based on Curse of Darkness). ラルフ側から⾒た
もうひとつの物語が､パチスロ版の悪魔城ドラキュ
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lem”, as you would say. / Loretta: We... What have we
been doing? / Stella: ... The heir to the Vampire Killer.
Jonathan Morris, correct? I apologize for all that we have
put you through. / Jonathan: Huh? Oh sure. N-No prob-
lem. / Stella: And Miss Charlotte, thank you so much for
setting us free. / ... / Stella: One more thing. It's about
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[123] Michael Fleming (2007-12-05). “Strike stalls two more

features”. Variety. Retrieved 2007-12-15.

[124] “Castlevania Movie Bites the Dust”. Nintendolife.com.

2009-05-28. Retrieved 2010-08-11.

[125] Miska, Brad (2009-07-22). “SDCC '09: James Wan to

Write and Direct 'Castlevania'!". Bloody-Disgusting. Re-
trieved 2009-07-24.

[126] “Paul W.S. Anderson Returning to 'Castlevania'?".

Bloody-disgusting.com. Retrieved 2010-08-11.

[127] “The Video Game Movies That Never Happened”. IGN.

Retrieved 2013-09-04.

[128] Trumbore, Dave. “Super Violent ʻCastlevaniaʼAni-

mated Series Coming from Producer Adi Shankar”. Col-
lider.com. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
Chapter 2

Characters

2.1 Characters of the ''Castleva- Death

nia'' series Death (死 神 Shinigami, lit. “God of Death”) is
present in all Castlevania games, except for Haunted Cas-
Listed below are characters from all of the Castlevania tle, Castlevania: The Adventure and Castlevania II: Bel-
video games in the order of their introduction and the mont's Revenge. Death is often a boss fought toward the
game's release. end of the game. He is considered Dracula's second-
in-command and most trusted minion. Sometimes he
has played an important role to the storyline, such as
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence. He is a playable char-
2.1.1 Castlevania and Simon's Quest acter as the skeletal knight in Castlevania Judgment.

Dracula In most of his appearances, Death closely resembles the

cultural personification of the Grim Reaper, being a leg-
less skeleton in a hooded cloak with a scythe. Like Drac-
Main article: Dracula (Castlevania)
ula, he can change into a second form upon being de-
feated in the game.
The Castlevania games have always had a single focus on
He is voiced by Dennis Falt in Symphony of the Night,
the main antagonist, Dracula (ドラキュラ Dorakyura),
Travis Willingham in The Dracula X Chronicles, Tony
who is based on the original character by Bram Stoker.
Oliver in Judgment and Tom Wyner in earlier games.
With a few exceptions, Dracula has been the villain of
every title. The character of Zobek, Lord of the Dead (voiced by
Patrick Stewart) in the reboot Castlevania: Lords of
Originally named Mathias Cronqvist, Dracula is a former
Shadow has been speculated to be the version of Death of
mortal turned wicked following the death of his wife. His
this universe, due to his relationship with Dracula. Addi-
lust for vengeance turned him into an immortal vampire.
tionally, the Lord of the Necromancers is at one point
He later took the name Count Vlad Tepes Dracula. He
referred to as “Death itself”. In the game's sequel,
desires to wage war against humanity for having killed his
when Gabriel Belmont is forced into a confrontation with
second wife (she was accused of witchcraft and burned
Zobek, he sheds his human form and takes on a more tra-
at the stake) and take the world under his possession, but
ditionalized appearance of Death (including wielding a
has been foiled by the Belmonts in every generation of his
large scythe).
immortal life.* [1] When defeated, Dracula is prophesied
to return again every 100 years, with a curse placed on the
Belmont Clan, beginning with Leon Belmont. The only Simon Belmont
known Belmont Dracula has been able to defeat, though
posthumously, is Simon Belmont. Simon Belmont (シモン・ベルモンド Shimon Beru-
Despite being the primary villain of the series, his role is mondo, Simon Belmondo) is the first protagonist to ap-
often passive, and he simply waits in his castle, letting his pear in the series. He has appeared in Castlevania,
monsters confront anyone for him. His appearance varies Vampire Killer, Haunted Castle, Castlevania II: Simon's
from game to game, but a few recurring ones exist. He is Quest, Super Castlevania IV, Castlevania Chronicles,
one of the playable characters in Castlevania: Judgment. Castlevania Judgment, and Castlevania: Harmony of De-
He is voiced by Garry Chalk in Captain N: The Game spair.
Master, Michael G. in Symphony of the Night, Crispin Simon initially kills Dracula in the year 1691, an
Freeman in Lament of Innocence, Douglas Rye in Curse event that is told in multiple games (Castlevania,
of Darkness, Patrick Seitz in other entries, and Robert Vampire Killer, Haunted Castle, Super Castlevania IV, and
Carlyle in Lords of Shadow. Castlevania Chronicles). In Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest,

9
10 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

it is revealed that Dracula placed a curse on Simon and all sters and Critics stated that he looks nothing like his video
of Transylvania after he was defeated by him. To break game counterpart, and that the show's creator DiC should
the curse, Simon must gather the remains of Dracula in have consulted the game before choosing this design.* [8]
order to burn them at the ruins of Dracula's castle - though Nintendo Power listed Simon as their seventh favorite
this causes Dracula to return through a remain unknown hero, stating that while they respect all of the vampire
to Simon (Dracula's Fang). In the best ending, Simon hunters in Castlevania, he was the first.* [9]
breaks the curse and Transylvania regards the bravery of
the Belmont Family, though it is hinted that Dracula will
inevitably return as his hand rises from his grave. Simon Carmilla
is one of only two Belmonts to have faced Dracula twice
in his lifetime, the other being his ancestor Christopher.
Carmilla (カーミラ Kāmira) (also spelled Camilla in
However, in Castlevania II, each ending reveals that Si-
Circle of the Moon) appears in Castlevania II, Castlevania
mon is the only Belmont to die due to the final encounter
Dracula X: Rondo of Blood, Circle of the Moon, Judg-
with Dracula.
ment and Lords of Shadow. She is a servant of Dracula.
In Haunted Castle, Simon has a wife called Selena, who Her name is a reference to the title character of the 1872
is kidnapped by Dracula during their marriage.* [2] novel Carmilla, which predated Bram Stoker's Dracula
Although Simon is the first Belmont to appear in a Castl- by 25 years. Her first appearance was as an antagonist in
evania game, in the Belmont lineage, Leon Belmont orig- Castlevania II: Simon's Quest.* [10] She later reappeared
inates the direct bloodline of the clan. It can then be in Castlevania: Dracula X, and Castlevania: Circle of the
presumed that he is followed by Trevor, Christopher, Moon, and Castlevania Judgment. She is a devoted wor-
Soleiyu, Simon, Juste, and then Richter. In Castlevania: shiper of chaos and Dracula.
Harmony of Dissonance, the main character Juste Bel- In 1830, she successfully resurrected Dracula in her
mont is Simon's grandson.* [3] Simon is also playable Austrian castle, although he hadn't regained his full
in the Boss Rush mode, looking exactly as he did in power. To restore it, they planned to sacrifice the vam-
Castlevania. In Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, Simon pire hunter Morris Baldwin, father to Hugh Baldwin and
is an extra character purchased as downloadable content. mentor to Nathan Graves, during a lunar eclipse of the
He appears as he did in the original Castlevania. A spe- full moon. As Nathan began making headway in the ef-
cial stage that recreates the game's castle layout can also
fort to rescue his master, Camilla brainwashed Hugh to
be purchased. do her bidding and challenged Nathan to a battle in the
Simon Belmont appears in the rebooted series Underground Waterway. Although she died, Camilla rel-
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate (voiced ished the fact that the rite to restore Dracula's power was
by Alec Newman), as the son of Trevor Belmont, and nearly finished.
grandson of Gabriel Belmont, later known as Dracula. Carmilla's appearances and names have differed. In Si-
He seeks revenge for the murder of his parents and mon's Quest, Carmilla was originally known as Vampira
throughout the game is unaware that his father has been (⼥吸⾎⻤ Jo Kyūketsuki, lit. “Female Vampire”) in
turned into a vampire known as Alucard or that Dracula the instruction manual, though the in-game hidden clue
is his grandfather. refers to her as Carmilla. Her appearance was interpreted
Simon's Castlevania Judgment incarnation (voiced by as a mask that leaked tears of blood. Until the release of
Keith Silverstein) was designed by Death Note artist Rondo of Blood, Carmilla and her mask were available in
Takeshi Obata.* [4] Series director Koji Igarashi empha- the game as a boss. This was the first time in the series
sized that these designs were different from what he she was referenced by the name.
envisioned, Simon in particular, but commented that In Rondo of Blood, Carmilla has a blue-haired companion
this was how Obata envisioned them.* [5] He added that called Laura (ローラ Rōra). Laura was the central pro-
while the design felt radically different, so did Ko- tagonist and narrator from the original novel, Carmilla.
jima's.* [6] Simon's design by Obata was criticized, which
She is a particularly vicious non-boss enemy in Portrait of
was perceived as too derivative of Obata's work on Death Ruin, but is referred to as“Carmilla's eternal servant”in
Note.* [7] her bestiary entry. In the reboot Lords of Shadow, Laura
Simon appeared in Captain N: The Game Master (voiced is Carmilla's daughter, who challenges the main character
by Andrew Kavadas), a television cartoon featuring char- Gabriel with dangerous games.
acters from contemporary games released for the Nin- She is voiced by Karen Strassman in Judgment.
tendo Entertainment System. He is depicted as an ar-
In the reboot of Lords of Shadow, Carmilla is played by
rogant and vain vampire hunter who competes with the
Sally Knyvette. She is one of the titular Lords, ruling over
main character Kevin Keene for the heroine Princess
the vampires and is the second lord faced by the protag-
Lana. Simon has a whip and a backpack of resources
onist, Gabriel Belmont. She has a vampire “daughter”
which he uses throughout the series. His appearance in
named Laura. Before sacrificing her soul to heaven, she
the cartoon was met with criticism. Ben Rhudy of Mon-
was known to be a loving woman and loving all of earths
2.1. CHARACTERS OF THE ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES 11

creatures, quite the opposite once she became a Lord of
Shadow. This is a marked departure from the description
of her in life in the original novel. However, the explicit
sexuality sometimes attributed to her (seen especially in
Castlevania: Judgment) is a direct (albeit exaggerated)
reference to her characterization in the novel. She ap-
pears again in the sequel, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
2, albeit with a different appearance.
In 1591, Soleil, who recently celebrated his coming of
age, went alone to explore four mysterious castles that ap-
peared out of the fog. He was captured by Dracula's min-
ions and bewitched to do the Count's evil bidding. With
the youth's help, Dracula was able to take human form
once again. Christopher Belmont, his father, ultimately
rescued him.

2.1.3 Dracula's Curse and Curse of Dark-

Ferryman ness
The Ferryman (渡 し 守 Watashimori) is a character Main articles: Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and
whose task is to carry people across dangerous rivers. He Castlevania: Curse of Darkness
takes characters to “meet their destiny”. He first ap-
peared in Simon's Quest helping Simon reach Rover Man-
sion. He was later seen in Rondo of Blood (and its remake,
The Dracula X Chronicles), Symphony of the Night and Trevor C. Belmont
Legacy of Darkness.
Trevor C. Belmont, known as Ralph C. Belmondo (ラ
ルフ・C・ベルモンド Rarufu Shī Berumondo) in Japan,
2.1.2 The Adventure and Belmont's Revenge appears in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, Castlevania
Judgment, Akumajo Dracula Pachislot and is a support-
Main articles: Castlevania: The Adventure and ing character in Castlevania: Curse of Darkness.
Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge
Trevor defeated Dracula in Castlevania III. This was ac-
complished with the aid of Grant Danasty, Sypha Bel-
nades and Alucard. He would later marry Sypha Belnades
Christopher Belmont and have children with her. This would add the prodi-
gious magical powers of the Belnades line to the Belmont
Christopher Belmont (ク リ ス ト ファー ・ ベ ル モ ン line, which would be most prominently seen in Juste Bel-
ド Kurisutofā Berumondo) starred in three Castlevania mont.
games as a protagonist, two for the Game Boy system and He later plays a secondary role in Curse of Darkness,
one for the Wii. The two Game Boy games were Castle- where he is investigating the rise of Dracula in the re-
vania: The Adventure and Castlevania II: Belmont's re- gion. He confronts the Devil Forgemaster Hector, and
venge. In Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge, Christo- although initially treats him with contempt, he aids him
pher had to rescue his son, Soleiyu Belmont, after he was in his quest. After being injured by Isaac, Julia LaForeze
kidnapped by Count Dracula. He appears for the Wii gets to him in time, but he is unable to do anything for
in Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth. He also was the remainder of the battle. Meanwhile, Hector succeeds
the protagonist in the limited Castlevania: The Belmont in stopping Isaac and sending Draculaʼs castle back into
Legacy comic book series released by IDW Publishing. the abyss, effectively lifting the curse placed three years
Christopher was a pre-existing character in the Castleva- prior. So, despite his nearly fatal defeat, Trevorʼs mis-
nia universe even before the games he starred in were re- sion was accomplished. In the game he is unlocked after
leased, as he is mentioned by name in the Japanese man- beating the game with Hector.
ual for the first Famicom Castlevania title, as the last Bel-
mont to have defeated Dracula, a hundred years before He, along with Sypha Belnades and Grant Danasty, later
Simon. makes a cameo appearance in Castlevania: Symphony of
the Night when zombies impersonate the trio to antago-
nize Alucard. The same zombie impersonators also ap-
Soleil Belmont pear in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin when Jonathan Mor-
ris and Charlotte Aulin trek the Nest of Evil.
Soleil Belmont (ソレイユ･ベルモンド Soreiyu Beru-
mondo, Soleil Belmondo) Soleiyu Belmont appears as a By Simon Belmont's era (as shown in Castlevania: Judg-
non-playable character in Castlevania II: Belmont's Re- ment), Trevor Belmont is looked up to by his future de-
venge, which was released for the Game Boy in 1991. scendants, along with his wife Sypha, his ally Alucard and
Judging from the spelling in the Japanese version of the his friend Grant, known as the “Greatest Three”. This
game, the name “Soleiyu”was probably meant to be pushes Simon, who is trapped in the Time Rift, to seek
Soleil, the French word for“Sun”. He is called Soleil in them to prove his worthiness.
the 1998 re-release of the game for the European market He is voiced by Steve Staley in Curse of Darkness, Gideon
Konami GB Collection Vol. 4. Emery in Judgment and Richard Madden in Mirror of
12 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

Fate. and Trevor married, adding her magical aptitude to the

Belmont bloodline.
Grant Danasty In the manual included with the Japanese Dracula's
Curse, it is stated that she lost her parents when she was
Grant Danasty (グ ラ ン ト・ ダ ナ ス ティ Guranto young and was found wandering near a monastery in Wal-
Danasuti) is a character in Castlevania III and Castle- lachia. She was adopted by the monks there. Judgment
vania Judgment. His name was formerly localized as expands that she belonged to a coven of witches who were
Grant Danasty in the English version of Castlevania III. executed as a result of Dracula's scheming. In the Judg-
A young pirate (although listed as an acrobat in the end- ment storyline it is revealed that Grant actually carried
ing sequence of the Castlevania III Japanese version) and a torch for her since their first meeting in Castlevania,
skilled knife fighter whose ship was corrupted by Drac- however, lacking the resolve to confess to her his feel-
ula's magic, he was transformed into a demon and took ings, he lets her slip into Trevor Belmont's arms. De-
over a clock tower in Wallachia. When defeated by spite this, Sypha is said to have missed her friend when
Trevor Belmont he became human again and decided to he chose to refuse his invitation to her marriage, patching
travel with Trevor to Dracula's castle. After Dracula's up their friendship only after Grant's return from the Rift.
defeat he oversaw the restoration of the lands that had Despite this brief moment of confusion, Sypha, Grant
been affected by Dracula's evil. He had loved Sypha and and Trevor are known in Belmont history as The Greatest
wanted to marry her. He held jealousy to Trevor, and Three, friends and warriors supreme, an example to all
chose not to go to their wedding. While rebuilding the her descendants to follow.
nation he ended up in a time rift, and was challenged to She is voiced by Dorothy Elias-Fahn in Judgment.
fight several champions. He believed that the time rift
would give him a chance to change history allowing him
to marry Sypha instead. But his encounters lead to battle Hector
with both Sypha and Trevor. After defeating them, he
learned to forgive his friend. After Grant was returned Hector (ヘクター Hekutā) is the devil forgemaster and
to his own time, he was later remembered not as the one the main protagonist of Curse of Darkness. He betrayed
who had helped defeat Dracula but as the man who had Dracula and left for a normal life. He took back his devil
rebuilt Wallachia (Castlevania Judgement). Despite this, forgemaster powers to defeat Isaac and once again bring
Simon Belmont is clearly shown to remember him as one peace back to the land. The player controls Hector in the
of the Greatest Three, forever linked to the Belmont Fam- normal play mode. He bears a striking resemblance to
ily as a dear friend of his ancestors and a strong warrior. Alucard.
His surname is likely a reference to the historical House He is voiced by Crispin Freeman.
of Dăneşti, who were persecuted by the historical Vlad
III.
Isaac
He is voiced by Kirk Thornton in Judgment.
Isaac (アイザック Aizakku) appears in Curse of Dark-
Sypha Belnades ness and Akumajo Dracula Pachislot. He is Hector's fel-
low rival, he stayed loyal to Dracula after Trevor defeated
Sypha Belnades (サイファ・ヴェルナンデス Saifa him a few years before the start of the game. The player
Verunandesu) (aka Sypha Fernandez according to Har- will fight Isaac a few times over the course of the game.
mony of Dissonance) appears in Castlevania III and He is voiced by Liam O'Brien.
Castlevania Judgment. A priestess (although she intro-
duces herself as a vampire hunter to Trevor in the Castl-
evania III Japanese version) and witch of the church who Julia Laforeze
uses elemental magic in battle, Sypha hid her gender to
become a vampire hunter. She fought for the church to Julia Laforeze (ジュ リ ア・ ラ フォ レー ゼ Juria
destroy evil, though her sister witches were hunted down Raforēze) is Isaac's sister and a witch. She provides items
by the church. She went on a journey to confront and for the player in a shop. Hector notes she bears a resem-
destroy Dracula. On her way to the battle she ended up blance to Rosaly, his deceased lover.
in the Time Rift, and decided to take it upon herself to She is voiced by Dorothy Elias-Fahn.
defeat those tainted by darkness, despite which side they
were on. Upon the defeat of the Time Reaper she was
returned to her own era (Judgment). She continued her Saint Germain
journey to destroy Dracula, but was defeated by his min-
ion, the Cyclops, and imprisoned in stone. She was freed Saint Germain (サンジェルマン Sanjeruman) appears
when Trevor Belmont killed the Cyclops and aided Trevor in Curse of Darkness and Akumajo Dracula Pachislot.
in his battle against Dracula. After Dracula's death she He is a person against Death. He can travel through time.
2.1. CHARACTERS OF THE ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES 13

He constantly asks Hector to abandon his quest, but never
succeeds. He does fight Hector at one point in the game.
His name is likely a reference to the historical figure of
the same name.
He is voiced by Adam D. Clark.
He is referred to by name in Castlevania Judgment when
the Time Reaper is defeated. He is implied to be the one
who sent the Time Reaper back 10,000 years into the past
destroy Dracula and erase history.

2.1.5 Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the

Angela Night
Angela is a magical dancing girl from the Akumajo Drac- Main articles: Castlevania: Rondo of Blood and
ula Pachislot games. She aids Ralph C. Belmont on his Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
quest to stop Dracula, who has prematurely risen again.
She casts a spell that annihilates a horde of skeletons
and during Ralph's battle with Dracula, she is able to use
magic to resuscitate him to continue the battle. Richter Belmont

Richter Belmont (リヒター・ベルモンド Rihitā Beru-

2.1.4 Kid Dracula mondo) has starred as a protagonist in Castlevania X:
Rondo of Blood (and Dracula X Chronicles, Castlevania
Main article: Kid Dracula Dracula X for the SNES), Symphony of the Night, and
Akumajō Dracula: The Medal (an arcade medallion slot
Kid Dracula is a spinoff of the Castlevania series set game). His first appearance was as the main character in
sometime in the distant future. In Japan the series Akumajō Dracula X Chi no Rondo (and its remakes). In
is called Akumajō Dracula Special: Boku Dracula-kun. Symphony of the Night, a direct sequel which takes place
Though elements from the series have been referenced five years later, he became a possessed enemy, but upon
throughout the main Castlevania series, the series has not completing the game, an option to play the entire game
been listed on any timeline published by Konami. as him is unlocked. He is also playable in an extra mode
in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin.
Hero of the Castlevania: Dracula X games and also a
Kid Dracula major character in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night,
Richter had to battle legions of Dracula's monsters to
Kid Dracula is a 10,009 year old being and the lord of save his love interest Annette. In Symphony of the Night,
Castlevania. He had to retake the castle from Galamoth Richter mysteriously disappears. He was cursed and
to return to his throne. Kid Dracula defeated Galamoth placed under the control of Shaft, a dark priest and ser-
a second time, after the being attempted to capture the vant of Dracula. Players will end up facing Richter.
castle again. (Kid Dracula GB). Throughout the series Killing Richter will result in one of two bad endings,
Kid Dracula makes references to his “father”. whereas saving him will continue the game.
In the Game Boy sequel, Kid Dracula is the son of the lord In his first two appearances, as well as the prologue for
of the castle.It's hinted that Kid Dracula is an alternative the third, Richter wears a headband and a blue uniform.
version of Alucard. In Symphony of the Night, only in the Saturn version fol-
lowing the prologue, he wears his hair quite a bit longer
and is dressed in much more regal attire. He also gains
Galamoth a few new abilities, notably a dash, a slide attack, and a
super jump that doubles as an uppercut. Richter appears
Galamoth (⼤魔王ガラモス Daimaō Garamosu) (aka in two remakes of Rondo of Blood which include Dracula
Garamoth) is the Lord of Space. He is originally from X and Dracula X Chronicles.
the Kid Dracula series. Sometime in the distant future, In Portrait of Ruin, Jonathan Morris fights a recreation of
Galamoth tried to take over the Dracula's Castle to be- Richter (called “Whip's Memory”) in a test created by
come the new Demonlord, but was defeated by Kid Drac- Stella and Loretta Lecarde to unlock the Vampire Killer's
ula (Kid Dracula Famicom/Mobile phones). He tried to full power, as he is considered to be the last known Bel-
retake the castle again, but was defeated a second time mont to wield the whip before Julius Belmont killed Drac-
(Kid Dracula GB). ula in 1999. Richter also appears in the game as one of
Galamoth later appeared as an optional boss in Symphony the Five Greatest.
of the Night, located in the Floating Catacombs. Richter is voiced by Scott McCulloch in Symphony of the
Galamoth appeared in Aria of Sorrow as a soul that al- Night * [11] and David Vincent in Rondo of Blood and its
lowed Soma Cruz to see past areas blocked by time. remakes.
14
Richter Belmont is found in Rondo of Blood (and its remakes),
and Symphony of the Night.
Maria Renard
Maria Renard (マリア･ラーネッド Maria Rāneddo) is
a local village girl with the power to control animals. She
appears in the PC Engine video game Akumajō Dracula
X: Rondo of Blood (and its remakes Dracula X Chroni-
cles for PSP and Castlevania Dracula X for Super NES),
as well as in Symphony of the Night, Castlevania Judg-
ment, and Akumajō Dracula: The Medal. She is a distant
blood relative of the Belmont clan* [12]* [13] (no men-
tion of that connection is to be found in Castlevania: The
Dracula X Chronicles, where she is instead said to be the
daughter of a local lord). In the Super NES version of
Castlevania: Dracula X, she's also said to be the sister of
CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS
Richter's beloved Annette, a detail that's not alluded to in
the other games. She was later adopted by the Belmont
family in Castlevania Judgment.
In 1792, Maria's parents were killed, and she was cap-
tured, along with several other young women, and taken
to Dracula's castle. Richter Belmont saved Maria from
Shaft, one of Dracula's servants, who was attempting
to cast a spell on her. Once Maria is rescued, she be-
comes playable and uses various magically enhanced an-
imal attacks for combat. There exists an ending in which
Maria confronts and defeats the Count instead of Richter.
In the introduction sequence to Symphony of the Night
(a retelling of the final boss battle Rondo of Blood), if
Richter's health completely runs out, a twelve-year-old
Maria will appear and amplify Richter with her magic
in his effort to defeat Dracula. Judgment further explains
that she fought alongside Richter in defeating Dracula and
has power that rivals the Belmonts. Unlike Annette, if
you fail to save her in Rondo of Blood, you will not face
her at the end.
Four years after the defeat of Dracula, Richter vanished.
Maria immediately set out to find him. After a year of
searching, in 1797, she finally found Castlevania. In the
castle she learned that Richter was working in concert
with the dark forces. With Maria's help, the half-vampire
Alucard was able to break Shaft's hold on Richter and
defeat Dracula. Depending on certain player actions in
Symphony, the player will receive different endings. In
one, Maria will admit to not being able to live without
Alucard and go after him. In another, she will resign her-
self due to the fact that she cannot ease his torment and
returns home with Richter.
Maria also appears in Judgment. There, she's shown act-
ing in a more childish way: she constantly trips and mis-
calculates her powerful magics, for comedic effect, and
she acts mostly unaware of the Time Rift's nature, for ex-
ample believing that Simon and Trevor merely stole the
Vampire Killer from her friend Richter. Furthermore,
this incarnation of Maria is seemingly obsessed with her
diminutive frame and her younger age, going so far to
openly complain against Camilla and Shanoa for their
more mature bodies, and claim that Sypha's large breasts
are a gift from God, lashing out to her ancestor for sug-
gesting that her beauty may pose a liability in combat.
She is voiced by Kimberly Forsythe in Symphony of the
Night, Philece Sampler in Judgment, and Michelle Ruff
in The Dracula X Chronicles and the PSP version of Sym-
phony of the Night.
Shaft
Shaft (シャフト Shafuto) is a dark priest that appears
as antagonist in Akumajō Dracula X Chi no Rondo and
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. In 1792, Shaft aids
Dracula in his plans to kidnap several young women. He
is defeated by Richter Belmont after conjuring several
2.1. CHARACTERS OF THE ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES 15

monsters in an attempt to defeat him. Later in the game, humans and tells Dracula she will love him for eternity,
Shaft's ghost makes a final attempt to stop the hero. which Alucard relays in Symphony of the Night. She was
In 1797, Dracula's monsters kidnap Richter and indirectly the reason Dracula swore the destruction of
brainwash him. Shaft is instrumental in using his evil mankind.
powers to control Richter, turning him against anyone She is voiced by Alison Lester and Wendee Lee.
who seeks to defy Dracula. Maria guesses that he is un-
der their influence and helps Alucard to see past Shaft's
deception. Alucard is able to save Richter instead of Golem
killing him, and goes on to defeat Shaft, although not be-
fore Shaft successfully revives Dracula just before being Golem is a recurring character found throughout the
stopped for good. Castlevania series. His first appearance was in Rondo
of Blood.* [15] Golem was originally created by Camilla
He is voiced by Jeffery Manning and Tony Oliver. to be a mindless guard of ancient ruins. When he was
pulled into the time rift by Aeon, the rift gives him self-
Annette awareness. He fought the champions to become hu-
man, and discover the meaning of his existence. He lost
Annette (アネット Anetto) is Richter Belmont's fiancée. his self-awareness, after being returned to his own time
In Castlevania: Rondo of Blood̶and also Dracula X for frame (Castlevania Judgment). IGA says he is based on
the SNES and Dracula X Chronicles for the PSP̶she Golem-type monsters, like the Franken, from Castlevania
was kidnapped by Dracula's minions, along with Maria, I.* [16]
Iris, and Terra. Failing to save her will result in having to He is voiced by Jamieson Price in Judgment.
face her as a possessed vampiress in Dracula X and The
Dracula X Chronicles. She is English voice-dubbed by
Sally Cahill in The Dracula X Chronicles. In the English Alucard
localization of the SNES game Castlevania: Dracula X,
her name was spelled as "Anett" during the game's intro Main article: Alucard (Castlevania)
storyline. Depicted as a purple haired young girl in her
original Rondo of Blood design, she was redesigned as a Alucard (アルカード Arukādo) is Dracula's only child,
blonde in the same way as Maria, and wearing more aris- the half-vampire son of the Count and a human woman
tocratic attire in Dracula X for the SNES and in Chroni- named Lisa. He appears in Castlevania III, Aria of Sor-
cles for the PSP. row, Dawn of Sorrow, Judgment & Legends, and stars in
Symphony of the Night. He is voiced by Robert Belgrade
Iris and Terra (Symphony of the Night) and Yuri Lowenthal (all other
roles). A reference to the 1940s movie“Son of Dracula”
Terra (テラ Tera) is the lead priest of Richter's village, , Alucard is“Dracula”spelled backwards. This is a title
and Iris (イリス Irisu) is the doctor's daughter. They Alucard seems to have adopted for himself, as his actual
were kidnapped by Dracula's minions to taunt Richter, full name is Adrian Fahrenheight Tepes.
along with Annette and Maria. The way to rescue them is Alucard also appeared in Captain N: The Game Master
much simpler than rescuing Annette: To rescue Terra, go voiced by Ian James Corlett.
to stage 3ʼand find the hidden brick wall. Break through it
Alucard appears in Mirror of Fate, the second game in
and go down the stairs and you've rescued Terra, who will
the Lords of Shadow reboot series. It is revealed that this
give you the ability to kill red skeletons and break through
version of Alucard was originally Trevor Belmont, the son
red skeleton walls.* [14] To rescue Iris, go to stage 4ʼand
of Gabriel and Marie Belmont, before being turned into
go on top of the log ladders. Once you find a blue frog,
a vampire. Trevor grew up not knowing of his true ori-
do not kill it. Instead, let it follow you to a layer of frog
gin until the Brotherhood of Light reveals to him who
statues, one of which has nothing on it. The blue frog
his parents were. Believing that his father, Gabriel who
will jump onto the stone and you'll be able to go under
became Dracula, murdered his mother in cold blood, he
the log ladders and go down the stairs to rescue Iris, who
decides to pursue him, in the hopes of destroying him
will give you the ability to break through crystal walls.
and bringing peace. During the fight Trevor is defeated
and stabbed with his Combat Cross. Dying and gazing
Lisa at the Mirror of Fate he finally realizes the truth of what
really happened to Gabriel and feels sorry for him, call-
Lisa (リサ Risa) is Alucard's mother, and Dracula's sec- ing him his father. Dracula feeling confused, gazes at the
ond wife. Unlike others, she could see past his person- mirror as well and learns who Trevor was all along. Re-
ality and see a lonely man. She died from being accused morseful for killing his own son who had been unknown
of witchcraft after healing villagers with mountain herbs. to him the entire time, Dracula tries to bring him back to
Alucard witnessed her death and promised her not to hate life by making him drink his blood, which seems to be
16 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

in vain. Dracula mourns over his loss, and places Trevor
in a coffin with the name Alucard, since he never learned
his son's real name. Many years later Alucard awakens,
with pale white skin, white hair, and glowing orange eyes.
He meets up with Dracula and his own son, Simon. Alu-
card tries to finish what he started, angry that his father
turned him into a vampire. Dracula asks Alucard to join
him in remaking the world and destroying the brother-
hood, but Alucard refuses. Dracula proceeds to attack
Simon for being a Belmont, wishing to end the Belmont
bloodline due to his hatred of his past life. Alucard and
Simon manage to defeat Dracula, and part ways as Drac-
ula's castle crumbles.
Alucard also appears as a supporting character in the se-
quel, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, playing an im-
portant role in his father's journey of redemption. He
is playable in the DLC Revelations taking place shortly
prior to the events of the main game. In the Lords of
Shadow series Alucard is voiced by Game of Thrones ac-
tor Richard Madden.
Master Librarian
The Master Librarian (図書館の主 Toshokan no Aruji)
is the loyal servant of Dracula in charge of the knowledge
of the library. He will sell items to young master Alucard
for a price.
He is voiced by Dennis Falt and Kyle Hebert.
Succubus
Transylvania.* [18] She was born with special abilities that
allowed her to sense the presence of physical and spiritual
beings, and was taught how to use a whip by her grandfa-
ther.* [19] It is not explicitly stated whether the whip she
uses is the Vampire Killer or not.
Within the castle, she encounters Alucard, the half-
vampire son of Dracula. She had met him some time
before and it can be inferred from their dialogue that the
two had formed a romantic relationship.* [20] Alucard
was intent on dissuading Sonia from her goal, planning
to stop his father alone. When Sonia would not yield,
he challenged her to a battle to test her abilities. After
she defeated him, Alucard was confident that Sonia could
overcome Dracula and he went into a self-imposed sleep.
Sonia defeated Dracula, and spared Europe from his evil
influence for a time. Sometime after Dracula's defeat, So-
nia bore a child who“would carry on the fate and tragedy
of the Belmont family, and the bloodline of dark ways.”
*
[21] The child would grow up to fight Dracula again and
become a hero.* [22]
Sonia was one of the confirmed leads in the Dreamcast
game Castlevania: Resurrection, up until that game's can-
cellation.* [23]* [24]* [25]
2.1.7 Bloodlines and Portrait of Ruin
Main articles: Castlevania: Bloodlines and Castlevania:
Portrait of Ruin

In Symphony of the Night, the Succubus (サキュバス

Sakyubasu) copies Lisa to change Alucard's side. When
she was defeated, she realized who Alucard was, and died John Morris
by his hand. The succubus character (or a creature of
the same race) also appears in Lament of Innocence and John Morris, known as Johnny Morris (ジョニー・モ
Akumajo Dracula Pachislot. リス Jonī Morisu) in Japan, made an appearance in a sin-
gle Castlevania game, Castlevania: Bloodlines. He is a
She is voiced by Barbara Whitlow in Castlevania: Sym-
descendant of the Belmont family, and wields the Vam-
phony of the Night and by Wendee Lee in Castlevania:
pire Killer whip, much like his ancestors. John died some
Lament of Innocence.
time after the events of Bloodlines, as it was revealed his
wounds wouldn't heal. This was caused by his using the
2.1.6 Legends Vampire Killer whip, which would sap the strength of
someone that was not a full-blooded descendant of the
Main article: Castlevania Legends Belmont lineage, but by the time John learned this, it was
too late.

Castlevania Legends and Sonia Belmont were rendered Bloodlines is deeply intertwined with the storyline of
non-canonical when the game was redacted from IGA's Bram Stoker's Dracula. As such, the father of John Mor-
series timeline due to inconsistencies.* [17] ris is Quincy Morris, a character from the novel. It is
only known that the Morrises are somehow of Belmont
lineage. It is interesting to note, that in the novel, Quincy
Sonia Belmont stabs Dracula at the cost of his life, while Harker cuts off
Dracula's head. The very fact however, that he managed
Sonia Belmont (ソ ニ ア・ ベ ル モ ン ド Sonia Beru- to unknowingly deal a crippling blow to Dracula may have
mondo) is the protagonist of Castlevania Legends. At been the foundation for his part in the Castlevania version
the age of seventeen she lived in a remote part of of these events.
2.1. CHARACTERS OF THE ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES 17

Jonathan's father. Once his daughters are rescued and

Brauner and Dracula are both destroyed, Eric appears be-
fore his friends and family and gives them one last heart-
felt moment together before crossing over into the after-
life.
In Judgment, Eric believed that the spear's potential was
greater than the whip, and sought to prove that. While
training he found himself in a time rift, having been
brought there by Aeon. Eric believed the rift would give
him a chance to prove the spear's potential against the
Vampire Killer. After the defeat of Galamoth he was re-
turned to his own time (Judgment).
He is voiced by David Vincent in Portrait of Ruin and
Stephanie Sheh in Judgment.

Elizabeth Bartley

According to the game story, Elizabeth Bartley (エリ

ザベート・バートリー Erisabēto Bātorī ) is Dracula's
niece, raised back from the dead by her servant Drolta
Tzuentes (ドロテア・ツェンテス Dorotea Tsentesu).
She is based on the actual Countess Erzsébet Báthory,
and was likely intended to be her, as Báthory's first name
is commonly anglicized to “Elizabeth”, and the name
“Bartley”likely being a mistranslation.

The cast of characters from Castlevania: Bloodlines.

Jonathan Morris

Eric Lecarde Jonathan Morris (ジョ ナ サ ン・ モ リ ス Jonasan

Morisu) is a member of the Morris family of vampire
Eric Lecarde (エリック・リカード Erikku Rikādo) hunters and appears in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. The
appears in Bloodlines, Portrait of Ruin, and Judgment. wielder of the Vampire Killer in 1944, Jonathan received
Born on May 3, 1892 in Segovia, Spain, he uses the Alu- basic training from his father John Morris as a child. He
card Spear (mistranslated as “Alcarde Spear”in Blood- tends to be a reckless youth, a trait which makes his child-
hood friend Charlotte Aulin worry about his well being
lines). The spear was created by Alucard to compliment
the power of the Vampire Killer, and fight alongside the much of the time. He can, however, be very observant.
After his father died, Jonathan grew to resent him, though
Morris line. When Elizabeth Bartley attempted to revive
Dracula, Eric volunteered to fight alongside his friend neither he nor Charlotte knew that the soul-sapping ef-
fects of a non-Belmont using the Vampire Killer in battle
John Morris in the hunt. However, he had not told John
the real reason behind his appetite for vengeance: the resulted in his death.
Countess turned the love of his life, Gwendolyn, into a After learning the truth about his father and the Vampire
vampire. Killer from Eric, Jonathan gained a new found respect
Years later, Eric set out towards Dracula's Castle to in- for his father. Jonathan may then choose whether or not
vestigate its reappearance, but was slain by the vampire to battle the whip's memory of Richter Belmont, the last
Brauner. Unbeknowest to him, Eric's daughters had fol- Belmont to wield the whip, and successfully unleash the
lowed him into the castle and bore witness to his death, full power of the Vampire Killer, knowing full well that
but both were then bitten by Brauner and turned into vam- he may perish from using it, though it is up to the player
pires. Unable to cross into the afterlife, Eric's ghost re- to decide whether to engage this optional encounter, and
mained in the castle and was later met by Jonathan Mor- the canonical choice is unknown. Regardless, Jonathan
ris and Charlotte Aulin. Initially calling himself“Wind” and Charlotte traveled to the top of Dracula's Castle, and
, Eric tested the pair's abilities with various side-quests. battled the combined forces of Count Dracula and Death,
After being confronted by Jonathan following a skirmish which had not previously occurred before according to
with Stella, in which a locket holding a photo of him and Charlotte. When Dracula was vanquished, his castle was
his daughters was recovered, Eric disclosed his true iden- destroyed and Jonathan and the others escaped unscathed.
tity and the full story behind himself, his daughters, and He is voiced by Liam O'Brien.
18 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

Charlotte Aulin Jonathan and Charlotte. Although it is possible to kill the

sisters (triggering a bad ending), it is required to use a pu-
Charlotte Aulin (シャーロット・オーリン Shārotto rification spell called “Sanctuary”to cure them of their
Ōrin) is a magic user said to be descended from the Bel- vampirism.
nades clan. This could be due to the fact that she has
Upon regaining their senses, Stella and Loretta open a
incredible potential as a sorceress. Along with Jonathan,
door that leads to Brauner's studio and also offer Jonathan
she ventures into the castle to destroy Dracula. She is a
a way to unlock the true power of the Vampire Killer.
smart girl who relies on enchanted books for information,
Upon defeating Dracula, Jonathan, Charlotte, Stella, and
to cast spells, and to summon weapons for close-range
Loretta escape the castle, where Eric appears before them
attacks. She also tends to be a nosy and talkative per-
and tells his daughters to stop being hard on themselves
son, which is how she found out about Jonathan and the
and to live on. Eric passes to the other side, leaving Stella
Vampire Killer, something which, according to Jonathan,
and Loretta in tears, but they soon recover and thank
she was supposed to keep secret. Charlotte is concerned
Jonathan and Charlotte.
about Jonathan's ability to wield the whip and assists him
with the best she can, but she hates getting treated as Stella and Loretta are playable in“Sisters Mode”, which
(or even being called) a child. She tends to take things takes place before the main game and chronicles their
rationally and logically, which makes her seem unemo- search for their missing father. Unlike Jonathan and
tional but she is in fact a caring and compassionate young Charlotte, the player use the stylus to attack and the D-
woman. Pad to move them around, as they can also fly. As Stella,
the player attacks enemies by slicing enemies with the sty-
She is voiced by Stephanie Sheh.
lus, and as Loretta, the player points at enemies to shoot
a beam of ice.
Brauner
Vincent Dorin
Brauner (ブ ロー ネ ル Burōneru) is a famous painter
who forsook his humanity after losing his daughters Vincent Dorin (ヴィ ン セ ン ト・ ド リ ン Vinsento
during World War I. Now a vampire, he screams for Dorin) is a priest that serves as the game merchant.
vengeance upon humanity for their deaths. Jonathan and Charlotte meet him in front of the castle
When Dracula's Castle first appeared, Brauner used his and then near the entrance. Vincent is a rather greedy
special paintings to keep Dracula sealed so that he could person, even if he explains that it is for the church. He
keep the dark lord's power all for himself. Eric Lecarde also get bitten during the game and begs the two heroes to
set off to investigate the castle, but was ambushed by cure him (the player can choose to cure him or not, and
Brauner and slain. At the same time, Eric's daughters while it affects the ending, it is not something noticeable).
Stella and Loretta arrived to bear witness to their father's Even when cured, he isn't as much in debt concerning his
death, and Brauner bit both girls so as to turn them into merchandise.
his new vampiric “daughters”. His name was reused for an abbot in the reboot, Lords of
When Jonathan and Charlotte finally confront Brauner, Shadow. He went insane by isolating himself and protect-
he flies into a rage over having lost his“daughters”again ing a priceless artifact, while his townspeople were being
and attacks the pair. As he is defeated, Brauner explains slaughtered by supernatural creatures.
the reasons for his actions, but is then slain by Death in Abbot Vincent Dorin is played by Adrian Schiller.
order to revive Dracula.
He is voiced by Jamieson Price.
2.1.8 Castlevania (Nintendo 64) and Legacy
of Darkness
Stella and Loretta
Main articles: Castlevania (Nintendo 64) and
Stella (ステラ Sutera) and Loretta (ロレッタ Roretta) Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
are the daughters of Eric Lecarde, though they have been
turned into vampires by Brauner and now serve him. IGA claimed in 2006 that Castlevania and Legacy of
Stella is a master swordswoman with powerful wind- Darkness for the Nintendo 64 were considered side
based attacks, while Loretta wields powerful ice spells. projects to his timeline.* [26] However, the games were
Brauner's “daughters”initially prevent Jonathan and later listed on the 20th Anniversary Timeline, without
Charlotte from investigating the castle. However, after any description.* [27] IGA later clarified that he looks
a brief skirmish with Stella, they find a locket contain- at the titles as "...a Castlevania “gaiden”(subseries)"
ing a picture with both girls and Eric Lecarde, prompting and complimented them by stating "...they both have
Eric to explain what happened to his daughters and how a really unique take on the Castlevania world.”* [28]
he died. Later, both Stella and Loretta appear to attack Iga later included Cornell in Castlevania Judgment (Nov
 2.1. CHARACTERS OF THE ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES 19

2008) (drawn from his era of the timeline by magical Rosa

forces* [29]). The game and manual makes references to
Legacy of Darkness story. Events and characters related
to the game such as Ada are mentioned during Cornell's
mission and by some of the characters who encounter
Cornell during their missions (such as Death & Camilla).
Legacy of Darkness is said to be Cornell's previous ap-
pearance in the manual.* [30]
Reinhardt Schneider
Though the Belmont surname may no longer follow Rein-
hardt Schneider (ラインハルト・シュナイダー Rain-
haruto Shunaidā) (early in development, his name was
Schneider Belmont), the blood inside of his veins remains
the same, and his destiny is no different. He is the son of
Michael Gelhart Schneider. Villagers have been found
mutilated and drained of blood near Dracula's castle, and
Reinhardt has to stop it. He carries the typical Vampire
Killer whip but can also wield a shortsword for close-
range combat for which the whip may prove unsuitable;
although the surname “Schneider”usually carries the
same connotation as does the English surname“Barber,”
its literal translation from German is the more general
“one who cuts.”
He is voiced by Andrew Hanikson.
Rosa (ローゼ Rōze, Rose) is a woman who was recently
turned into a vampire. She meets Reinhardt and Carrie
in the Villa, watering flowers with blood. She plays a ma-
jor role in Reinhardt's quest. She is seen next attempt-
ing to kill herself, walking into sunlight. Reinhardt stops
her. She is then encountered with Death in the Castle
Center in which she and Reinhardt do battle. She is de-
feated by him but is spared before Death takes her away.
When Death ambushes Reinhardt, Rosa sacrifices herself
by throwing herself into the path of Death's scythes. Rosa
is comforted by Reinhardt as she dies, and then Death is
defeated by a vengeful Reinhardt. In the end, after Drac-
ula's defeat, Rosa is seen restored into human form and
she and Reinhardt look upon Dracula's sunken castle.
Gilles de Rais
Gilles de Rais (ジルドレ Jirudore) is one of Dracula's
servants. He used Cornell's power to reincarnate his mas-
ter in the body of Malus. He later disguises himself as
Dracula in preparation for his lord's eventual resurrection
and kidnapped children to offer them as sacrifice and thus
resurrect his master. He is later defeated by Reinhardt
and Carrie in Dracula's throne room, where it is revealed
he was an imposter.

Carrie Fernandez Renon

Carrie Fernandez (キャリー・ヴェルナンデス Kyarī
Verunandesu) is a magic-wielding girl descended from
the Fernandez clan, a family related by blood to the Bel-
nades. She was estranged from the populace of Wallachia
for her affinity with magic, her mother dying to protect
her from an angry mob. She turned her back on others,
but when she learned that Dracula had once again risen,
she took it upon herself to use her powers to stop him.
She is Camilla Fernandez's cousin, who is also captured
by a vampire and turned into one.
She is voiced by Bianca Allen.
Renon (レノン Renon) is a demonic salesman who ap-
pears intermittently throughout the game. He claims that
“one needs gold even in Hell these days”, and will gladly
sell the player various power-ups such as spells and po-
tions. Renon can be summoned by picking up a contract
scroll that appears in various levels. The scroll then turns
into an open briefcase. If the player spends more than
30,000 gold pieces before encountering Dracula, Renon
transforms into his demon form and attempts to claim
your soul for Hell.
Charles Vincent

Actrise Charles Vincent (チャー ル ズ ビ ン セ ン ト Chāruzu

Vinsento) is a vampire hunter. His mannerisms seem to
Actrise (アクトリーセ Akutorīse) is a Dracula's witch indicate that he is very intelligent, but lacks real experi-
servant, she sacrificed her own child to become immor- ence with vampires or other evils. Charles plays a key
tal. She plays an antagonist role in Carrie's quest, offering role in the game.
her a chance to join Dracula, in which Carrie refuses. In
the Castle Center, Actrise sics a Fernandez warrior, who If the player takes less time in reaching the Castle Keep
became a vampire, on Carrie in an attempt to stop her and defeats Dracula for the first time, he changes back
from reaching Dracula. After Carrie defeats her cousin, into Malus, but Charles douses him with holy water, be-
she and Actrise do battle on top of one of the castle tow- fore Dracula warps the player to an alternate dimension
ers, in which Actrise is overwhelmed and killed by Carrie. for the final battle. After Dracula's defeat, Charles' fate
She also appears in Cornell's quest and taunts him, and is is unknown.
revealed to be responsible for turning Henry's father into However, if the player takes more time in reaching the
a vampire. Castle Keep, Charles will arrive before them. He will
20 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

fail in his attempt to subdue Dracula, and will be turned Ortega

into a vampire instead. The player will be forced to fight
and kill Charles. If this happens, then the heroes will not Ortega (オルテガ Orutega) grew up in the same vil-
see through Dracula's illusions and ultimately fail in their lage as Cornell, a fellow man-beast, being a friend of his,
quest. but also a rival. The rivalry caused Ortega an increasing
amount of frustration, as he was constantly being outdone
on every occasion, and he started searching for a way to
gain the kind of powers that would make him stronger
than even Cornell.
This search led him on the path of darkness, as the only
Cornell one able to grant him the request proved to be Dracula.
As a condition for gaining the new powers, Dracula de-
manded of Ortega to aid his demons on their mission to
Cornell (コーネル Kōneru), also known as“Blue Cres- kidnap Cornell's sister Ada and destroy the village. He
cent Moon”, is a werewolf seen in both Castlevania: was also to stop Cornell from rescuing Ada. Ortega ac-
Legacy of Darkness and Castlevania Judgment. He is cepted these conditions, and thus sealed his pact with the
a member of a warrior clan cursed to turn into beast- devil, gaining amazing power, but losing his humanity.
men. He is the only member of his clan who had the
Ortega eventually fights Cornell as a Chimera on top one
ability to control his change. He was the only one of his
of the castle towers, but is defeated by him. Ortega ac-
brethren who refused to join the forces of Dracula. He
cepts his defeat, but with his powers becoming out of con-
honed his skills in the hopes of finding a cure for his clan
trol, he leaps off the castle tower to his death.
and to protect his sister Ada. One day while out train-
ing he found himself unable to control his powers and
was stuck in beast form (Castlevania Judgement). He en- Henry Oldrey
countered Aeon, a time traveler, who told him he had
entered a time rift. Aeon challenged him, and told him Henry Oldrey (ヘンリー・オルドレー Henrī Orudorē)
the time rift would let him learn more about the nature is the son of Mary and J. A. Oldrey. He was rescued by
of the curse. After encountering several champions from Cornell. Years later he became a knight of the church. He
different eras, he learns from Camilla and Death that they helped rescue the children kidnapped by Gilles de Rais.
still need him, and is told that there is a possibility of a
cure for him (though he doesn't trust them). After the de-
feat of the Time Reaper, Cornell was returned to his own 2.1.9 Circle of the Moon
era, 1844. He returned to find his village in flame, and
his sister Ada kidnapped. He then journeyed after the Main article: Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
kidnappers to save his sister. He discovered that Drac-
ula's castle had risen again, and that his fellow man-beast
IGA claimed in 2006 that Circle of the Moon was consid-
Ortega had kidnapped his sister. During his battles he
ered a side project to his timeline.* [26] Elements from
saves the young Henry Oldrey, and later defeats Ortega.
the game were mentioned in the English Xtreme Desk-
He learned from Ortega, that Death, Gilles De Rais, and
top Timeline, but the game itself was not included on
Actrise had plotted the kidnapping of Ada to empower a
the timeline. The English language timeline, distributed
newly raised Dracula. Dracula later reveals to the audi-
with preordered versions of Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
ence that his sister is not a blood relative. Cornell fights
in North America by Konami of America, includes the
Dracula to save her causing Dracula to be pulled into
date for Circle of the Moon though the events are not de-
a vortex of energy. Dracula traps Cornell with his last
scribed.* [32] Circle of the Moon continues to occupy an
power and tries to take Ada with him. The beast within
ambiguous place in the timelines published by Konami of
Cornell freed itself from his body and saves Ada, but is
Japan, Konami of America, and various gaming publica-
captured and pulled into the vortex by Dracula. Cornell
tions.
had become fully human, and was able to live the rest of
a normal life with Ada (Legacy of Darkness).
According to IGA,“I believe many people did not expect Nathan Graves
to see Cornell. I really wanted to include a beast man type
character, so I picked him.”* [31] Nathan Graves (ネ イ サ ン・ グ レー ブ ズ Neisan
Gurēbusu) is the protagonist of Circle of the Moon.
He is voiced by John Nuzzo (Legacy of Darkness), and Nathan's parents were friends of his teacher, Morris Bald-
Paul St. Peter (Judgment). win. Ten years before the events in Circle of the Moon,
A new version of Cornell appears in Lords of Shadow, Nathan's parents banished Dracula, at the cost of their
voiced by Richard Ridings. He is the Dark Lord of the lives. Morris managed to survive, and took Nathan as a
Lycans and the first Lords of Shadow Gabriel encounters. student. Nathan was trained alongside Morris' son, Hugh,
 2.1. CHARACTERS OF THE ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES 21

to become a vampire killer. Nathan has been chosen Maxim Kischine

by Morris to be the successor of the Hunter Whip. He
encounters many of Camilla's cohorts, such as Necro- Maxim Kischine (マクシーム・キシン Makushīmu
mancer (ネクロマンサー Nekuromansā), before saving Kishin) is a childhood friend and rival of Juste, and the
his master from lord Dracula . wielder of the Stellar Sword. He is responsible for unwill-
ingly triggering the events that take place in 1748, during
Harmony of Dissonance, by wishing to relieve Juste of
Hugh Baldwin his fate and become more powerful than he is. Inspired
by the tale of Simon Belmont, Maxim gathered the cursed
remains of Count Dracula so he could destroy them, and
Hugh Baldwin (ヒュー ・ボールドウィン Hyū Bōru-
in doing so created an evil Maxim in his soul that hun-
dowin) is the son of Morris and Nathan's rival. Hugh en-
gered for power and destruction like Dracula did.
vies Nathan for being chosen by his father for possession
of the Hunter Whip. However, Nathan does not recipro- In the best ending, Juste helps Maxim overcome his dark
cate his hate, and often tries to reason with him. Dracula influence by wearing their bracelets as a reminder of their
takes advantage of Hugh's discontent and entices him to friendship. Though not at full power, the evil Maxim
kill Nathan near the end of the game. After being de- takes Dracula's remains (gathered by Juste during his
feated, Hugh comes back to his senses and feels a new- quest) and turns into a ghostly incarnation of Dracula
found respect for Nathan and his father's decision to give (Dracula Wraith), then into a giant creature made of the
Nathan the Hunter Whip. body parts before finally being slain. Maxim is restored
to normal afterwards.
Maxim is playable in a secret gameplay mode of Harmony
Morris Baldwin of Dissonance. His Stellar Sword is also an obtainable
weapon in Portrait of Ruin. When wielding it, Jonathan
Morris Baldwin (モーリス・ボールドウィン Mōrisu can summon multiple illusions of himself to attack all on-
Bōrudowin) is Hugh's father and a veteran Vampire screen enemies, similar to Maxim's own abilities.
Hunter. He and Nathan's parents sealed Count Drac-
ula in 1820, ten years before the events in Circle of the
Moon. Morris chose Nathan as his successor instead of Lydie Erlanger
his son, Hugh, because he suspected that his son only
wanted the whip for the glory of inheriting the family Lydie Erlanger (リ ディー ・ エ ル ラ ン ジェ Ridī Eru-
heirloom. Though the game was not listed, Morris Bald- ranje) is a childhood friend to both Juste and Maxim, and
win was mentioned in the English Xtreme Desktop Time- a person whom they deeply care about. Her presence is
*
line. [33] comforting to the young men, who underwent strict phys-
ical training. She was first kidnapped by Maxim's dark
side and held within Dracula's castle, then kidnapped by
Death so that the evil Maxim could take her blood and
2.1.10 Harmony of Dissonance be properly resurrected as Dracula. After the Dracula
Wraith is slain, her bite wounds are healed.
Main article: Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Merchant

A shopkeeper character in Harmony of Dissonance. All

Juste Belmont
that is known about him is that he stumbled into Drac-
ula's castle during his travels and, being unable to escape,
Juste Belmont (ジュスト・ベルモンド Jusuto Beru- set up shops through the castle. Many of his shops can
mondo) is the primary protagonist in Castlevania: Har- only be accessed when Juste meets certain status condi-
mony of Dissonance. In 1748, he entered Dracula's cas- tions, such as having an even number of Hearts or when
tle with his ally Maxim Kischine to locate the remaining possessing a rare item.
relics of Dracula and save his friend Lydie Erlanger. He
wears his bracelet, as does Maxim his own, and carries the
“Vampire Killer”whip. Juste is an exceptional spell caster 2.1.11 Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow
due to the Belnades blood running through his veins, and
his abilities are considered prodigious among his fellow Main article: List of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and
family members. Juste received the Vampire Killer when Dawn of Sorrow characters
he was only 16.* [34] See also: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania:
Juste appears in Portrait of Ruin when using the“Greatest Dawn of Sorrow
Five”attack.
22
2.1.12 Lament of Innocence
Main article: Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
Leon Belmont
Leon Belmont, first vampire hunter of the Belmont Clan.
Leon Belmont (レオン・ベルモンド Reon Berumondo)
was a baron in 11th-century Europe up to the events of
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence. He lost both parents
at a very young age, and was knighted at the age of 16.
When his love interest Sara Trantoul is kidnapped by the
vampire Walter Bernhard he enters the castle grounds un-
armed, but is given a whip that is blessed with the power
of alchemy by the old man Rinaldo Gandolfi, who lives
on the grounds. Using the whip and his magic gauntlet,
he enters the castle hoping to rescue his fiancee.
Within the castle, Leon fights five guardians: Medusa, a
Succubus, a Golem, the vampire Joachim Armster (Wal-
ter Bernhard's former ally), and an undead parasite. He
gets a magical orb from each of them that unlocks the
way to Walter's lair. When he gets past the initial barrier,
Walter is there with Sara, who appears to be in some sort
of trance. Walter returns Sara to Leon, who finds out that
Sara has been tainted and will soon become a vampire.
In an act of self-sacrifice, Sara offers her soul to Leon
in a ritual that will make Rinaldo's magic whip deadly
to vampires and thus allow Leon to defeat Walter. This
is where the whip officially becomes “Vampire Killer.”
Leon, armed with the powerful whip, Rinaldo's grief, and
his anger for Sara's death, defeats Walter. However, Wal-
ter's death was in actuality orchestrated by Leon's friend
Mathias Cronqvist to get Walter's Soul, and absorb its
powers to become a powerful vampire through the Crim-
CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS
son Stone, (an artifact that allowed a person to steal a
Vampire's soul and make their power theirs, at the price
of becoming a vampire themselves) and Vampire Killer
can now sense his having abandoned Humanity. He of-
fers Leon eternal life, which Leon refuses, saying that
eternal life would be empty without Sara. Mathias then
sends his servant Death after Leon, who is defeated by
him and gives him a message to pass on to Mathias. Leon
swears that his clan and the whip he now carries will de-
stroy Mathias one day, and from that day onward the Bel-
mont clan would hunt the night. Mathias would later be
known as Dracula.
Leon appears in sprite form in Portrait of Ruin as one of
the “Greatest Five”.
He is voiced by Dave Wittenberg.
Rinaldo Gandolfi
Rinaldo Gandolfi (リ ナ ル ド・ ガ ン ド ル フィー Ri-
narudo Gandorufī ) is an alchemist whose daughter was
taken and turned into a vampire by Walter Bernhard. He
now lives in a small hut in the Forest of Eternal Night.
Rinaldo creates the Whip of Alchemy for Leon to use in
Walter's castle. This whip is later fused with the soul of
Sara Trantoul to create the Vampire Killer, which would
be present, in one form or another, in every Castlevania
game.
He is voiced by Michael McConnohie.
Sara Trantoul
Sara Trantoul (サラ・トラントゥール Sara Toran-
tūru) is the fiancee of Leon Belmont. She is kidnapped
by Walter Bernhard and bitten. Not wanting to become
a vampire, she sacrifices herself to create the Vampire
Killer whip.
She is voiced by Melissa Fahn.
Walter Bernhard
Walter Bernhard (ヴァルター・ベルンハルト Varutā
Berunharuto) is a vampire of unknown age. Having
grown bored with eternal life, he decides to kidnap young
maidens and play a game of Cat-and-mouse with the
Hunters who come to rescue them, and attempt to de-
stroy him. He is the antagonist of the game, luring the
protagonist Baron Leon Belmont to his castle by kidnap-
ping his fiancee, Sara Trantoul. The forest where he lives
is called Eternal Night, as it is covered in unending dark-
ness by the means of a jewel called the “Ebony Stone”
. In the end, Walter is defeated, and Mathias absorbs his
soul.
He is voiced by Jamieson Price.
2.1. CHARACTERS OF THE ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES
Joachim Armster
Joachim Armster (ヨアヒム・アルムスター Yoahimu
Arumasutā) is another vampire who is kept prisoner by
Walter in his castle. Joachim has a hatred for Walter and
what he has done to him. As well as being a minor boss
character, the game includes an unlockable secret mode
where Joachim is a playable character; he has the ability
to summon flying swords of darkness.
He is voiced by Liam O'Brien.
2.1.13 Order of Ecclesia
Main article: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Shanoa
Shanoa (シャノア Shanoa) appears in Order of Eccle-
sia and Castlevania Judgment. She is the most prodigious
member of the Order of Ecclesia, a secret organization
devoted to stop Dracula from reviving after the Belmont
clan disappeared. She is also a glyph user, capable of ab-
sorbing sigil-like characters and using them as weapons.
She is chosen by Barlowe to bear Dominus, a series of
glyphs designed to destroy Dracula, but her fellow mem-
ber Albus interferes during the ceremony and steals the
glyphs. As a result, Shanoa becomes an amnesiac who
is only able to simulate emotions (she cannot truly feel
them).
After being retrained by Barlowe, Shanoa is dispatched to
seek out and retrieve Dominus from Albus by any means
necessary. As she travels, she slowly learns Albus's true
intentions and the dark reality behind Ecclesia, but she is
unable to stop the return of Dracula. With nothing left
to her except her mission, Shanoa enters Dracula's castle
and destroys the evil count using Dominus.
She is voiced by Michelle Ruff in English-speaking roles. He is voiced by Michael McConnohie.
Albus
Albus (アルバス Arubasu) is one of Ecclesia's veteran
members. He wields a magically-infused flintlock pistol
named Agartha that is capable of firing a variety of pro-
jectiles, and also has the ability to warp across short dis-
tances. Initially, Barlowe promised Albus that he would
receive the Dominus seal, but changed his mind with-
out his consent and chose Shanoa instead. After stealing
Dominus from Ecclesia during the ceremony in which it
was to be implanted within Shanoa, Albus flees with the
glyph and becomes the enemy of Ecclesia. He spends
much of the time researching the Dominus glyph and de-
vising a way to incorporate it into himself. However,
when he absorbs one part of the glyph (as he had given
the other two away in order to observe how glyphs are
23
absorbed) he is driven mad and Shanoa is forced to slay
him.
If Shanoa kills Albus after rescuing all of the villagers,
Albus will speak to her through Dominus and reveal his
intentions in stealing the glyph. He had acted the way
he did in order to protect Shanoa, who was raised as
his younger sister, from the soul-stealing effects of the
glyph, as channeling it would kill the user. He also has
her promise not to use Dominus, as it would kill her. She
also gains Albus' memories, some of which correlate with
the ones she had lost. As it transpires, Albus's soul re-
mains within Shanoa as she explores Dracula's castle, and
he uses this opportunity to find a way to unlock her emo-
tions, though her own memories are forever lost. When
Shanoa uses Dominus to destroy Dracula, Albus offers
his own soul as sacrifice, allowing Shanoa to live. Before
his soul vanishes, Albus restores Shanoa's emotions and
asks that she smile for him, which she manages through
deep tears.
He is voiced by Keith Silverstein.
Barlowe
Barlowe (バー ロ ウ Bārou) is Ecclesia's leader, who
has been tasked with seeking a way to combat Dracula's
power in the absence of the Belmont clan. To this end,
he created the Dominus glyph out of Dracula's power and
was in the process of giving them to Shanoa when Albus
interfered and made off with the glyphs. When Shanoa
returns after learning the truth about Dominus and the
cost for its use, Barlowe reveals that he himself has been
corrupted by Dracula's power, and that his goal all along
was to have Shanoa sacrifice her soul to Dracula through
Dominus so the evil count can return once more. After
Shanoa critically wounds him in battle, Barlowe uses the
last of his strength to bring Dracula to life again.
Villagers of Wygol
In her travels, Shanoa encounters villagers from a loca-
tion called Wygol, whom Albus captures and takes blood
from in his studies on Dominus. After being rescued, the
villagers will offer various side-quests for Shanoa to com-
plete in exchange for money and special items. Shanoa
must rescue all thirteen of the villagers in order to con-
tinue the storyline after defeating Albus.
After Albus's death, the villagers are revealed to be in-
direct descendants of the Belmont clan, and their blood
is what allows Albus's soul to live within Shanoa after he
himself is killed.
24 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

2.1.14 Judgment Rohan Krause

Main article: Castlevania Judgment Rohan Krause is the leader of The Order who attempts
to resurrect Dracula in the late 17th Century. He claims
to have killed Desmond Belmont's father even though he
According to Iga,“So as many of you know, the Castleva-
had the Vampire Killer Whip. He is a master of alchemy
nia timeline goes over 1000 years”,“And there is a char-
and was in possession of the Magic Gauntlet which Ri-
acter trying to destroy that timeline. Due to magic forces,
naldo had given Leon Belmont centuries ago. He plotted
a variety of characters from different eras are brought to-
to resurrect Dracula using a blood sacrifice and planned to
gether.”* [35]
serve at his side. However, the Belmont's and their allies
were able to track down the order long before they were
ready to revive the Dark Lord properly. He is defeated
Aeon
at the hand of Desmond, who indicated that he was only
seeking the prevention of Dracula's revival, not revenge
Aeon (アイオーン Aiōn) is a time-obsessed warrior with
for what he had done to his father. Though his dreams
no era to call his own. He pulled together various heroes
of being one of Dracula's right hand men during his reign
and villains from different eras into a time rift to collect
was shattered, his own blood was sufficient to raise his
soul keys, and to find a champion to stop the Time Reaper
lord and Desmond had to battle an early risen Dracula
from destroying the universe. Of note is that Aeon utters
shortly afterwards.
some of the Same lines used by Time Traveler Saint Ger-
main in Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, an association
between the two characters is not implicitly stated. 2.1.16 Lords of Shadow
He is voiced by Ezra Weisz.
Main article: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

Time Reaper Lords of Shadow is being described as a reboot of the

franchise;* [37] it is not part of the main series' time-
The Time Reaper is a being sent from 10,000 years in the line.* [38]* [39]
future by Galamoth to destroy Dracula and the timeline.

Gabriel Belmont
2.1.15 Order of Shadows
Gabriel Belmont (ガ ブ リ エ ル・ ベ ル モ ン ド
Main article: Castlevania: Order of Shadows Gaburieru Berumondo) is the central character of the
Lords of Shadow series. He is a member of the Broth-
erhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who pro-
While the team members worked actively with IGA to tect and defend the innocent against the supernatural. He
ensure the game was consistent with the canon, Order learns of a Mask which has the power to bring back the
of Shadows is considered a side story to the Castlevania dead, and contemplates on using it to revive his recently
canon.* [36] murdered wife.
As an infant he was found abandoned at the door of one
Desmond, Zoe and Dolores Belmont of the Brotherhood of the Light convents. It is not known
who his original parents were. Some suspect he was
Desmond Belmont is the main character of Order of the unwanted child of a local wealthy landowner, most
Shadows. Zoe and Dolores Belmont* [36] are the sisters likely from the Cronqvist family, though this has never
of Desmond. Dolores is the youngest of the three vam- been proven. The Order named the boy after the blessed
pire hunter siblings. She is equally capable of handling Archangel Gabriel and raised him as one of their own.
the Vampire Killer Whip, though she is not of age yet. The precocious child quickly proved to be extremely tal-
ented, developing a mastery of the fighting arts unprece-
dented in the Brotherhood. Gabriel took the surname of
Giovanni Belmont, due to his love for mountains and the high places
of the world. The name Belmont is of French origin, and
Giovanni is a descendant of Rinaldo Gandolfi who aided it means “beautiful mountain”. The name is the union
the Belmont Clan in tracking The Order in the game Or- of two French words: belle, meaning beautiful and mont
der of Shadows. The Belmont sisters came upon the Al- meaning mountain.
chemic Gauntlet in the Order's possession and he tells Prone to dark moods and occasional ambivalence,
them that it will be able to give its owner the ability to Gabriel was deeply affected by the death of his childhood
use alchemical artifacts. sweetheart, Marie. Gabriel has embarked on this journey
2.1. CHARACTERS OF THE ''CASTLEVANIA'' SERIES 25

at the request of the elders of the Brotherhood, reject- Claudia

ing the help of his comrades and stoking a burning desire
for revenge.* [40]* [41] In a post-credits scene, Gabriel is
Claudia (クローディア Kurōdia) is a mysterious bare-
shown to have become the powerful vampire lord Drac- foot mute girl who has the ability to speak to Gabriel tele-
ula and subsequently the second game explores his questpathically. when they first meet she keeps hiding and run-
for redemption and goal to put an end to his immortal ning away from Gabriel, but later wants to help him in
existence. his journey. after she decides to help, she requests that
he find several crystals to fight against the supernatural
Gabriel is voiced in all three games by Scottish actor
creatures.* [42]
Robert Carlyle.
She is later known to be one of the last Aghartians, a now
extinct race that created vast technologies ahead of its
time; they were later wiped out after the lords of shadow
Zobek took over the earth.
She is guarded by her Golem knight fabricated by her fa-
Zobek (ゾベック Zobekku) is a mysterious swordsman ther shortly before his death, the golem lives on dead souls
who encourages Gabriel to use The Mask to bring back of supernatural creatures.
his dead wife Marie.
Voiced by Emma Ferguson.
If the recorded chronicles of the Brotherhood are to be
believed, Zobek is one of their longest serving warriors.
The list of heroic deeds attributed to him is as impres- Baba Yaga
sive as his vast knowledge of the art of war or indeed the
mighty fighting skills he can deploy, despite his age. Baba Yaga (ババ・ヤーガ Baba Yāga) mysterious old
His weapon of choice is a simple long sword which he hag, who is later seen as a mystical witch. She will help
handles with skill and alacrity. Strangely, he likes to use Gabriel, but wants a blue rose to make her young again
an old-fashioned uniform of the Brotherhood of Light for a temporary amount of time.
that, according to him, was inherited from one of his an- She is known to be wicked, but will help someone as long
cestors; one of the founding members of the Brotherhood as they help her in return.
of Light. In reality, he is the dark side left by one of
Voiced by Eve Karpf.
the founding member of the order, the Lord of the Dead.
This has led to speculation that he is this universe's Death
which is confirmed by the producers. Satan
Voiced by Patrick Stewart.
Satan (サタン Satan) is the main antagonist of the series,
and plotted all of the events of the first game. He is also
the final boss.
Marie Belmont He drops the God Mask at the end of the game (Castleva-
nia: Lords of Shadow) which Gabriel uses to speak to his
Marie (マリー Marī ) is Gabriel's beloved wife. She was wife for a short time. He reappears in Lords of Shadow
brutally murdered by the evil forces of darkness and her 2, where he serves as the main antagonist and final boss
soul trapped for eternity. Her spirit guides him on his again. This time Satan chooses to possess Dracula's son,
quest to rid the land of evil. Alucard, but in the end flees from his body and is killed
Voiced by Natascha McElhone. by Dracula, who uses his old Vampire Killer weapon to
deliver the final blow.

Pan
Pan (パン Pan) is the ancient Greek god of the old for-
est who may hold a clue to the circumstances surrounding
the death of Gabriel's wife. Pan has contacted the Broth-
erhood of the Light to tell them that Marie Belmont calls
from the other side and wishes to speak to her husband, so
Gabriel searches for Pan's hidden grotto to seek the truth.
During Gabriel's journey, Pan assumes several forms in-
cluding a horse, an eagle, and an armor clad knight.
Voiced by Aleksander Mikic.
Victor Belmont
Victor Belmont is a descendant of Gabriel Belmont, al-
though his exact relation is unknown. Victor claims to be
the last of the Belmont lineage.
Voiced by Anthony Howell.
Inner Dracula
Inner Dracula is the Blood of the titular Castlevania and
a demon who takes on the form of Dracula.
26
Toy Maker
At a time, the Toy Maker was the brightest pupil of Ri-
naldo Gandolfi; Though, he much preferred to build toys
for children and the skill that gave him his name made
him legendary across the lands. However, hearing of his
skill was Walter Bernhard, a member of the Bernhard
family who offered the Toy Maker a place in his Castle
to make his craft.
In time the Toy Maker realized, but not until it was too
late, that Walter came from a family of dark occultists
who summoned a demon to possess his kind soul, twisting
his craft in the darkest way and making for, the Castles
Master, weapons of death and destruction, some being the
Dark Pain, the Stopwatch, and the Macabre Puppet, and
Gargoyles.
However, the Demon couldn't completely corrupt the Toy
Makers soul resulting in something of a split personality;
the original kind old man and the childish and sadistic de-
mon within. Sometime during this period, the Toy Maker
was touched by the puppet of a child seeking to free his
soul from the demon and escape Walter Bernhard; who
then discovered he had regained his innocence, Walter
removed his heart, putting the Toy Maker into a deep
slumber.
It is unknown his fate, while Carmilla took over the cas-
tle, and only then until Gabriel Belmont, rechristened as
Dracula, took over as well.
Agreus
Agreus is the brother of the deceased Pan, coming to
Dracula's Castle to seek revenge against his killer, the
vampire lord Dracula. First Agreus lures Dracula into
the Castle's gardens with a fragment of the Mirror of
Fate knowing that he would seek the fragment for his son
Trevor Belmont. As Dracula attempts to claim the frag-
ment, Agreus steals it from him and informs the vampire
that he intends to avenge Pan's death. Dracula tries to rea-
son with Agreus that his brother chose to sacrifice him-
self for a cause that he believed in, but Agreus retorts that
Pan only died to serve his quest for power. Declaring that
Dracula would pay for what he had done, Agreus retreats
into the maze, goading the vampire to follow him.
Now trapped inside the maze with the vengeful God,
Dracula is forced to evade him in order to escape. Agreus
taunts the vampire, claiming that he would relish hunting
him down but Dracula manages to avoid him long enough [17] Kurt Kalata (2006-07-26).“Tales from the Crypt: Castl-
to reclaim the fragment from his Owl Familiar. Enraged,
Agreus vows to destroy Dracula and challenges him to
a final battle. Eventually the two warriors tumble off the [18] From Manual: However, at about the same time a baby
edge of the cliff but Dracula uses Agreus to break his fall.
With the Old God weakened and unable to fight back,
Dracula proceeds to crush Agreus' skull, killing him.
CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS
2.1.17 References
[1] From opening crawl: Meanwhile, powerful forces were
struggling for the soul of a man named Alucard. The very
same Alucard who had teamed up with Trevor Belmont
to battle his immortal father, Count Vlad Tepes Dracula.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Konami. PlayStation
(in English). 1997-10-02.
[2] Game Simulation Video series: Akumajō Dracula (arcade
version) (in Japanese).
[3] Juste: My grandfather, Simon, gathered and destroyed
the relics to end Dracula's curse. Konami. Castlevania:
Harmony of Dissonance. Konami. Game Boy Advance.
16-9-2002.
[4] “Interview: Noisycroak On Traversing Castlevania's Mu-
sical Timeline”.
[5] Chris Kohler (July 23, 2008). “Why a Fighting Game?
Castlevania Creator Explains Himself”. Wired.
[6] “Video Games Daily | Castlevania Interview with Kon-
ami's Koji Igarashi, October 2008”. Games.kikizo.com.
2008-10-22. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
[7] David Oxford (2008-06-27).“Passing Judgment on Wii's
Castlevania”. Kombo. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
[8] “DVD Review: Captain N The Game Master - The
Complete Series”. Monsters and Critics. 2007-02-12.
Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Re-
trieved 2013-08-16.
[9] Nintendo Power 250th issue!. South San Francisco, Cali-
fornia: Future US. 2010. pp. 40, 41.
[10] Castlevania Judgement manual, pg 23
[11] Castlevania Symphony of the Night in IMDb
[12] "Rondo of Blood manual”. The CastleVania Dungeon.
Retrieved 2006-08-15.
[13] Castlevania Judgement Manual, pg 21
[14] “Google Image Result”. Images.google.com. Retrieved
2013-08-16.
[15] Castlevania Judgement Manual, pg 24
[16] Adam Riley (November 7, 2008). “Interview: IGA-san
Talks Castlevania Judgment on Nintendo Wii”. Cubed3.
Retrieved October 28, 2011. External link in |work=
(help)
evania's 20th Anniversary Blow-out”. 1UP.com. Re-
trieved 2008-07-13.
girl possessing special powers was born to a family living
in a remote area of the country. (1998) Konami: Castle-
vania Legends. Konami, 1.
2.2. DRACULA 27

[19] From Manual: She was taught how to handle a whip by
her grandfather and learned at an early age of her abil-
ity to sense the presence of beings physical and spiritual
that cannot be seen by ordinary humans. (1998) Konami:
Castlevania Legends. Konami, 11.
[20] Alucard: Do not trouble yourself about it, Sonia. Now,
I must sleep. I fear we shall not meet again. Farewell,
my beloved, my beautiful vampire hunter. KCE Nagoya.
Castlevania Legends. Konami. Game Boy (in English).
1998-3-11.
[21] Epilogue: After some time, the young girl of our leg-
end became a mother, whose child would carry on the fate
and tragedy of the Belmont family, and the bloodline of
dark ways. KCE Nagoya. Castlevania Legends. Konami.
Game Boy (in English). 1998-3-11.
[38]“Lords of Shadow Interview for PS3”. VideoGamer.com.
2009-09-03. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
[39] It doesn't follow any Castlevania timeline, says Cox, be-
cause Konami didn't want to limit the potential audience
to the truly hardcore.
[40] “Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow Video Game, Preview
Walkthrough HD”. GameTrailers. August 28, 2010. Re-
trieved October 28, 2011.
[41] "Castlevania - Lords of Shadow Official Site”. Konami.
Retrieved October 28, 2011.
[42] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Video - Preview Walk-
through”. GameTrailers. Retrieved 2013-08-16.

[22] Epilogue: And yet this child, once content in the arms
of its mother, will also rise to fight courageously against 2.2 Dracula
the Prince of Darkness, who will return once again. This
child who, one day, will be praised by all the people as
Dracula Vlad Ţepeş or simply known as Dracula (ド
a hero...... KCE Nagoya. Castlevania Legends. Konami.
ラキュラ Dorakyura) is a fictional character from the
Game Boy (in English). 1998-3-11.
multi-platform Castlevania video game series. A vampire
[23] “Castlevania Resurrection - Dreamcast - IGN”. Dream- and sorcerer, he is the main antagonist of the series and
cast.ign.com. 1999-11-04. Retrieved 2013-08-16. the final boss of almost every installment. He is the over-
all primary protagonist in the rebooted Castlevania tril-
[24] “Canceled Games”. Vgmuseum.com. Retrieved 2013-
ogy The Lords of Shadow ̶though he takes on his clas-
08-16.
sical antagonistic role in the game The Mirror of Fate̶
[25] Darkmoon, darkmoonfirelyte@hotmail.com. “Castleva- where his origin is heavily altered, as he is reimagined as
nia Resurrection”. Castlevaniadungeon.net. Retrieved being part of a holy order who eventually falls from grace
2013-08-16. and becomes the vampire Dracula.
[26] “Tales From The Crypt: Castlevania 20th Anniversary The Dracula of Castlevania is based on Bram Stoker's
Blowout from”. 1UP.com. 1997-10-31. Retrieved 2013- character in the novel of the same name, who was in
08-16. turn likely named for Vlad III Dracula of Wallachia. The
[27]“DSC01722 | Flickr – Condivisione di foto!". Flickr.com.
Castlevania Dracula draws some history from both, but
2006-12-04. Retrieved 2013-08-16. instead of preying on maidens this one threatens whole
realms with his armies at the least, and at worst is pre-
[28] Nintendo Power, July 2008 sented as the very embodiment of evil. He is, however,
capable of loving relationships (his evil nature is partly
[29] “Viewer - Konami's E3 press conference”. Cover-
itlive.com. 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
fuelled by the loss of two women he loved) and, despite
their differences, he loves his son Alucard.
[30]“Appearances: Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness”, Castl-
In the series reboot Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Drac-
evania Judgment manual, pg 23
ula is reimagined as an 11th-century holy knight named
[31] “Interview: IGA-san Talks Castlevania Judgment on Nin- Gabriel Belmont and serves as the central character of
tendo Wii #1 at Nintendo Cubed3”. Cubed3.com. Re- the game and its two sequels. The Lords of Shadow se-
trieved 2013-08-16. ries tell the story of Gabriel's quest to save the world, fall
[32] Circle of the Moon#cite note-4
into darkness and journey of redemption. The series por-
trays Dracula in a more sympathetic light, compared to
[33] Archived May 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. his original counterpart.
[34] (2002) Konami: Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance --
Instruction Booklet. Konami, 22.
2.2.1 Conception and design
[35] Konami's E3 press conference
Dracula's appearance is very inconsistent throughout the
[36] Vasconcellos, Eduardo. “Castlevania: Order of Shadows series' history. In just about every game, he wears very
Q&A”. IGN.
aristocratic clothing, whether it be a tuxedo (a la Bela Lu-
[37] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow at E3 Press Conference” gosi) or some sort of royal garb (complete with medals
. GamePro. Archived from the original on 2009-10-18. and medallions). His face has evolved into many dif-
Retrieved 2009-05-05. ferent forms. Initially, his face resembled that of Bela
28
Lugosi's Dracula in the first few games (this appearance
was reused in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin). Every few
games, his appearance changed from one sort to another.
In Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo and the beginning
of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, he had the form of
an anime character with medium length, dull purple hair.
He has a more demonic look in Castlevania: Dracula X
and Castlevania: Bloodlines. The more recent look of
Dracula, starting with Symphony of the Night, gives him
a beard or goatee of some sort and longer hair. His hair
color still changes between a dark brown or black and a
gray color. His facial proportions also change. He has a
very heavyset and muscular looking face in the Nintendo
64 Castlevania games, whereas he has a more thin and el-
egant face in Symphony of the Night and the first two hand
held games. In Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, Dracula
wears a long robe of some sort, with a more realistic ver-
sion of the Symphony of the Night face.
His most common form of attack is to teleport from one
part of the screen to another, then opening his cape to fire
a spread of three small fireballs at the player, whereas in
later games he can also fire larger, meteor-like fireballs:
these attacks are called“HellFire”and“Dark Inferno”re-
spectively. Usually, he can only be damaged with strikes
to the head or neck area. After being defeated in his hu-
manoid form, Dracula usually morphs into a larger, more
powerful demon-like dragon or dinosaur form. In some
games, such as Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles,
Dracula consists of three forms in total. This is in con-
trast to Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, where he only has
one form. This battle with Dracula does feature multiple
phases of combat, however: in the first phase he acts as
described above yet shoots a barrage of fireballs for Hell-
fire and even adds a new attack called“Fatal Ray”to his
repertoire, which he performs after he uses Dark Inferno.
With this attack he shoots beams of dark energy into the
air which cascade down shortly afterwards. In the sec-
ond phase, his tactics and the attacks he uses change dra-
matically. If playing as Shanoa, the battle enters a third
phase when the second is completed: here he cannot be
damaged and a certain Glyph Union must be performed
before he unleashes “Giga Demonic Megiddo”, which
can easily kill Shanoa with one blast (a weaker version of
this attack features in Portrait of Ruin, during the Dracula
and Death stage of the battle).
2.2.2 Appearances
Dracula first appeared in 1986's Castlevania, set in 1691.
At this point the plot of the series was very simple
̶Simon Belmont took up his ancestral weapon, the
Vampire Killer whip, and ventured into Dracula's cas-
tle to defeat its proprietor. The original game had no in-
game text to drive the story along. The plot of Castleva-
nia was re-used in the remakes Vampire Killer, Haunted
Castle, Super Castlevania IV and Castlevania Chronicles.
In the manual of the second game, Castlevania II: Simon's
CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS
Quest, it is revealed that, in his dying moments at the end
of the first game, Dracula had placed a curse on Simon,
which condemned him to slowly die of his wounds. In
1698, Simon set out to gather Dracula's scattered body
parts and use them to resurrect the Count in the ruins
of his castle. Simon then defeated the reborn Dracula
once again. The best ending hints that although Simon de-
feated Dracula and dispelled his curse, Dracula nonethe-
less ended up reviving himself.
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse was a prequel to the origi-
nal game, starring Simon's ancestor Trevor in 1476. This
game introduced Alucard, Dracula's estranged son. In
Dracula's Curse, it is stated that Dracula “practiced sor-
cery in order to create a bad world filled with evil”. The
people of Transylvania secured the aid of Trevor Bel-
mont, who journeyed to Castlevania and met up with sev-
eral allies along the way, including Alucard, Sypha Bel-
nades and Grant Danasty.
Concurrent to the release of Nintendo Entertainment
System trilogy were two games on the Game Boy. In
Castlevania: The Adventure, set in 1576, Christopher
Belmont defeated Dracula in typical circumstances. It
is later revealed that Dracula escaped and survived until
1591, when he kidnapped Christopher's son Soleiyu and
tried to turn him against his father. In Castlevania II: Bel-
mont's Revenge, Christopher defeated Dracula again and
saved his son.
The Castlevania series took a dramatic turn with the
PC Engine game Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (remade
for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as Castl-
evania: Dracula X and later remade and ported for
the PlayStation Portable as Castlevania: The Dracula X
Chronicles). This game took place in 1792 and starred a
new Belmont named Richter. This was the first game in
the series to use substantial voice acting to further the nar-
rative. Dracula is resurrected by a cult led by a dark priest
named Shaft. He proceeds to kidnap several villagers in-
cluding Richter's girlfriend Annette (who was renamed
to Annet Renard in Castlevania: Dracula X and became
Maria's sister) and Maria Renard. In the “best”ending
of the game, Richter saves all the kidnapped women and
defeats Dracula.
Rondo of Blood was followed by a critically acclaimed
PlayStation sequel, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
The protagonist of this game was Alucard, who en-
tered Castlevania in 1797 following the disappearance
of Richter. Symphony of the Night introduced the char-
acter of Lisa, Alucard's mother and Dracula's wife who
had been executed as a witch for preparing medicine to
help the sick. As the game progressed, Alucard discov-
ered that Shaft had placed Richter under a dark spell, the
idea being that Richter would destroy all other enemies
of Dracula. Alucard defeated Shaft then faced his res-
urrected father. They exchanged words before Alucard
defeated Dracula, telling him Lisa's last words: “Do not
hate humans. If you cannot live with them, then at least
2.2. DRACULA 29

do them no harm, for theirs is already a hard lot”. Drac- Graham.

ula cried out for Lisa's forgiveness as he returned to the The first Castlevania game to be released on the
abyss. PlayStation 2 was Castlevania: Lament of Innocence.
A loose prequel to Symphony of the Night was released for This prequel journeyed back further than any previous
the Game Boy called Castlevania Legends. In this game, game, taking place in 1094. The game introduced Cru-
Sonia Belmont, heavily implied to be Trevor's mother, saders Leon Belmont and Mathias Cronqvist. In 1093,
faces Dracula circa 1450. Alucard is also featured in the they returned from a campaign to find that Mathias' wife
game, and it appears that Sonia and Alucard were lovers. Elisabetha had died. He became bedridden with grief. A
Series producer Koji Igarashi, who was not involved with year later, Leon's fiancée Sara disappeared. Mathias told
Legends' development, has declared it to not be an official Leon that she had been kidnapped by a vampire named
part of the Castlevania canon. Walter Bernhard, who lived in a castle in the Forest of
The Mega Drive received one Castlevania game, Eternal Night. Leon forsook his title and arms in order
Castlevania: Bloodlines. This title was set in 1917 and to venture into the castle and save Sara. He was given a
attempted to tie the series closer to Bram Stoker's novel. weapon known as the Whip of Alchemy by an alchemist
The protagonists were John Morris and Eric Lecarde. named Rinaldo Gandolfi, who lived in castle's grounds.
John was intended to be the son of Quincey Morris from Leon eventually rescued Sara, but she had already been
the novel. This game introduced Dracula's niece, Eliz- infected with the vampire's curse. She sacrificed her soul
abeth Bartley, named for Elizabeth Báthory. It was im- to imbue the Whip of Alchemy with the power to de-
plied that Bartley arranged the assassination of Archduke stroy Walter, turning it into the Vampire Killer seen in
Franz Ferdinand of Austria in order to precipitate World later games. Leon then returned to the castle and de-
War I. She resurrected Dracula, but she and her uncle feated Walter. Walter, who possessed an artifact known
were defeated by John and Eric. as the Crimson Stone, believed that he would return from
the dead, but Death appeared and informed Walter that
The two Nintendo 64 games, Castlevania and he no longer held power over death. Mathias then ap-
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, took place in the peared and revealed that he had orchestrated the entire
mid-19th century. In these games, Dracula's return is scheme in order to gain possession of the Crimson Stone.
accomplished through the unusual method of having him Mathias blamed God for Elisabetha's death, and planned
reincarnated as a child named Malus. to revenge himself upon God by becoming immortal. He
The first Castlevania title for the Game Boy Advance was offered Leon the chance to join him in eternal life, which
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon. Set in the early 1800s, Leon refused. Disappointed, Mathias escaped, leaving
Circle of the Moon explained how Dracula had been re- Leon to battle Death. Leon defeated Death and sent him
cently defeated by vampire hunter Morris Baldwin. At with a message to Mathias that “the Belmont clan will
the start of the game, Dracula is resurrected by his dis- hunt the night”. Series producer Koji Igarashi has con-
ciple Camilla. The player assumes the role of Nathan firmed that Mathias eventually becomes Dracula.
Graves, a student of Morris Baldwin, who once again de- Castlevania: Curse of Darkness was released in 2005 for
feats the newly resurrected Dracula. the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Curse of Darkness was a se-
The second GBA title was Castlevania: Harmony of Dis- quel to Castlevania III, taking place in 1479. The main
sonance, which took place in 1748. Simon's grandson character is Hector, a “Devil Forgemaster”who had
Juste was the main character. He entered Castlevania to served Dracula but left his service just prior to his defeat
save his childhood friend Lydie Erlanger. Their friend at the hands of Trevor. With his dying words, Dracula
Maxim Kischine resurrected Dracula in order to prove had placed a curse upon the land. Hector planned to live
his worth as a vampire hunter. As usual, Dracula was peacefully amongst humans, but his wife Rosalie was ex-
defeated by Juste. ecuted for witchcraft at the behest of fellow Forgemaster
Isaac. Hector swore revenge upon Isaac, but it transpired
The third and final GBA title was Castlevania: Aria of that this was a ploy - Isaac intended to use Hector as the
Sorrow, which featured a deeper plot than the previous vessel for Dracula's return. Hector defeated Isaac, who
two. Set in 2035, the game starred Soma Cruz, an Amer- himself became the vessel. Hector then faced Dracula,
ican high school student visiting Japan with his friend defeated him, and used his powers to dispel the curse.
Mina. The villain of this game was not Dracula, as he had
died a real death over 30 years ago, but Graham Jones, Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, for the Nintendo DS, was
a cult leader who believed himself to be Dracula's rein- a sequel to Aria of Sorrow and once again starred Soma
carnation. The game also introduced the amnesiac Julius Cruz. This time, Soma faced a cult led by Celia Fortner
Belmont, who defeated Dracula for the last time in 1999. who wished to resurrect Dracula in order to bring about
As the game progressed, it was revealed that Soma him- the arrival of the ultimate good to balance the ultimate
self was actually Dracula's reincarnation, and possessed evil. In the “bad”ending of the game, Soma succumbs
the Count's power to absorb the souls of various mon- to Dracula's power and kills Celia in cold blood: this un-
sters and thereby assume their powers. In the best ending locks a non-canon storyline called“Julius Mode”in which
of the game, Soma overcomes the darkness and defeats Julius ventures through the castle and defeats Soma. If
30 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

Soma equips Mina's talisman beforehand, he resists the In Mirror of Fate Gabriel returns as Dracula. His goal is to
transformation (and is snapped out of it by Arikado), but destroy the Brotherhood of Light in order to“remake”the
his power of dominance is copied by Dmitri Blinov, one world, as he believes the Brotherhood is evil and corrupt,
of Celia's accomplices, and he and Celia escape under- as well as the Brotherhood manipulated him and allowed
ground. Celia still dies, however: Dmitri sacrifices her to his wife to be killed when they could've prevented it. It's
corrupt Arikado's power and render him unable to fight. been revealed the brotherhood believed Gabriel was the
Dmitri attempts to become the new Dracula like Graham chosen one, and would redeem mankind. The Brother-
before him so he may understand his power, but he loses hood however knew of his descent into darkness so they
control of the power of dominance and was consumed raised his son, Trevor, kept from him in secret by Marie,
by it. This transforms him into a gargantuan creature as a member of the brotherhood in order to combat his
called Menace, which Soma vanquishes. This results in father. Later Trevor would track down his father and at-
the“good”ending, in which Soma is reassured that even tempt to avenge the death of his mother. He is impaled
if there is a need for a dark lord, it does not need to be with his own Combat Cross. While dying, Trevor looks
him. into the Mirror of Fate and sees what actually happened
to Gabriel. Feeling sorry for him, he calls him his father.
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin was a sequel to Bloodlines.
The player takes control of Jonathan Morris, John Morris' After looking into the mirror and learning the truth, Drac-
son, and Charlotte Aulin. In this game, Dracula's castle is ula panics and desperately attempts to revive him by giv-
resurrected by vampire artist Brauner during World War ing him his own blood. After it does not seem to work, he
II. At the end of this game, Dracula takes the unusual step puts Trevor in a coffin with the name Alucard as he never
of fighting alongside Death, before fusing with Death and knew his son's true name. At the end of the game Drac-
morphing into a final, demonic form. ula faces his son, now revived, and his grandson Simon.
The end of the battle sees him disappear and Alucard says
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia was set around 1800 and that's not how a vampire is supposed to die.
featured a holy order named Ecclesia which had appar-
ently created a power named Dominus with the ability Gabriel returns as the main character in Castlevania:
to defeat Dracula. However, it transpired that Dominus Lords of Shadow 2, where he refers to himself as
was actually constructed from Dracula's own power, and the dragon, Dracul. Having abandoned his quest for
the Order made Dominus to break the seal on the cas- vengeance, his goal is to put an end to his immortal exis-
ket imprisoning his soul, as their leader Barlowe believed tence.
Dracula's return was secretly mankind's greatest desire.
Ecclesia's chief researcher Albus had stolen the Domi-
nus glyph in an attempt to protect the main character,
Shanoa, who had been raised as his younger sister, but 2.2.3 Reception
became possessed by Dracula when he absorbed one part
of the glyph. After Dracula's resurrection Shanoa faces
and defeats him. Dracula was listed as the third top villain of 2006 by
Game Informer.* [4] He was also listed as the number 7
Dracula appears in the post-credits scene of Castlevania: most recurring video game character who has died re-
Lords of Shadow, a reboot of the series. The game fol- peatedly and been resurrected.* [5] He is ranked third on
lows Gabriel Belmont in the year 1047, but the epilogue EGMʼs Top Ten Badass Undead.* [6] GameDaily ranked
reveals that in modern times Gabriel has become a vam- him number sixteen in their“Top 25 Evil Masterminds of
pire who identifies himself by saying “Eu sunt Dracul” All Time”article, noting his persistence.* [7] His persis-
in Romanian which can roughly translate based on how tence resulted in him being ranked amongst the most per-
much etymology research is done to “I am the Dragon” sistent video game villains of all time by GameDaily.* [8]
, “I am the Devil”or more popularly “I am Dracula” IGN listed him eight in their “Top 10 Most Memorable
.* [1] A secondary character, Zobek, finds Dracula hiding Villains”article, noting his grudge against the Belmonts
in a ruined church and tries to win his support against the and calling him “the Timex of villains.”* [9] In a later
acolytes of Satan.* [2] Before Gabriel disappears, Zobek article, they listed him as one of their favorite monsters
tells him he will free him of his immortality if he helps in video gaming, stating a preference for the Castlevania
him.* [3] It is explained through the game's two DLC representation of Dracula over others due to him having
Packages Reverie and Resurrection that after the defeat “a sense of fashion and style that few other versions pos-
of the Lords of Shadow a powerful demon they locked sess.”* [10] They would also list him as the 23rd best
away called the Forgotten One had begun to break free. video game villain, calling him one of the most prolific
In order to enter the demon's prison dimension Gabriel video game villains ever.* [11] GamesRadar listed him
somewhat reluctantly allowed himself to be turned into first on their list of video game villains who never stay
a vampire followed by defeating the demon by absorbing dead, stating that he has died more than any other video
its power and killing it in a single blow, completely sacri- game villain ever and that like The Legend of Zelda an-
ficing his humanity in the process. tagonist Ganon, he never learns from his previous bat-
tles.* [12]
2.3. ALUCARD 31

2.2.4 References Lisa, Alucard is a dhampir, a half-human, half-vampire.

His mother's death and admonition not to hate human-
[1] MercurySteam (2010-10-05). Castlevania: Lords of ity caused him to take up arms against his father. In
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: An Dracula's Curse and Castlevania Legends, he fights against
unusual hiding place, for the Prince of Darkness. Don't his father alongside the vampire hunters of the Belmont
you think? / Gabriel: Zobek... / Zobek: Yes, old friend.
clan, and he is featured as the protagonist of Symphony of
It is I. / Gabriel: Where have you been, all this time? /
Zobek: Out there, amongst the living. And what of you?
the Night. Alucard additionally is present in Castlevania:
Why have you been hiding all this time... ... Gabriel? / Aria of Sorrow and the follow-up sequel Castlevania:
Gabriel: Don't you dare call me that! Eu sunt Dracul! Dawn of Sorrow, where he interacts with the protagonist
of both games, Soma Cruz, as the Japanese government
[2] MercurySteam (2010-10-05). Castlevania: Lords of agent Genya Arikado (有⾓幻也 Arikado Gen'ya). In
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: Sa- the Lords of Shadow reboot series, starting with the char-
tan's acolytes are readying for his imminent return. He's acter's introduction in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow -
unlikely to welcome both of us with open arms, don't you
Mirror of Fate, changes Alucard's backstory completely,
think? Help me stop him... or you and I will become his
and makes him Trevor Belmont, once a mortal who was
favorite pets for all eternity.
transformed into a vampire after his death by his biolog-
[3] MercurySteam (2010-10-05). Castlevania: Lords of ical father, the remorseful Dracula.
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek:
Several video game publications have provided praise
Help me, and I can free you of your immortality.
and criticism on Alucard's character. In Aria of Sor-
[4]“Top 10 Villains of 2006”. Game Informer (165) (Cathy row and Dawn of Sorrow, where Alucard was present as
Preston). January 2007. p. 56. Genya Arikado, reviewers noted that although he fell into
a stereotypical character mold, the greater concentration
[5] Sharkey, Scott (2007-04-08).“They Is Risen”. 1up.com.
on supporting characters was a welcomed change from
Retrieved 2008-02-07.
previous Castlevania games.
[6] Scott Sharkey,“EGMʼ s Top Ten Badass Undead: Thriller
Night,”Electronic Gaming Monthly 233 (October 2008):
106.
2.3.1 Conception and design
[7] Top 25 Evil Masterminds of All Time. GameDaily. Re-
trieved on 2008-11-29 Alucard debuted in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for
[8] Mallory, Jordan (2013-05-03). “Joystiq”. the Nintendo Entertainment System, where he was de-
Gamedaily.com. Retrieved 2013-05-08. signed by T. Fujimoto and I. Urata.* [1]* [3] He was in-
tended to be a mirror image of his father, as evidenced by
[9] IGN Staff (7 March 2006). Top 10 Tuesday: Most Mem- his name, his father's name spelled backwards.* [1] Much
orable Villains. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-12-14 of the original artwork for the game was lost during the
[10] Schedeen, Jesse (31 October 2008). The Monsters of
Great Hanshin earthquake.* [4] Alucard's subsequent ap-
Gaming. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-12-26 pearances would largely be designed by Ayami Kojima,
who managed the character designs for Castlevania: Sym-
[11] “Dracula is number 23”. IGN. Retrieved 2013-05-08. phony of the Night and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.* [2]

[12] “The Top 7... villains who never stay dead”.
GamesRadar. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
2.3 Alucard
Adrian Fahrenheit Ţepeş (アドリアン・ファーレン
ハイツ・ツェペシュ Adorian Fārenhaitsu Tsepeshu),
better known as Alucard (アルカード Arukādo), is a
character in Konami's Castlevania series of video games.
His first appearance in the series was in the 1989 game
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, but he is best known for
his role in the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Symphony
of the Night, released in 1997. His design in Symphony of
the Night was created by Ayami Kojima, marking her first
contribution to the Castlevania franchise.
In the series, Alucard is the son of Dracula, the antago-
nist of the Castlevania series. Due to his human mother,
Kojima's work in Symphony of the Night was her first
breakthrough into the gaming industry, and her dark,
gothic style borrows heavily from bishōnen-style art.* [2]
In Aria of Sorrow, Kojima's designs followed the“differ-
ent route”theme that producer Koji Igarashi was attempt-
ing to pursue with Aria of Sorrow by placing it in a futur-
istic setting.* [5] Following this theme, Alucard's appear-
ance as Genya Arikado was made much more contempo-
rary, featuring modern attire as versus the medieval ap-
pearance of previous Castlevania characters.* [5] Kojima
was not present in the design team for Castlevania: Dawn
of Sorrow, and Arikado, along with the rest of the cast,
were drawn in an anime style. Igarashi, also the producer
of Dawn of Sorrow, wished to utilize the anime style as
a marketing technique due to his belief that the Nintendo
DS targeted a younger audience than previous Castleva-
nia games had.* [6]* [7] The anime style would also serve
as a litmus test as to whether future Castlevania games
would incorporate the style.* [8]
32 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

Voice actors of the Xbox Live Arcade for the Xbox 360,* [19] on the
PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3,* [20] and part
Symphony of the Night was the second Castlevania game of Castlevania The Dracula X Chronicles, a compilation
to use voice actors for the characters (the first being that contained Symphony of the Night alongside Akumajō
the Akumajō Dracula X Chi no Rondo for the PC En- Dracula X Chi no Rondo.* [10] Aside from the changing
gine Super CD-ROM², which released only in Japan of the script and Alucard's voice actor to Yuri Lowen-
at the time).* [9] The Japanese voice actor for Alucard thal, his role in the Symphony of the Night portion of The
was Ryōtarō Okiayu, and the English voice actor was Dracula X Chronicles remains the same.* [10]
Robert Belgrade. In Castlevania The Dracula X Chroni- The 1997 Castlevania Legends for the Game Boy was
cles, Castlevania Judgment and Castlevania: Harmony of Alucard's third appearance in the series. Similar to his
Despair, Alucard was English voiced by Yuri Lowenthal. initial appearance in Dracula's Curse, he is a boss chal-
Igarashi noted that due to fan complaints over the poor lenging the skills of the game's protagonist, Sonia Bel-
voice acting in a majority of the original cast in Symphony mont. After she defeats him, he accepts her strength and
of the Night, a new script for the game better translating decides to submerge his powers by sleeping, believing
the original Japanese text, as well as a set of new voice that she will defeat Dracula in his stead.* [21]* [22] Koji
actors were used.* [10]* [11] Igarashi later removed Castlevania Legends from the offi-
cial canon of the series, meaning that the plot of the game
never occurred in the series' continuity.* [23]* [24]
2.3.2 Appearances
In the 2003 Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow for the Game
In the 1989 Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for the NES, Boy Advance, Alucard is present in disguise as the enig-
Alucard is initially a boss encountered over the course of matic Japanese government agent Genya Arikado in or-
the game by the primary protagonist, Trevor Belmont. If der to prevent the powers of his father, who was finally
the player defeats Alucard, he can be utilized as a playable killed by Julius Belmont, from ending up in the wrong
character in the game.* [12] This was a significant depar- hands.* [25]* [26]* [27] He meets the game's protagonist,
ture from the first two Castlevania games for the NES, Soma Cruz, and explains his “power of dominance,”or
and the fourth installment on the Super NES, which only his ability to absorb the souls of the monsters he defeats
featured Simon Belmont as the primary playable charac- and use their abilities.* [28] He instructs him to seek out
ter, and Alucard's abilities, a fireball attack and the ability the castle's throne room, where Soma realizes that he is
to transform into a bat, were unique elements introduced Dracula's reincarnation.* [29] Arikado subsequently ad-
into the series.* [1]* [12] Following the defeat of Dracula vises Soma to destroy the flow of chaos in the castle to
and the game's conclusion, Alucard voluntarily goes into free himself from his fate, which Soma succeeds in do-
a protracted sleep to ease his feelings of patricide and to ing.* [30]
prevent his powers from harming the world. Alucard reprises his role as Arikado in the sequel to Aria
Alucard's following appearance in the series is in the 1997 of Sorrow, the 2005 Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow for the
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for the PlayStation Nintendo DS, where he works to stop the machinations
and Sega Saturn, where he is featured as the game's pro- of a cult headed by Celia *
Fortner to create a new dark
*
tagonist and primary playable character. [4] He is de- lord by killing Soma. [31] Arikado initially requests that
scribed as a man of great strength and inhuman beauty. Soma does not become involved, but gives him a letter
Due to the brainwashing of the current member of the and talisman from Mina when he encounters him later in
*
Belmont clan, Richter Belmont, Alucard heads to his fa- the game. [32] After both of Celia's “dark lord's can-
ther's castle to find Richter and ensure that Dracula does didates,”Dmitrii Blinov and Dario Bossi, are defeated,
*
not return into the world. [9] He encounters Richter, who Arikado stops Celia's attempt to force Soma to awaken
has been controlled by the dark priest Shaft into believing into the new dark lord, but inadvertently allows Dmitrii
* *
he is the lord of Dracula's castle, and Alucard manages to to revive himself. [33] [34] He confronts him, but is
free him from the spell controlling him.* [13] In response, stopped*when Dmitrii uses Celia as a sacrifice to seal his
Shaft creates an inverted version of Dracula's castle for powers. [35] Following Soma's battle with Menace, a gi-
Alucard to travel through, and Alucard defeats Shaft, and ant demon that sprouts from Dmitrii, Arikado explains to
ultimately, Dracula as well.* [14]* [15] Symphony of the Soma that he is not *
destined to become the dark lord, nor
Night also expands on Alucard's background, revealing does he need to. [36] In the game's Julius Mode, Arikado
how his human mother, Lisa, was hunted down and ex- is playable as Alucard after he is found in the castle.* [37]
ecuted by humans who believed her to be a witch.* [16] Alucard was one of the playable characters in Castlevania
Despite this, Lisa admonished Alucard to respect humans Judgment for the Nintendo Wii, a fighting game based on
and not hate them as his father did.* [17] Alucard's place- the series.
ment as a protagonist was unusual for the series up to that
point, as previous Castlevania games had featured often
members of the Belmont clan as the protagonists.* [18]
Symphony of the Night would later be re-released as part
2.3. ALUCARD 33

Lords of Shadow identity to his father once he remembers their pact. They
destroy Zobek and Satan and appear to be on good terms
Alucard appears in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mir- in the end. Alucard is also the protagonist of the DLC
ror of Fate, a chapter of the Lords of Shadow reboot se- Revelations, taking place shortly prior to the events of
ries. It is revealed that this version of Alucard was origi- the game.
nally Trevor Belmont, the son of Gabriel and Marie Bel-
mont, conceived before Gabriel was turned into a vam-
pire and became the dark lord Dracula. Trevor grew up 2.3.3 Reception
not knowing of his true origin until the Brotherhood of
Light reveals to him who his parents were. Believing that Alucard has received praise and criticism from several
his father Gabriel murdered his mother in cold blood, video game publications, primarily concentrating on his
he decides to pursue him in the hopes of destroying him role in Symphony of the Night. GameSpot featured *
him in
and bringing peace to the land. After infiltrating the cas- their article“All Time Greatest Game Hero”. [38] In a
tle, Trevor successfully fights his way to the throne room, review of Symphony of the Night, RPGFan celebrated the
where he confronts Dracula without letting on that he is fact that Alucard was not a member of the Belmont clan,
his son, or telling Dracula his name. Although Trevor the protagonists of most Castlevania games, and that the
puts up a valiant effort, in the end he is defeated and fact he was Dracula's son added “an element of depth
stabbed in the heart with his own Combat Cross. Dy- to the plot”due to the varied reactions he *
would receive
ing and gazing at the Mirror of Fate he finally realizes the from the inhabitants of Dracula's castle. [18] RPGamer
truth of what really happened to Gabriel and feels sorry disagreed with this assessment, noting that the plot and
for him, calling him his father. Dracula, confused, gazes Alucard's role “isn't very deep” and secondary to the con-
*
at the mirror as well and learns who Trevor was all along. centration on gameplay. [39] GameSpot called Alucard's
Remorseful and horrified for killing his own son who had sprite and running animation “easily some of the most *
been unknown to him the entire time, Dracula desperately impressive visuals in the entire Castlevania library.” [9]
tries to bring him back to life by giving him his blood, James Paul Gee of CiteSeer noted that“even though Alu-
which seems to be in vain. Dracula mourns over his loss, card is a vampire hunter, he has *
no distinctive skills asso-
and places Trevor in a coffin with the name Alucard, since ciated with this profession”. [40] In 2012, GamesRadar
he never learned his son's real name. Many years later ranked him as the 91st best hero in video games.* [41]
Alucard awakens, with pale white skin, white hair, and Empire also included Alucard on their list of the 50 *
great-
glowing orange eyes. He meets up with Dracula and his est video game characters, ranking him as 34th. [42]
own son, Simon. Alucard tries to finish what he started, Alucard's appearance in Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of
angry that his father turned him into a vampire. Dracula Sorrow as Genya Arikado was also noted by review-
asks Alucard to join him in remaking the world and de- ers. RPGamer celebrated how the greater concentra-
stroying the brotherhood, but Alucard refuses. Dracula tion on supporting characters, including Arikado, were a
proceeds to attack Simon for being a Belmont, wishing welcome change from previous Castlevania games.* [43]
to end the Belmont bloodline due to his hatred of his past RPGFan derided Arikado's“cool and impassive person-
life. Alucard and Simon manage to defeat Dracula, and ality”as stereotypical, but praised the game's character
part ways as Dracula's castle crumbles. development as setting him apart from previous support-
*
Alucard appears in the sequel Castlevania: Lords of ing characters in the series. [44] The switch to an anime
Shadow 2 as a supporting character. Since the game takes style for the character designs in Dawn of Sorrow was no-
place centuries later, Alucard's personality and standing tably criticized, as many reviewers preferred the designs
towards his father has drastically changed. He believes made by Ayami Kojima. GameSpy deplored the “shal-
that Dracula can still be redeemed and makes it his goal low, lifeless anime images”and IGN called the images
to free the world from tyranny and vanquish the evil that “down to the *
level of 'generic Saturday morning Anime'
*
had corrupted him and his father. He concocts a cen- quality.” [45] [46]
turies spanning plan to put his father into a deep sleep by
piercing his heart with the Crissaegrim sword, in order to 2.3.4 See also
make both the lord of the dead, Zobek and Satan himself,
believe that Dracula is dead, so they can come out in the • List of fictional dhampirs
open. Once they do, Alucard would remove the sword so
Dracula can resurrect and then destroy Zobek and Satan
for good. Dracula agrees with his son's plan and awak- 2.3.5 Notes and references
ens centuries later during modern times. Throughout the
game Alucard also appears as a younger Trevor Belmont [1] Bozon Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret-
and guides Dracula through his Castle to help him recover rospective - Page 2”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
his old powers and missing memories. In order to not [2] “Creative Uncut - Artist Profile: Ayami Kojima”. Cre-
draw suspicion to his plan, Alucard masquerades him- ative Uncut. Archived from the original on 25 January
self as Zobek's Lieutenant and eventually reveals his true 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-17.
34
[3] “Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse for NES - Technical
Information, Game Information, Technical Support”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
[4] Kalata, Kurt (2006-07-26). “Tales From The Crypt:
Castlevania 20th Anniversary Blowout from 1UP.com -
Page 2”. 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
[5] Nutt, Christian (2003-01-18). “GameSpy: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Preview”. GameSpy. Archived from the
original on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-17.
[6] Barres, Nick Des. “TGS2005 - Koji Igarashi”. playon-
line.com. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
[7] Sheffield, Brandon (2005-08-15). “Whip Smart:
Konami's Koji Igarashi On Mastering Castlevania”.
Gamasutra. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
[8] Payton, Ryan (2005-11-03). “A new art style for Castl-
evania”. 1UP.com. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
[9] Whalen, Mike; Varanici, Giancarlo (1998-09-10). “The
History of Castlevania - Page 11”. GameSpot. Retrieved
2008-02-17.
[10] Shoemaker, Brad (2007-02-02).“Castlevania: The Drac-
ula X Chronicles Hands-On First Look”. GameSpot. Re-
trieved 2008-02-18.
[11] Rorie, Matthew (2007-07-12). “E3 '07: Castlevania
Dracula X Chronicles Hands-On”. GameSpot. Retrieved
2008-02-18.
[12] Whalen, Mike; Varanici, Giancarlo (1998-09-10). “The
History of Castlevania - Page 5”. GameSpot. Retrieved
2008-02-16.
[13] Konami (1997-10-02). Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night. PlayStation. Konami. Richter: Ma... Maria? /
Maria: Richter. / Richter: You saved me.
[14] Konami (1997-10-02). Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night. PlayStation. Konami. Alucard: It seems your
power is insufficient. / Shaft: Five years, five years to
gather my powers for this, and all for not. / Alucard:
You claimed to love the darkness, go then and dwell there
for all eternity.
[15] Konami (1997-10-02). Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night. PlayStation. Konami. Alucard: Go back whence
you came, trouble the soul of my mother no more. / Drac-
ula: H...how...how, how is it I've been so defeated?
[16] Konami (1997-10-02). Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night. PlayStation. Konami. Dracula: You have ever
been the ally of humans. Have you forgotten what they
did to your mother?
[17] Konami (1997-10-02). Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night. PlayStation. Konami. Dracula: What...what were
Lisa's last words? / 'Alucard: She said do not hate hu-
mans. If you cannot live with them, then at least do them
no harm. For theirs is already a hard lot. She also said to
tell you, that she will love you for all of eternity.
[18] Gann, Patrick (2007-12-10). “RPGFan Reviews - Castl-
evania: Symphony of the Night”. RPGFan. Retrieved
2008-02-17.
CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS
[19] Sinclair, Brendan (2007-03-16).“Castlevania sinks fangs
into XBLA next week”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-02-
18.
[20] Bishop, Sam (2007-11-29). “Castlevania: Symphony of
the Night (PSN) Review”. IGN. Archived from the orig-
inal on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
[21] Konami (1997-11-27). Castlevania: Legends. Game Boy
Color. Konami. Alucard: Ooww! I had no idea you had
become so strong. / Sonia: Oh, Alucard! / Alucard: It
looks like this time it is I who have learned a lesson. /
Sonia: Alucard, did you purposely...? / Alucard: No,
Sonia. You have made me believe in your strength.
[22] Konami (1997-11-27). Castlevania: Legends. Game Boy
Color. Konami. Alucard: Do not trouble yourself about
it, Sonia. Now, I must sleep. I fear we shall not meet again.
Farewell, my beloved, my beautiful vampire hunter.
[23] Bozon Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret-
rospective - Page 6”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[24] Kalata, Kurt (2006-07-26). “Tales From The Crypt:
Castlevania 20th Anniversary Blowout from 1UP.com -
Page 5”. 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[25] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Yoko: You've met
Aluca... um, I mean, Genya Arikado right
[26] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Genya Arikado: You're
late, Julius. / Julius Belmont: Arikado? Or should it be
Alucard? / Alucard: That doesn't matter. I had to trans-
form to draw out my full power.
[27] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. J: My real name
is JULIUS BELMONT. I am a descendent of a clan that
has fought against Dracula for ages. / Soma: And that
person who destroyed Dracula in 1999 was... / Julius:
Yes. It was me...
[28] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Arikado: So it
has awakened. / Soma: What? What has? / Arikado:
The spirit of the creature you killed has just entered your
body. You have the power to absorb the abilities of the
monsters you kill.
[29] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: Finally...
I clearly understand... everything. I am... Dracula.
[30] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. From the Library Menu:
Soma Cruz: The rebirth of Dracula, he has the ability to
dominate the souls of monsters and use their powers as
his own. A year ago, he learned that he was destined to
become the dark lord. However, he overcame the chaos
that raged within and escaped that fate.
[31] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Genya Arikado: They
want to resurrect the lord of darkness. Like some sought
to do with Dracula. / Soma Cruz: I guess they don't
2.4. CHARACTERS OF ''CASTLEVANIA: ARIA OF SORROW'' AND ''DAWN OF SORROW'' 35

like the fact that I didn't become the 'lord of darkness'. [43] Boulette, Bryan. “RPGamer > Staff Retroview > Castle-
/ Genya Arikado: Not only that, they intend to create a vania: Aria of Sorrow”. RPGamer. Retrieved 2008-02-
new lord by eliminating you. 17.

[32] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. [44] Thomas, Damian (2005-10-16). “RPGFan Reviews -
Genya Arikado: Also, Mina entrusted me with this. It's Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow”. RPGFan. Retrieved
for you. / Soma Cruz: What? A letter? And a talisman? 2008-02-17.
[33] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
[45] Leeper, Justin (2005-11-04).“Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Genya Arikado: That
row Review”. GameSpy. Archived from the original on
Mina is a fake! / Celia Fortner: Arikado! Why must you
5 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
always get in the way? / Genya Arikado: How clever of
you to use a Doppelganger. Ah, but you haven't won just
[46] Harris, Craig (2005-10-04). “IGN: Castlevania: Dawn
yet...
of Sorrow Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
[34] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Dmitrii Blinov: I should
thank my lucky stars for making good my escape. I man-
aged to loosen myself when the boy's emotions shifted 2.4 Characters of ''Castlevania:
momentarily. / Celia Fortner: I thought you'd died... / Aria of Sorrow'' and ''Dawn of
Dmitrii Blinov: Shedding my former body was a desper-
ate gamble. But it has worked out quite well. Sorrow''
[35] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: You killed
your own ally? / Dmitrii Blinov: She had always dreamed
of seeing the dark lord. She served me to the end in my
becoming. She should feel honored. Not only that, she
even helped me take care of that pesky Arikado. / Soma
Cruz: ?! / Genya Arikado: He's right. His sacrifice re-
versed the flow of my dark power

[36] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: Then that
means there will always be a need for a dark lord. All
because I ducked out from becoming the next in line! /
Genya Arikado: Don't misconstrue me! Perhaps there
is a need for the dark lord...But there is no reason at all
for you to become the dark lord. / Soma Cruz: But
if it weren't for me, none of this would have happened!
/ Genya Arikado: You're neither a god nor a demon.
You're only human. You have no chance at ever achiev-
ing perfection. Or are you saying you want to be the dark
lord? / Soma Cruz: No...Of course not.

[37] Pavlacka, Adam (2005-10-04). “Castlevania: Dawn of

Sorrow Review| Nintendo DS Game Reviews”. Yahoo!
Games. Retrieved 2008-02-18.

[38] “All Time Greatest Game Hero - The Standings”.

GameSpot. Archived from the original on 6 October
2009. Retrieved 2009-09-15.
[39] Jackson, Jordan. “RPGamer > Staff Retroview > Castl-
evania: Symphony of the Night”. RPGamer. Retrieved
2008-02-17.
[40] Gee, James Paul (2007). “Pleasure, learning, video
games, and life: The projective stance”. A new litera-
cies sampler (CiteSeer) 29. ISSN 1523-9543. CiteSeerX:
10.1.1.128.3508#page=105.
[41] “100 best heroes in video games”. GamesRadar. Re-
trieved April 20, 2013.
[42] “The 50 Greatest Video Game Characters - 34. Alucard”
. Empire. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
The characters of Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Left to right:
Julius, Hammer, Arikado, Soma, Mina and Yoko. Behind Soma,
top to bottom: Celia, Dario and Dmitrii.
This is a list of characters of Konami's action-adventure
games Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania:
Dawn of Sorrow, part of Konami's Castlevania video
game series. The games take place in 2035 and 2036 re-
spectively, and each game deals with the effects that the
death of Dracula, the primary antagonist of the Castle-
vania series, has had on the world. Aria of Sorrow fea-
tures the coming of a prophecy that Dracula's reincar-
nation will inherit all of his powers, and the paths of the
game's characters are led to Dracula's castle by this event.
36 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

Dawn of Sorrow takes place one year later, with the an- which was in production at the time.* [9] In place of her
tagonists seeking to revive the dark lord when he did not drawings, an anime style was used for the character de-
surface in Aria of Sorrow. signs.* [2] This was a deliberate decision by producer Koji
The primary playable character and protagonist of the Igarashi, *
who wanted to market the game to a younger au-
two games is Soma Cruz, a reclusive transfer student dience. [2] In an interview, Igarashi stated that he felt that
who has a mysterious power connected with Dracula's the target demographic of the Nintendo DS was younger
death. The major supporting characters include Mina than those of other video game consoles that the Castleva-
Hakuba, Soma's close childhood friend and the miko of nia series has been featured on, and he intended to court
them with a more simplistic anime design.* [2] The usage
the Hakuba shrine; Genya Arikado, a withdrawn and
enigmatic government agent specializing in supernatural of the anime style was to be a litmus test for whether fu-
ture Castlevania games would incorporate the style.* [10]
events; Julius Belmont, the latest member of the Belmont
clan featured in the series; Yoko Belnades, an energetic In addition, Igarashi initially wanted to introduce a white
collar Japanese worker as a character in the game.* [11]
and forward witch in the service of the Roman Catholic
Church; and Hammer, a member of the United States This character, which Igarashi referred to as a “general
Military with aspirations of becoming a vendor of mili- Japanese worker,”would be *
a manager in a Japanese firm
tary material. In Aria of Sorrow, the antagonist is Graham and have a family as well. [11] Despite Igarashi's efforts,
Jones, a deranged missionary who believes himself to be however, opposition from the game's design team forced
*
the reincarnation of Lord Dracula and seeks to inherit his Igarashi to abandon this prospect. [11]
powers. In Dawn of Sorrow, the antagonists are Celia
Fortner, Dmitrii Blinov, and Dario Bossi, members of a
cult who wish to create a new dark lord in Dracula's ab- 2.4.2 Recurring characters
sence.
In Aria of Sorrow, the character designs were done by
Ayami Kojima as part of producer Koji Igarashi's de-
sire to take a “different route”with the series in Aria
of Sorrow.* [1] In Dawn of Sorrow, however, Ayami Ko-
jima was not part of the production team, and the char-
acters were recast in an anime style,* [2] which was heav-
ily criticized by several video game publications.* [3] De-
spite this, the characters were the subject of praise from
many video game publications. Although many review-
ers derided the stereotypical roles that the characters fell
into, other reviewers noted that the new plot Aria of Sor-
row and Dawn of Sorrow featured provided a better con-
text for these characters.* [4]* [5] The storyline of the two
games also received praise, and was compared to the plot
of the widely acclaimed Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night.* [6]

2.4.1 Character conception

The characters of Aria of Sorrow were designed by Ayami

Kojima, who had previously worked on the characters in
Castlevania games such as Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night and Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance.* [7] Her
dark, gothic drawings borrow heavily from bishōnen-style
art.* [8] Producer Koji Igarashi decided to set the game Soma Cruz in Aria of Sorrow (top) and Dawn of Sorrow (bot-
in the future because he wished to explore a “different tom). Note the transition between the art style of Ayami Kojima
route”for the series.* [1] Keeping with Igarashi's “dif- in the top, and the anime style used for his Dawn of Sorrow ap-
ferent route”motif, the characters' appearance was made pearance.
more contemporary, sporting more modern clothing in
comparison to the medieval attire of characters in previ-
ous Castlevania games.* [1] Soma Cruz
In Dawn of Sorrow, Ayami Kojima was absent from the
production.* [9] This was to allow her to concentrate on Main article: Soma Cruz
her character designs for Castlevania: Curse of Darkness,
2.4. CHARACTERS OF ''CASTLEVANIA: ARIA OF SORROW'' AND ''DAWN OF SORROW''
Soma Cruz, known in the original Japanese version
as Sōma Kurusu (来 須 蒼 真 Kurusu Sōma), is the
protagonist and primary playable character of both Aria
of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow, and also is one of start-
ing characters in Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. His
Japanese voice actor in all games is Hikaru Midorikawa,
and his English voice actor in Harmony of Despair is Eric
Davies.* [12] Soma's presence in two Castlevania games,
unusual for most Castlevania characters, was made by
producer Koji Igarashi, who noted that one of the rea-
sons he made Dawn of Sorrow was to utilize Soma Cruz
in another game.* [9]
In both games' international versions, he is depicted
as a transfer student studying in Japan (or simply as
a Japanese high school student, in the Japanese ver-
sion* [13]), living a peaceful life with his childhood friend
Mina Hakuba.* [14] During the events of Aria of Sorrow,
Soma awakens in Dracula's castle, where he learns of
his “power of dominance,”which enables him to ab-
sorb the souls of monsters and use their powers.* [15] He
ventures through Dracula's castle, learning that Dracula
had been destroyed years prior, and his reincarnation was
coming to the castle that day. Defeating Graham Jones,
who had harbored the notion that he was Dracula's rein-
carnation, causes Soma to realize that he is Dracula's rein-
carnation.* [16] With the aid of his friends, he is able to
escape his fate by defeating the manifestation of the cas-
tle's chaos.* [17] In Dawn of Sorrow, Soma returns into
battle to combat Celia Fortner's cult, which seeks to kill
Soma and revive the dark lord. Soma manages to defeat
them, and realizes at the end of the game that he is free to
determine his own destiny rather than inevitably become
another Dracula.* [18]
Mina Hakuba
Mina Hakuba (⽩ ⾺ 弥 那 Hakuba Mina) is the child-
hood friend of Soma Cruz and the only daughter of the
priest of the Hakuba shrine.* [19] Her attire in Aria of
Sorrow reflects this, as her attire is that of a traditional
miko.* [20] She is transported into Dracula's castle along-
side Soma at the start of Aria of Sorrow and remains out-
side the castle for the duration of the game, offering Soma
advice that she acquires from Arikado.* [1] When Soma
realizes that he is Dracula's reincarnation, Mina is able
to accept him for who he is, and offers him moral sup-
port.* [21] After Soma escapes his fate, Mina returns to
the Hakuba shrine with him. In Dawn of Sorrow, Mina
is briefly present in the game, present solely in the open-
ing and ending sequences. In the beginning of Dawn of
Sorrow, she and Soma are nearly killed by Celia Fortner,
who is repelled by Soma and Arikado. Mina spends the
Genya Arikado
remainder protected by Arikado's subordinates, but sends
a letter and talisman to Soma during the course of the
game.* [22]* [23] A doppelgänger of her also appears in a Main article: Alucard (Castlevania)
later stage in the game. When confronted by Soma, Celia
fakes killing the doppelgänger in front of him, prompting Genya Arikado (有⾓幻也 Arikado Genya) is a member
37
a furious Soma to begin to transform into the dark lord.
The talisman she sends him however, delays the transfor-
mation enough for Genya to reveal the truth to Soma, halt-
ing his transformation. At the end of the game, she and
Soma share a tender moment, to the amusement of their
onlooking friends. Given the striking similarity, Mina's
name seems to have been inspired by Mina Harker from
the original Bram Stoker works.
Julius Belmont
Julius Belmont (ユリウス・ベルモンド Yuriusu Beru-
mondo) is the latest member of the Belmont clan fea-
tured in the Castlevania series.* [19] Members of the Bel-
mont clan have been the protagonists of most Castlevania
games, and Julius' role as a supporting character is un-
usual for the series.* [24] His Japanese voice actor in both
games is Tetsu Inada, and he is voiced by David Lodge in
Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. In both Aria of Sorrow
and Dawn of Sorrow, Julius is playable through “Julius
Mode.”* [25]* [26] While the “Julius Mode”in Aria
of Sorrow solely features Julius, Yoko Belnades and Alu-
card can be unlocked as playable characters in the“Julius
Mode”in Dawn of Sorrow.* [26] In Harmony of Despair
he becomes a DLC character.
Prior to the event taking place in Aria of Sorrow, Julius is
the last and only Belmont to permanently defeat Dracula
in 1999 thus ending his rebirth cycle by sealing his source
of power (Dracula's Castle) inside a solar eclipse. How-
ever Julius somehow became amnesiac and wandered the
land until he arrived at Dracula's castle as the amne-
siac “J,”having forgotten his identity after defeating
Dracula prior to the start of the game.* [27]* [28] He en-
counters Soma Cruz, and Soma's dark power awakens
Julius' memories. Julius later confronts Soma after re-
alizing that Soma is Dracula's reincarnation, and battles
him. Julius, unwilling to pit his full power against Soma,
is defeated.* [29] After Soma escapes his fate of becom-
ing another dark lord, Julius sends his thanks.* [30] After
the events in Aria of Sorrow, Julius works for the Roman
Catholic Church alongside Yoko Belnades.* [19] In Dawn
of Sorrow, he travels to the base housing Celia Fortner's
cult with Yoko. Julius later battles Dario Bossi, one of
the “dark lord's candidates”and Celia's henchman, and
is defeated.* [31] After Celia and Dmitrii Blinov, the last
candidate, flee into the depths of the castle, Julius uses all
his power to shatter the barrier guarding their flight.* [32]
He is greatly weakened as a result, and does not partic-
ipate in the final battle; although he appears during the
final cutscene of the game.* [33]
38 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

of a Japanese government organization related to national Hammer

security.* [19] In truth, he is Alucard, the son of Dracula,
best known as the protagonist in Konami's highly ac-
claimed Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.* [34] Dur-
ing the events in Aria of Sorrow, he comes to Dracula's
castle to ensure that a dark lord is not created. He in-
structs Soma Cruz to seek the throne room in Dracula's
castle, hoping that Soma will absorb Dracula's powers.
The gambit succeeds, and Soma nearly becomes the dark
lord. However, Arikado reveals that if Soma destroys the
flow of chaos into the castle, he will be able to escape
his fate. After Soma succeeds, Arikado congratulates
him.* [35]
In Dawn of Sorrow, Arikado battles Celia Fortner's cult,
which wishes to revive the dark lord. Arikado saves Soma
from certain death after Celia attempts to kill him per-
sonally, and instructs Soma not to pursue her. Soma ig-
nores his directive, and travels to the cult's base. Arikado
confronts him, and gives him a letter and talisman from
Mina.* [23] Arikado later appears to stop Celia from us-
ing a doppelgänger to force Soma to become the dark
lord, but is forced to let her leave after a revived Dmitrii
Blinov threatens Soma's life. Arikado travels into the
castle's basement, and attempts to stop Dmitrii. Dmitrii
uses Celia as a sacrifice to seal Arikado's powers, leav-
ing Soma to battle him.* [36] After Soma is victorious,
Arikado reveals that he is not predestined to become
the dark lord, and notes that one will emerge if neces-
sary.* [18] Arikado becomes playable as Alucard if the
player unlocks “Julius Mode”.* [26]
Hammer (ハ マー Hamā) is a member of the United
States military that comes to the Hakuba shrine on or-
ders from his superiors. He quickly abandons his mis-
sion when he is teleported into Dracula's castle, and on
meeting Soma Cruz, becomes his vendor, serving as the
game's in-game shop.* [38] During this time, he falls in
love with Yoko Belnades, who does not reciprocate his
affection.* [19] After Soma defeats the manifestation of
chaos in the castle, he expresses his thanks to Soma, and
says that he will quit the military to pursue his ambition
of becoming a salesman.* [39]
After leaving the military, Hammer starts his work as an
independent merchant, and acts as an information bro-
ker through his “shady business contacts.”* [19] It is
through this information that Soma discovers the loca-
tion of Celia Fortner's base in Dawn of Sorrow. Ham-
mer arrives, and promises to be Soma's vendor again.
He stations his shop directly opposite Yoko's, and con-
stantly hounds Soma over his infatuation with Yoko over
the course of the game. He appears with the other char-
acters at the end of the game during the final cutscene.
2.4.3 Antagonists
Aria of Sorrow

Yoko Belnades

Yoko Belnades (ヨー コ・ ヴェ ル ナ ン デ ス Yōko

Verunandesu) is a witch in the service of the Church.
She is a member of the Belnades clan, whose members
are adept at magic, a trait they inherited from the clan's
progenitor, Sypha Belnades.* [19] In both games, she is
voiced by: Hiroko Takahashi in Japanese, and her En-
glish voice actor in Castlevania: Harmony of Despair is
Karen Strassman. Yoko comes to Dracula's castle dur-
ing the events of Aria of Sorrow to stop Graham Jones,
whom she believes will inherit Dracula's powers. She so-
licits the aid of Soma Cruz, but is stabbed by Graham
when he confronts her. She is saved by Arikado, and later
thanks Soma for saving her, expressing her shock that he
was Dracula's reincarnation.* [37]
Yoko returns in Dawn of Sorrow as an associate of Julius
Belmont.* [19] However, Julius quickly abandons her to
search the castle. Yoko teaches Soma the use of a Magic
Seal, and offers to increase the power of his weapons by
binding the souls under his dominance to them. Although
Hammer is infatuated with her, she appears to be either
oblivious or uncaring of his affections. She appears dur-
ing the final cutscene at the end of the game. Yoko is Graham Jones Graham Jones (グラハム・ジョーン
playable in the game's“Julius Mode.”* [26] and in Har- ズ Gurahamu Jōnuzu) is the primary antagonist of Aria
mony of Despair as a DLC character. of Sorrow. He was born on the day of Dracula's death,
 2.4. CHARACTERS OF ''CASTLEVANIA: ARIA OF SORROW'' AND ''DAWN OF SORROW'' 39

giving him supernatural powers. He founded a religious power. He then sacrifices Celia to remove the threat of
sect preaching apocalyptic prophecies, and acted as its Genya Arikado.* [36] Before he begins to battle Soma,
chief missionary. Graham arrives at Dracula's castle in Soma's power of dominance overwhelms his soul, and
Aria of Sorrow, believing that he will receive Dracula's he dies when the monsters under his control escape his
powers due to being Dracula's reincarnation.* [40] He is body.* [47]
forced to contend with Yoko Belnades and Julius Bel-
mont, who have arrived at the castle to prevent Dracula's
powers from falling into the wrong hands. Graham cor- Dario Bossi Dario Bossi (ダ リ オ・ ボッ シ Dario
ners Yoko and stabs her, and begins to increase his pow- Bosshi) is one of the antagonists of Dawn of Sor-
ers by absorbing the castle's energy. He faces Soma in row. Similar to Dmitrii Blinov, Dario is one of the
battle, partially mimicking Dracula's battle style and then “dark lord's candidates,”born on the day of Drac-
transforming into a demonic creature. Soma manifests ula's demise.* [42] This affords him supernatural pow-
Dracula's powers, and is able to defeat Graham.* [41] His ers, specifically pyrokinesis.* [19] This correlates with
death forces Soma to absorb the energy Graham had been his personality, as he is quick to anger, and acts on his
collecting, and realizes that he himself is Dracula's incar- instincts.* [19] He is a wanted criminal, responsible for
nation.* [16] countless incidents of“inexplicable”arson.* [48] He joins
Celia Fortner's cult, seeking to become the new dark lord
by killing Soma Cruz. Soma defeats him in combat, and
Chaos Chaos is the foremost antagonist of the series, he is saved by Celia's intervention. Celia then binds a
being the true source of Dracula's powers. powerful fire demon named Aguni to his soul, which in-
creases his powers. Dario confronts Julius Belmont and
defeats him, as Julius cannot prevent Dario from regen-
Dawn of Sorrow erating all damage.* [31] He fights Soma once more, but
Soma strips him of his powers by defeating Aguni, break-
Celia Fortner Celia Fortner (セリア・フォルトゥナ ing the demon's bond to his soul.* [49]
Seria Forutūna) is one of the antagonists of Dawn of Sor-
row. She is the head of a cult seeking to revive the dark
lord.* [19] Although she claims that she wishes to revive 2.4.4 Reception
the dark lord to make God a completely good being, she
desires a dark lord to prevent the loss of her magical pow-
The characters of Aria of Sorrow have received ac-
ers.* [19] She recruits Dmitrii Blinov and Dario Bossi, the
claim and criticism from several video game publications.
“dark lord's candidates,”whom can become the new dark
RPGamer welcomed the depth of the characters, and the
lord by destroying Dracula's soul.* [42] To do this, she at-
emphasis placed into the personalities and development
tempts to kill Soma Cruz. Her initial attempts are foiled
of supporting characters, as versus previous Castlevania
by Genya Arikado, and her candidates are defeated by
games, whose character development and personality fo-
Soma. In a final effort, she uses a dopplegänger posing
cus were primarily on the protagonist.* [5] IGN lauded
as Mina Hakuba, Soma's childhood friend, and “kills”
this change from the conventional plot of a Castleva-
it to induce Soma to become the dark lord himself. Al-
nia game, in which a member of the Belmont clan de-
though this fails, Dmitrii, whose soul Soma had absorbed,
feats Dracula with the aid of a host of supporting charac-
escapes into the dopplegänger.* [43] She aids him in in-
ters.* [24] GameSpy cited the game's “intriguing”sup-
creasing his powers, but Dmitrii uses her as a sacrifice to
port characters as part of the Aria of Sorrow's“powerful
seal Arikado's powers.* [36]* [44]
and compelling scenario”. They also complemented the
graphics of the characters, citing “good animation on
*
Dmitrii Blinov Dmitrii Blinov (ドミトリー ・ブリノ easily viewable sprites.” [4] However, GameSpy criti-
フ Domitorī Burinofu) is one of the antagonists of Dawn cized the presence of a “weak female who needs pro-
of Sorrow. He is one of the “dark lord's candidates,” tection”and an “effeminate-looking man who does all
or those born on the same day that Dracula died, be- the slaying”as elements seen in previous Castlevania
stowing upon him the power to duplicate the magical games, but noted that the “interesting *
nature”of the
* *
powers of others [19] [42] He joins Celia Fortner's cult, game's dialogue helped rectify this. [4] In an interview,
seeking to find the purpose behind his powers by be- Koji Igarashi stated that one of the reasons he made Dawn
coming the new dark lord although he espouses no loy- of Sorrow was to continue the storyline with Soma Cruz
*
*
alty to Celia. [45] He is defeated by Soma, who inadver- found in Aria of Sorrow. [9]
tently absorbs Dmitrii's soul. Dmitrii uses this opportu- In Dawn of Sorrow, reviewers had mixed opinions re-
nity to copy Soma's “power of dominance,”or his abil- garding the characters. RPGamer stated the characters
ity to use the abilities of the monsters he defeats.* [46] come across as“individual, interesting, and mostly com-
Dmitrii manages to escape Soma's body after Celia's at- pelling.”* [50] RPGFan noted the“stereotypical”roles
tempt to turn Soma into the dark lord fails.* [43] He the characters fell into, but stated that Dawn of Sorrow
leaves with Celia, who summons monsters to increase his showed more character development than the Castleva-
40
nia series “has seen since Castlevania: Symphony of the [14] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Night".* [6] Several elements incorporated into Dawn of
Sorrow, namely the use of a new anime style, as ver-
sus the dark, gothic presentation of Ayami Kojima, was
criticized by reviewers. GameSpy deplored the “shal-
low, lifeless anime images”used for the characters, and
* the shrine's caretaker, is both my classmate and my only
Kojima's absence from the production. [3] IGN claimed
that the images were“down to the level of 'generic Satur-
day morning Anime' quality.”* [51] RPGFan stated that [15] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
the change in character designers lost “some of what
made the characters really visually appealing.”* [6] De-
spite this criticism, the anime style used in Dawn of Sor-
row was later reused in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin.* [52] body. You have the power to absorb the abilities of the
2.4.5 References
[1] Nutt, Christian (2003-01-18). “GameSpy: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Preview”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2007-
11-18.
[2] Sheffield, Brandon (2005-08-15). “Whip Smart:
Konami's Koji Igarashi On Mastering Castlevania”.
Gamasutra. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
[3] Leeper, Justin (2005-11-04).“Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row Review”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
[4] Turner, Benjamin (2003-05-07). “Castlevania: Aria of
Sorrow Review”. GameSpy. Archived from the original
on April 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
[5] Boulette, Bryan. “RPGamer > Staff Retroview > Castle-
vania: Aria of Sorrow”. RPGamer. Retrieved 2007-11-
22.
[6] Thomas, Damian (2005-10-16). “RPGFan Reviews -
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow”. RPGFan. Retrieved
2007-11-20.
[7] Bozon, Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret-
rospective - Page 9”. IGN. Archived from the original
on November 2, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-18.
[8] “Creative Uncut - Artist Profile: Ayami Kojima”. cre-
ativeuncut.com. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
[9] Barres, Nick Des. “TGS2005 - Koji Igarashi”. playon-
line.com. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
[10] Payton, Ryan (2005-11-03). “A new art style for Castl-
evania”. 1up.com. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
[11] Berghammer, Billy (2005-07-28). “Castlevania Mania:
The Koji Igarashi Interview”. Game Informer. Archived
from the original on 2007-03-01. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
[12] “Hikaru Midorikawa - IMDb”. Internet Movie Database.
Retrieved 2007-12-01.
[13] Konami, ed. (2003).“Castlevania Akatsuki no Menuett”
. Konami (in Japanese). Retrieved March 16, 2008. Ex- [24] Harris, Craig (2003-05-03). “Castlevania: Aria of Sor-
ternal link in |work= (help)
CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz:
My name is Soma Cruz, and I am a high school ex-
change student studying abroad in Japan. I live near
the Hakuba shrine, an ancient shrine with strong ties to
Japanese mythology. Mina Hakuba, the only daughter of
childhood friend.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Arikado: “So it
has awakened.”/ Soma:“What? What has?" / Arikado:
“The spirit of the creature you killed has just entered your
monsters you kill.”
[16] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma:“Finally...I
clearly understand...everything. I am...Dracula.”
[17] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. From the Library Menu:
Soma Cruz: The rebirth of Dracula, he has the ability to
dominate the souls of monsters and use their powers as
his own. A year ago, he learned that he was destined to
become the dark lord. However, he overcame the chaos
that raged within and escaped that fate.
[18] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: Then that
means there will always be a need for a dark lord. All
because I ducked out from becoming the next in line! /
Genya Arikado: Don't misconstrue me! Perhaps there
is a need for the dark lord...But there is no reason at all
for you to become the dark lord. / Soma Cruz: But
if it weren't for me, none of this would have happened!
/ Genya Arikado: You're neither a god nor a demon.
You're only human. You have no chance at ever achiev-
ing perfection. Or are you saying you want to be the dark
lord? / Soma Cruz: No...Of course not.
[19] “Official Castlevania website”. Konami. Retrieved 2007-
05-15.
[20] “RPGFan Pictures - Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow - Art-
work - Mina”. RPGFan. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
[21] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: “I bet
they're all afraid of me...”/ Mina:“No, not at all! At first
we were shocked, but everyone believes you'll get through
this.
[22] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Soma Cruz: Arikado! What are you doing here?
I thought that you were protecting Mina... / Genya
Arikado: Mina is fine. My colleagues are providing pro-
tection. Besides, keeping you under observation gets pri-
ority.
[23] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Genya Arikado: Also, Mina entrusted me with this. It's
for you. / Soma Cruz: What? A letter? And a talisman?
row Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
2.4. CHARACTERS OF ''CASTLEVANIA: ARIA OF SORROW'' AND ''DAWN OF SORROW''
[25] Kepper, Sean (2006-01-13). “Guides: Castlevania Dou-
ble Pack Guide (GBA), Castlevania: Harmony of Disso-
nance, Aria of Sorrow Walkthroughs - Page 32”. IGN.
Retrieved 2007-11-21.
[26] Pavlacka, Adam (2005-10-04). “Castlevania: Dawn of
Sorrow Review| Nintendo DS Game Reviews”. Yahoo!
Games. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
[27] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. J: “I can't give
you my name, but people call me J.”/ Soma: “People
call you 'J'? Why hide your real name? Are you a crimi-
nal?" / J: “No. I have amnesia. I'm told that I was in an
accident in 1999. When I woke up in the hospital, I had
forgotten my name and my past.”
[28] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. J: My real name
is JULIUS BELMONT. I am a descendent of a clan that
has fought against Dracula for ages. / Soma: And that
person who destroyed Dracula in 1999 was... / Julius:
Yes. It was me...
[29] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: “You
took it easy on me. I could tell. The strength of a Bel-
mont...No...the strength of a vampire hunter is greater
than this.”/ Julius: "...When I fought you, I felt the evil
spirit within you. But there's more...I also sensed Soma's
spirit. And that's more than enough to stop me.”
[30] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Julius: “You
fought well. When I fled the castle, I felt the power from
the vampire killer fading away. I don't know what it
means but I won't have to do anything for the time being.
Farewell, may we meet again.”
[31] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Julius Belmont: “Watch it. He's tough. Especially for
me, since I can't use Magic Seals.”
[32] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Julius Belmont: Break this barrier? It's definitely pos-
sible. But there's no guarantee that I'll have energy left to
fight. / Genya Arikado: Without your power, it's impos-
sible for us to get through. They have to be stopped, at
all costs. / Julius Belmont: ...Well, I suppose this is an
emergency...Fine. Stand back.
[33] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Genya Arikado: There are people waiting for you. Don't
break their hearts. / Soma Cruz: Everyone... / Julius
Belmont: You kept your promise.
[34] Whalen, Mike; Varanini, Giancarlo (1998-09-10).
“GameSpot: History of Castlevania - Page 11”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-12-05.
[35] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Arikado: “The
path you took was the most challenging one. You did
well. For God to be good evil is an absolute necessity
in this world. In the future someone may follow again in
Dracula's dark footsteps. At that time, perhaps we'll meet
41
again. Farewell...In my mother's name, I send thanks to
you.”
[36] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: You killed
your own ally? / Dmitrii Blinov: She had always dreamed
of seeing the dark lord. She served me to the end in my
becoming. She should feel honored. Not only that, she
even helped me take care of that pesky Arikado. / Soma
Cruz: ?! / Genya Arikado: He's right. His sacrifice re-
versed the flow of my dark power
[37] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Yoko: “Hello
Soma congratulations. I've got to another job that I must
attend to, so I have to go now. When I first heard that YOU
were Dracula, I was shocked...I was just waking up you
know If you think about it though everything turned out
ok. Ha ha ha...I never forget your strength and courage.
And I haven't thanked you yet for rescuing me so...thanks.
You're like a younger brother to me. It was fun, and I hope
we meet again Goodbye.”
[38] Moriarty, Colin (2003-05-23). “Guides: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Guide (GBA) - Page 2”. IGN. Retrieved
2008-01-09.
[39] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Hammer: “Hey
there much obliged for your business at my shop. Back at
the castle I realised my true calling. Fighting's not me. I
think I'll quit the army and open up a shop sometime soon
Promise me you'll come. I'll give ya a good deal.”
[40] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Graham: “I was
born on the very day that Dracula was destroyed...so, in
short, that means I AM DRACULA!"
[41] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Graham: I can't
believe it...how did YOU come to possess those powers?
/ Soma: What do you mean by “those powers"? / Gra-
ham: I'm Dracula and you're not the one!
[42] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: “So those
two are the dark lord's candidates...”/ Celia Fortner:
“Correct. They were born at the same time as Dracula's
demise. They are inheritors of Dracula's dark powers.”/
Soma Cruz: “But that's no guarantee that they can be-
come the dark lord.”/ Celia Fortner: “They can. By
shattering Dracula's soul.”
[43] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Dmitrii Blinov: I should
thank my lucky stars for making good my escape. I man-
aged to loosen myself when the boy's emotions shifted
momentarily. / Celia Fortner: I thought you'd died... /
Dmitrii Blinov: Shedding my former body was a desper-
ate gamble. But it has worked out quite well.
[44] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Dmitrii Blinov: Your
dark power failed to overcome the power I gained from
the sacrifice. Soma Cruz: Sacrifice? C-Celia!
42 CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS

[45] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. the protagonist of Konami's action-adventure games
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: Do you have Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Dawn of
any reason for going along with Celia's scheme? / Dmitrii Sorrow, part of Konami's Castlevania video game series.
Blinov: None whatsoever. / Soma Cruz: Well, then! / He was designed by Ayami Kojima as part of producer
Dmitrii Blinov: However, I have this power. I wish to Koji Igarashi's desire to try a “different route”for the
know the meaning of it, its significance. Is that not a nat-
Castlevania series.* [3] His return in Dawn of Sorrow was
ural desire? / Soma Cruz: And for that, you want to be-
come the dark lord? / Dmitrii Blinov: Is that so wrong?
due to Igarashi's satisfaction with Soma and the story-
Refining my power will finally provide me with answers. line in Aria of Sorrow, and he was redesigned with a new
anime appearance.* [4]* [5]
[46] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Genya Arikado: You
In Aria of Sorrow, Soma is an 18-year-old transfer student
copied the power of dominance from Soma? / Dmitrii studying in Japan* [6] (or simply a Japanese high school
Blinov: Ah, so you understand. I touched the boy's soul student, in the Japanese version* [7]), where he finds him-
and copied his ability. And I have been doubly lucky in self in the castle of Dracula, the principal antagonist of
finding a suitable replacement for my body. / Celia Fort- the Castlevania series. Soma discovers his “power of
ner: Y-You obtained the same power as Soma Cruz? / dominance,”or his ability to claim the souls and abilities
Dmitrii Blinov: When I fought the boy, I confirmed one of the monsters he defeats as his own.* [8] As the game's
thing. Dracula's heir need not be the inheritor of the dark story progresses, Soma learns of Dracula's demise, and
lord's power. I only need to possess the same ability to that he is his reincarnation, and destined to become Drac-
become the true dark lord's heir. And of course, only I ula again (a position Graham Jones desired for himself
could gain that ability.
before he was killed by Soma). The only reason he did
[47] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. not become the next dark lord immediately was due to the
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Genya Arikado: The efforts of Alucard, using the pseudonym Genya Arikado.
power of dominance isn't easily contained. He isn't like Soma eventually defeats the chaos running through the
you. His soul can't withstand a power that intense. castle, narrowly missing both his own corruption and his
possible death at the hands of Julius Belmont. Dawn of
[48] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Yoko Belnades: Dario Sorrow features Soma fighting the attempts of a cult to
Bossi. He has the ability to create fires. He's been impli- slay him and create a new dark lord when one did not
cated in countless inexplicable fires. He's a wicked crim- surface during the events of Aria of Sorrow.* [9]
inal who's wanted all around the globe. Several video game publications have praised Soma's
[49] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. character. Although Soma himself was viewed as a
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Dario Bossi: Wh-What stereotypical echo of previous Castlevania protagonists,
did ya do, punk?! My power...It's gone... / Soma Cruz: I the new context that the storyline Aria of Sorrow and
destroyed the demon that fused with your soul. And your Dawn of Sorrow provided for him rectified this.* [10]
power with it. The storyline in particular that Soma was situated in
was compared to the storyline of the widely acclaimed
[50] Boulette, Bryan. “RPGamer > Staff Review > Castleva-
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.* [11] The switch to
nia: Dawn of Sorrow”. RPGamer. Retrieved 2007-11-
20. an anime character design in Dawn of Sorrow was notably
criticized, as many reviewers preferred the designs made
[51] Harris, Craig (2005-10-04). “IGN: Castlevania: Dawn by Ayami Kojima.* [12]* [13]
of Sorrow Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-11-20.

[52] Torres, Ricardo (2006-08-23). “Castlevania: Portrait of 2.5.1 Conception and design
Ruin Updated Hands-On”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-
06-06.
Soma debuted in Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, the third
and final installment of the Castlevania series on the
2.4.6 External links Game Boy Advance.* [14] He was created as part of the
attempt by Koji Igarashi, the producer of several Castle-
• Official Castlevania site vania games, including the highly acclaimed Castlevania:
Symphony of the Night, to try a “different route”for the
• Official Aria of Sorrow site (Japanese) series by setting it in a futuristic setting.* [3] Soma was
designed by Ayami Kojima, who had previously worked
• Official Dawn of Sorrow site (Japanese)
on the characters in Castlevania games such as Castleva-
nia: Symphony of the Night and Castlevania: Harmony
of Dissonance.* [15] Kojima's drawings are made in a
2.5 Soma Cruz dark, gothic style, and borrow heavily from bishōnen-
style art.* [1] Nevertheless, keeping with Igarashi's “dif-
Soma Cruz, known in Japan as Sōma Kurusu (来 ferent route”motif, Soma's appearance was made notice-
須 蒼 真 Kurusu Sōma), is a fictional character and ably more contemporary, sporting more modern clothing
2.5. SOMA CRUZ 43

in comparison to the medieval attire of characters in pre- where he learns of his“power of dominance”, enabling
vious Castlevania games.* [3] him to absorb the souls of the monsters he defeats and
*
Soma's inclusion in Dawn of Sorrow, a rare sequel in the use their abilities. [8] As he proceeds through Dracula's
Castlevania series, was made by Igarashi, who stated that castle, he learns that Dracula, the longtime antagonist of
one of his primary motivations behind making Dawn of the Castlevania series, had been truly defeated, and that
Sorrow was to feature Soma Cruz in another game.* [4] a prophecy had been made dictating that Dracula's *
pow-
Ayami Kojima was not included in the production team, ers would be passed down to his reincarnation. [17] Af-
as Igarashi wanted her to concentrate on her character ter defeating Graham Jones, who had harbored the notion
that he was Dracula's reincarnation, Soma realizes that he
designs for Castlevania: Curse of Darkness.* [4] Soma, *
along with the remainder of the characters, were redrawn himself is Dracula's reincarnation. [18] As a result, he is
confronted by Julius Belmont, the latest member of the
in an anime style. This was a marketing strategy Igarashi
wished to employ, as he felt that the Nintendo DS' tar- Belmont clan, a group of *vampire hunters sworn to hunt
Dracula until his demise. [19] Soma defeats Julius, and
get demographic was significantly younger than those of
other consoles Castlevania games had appeared on, and extracts a promise from him to slay him should he fail
to subdue Dracula's spirit.* [20] With the aid of the al-
he intended to court them with a more simplistic anime
design.* [5] Furthermore, Igarashi considered it a litmus lies he encountered throughout the castle, he is able to
test for whether the design would be incorporated into fu- escape his fate
*
by defeating the manifestation of the cas-
*
ture Castlevania installments. [16] tle's chaos. [21]
Soma's second appearance is in Dawn of Sorrow, where
he returns into battle to combat Celia Fortner's cult, which
2.5.2 Appearances seeks to kill Soma and revive the dark lord.* [22] Al-
though Soma believes that his powers have been lost, they
See also: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: awaken, and he proceeds to a replica of Dracula's castle
Dawn of Sorrow in order to confront Celia's cult.* [23] In the castle, Soma
In Aria of Sorrow, Soma is depicted as a high school stu- learns of the “dark lord's candidates”, who were born
on the day of Dracula's demise and possess supernatural
powers as a result.* [24] Soma manages to best the first
candidate, Dmitrii Blinov, although he inadvertently ab-
sorbs Dmitrii's soul in the process.* [25] Soma proceeds
to defeat Dario Bossi in two instances, stripping him of
his power after the conclusion of their second fight.* [26]
As a result, Celia slays a doppelgänger of Mina to induce
Soma to become the dark lord, but fails due to a talisman
Mina gave him earlier in the game.* [27] Dmitrii's soul es-
capes from Soma's body into the doppelgänger, and he in-
creases his powers, having copied Soma's power of dom-
inance.* [28] Soma manages to defeat his monstrous form
“Menace”, and realizes at the end of the game that his fate
is his own to determine.* [29] Soma additionally appears
in the“Julius Mode”found in Dawn of Sorrow, where the
storyline follows the assumption that Soma succumbed to
his darker nature and became the new dark lord.* [30] He
is the final boss of Julius Mode.* [31]

2.5.3 Reception

Soma's character has received praise and criticism from

several video game publications. GameSpy noted that
although Soma fell into the stereotypical role of “an
effeminate-looking man who does all the slaying”, the
Soma Cruz in Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (top) and Castlevania: original scenario that Aria of Sorrow presented provided
*
Dawn of Sorrow (bottom). Note the transition between the art a better context for his character. [10] The fact that Soma
style of Ayami Kojima in the top, and the anime style used for his was not a member of the Belmont clan, the protago-
Dawn of Sorrow appearance. nists of most Castlevania games, was lauded by IGN and
RPGamer, with the latter commenting on how it con-
dent in Japan, living peacefully with his childhood friend tributed to the “depth”of the storyline.* [32]* [33] The
Mina Hakuba.* [6] He is drawn into Dracula's castle, manner in which Soma's “power of dominance”trans-
44
lated into the Tactical Soul system featured in both games
was widely acclaimed; IGN commented that it con-
tributed“significantly”to the overall feel of Aria of Sor-
row, and RPGamer celebrated the “triumphant return”
of the Tactical Soul system in Dawn of Sorrow.* [32]* [34]
Reviewers also complimented Soma's graphical repre-
sentation. GameSpy noted the“good animation on easily
viewable sprites”in Aria of Sorrow, and GameSpot called
the graphics in Dawn of Sorrow“intricate and gorgeous”
, making note of the character sprites.* [10]* [35] The
change to an anime design in Dawn of Sorrow was crit-
icized. GameSpy deplored the “shallow, lifeless anime
images”used for Soma's in-game representation, and Ko-
jima's absence from the production.* [12] IGN claimed
that the images were“down to the level of 'generic Satur-
day morning Anime' quality.”* [13] Nevertheless, RPG-
Fan felt that the story created around Soma was the best
presented in the series since Symphony of the Night.* [11]
2.5.4 References
[1] “Creative Uncut - Artist Profile: Ayami Kojima”. cre-
ativeuncut.com. Retrieved 2007-05-12.
[2] “Hikaru Midorikawa - IMDb”. Internet Movie Database.
Retrieved 2007-05-14.
[3] Nutt, Christian (2003-01-18). “GameSpy: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Preview”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2007-
12-07.
[4] Barres, Nick Des. “TGS2005 - Koji Igarashi”. playon-
line.com. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
[5] Sheffield, Brandon (2005-08-15). “Whip Smart:
Konami's Koji Igarashi On Mastering Castlevania”.
Gamasutra. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
[6] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz:
My name is Soma Cruz, and I am a high school ex-
change student studying abroad in Japan. I live near
the Hakuba shrine, an ancient shrine with strong ties to
Japanese mythology. Mina Hakuba, the only daughter of
the shrine's caretaker, is both my classmate and my only
childhood friend.
[7] Konami, ed. (2003).“Castlevania Akatsuki no Menuett”
. Konami (in Japanese). Retrieved March 16, 2008. Ex- [21] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
ternal link in |work= (help)
[8] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Arikado: “So it
has awakened.”/ Soma:“What? What has?" / Arikado:
“The spirit of the creature you killed has just entered your
body. You have the power to absorb the abilities of the
monsters you kill.”
[9] Shoemaker, Brad (2005-08-17). “Castlevania: Dawn of
Sorrow Hands-On: A Fresh Bite”. GameSpot. Retrieved
2007-12-07.
[10] Turner, Benjamin (2003-05-07). “Castlevania: Aria of
Sorrow Review”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
CHAPTER 2. CHARACTERS
[11] Thomas, Damian (2005-10-16). “RPGFan Reviews -
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow”. RPGFan. Retrieved
2007-11-20.
[12] Leeper, Justin (2005-11-04).“Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row Review”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2007-06-06.
[13] Harris, Craig (2005-10-04). “IGN: Castlevania: Dawn
of Sorrow Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
[14] Bozon Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret-
rospective - Page 7”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
[15] Bozon, Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret-
rospective - Page 9”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
[16] Payton, Ryan (2005-11-03). “A new art style for Castl-
evania”. 1up.com. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
[17] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: So... you
are trying to tell me now that Dracula has been resur-
rected? / Graham: No. Dracula perished in 1999. You
do know of the prophecy of 1999, don't you? / Soma:
Nostradamus' great prophecy? / Graham: That's right.
Dracula resurrected exactly as he predicted. But vampire
hunters destroyed him completely. They ended his regen-
eration cycle by sealing his castle... the symbol of his de-
monic power, inside the darkness of an eclipse. / Soma:
And that eclipse is where we are now? / Graham: Yes,
but there's still more to the story. / Soma: There's more?
/ Graham: In the year 2035, a new master will come to
the castle, and he will inherit ALL of Dracula's powers.
[18] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: Finally...
I clearly understand... everything. I am... Dracula.
[19] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Julius: I must de-
stroy Dracula at any cost. That is my destiny. / Soma:
NO WAIT! I don't want to fight against you. / Julius:
Nothing you say will stop me! Prepare to die!
[20] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: ...I've got a
favour to ask of you. / Julius: What is it? / Soma: From
here. I will set off to fight against my own fate. If I lose
the battle... and I become reincarnation of evil, I want you
to kill me. / Julius: ...I will... I promise.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. From the Library Menu:
Soma Cruz: The rebirth of Dracula, he has the ability to
dominate the souls of monsters and use their powers as
his own. A year ago, he learned that he was destined to
become the dark lord. However, he overcame the chaos
that raged within and escaped that fate.
[22] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Genya Arikado: They
want to resurrect the lord of darkness. Like some sought
to do with Dracula. / Soma Cruz: I guess they don't
like the fact that I didn't become the 'lord of darkness'.
/ Genya Arikado: Not only that, they intend to create a
new lord by eliminating you.
2.5. SOMA CRUZ 45

[23] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: Yeah, I'm
fine. But that power... It returned! Arikado, what's going
on? / Genya Arikado: The power didn't“return.”It was
always with you. You just never had a need for it since you
fled the castle. And that set free all the souls that you had
gained dominance over.
[24] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.
Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: So those
two are the dark lord's candidates... / Celia Fortner:
Correct. They were born at the same time as Dracula's
demise. They are inheritors of Dracula's dark powers. /
Soma Cruz: But that's no guarantee that they can become
the dark lord. / Celia Fortner: They can. By shattering
Dracula's soul.
I'm sorry, Soma. I will free you from your torment. / Alu-
card: Soma... I never wanted it to end this way... But I
can't allow you to wreak havoc anymore...
[32] Harris, Craig (2003-05-03). “Castlevania: Aria of Sor-
row Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
[33] Boulette, Bryan. “RPGamer > Staff Retroview > Castle-
vania: Aria of Sorrow”. RPGamer. Retrieved 2007-12-
07.
[34] Boulette, Bryan. “RPGamer > Staff Review > Castleva-
nia: Dawn of Sorrow”. RPGamer. Retrieved 2007-12-
10.
[35] Mueller, Greg (2005-10-05).“Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row Review”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-12-07.

[25] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: Unh! What
was that? Did I gain dominance over a human soul? No,
I gained no power... But... what was that light?

[26] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Dario Bossi: Wh-What
did ya do, punk?! My power...It's gone... / Soma Cruz: I
destroyed the demon that fused with your soul. And your
power with it.

[27] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Genya Arikado: That
Mina is a fake! / Celia Fortner: Arikado! Why must you
always get in the way? / Genya Arikado: How clever of
you to use a Doppelganger. Ah, but you haven't won just
yet...

[28] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Genya Arikado: You
copied the power of dominance from Soma? / Dmitrii
Blinov: Ah, so you understand. I touched the boy's soul
and copied his ability.

[29] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Soma Cruz: Then that
means there will always be a need for a dark lord. All
because I ducked out from becoming the next in line! /
Genya Arikado: Don't misconstrue me! Perhaps there
is a need for the dark lord...But there is no reason at all
for you to become the dark lord. / Soma Cruz: But
if it weren't for me, none of this would have happened!
/ Genya Arikado: You're neither a god nor a demon.
You're only human. You have no chance at ever achiev-
ing perfection. Or are you saying you want to be the dark
lord? / Soma Cruz: No... Of course not.

[30] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Julius Belmont: So...
Soma has become the dark lord. I have no other choice...
The battles of the past are to be waged once again...
/ Genya Arikado: I had assumed that he would have
equipped the talisman from Mina... It would have pro-
tected him. But alas, I will have to unleash my power...

[31] Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow.

Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo. Julius Belmont: Soma...
It's time I fulfilled my promise to you. / Yoko Belnades:
Chapter 3

Music

3.1 Music of the ''Castlevania'' se- • Yuzo Koshiro (Ys, Streets of Rage and ActRaiser)
worked on Portrait of Ruin.
ries
• Óscar Araujo composed the soundtrack for Lords of
3.1.1 Recurring themes Shadow.

Most of Castlevania's music changes from game to game,

but some themes recur often. These include Vampire 3.1.3 References
Killer, Bloody Tears, and Beginning, three very popu-
lar tracks, first appearing in Castlevania, Castlevania II: [1] “The Legacy Music Hour: Episode 36: Kinuyo Ya-
Simon's Quest, and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse re- mashita”. 2011-07-07.
spectively. Other songs such as Dance of Illusions, Di-
vine Bloodlines, and Poison Mind have been often recur-
ring themes throughout the series. Several songs, includ- 3.2 ''Castlevania: Symphony of the
ing both Vampire Killer and Bloody Tears were also fea-
tured in the soundtracks of other Konami games, includ- Night'' soundtrack
ing Konami Wai Wai World, Contra: Hard Corps, and
Konami Krazy Racers. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Original Game
Soundtrack originally released in Japan as Akumajou
Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight ORIGINAL GAME
3.1.2 Notable composers SOUNDTRACK (悪魔城ドラキュラ X: ⽉下の夜想
曲 Akumajō Dracula X: Gekka no Yasōkyoku) is the
• The music for the first Castlevania game was original soundtrack for the 1997 Konami video game
composed by Kinuyo Yamashita and Satoe Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. All of the tracks
Terashima.* [1] Yamashita was credited under the included appear in the PlayStation version of the game.
pseudonym James Banana on the Famicom Disk Additional music from the Sega Saturn version was not
System version of the game. included due to that verision being released over a year
later. The soundtrack was released worldwide via iTunes
• Michiru Yamane worked on Bloodlines, Symphony
on Dec 11, 2007.* [1]
of the Night, Aria of Sorrow, Lament of Inno-
cence, Dawn of Sorrow, Curse of Darkness, Portrait
of Ruin, Order of Ecclesia, and a few tracks in
Harmony of Dissonance and The Dracula X Chron-
3.2.1 Creation and development
icles.
The composer, Michiru Yamane, created a wide range of
• Kenichi Matsubara worked on Simon's Quest and musical types for her pieces, and it lends to the game in
Haunted Castle. creating particular moods for every area. As an example,
The Royal Chapel's theme,“Requiem for the Gods,”con-
• Mikio Saito composed Castlevania: Rondo of Blood sists of still, ancient vocals, tolling bells, an organ, and a
steady, reserved drum beat to maintain a flow. The Un-
• Sōta Fujimori is responsible for all of the arranged derground Cavern's theme, alternately, employs a deep
songs in Castlevania Chronicles. bass and a contemporary-jazz tone with its piano and dis-
torted drums.
• Taro Kudou (aka Souji Taro) and Masanori Adachi
composed Super Castlevania IV's music. There are different theme songs for the Inverted Castle.
Most take on a chaotic or sprawling nature. The dominant
• Sotaro Tojima composed Circle of the Moon. melody that plays is “Finale Toccata,”which contains

46
3.3. ''CASTLEVANIA'' SOUNDTRACK (NINTENDO 64) 47

elements of one of Johann Sebastian Bach's most famous 3.2.5 External links
organ compositions, "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor".
• Information from the Castlevania Dungeon
Yamane added in some remixes of songs from pre-
vious games, such as Richter Belmont's theme from • Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight OST at
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, and “Dance of Illusions,” MusicBrainz (list of releases)
Dracula's most frequently used battle theme from the se-
ries.
An English version of the disc's tenth track “Nocturne” 3.3 ''Castlevania'' soundtrack
was included in the game's North American release and
performed by Wendee Lee.
(Nintendo 64)
The disc's final song,“I am the Wind,”played during the
Warning: Page using Template:Infobox album with
game's ending credits, is performed by Cynthia Harrell.
unknown parameter “Reviews”(this message is shown
Harrell later sang the theme for the Konami hit, Metal
only in preview).
Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The song was omitted from
Warning: Page using Template:Infobox album with
the iTunes release.
unknown parameter “Background”(this message is
In addition to this soundtrack album excluding the Sega shown only in preview).
Saturn exclusive tracks, it lacks the music used when visit-
ing the Master Librarian. This was the only song featured
Castlevania: The Original Game Soundtrack (悪 魔
in Symphony of the Night to use the PlayStation's internal
城 ド ラ キュ ラ 黙 ⽰ 録 Original Game Soundtrack
synth.
Akumajō Dorakyura Mokushiroku Orijinaru Gēmu Saun-
dotorakku, lit. “Devil's Castle Dracula Apocalypse
Original Game Soundtrack”) contains the music from
3.2.2 Track listing Konami's 1999 video game Castlevania. It was released
in Japan* [1] and in Europe* [2] only.
All songs written and composed by Michiru Yamane, ex-
Tomoya Tomita was the game's sound producer and di-
cept where noted* [2].
rector; while Masahiro Kimura, Motoaki Furukawa, and
Mariko Egawa composed the music. Their score is pre-
Note dominantly minimalist and ambient in composition. It
features a wide variety of electronic instrumentation,
ranging from the period harpsichord to contemporary
• The tracks “Nocturne”and “I Am The Wind” beat synths. A notable exception is the violin solo in
were omitted from the 2007 digital release due to “Introduction”, which was studio-recorded. The piece
legal issues.* [3] was performed by Tomokuni Katayama and is featured
prominently at the game's title screen.
Although many of the songs from Castlevania are fea-
3.2.3 Reception
tured on this album, some background music and most of
the incidental music from the game did not make it onto
The music was very well received. It is often cited as one
the soundtrack. A few of the prominent missing songs in-
of the best video game soundtracks of all time. Chudah's
clude a variation of the boss theme“Shudder”, as well as
Corner gave it an A+.* [4]
the background music that plays during scenes in which
the hero converses with Renon or Charles Vincent.

3.2.4 References
3.3.1 Track listing
[1] “Music - Castlevania Symphony of the Night (Original
Game Soundtrack) by Michiru Yamane”. iTunes. Re- Note
trieved June 19, 2015.
• Tracks 1, 26, and 29 are remixes from Rondo of
[2] “Akumajo Dracula X ~Gekka no Nocturne~ Original Blood
Game Soundtrack”. VGMdb.net. KICA-7760. Retrieved
June 5, 2015.
3.3.2 References
[3] “Castlevania Symphony of the Night Official Game
Soundtrack”. VGMdb.net. Retrieved June 19, 2015. [1] “Akumajo Dracula Mokushiroku Original Game Sound-
track”. VGMdb.net. KICA-7942. Retrieved July 14,
[4] Chudah's Corner review 2015.
48 CHAPTER 3. MUSIC

[2] “Castlevania - The Original Game Soundtrack”. VG-

Mdb.net. KOE-CDS-001. Retrieved July 14, 2015.

3.3.3 External links

• English soundtrack booklet at Mr. P's Castlevania
Realm.

• Japanese soundtrack booklet at Mr. P's Castlevania

Realm.

• Japanese album information

Chapter 4

Games

4.1 ''Castlevania'' In contrast to the more traditional platform gameplay of

the NES Castlevania, the MSX Vampire Killer was in-
*
Castlevania is a video game series, created and developed stead a more open-ended platform game. [3] The game's
by Konami. non-linear design had a similar structure to Metroid re-
leased that same year.* [6] The game laid the foundations
Castlevania may also refer to: for the open-ended action-adventure platform gameplay
later seen in the 1987 title Castlevania II: Simon's Quest,
• Castlevania (1986 video game), the first game in the 1997 title Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and most
video game series; 2D Castlevania games following it.* [7]
• Castlevania (Nintendo 64), the Nintendo 64 game;
• Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, a Game Boy Ad- 4.2.1 Gameplay
vance game called Castlevania in Europe;
Vampire Killer is seen as unique in the early Castlevania
• Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, the PlayStation 2
series for containing several features that weren't seen in
game called Castlevania in Europe and Japan;
other games that were intended to be remakes of the orig-
• Castlevania, the announced film by Sylvain White inal game. For example, to progress in the game, it is nec-
based on the video game which was canceled in May essary to acquire “skeleton keys”hidden in the several
2009; rooms within the game's castle, to open doors to other
rooms. Other keys also have to be found to open treasure
•“Castlevania”, a song by Valery Kipelov and Sergey chests containing useful items, such as shields for protec-
Mavrin from the album Smutnoye Vremia; tion and speed boots. Merchants can be found along the
• Le Castle Vania, an electronic music project from way (and mostly by breaking open walls with the whip),
Atlanta, Georgia. selling items to the player. While containing considerably
different gameplay than the original Castlevania, both
games share most of the same background settings, en-
emies and music.
4.2 ''Vampire Killer''
The unique gameplay features from Vampire Killer were
reintroduced to the Castlevania series with Castlevania II:
For other things associated with Vampire Killer and the
Simon's Quest in 1987 and Castlevania: Symphony of the
Castlevania series, see Vampire Killer (disambiguation).
Night in 1997.* [7] As with many other MSX titles such as
Metal Gear and Contra, the action takes place one screen
Vampire Killer, known as Akumajō Dracula (悪魔城 at a time in a fashion similar to the original Legend of
ド ラ キュ ラ, officially translated Devil's Castle Drac- Zelda for the NES.
ula)* [1] in Japan, is a platform-adventure game produced
by Konami and released in 1986 for the MSX2 computer
platform in Japan, Europe, and Brazil.* [2] It was in devel- 4.2.2 References
opment around the same time as the Nintendo Entertain-
ment System (NES) game Castlevania, which shares the
[1] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (23 October
same title in Japan.* [3] The MSX2 version of Akumajō
* 2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Konami
Dracula was released in Japan on October 30, 1986, [4] a Digital Entertainment, Inc. Scene: Opening. Japanese:
month following the NES version,* [5] making it the sec- 悪魔城の城主、邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活
ond game in the Castlevania series. It was the first Castl- であった。Konami translation by Ken Ogasawara:
evania game released in Europe. It was never released in Dracula, lord of darkness, master of the devil's castle,
North America. walks among us.

49
 50 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

[2] Kurt Kalata; William Cain. “Vampire Killer (1986)".

Castlevania Dungeon. Archived from the original on
2011-12-31. Retrieved 2011-03-01.

[3] Parish, Jeremy (Aug 1, 2008). “Famicom 25th, Part 17:

Live from The Nippon edition”. 1UP.com. Retrieved
2011-12-31.

[4] Vampire Killer (1986) MSX release dates at MobyGames

[5] Castlevania at MobyGames

[6] Kurt Kalata; William Cain. “Castlevania 2: Simon's

Quest (1988)". Castlevania Dungeon. Archived from the
original on 2011-12-31. Retrieved 2011-02-27.

[7] Gapper, Michael (December 3, 2009). “10,000 years of

Castlevania”. GamesRadar. Retrieved 2011-12-31.

When night time occurs in Simon's Quest, enemies become

stronger.
4.3 ''Castlevania II: Simon's
Quest''
Leather Whip, and can upgrade to stronger ones with
“Castlevania II”and “Castlevania 2”redirect here. each new purchase.* [13]* [14] Simon's Quest introduces
For the Game Boy game, see Castlevania II: Belmont's an Experience Rating system, also found in role-playing
Revenge. games, which is increased by collecting hearts.* [11]* [13]
After he finds a sufficient amount, his level and max-
imum health will increase with his Experience Rat-
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, known in Japan as Drac-
ing.* [11]* [11]
ula II: Noroi no Fūin (ドラキュラ II 呪いの封印 Do-
rakyura Tsū: Noroi no Fūin, “Dracula II: The Seal of The period of time in Simon's Quest cycles between day-
the Curse”), is a platform-adventure video game pro- time and nightfall,* [14] which has a prominent effect on
duced by Konami.* [7] It was originally released for the the game and Simon's encounters. During the day, the
Family Computer Disk System in Japan 1987 and for enemies outside of towns in the game are weaker. At
the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America night time, they gain strength and inflict more damage
in 1988. It is the second Castlevania title released for to Simon's life points,* [14] though when defeated, they
the NES, following the original Castlevania. Set some- drop more hearts.* [11]* [13] The townspeople and mer-
time after the events of the first installment,* [8] the player chants in their respective locations are no longer available
once again assumes the role of vampire hunter Simon Bel- to talk to during night time, and are replaced by zom-
mont, who is on a journey to undo a curse placed on him bies.* [14]* [15]
by Dracula at the end of their previous encounter. With Despite the departure from the previous game, there are
Dracula's body split into five parts after his defeat, Simon elements from it that have remained.* [16] This includes
must find and bring them to the ruins of his castle to seal the Magic Weapons, which are secondary weapons to Si-
and defeat him.* [9] mon's whip. Each of them have a different use.* [13] Like
most games in the series, some of these require the usage
of hearts. One of them returning from Castlevania is the
4.3.1 Gameplay
Holy Water, a small glass which can disintegrate walls
The gameplay departs from the standard platforming that conceal hidden items.* [13] Some Magic Weapons
genre of the first Castlevania for a game more similar make their first appearance in Simon's Quest, such as the
to the nonlinear gameplay of Metroid, with several RPG Diamond, which attacks enemies while bouncing off any
elements such as a world map which the player is free surrounding walls.* [13]
to explore and revisit.* [10]* [11]* [12] Simon, controlled The objective of the game is to travel to the five man-
by the player, can talk with townspeople who will of- sions to find the body parts of Dracula's corpse, and an
fer him clues or lies.* [11] He can also go to merchants item known as the Magic Cross.* [11] The body parts can
who will sell items, either for fighting enemies or for be utilized to support Simon in the game. For example,
traversing to unreachable areas. To pay for them, he Dracula's Rib can be used as a shield to block any projec-
must collect hearts, which are dropped by defeated ene- tile attacks fired from an enemy.* [12]* [17] Finding all of
mies.* [11]* [13] In addition to the ordinary items in Si- the required items will allow Simon to clear the block-
mon's inventory, he can also purchase new whips in a ade in front of Dracula's castle to fight the last boss.* [11]
few locations of the game. He begins with a standard After the player defeats Dracula, there are three pos-
4.3. ''CASTLEVANIA II: SIMON'S QUEST'' 51

sible endings based on the time taken to complete the 4.3.3 Controversy
game.* [17] The best ending is achieved when the player
beats the game in eight game days.* [18]

4.3.2 Development

Castlevania II was released on the Family Computer Disk

System (FDS) on August 28, 1987, in Japan.* [1]
It was released on cartridge for the Nintendo Entertain-
ment System (NES) in North America on January 23,
1988, and in Europe on April 27, 1990. Because of
hardware differences between the FDS and NES, there
are differences in the versions for both consoles.* [19]
The FDS version features a save system, as other FDS
games also featured at the time. The NES version instead
uses a password function to return to specific sequences
from the game.* [19] The FDS medium had a data storage
limitation of 862 kilobits of slow access, whereas bank-
switching techniques and solid memory costs allowed car-
tridges to have comparable data space with much faster
access. The developers used the space to improve the mu-
sic quality for the game, adding percussion samples and
re-arranging the melodies to take advantage of the tech-
nology.* [19] Other changes were made to correct several
grammatical and spelling errors in the translation, such The cover of issue #2 of Nintendo Power prompted telephone
as rendering of the protagonist's name as “Simmon Bel- complaints from parents, claiming it scared their children.
mont”, in the game's endings.* [19] Most of the origi-
nal artwork for Simon's Quest and other early Castlevania Upon its release, Simon's Quest received strong public-
titles was lost during the Great Hanshin Earthquake of ity in the second issue of Nintendo Power. Its front page
1995.* [20] had a costumed model dressed as Simon Belmont, hold-
ing Dracula's severed head. This cover provoked many
telephone complaints from parents of children who pur-
chased the magazine,* [26] stating that it gave their chil-
Audio dren nightmares. Nintendo Power covered this in vol-
ume 50 of the magazine, which cited this as its worst
Main article: Akumajō Dracula Famicom Best cover.* [26]

The game's soundtrack was composed by Kenichi Mat-

subara, who later created music for the Castlevania
arcade title Haunted Castle.* [21] Of note is Bloody
Tears, which has since became a recurring song in the
Castlevania franchise.* [17] The album Akumajō Drac-
ula Famicom Best was released on March 20, 1990,
with the catalog number KICA-1005,* [22] and a bonus
sticker.* [23] It was reprinted under Akumajō Dracula
Best Vol. 1 on September 23, 1998, with the cata-
log number KICA-7901.* [22] It included the FDS ver-
sion of Simon's Quest's music, with three bonus tracks
from the NES version. The disc also includes the au-
dio from Castlevania and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse,
covering 33 tracks altogether with a total duration of
1:04.00.* [22] Some reviewers have praised Matsubara's
compositions.* [17]* [24] GameSpy stated all of the music
is“incredible”, and noted it for being one of the first ap-
pearances of“classics like The Silence of Daylight".* [25]
4.3.4 Reception
Simon's Quest was referenced in a following issue in a
Howard and Nester comic strip.* [30] Nintendo Power
ranked it as the 15th best Nintendo Entertainment Sys-
tem video game, comparing it to Zelda II: The Adventure
of Link in how it added role-playing video game elements
successfully to its series.* [31]
The game garnered positive reviews following its release,
and received the reputation of a Nintendo classic over
time.* [32] It has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 on
the popular gaming community GameFAQs.* [33] Gam-
ing website, IGN, cited Simon's Quest as the “perfect
game to play during 1989”. It praised it for its theme
of exploration, and acknowledged how it evolved recent
titles of the series.* [24] RPGamer noted it for being “a
very rough blueprint for some amazing games to come”
52 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

.* [16] Numerous statements about the game also laud its On November 16, 2002, Simon's Quest was a part of
graphical and audio presentation. Reviewers have com- Castlevania and Contra: Konami Collector's Series in
plimented its visuals for being an improvement over the North America, a PC port of original Konami games.* [3]
first Castlevania.* [24] In an exclusive fan interview for the official Castlevania:
Simon's Quest was not without its criticism. A common Dawn of Sorrow strategy guide, Koji Igarashi considered *
complaint about the game was its English localization. the possibility of a compilation of the NES titles. [45]
The clues offered by the NPCs in the game were crit- Simon's Quest was the target of James Rolfe's first mock
icized for being too cryptic and poorly translated.* [24] review as the Angry Video Game Nerd, describing his ter-
The producer of several Castlevania titles, Koji Igarashi, rible experience with the game. The joke was, at the
revealed in an interview that all the NPCs in the Japanese time, how upset one obsessive gamer could get over video
version were deliberate liars.* [34] GameSpot said that the games that were over 20 years old.* [46]* [47]
subtle hints from the Japanese version were lost in transla-
tion. An infamous line of dialogue they gave as an exam-
ple was“hit Deborah Cliff with your head to make a hole” 4.3.5 References
.* [28] Active Gaming Media showed that the Japanese
text was similarly misleading, but went further describ- [1] “Dracula II: Noroi no Fuuin – Release Summary”.
ing where and how an accurate hint from the Japanese GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
*
game was lost. [35] Further criticism also stemmed from
[2] “Castlevania II: Simon's Quest – Release Summary
some of the game's puzzles, which reviewers have noted (NES)". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
*
for not having any clues at all. [16] Complaints were
made towards a scenario from the game where Simon [3] “Konami Collector's Series: Castlevania & Contra ̶Re-
must summon a tornado in a graveyard.* [28] 1UP.com lease Summary”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
mentioned the game required a walkthrough because of
its non-explanatory nature.* [32] Game Informer felt that [4] “Castlevania II: Simon's Quest – Release Summary
while it was an important title in gaming history, it was (Wii)". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
still a polarizing game due to“cryptic puzzles”and other [5] “Wii バー チャ ル コ ン ソー ル タ イ ト ル ⼀ 覧" (in
difficult elements.* [36] Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. Retrieved 2010-02-10.

[6] " ニンテンドー3DS ｜ドラキュラ Ⅱ 呪いの封印｜

Legacy Nintendo” (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. Retrieved
2013-03-24.
Simon's Quest was the second game in the Castlevania
series to depart from linear gameplay ̶after Vampire [7] Top 100 NES Games – 25. Castlevania II: Simon's Quest,
Killer, published for the MSX2 home computer in 1986̶ IGN
and instead feature a non-linear explorative world, which
[8] Dracula II: Noroi no Fūin instruction manual (in
has been compared to Nintendo's famous Metroid se-
* Japanese). Konami. 1987. pp. 6–7. KDS-DRK.
ries. [37] The game's exploration system and ideas in-
troduced adventure elements to the series for the second [9] Dracula II: Noroi no Fūin instruction manual (in
time, and it would heavily influence future titles.* [20] The Japanese). Konami. 1987. pp. 8–9. KDS-DRK.
first game that drew inspiration from it was Castlevania:
Symphony of the Night.* [37] The plot of Simon's Quest [10] Jeremy Parish, Metroidvania Chronicles II: Simon's
would also be directly referenced in later Castlevania Quest1UP.com, June 28, 2006
games. In the Game Boy Advance entry, Castlevania: [11] Castlevania II: Simon's Quest instruction manual. Konami.
Harmony of Dissonance, the protagonist recounts when 1988. pp. 4–5. NES-QU-USA.
his grandfather Simon had to search for Dracula's body
parts. In the game, the player must also find them [12] Castlevania II: Simon's Quest instruction manual. Konami.
again.* [38] 1988. pp. 8–9. NES-QU-USA.
Simon's Quest was followed by the release of much mer- [13] Castlevania II: Simon's Quest instruction manual. Konami.
chandise. In 1988, Tiger Electronics released a hand- 1988. pp. 10–11. NES-QU-USA.
held game and an LCD wristwatch based on Simon's
Quest.* [39]* [40] Promotional collector's cards were also [14] Castlevania II: Simon's Quest instruction manual. Konami.
available exclusively in Japan.* [41] Worlds of Power, a 1988. p. 7. NES-QU-USA.
series of books with stories based on Nintendo games,
[15] Castlevania II: Simon's Quest instruction manual. Konami.
also had a novel about Simon's Quest.* [42] It was writ-
1988. p. 12. NES-QU-USA.
ten by Christopher Howell, and the series was produced
by Seth Godin.* [43] In 2007, a figurine of Simon's ap- [16] Jordan Jackson. “RPGamer > Staff Retroview > Castl-
pearance from Simon's Quest was included as a pre-order evania II: Simon's Quest”. RPGamer. Retrieved 2008-
bonus for Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles.* [44] 07-21.
4.4. ''HAUNTED CASTLE'' 53

[17] Mike Whalen, Giancarlo Varanini.“The History of Castl-
evania – Castlevania II: Simon's Quest”. GameSpot. Re-
trieved 2008-08-01.
[18] “Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest”. ClassicGaming.com.
GameSpy. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
[19] “Castlevania II: Simon's Quest”. ClassicGaming.com.
GameSpy. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
[20] Mark Bozon (2007-01-18). “Castlevania: The Retro-
spective”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
[21] Konami Game Music Collection Vol.1 (Media notes). King
Records Co., Ltd. 1988.
[22]“Akumajo Dracula Best”. Game Music Revolution Online.
Retrieved 2008-08-27.
[23] “Akumajo Dracula Best”. VGMuseum.com. Retrieved
2008-09-02.
[24] Lucas M. Thomas (2007-10-31). “IGN: Castlevania II:
Simon's Quest (Virtual Console) Review”. IGN. Re-
trieved 2008-07-12.
[25] “Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest”. ClassicGaming.com.
GameSpy. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
[26] 50 Issues of Nintendo Power: Worst Cover: Castlevania II
– Vol. 2 showed Simon Belmont holding Dracula's head.
Kids had nightmares and so did our phone reps who dealt
with the complaints. – Nintendo Power, Vol. 50, p.36
[27] “allgame ((( Castlevania II: Simon's Quest > Overview
)))". Allgame. Archived from the original on 1 December
2014. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
[38] Juste: My grandfather, Simon, gathered and destroyed
the relics in order to end Dracula's curse. Konami. Castl-
evania: Harmony of Dissonance. Konami. Game Boy
Advance. 16-9-2002.
[39] “The History of Castlevania – Related Games”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
[40] “Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest – LCD Wristwatch”. VG-
Museum.com. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
[41] “Castlevania 2 Cards”. ClassicGaming.com. GameSpy.
Retrieved 2008-09-30.
[42] “Castlevania 2: Worlds of Power Book”. ClassicGam-
ing.com. GameSpy. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
[43] Struck, Shawn; Scott Sharkey (2006-08-03). “8-Bit Lit:
Behind the Worlds of Power Books based on Nintendo
Entertainment System games”. 1UP.com. Retrieved
2009-07-14.
[44] “Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles with Simon Belmont
figure”. QJ. Caputo Media. 2007-10-08. Retrieved 2014-
05-02.
[45] DoubleJump Books, ed. (2005). Castlevania: Dawn of
Sorrow – The Official Strategy Guide. Konami. p. 248.
ISBN 0-9741700-7-0.
[46] Walsh, Michael (2014-04-08). “YouTube star James
Rolfe goes long with 'Angry Video Game Nerd' movie”
. Daily News.
[47] Carlson, Alex (2014-01-07). “The Nerd Who Changed
Gaming Culture Forever”. Hardcore Gamer.

[28] Frank Provo (2007-11-06). “Castlevania II: Simon's

Quest for Wii Review”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2011- 4.3.6 External links
12-28.
• Castlevania II: Simon's Quest at MobyGames
[29] “Castlevania II: Simon's Quest Video Game”.
GameTrailers. Retrieved 2009-12-10.

[30] Nintendo Power November/December 1988 4.4 ''Haunted Castle''

[31]“Nintendo Power – The 20th Anniversary Issue!" (Mag-
Haunted Castle, known as Akumajō Dracula (悪魔 城
azine). Nintendo Power 231 (231). San Francisco, Cali-
fornia: Future US. August 2008: 71. ド ラ キュ ラ, officially translated Devil's Castle Drac-
ula)* [3] in Japan, is the first arcade game in the Castl-
[32] “Retro Roundup 10/29: Castlevania, Spyro, Magician evania series, released by Konami in 1988. It was later
Lord”. 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
re-released on the PlayStation 2 exclusively in Japan, as
[33] “Castlevania II: Simon's Quest Player Reviews”. part of the Oretachi Game Center Zoku collection. The
GameFAQs. Retrieved 2008-06-24. game follows the vampire hunter Simon Belmont as he
goes to rescue his wife Selena from Dracula.
[34] “Interview with Koji Igarashi & Michiru Yamane”. Gie
Wie Gorilla. Retrieved 2008-07-28.

[35] Anthony Teixeira. “Resolving a Translation Mystery – 4.4.1 Gameplay

Castlevania II”. Active Gaming Media. Archived from
the original on 2011-03-10. Retrieved 2010-01-10. Haunted Castle is a typical platform game with six lev-
els, which are played through in a linear progression. The
[36] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania player controls the main character, whose primary mode
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
of attack is via his whip. He must fight various ene-
[37] Kurt Kalata (2006-07-26).“Tales from the Crypt: Castl- mies which consist partially of skeletons, zombies, fish-
evania's 20th Anniversary Blow-Out”. 1UP.com. Re- men, and hunchbacks. By destroying certain enemies, he
trieved 2008-08-01. can switch his weapon to a more powerful spiked mace
 54 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

or sword. In addition, various “sub-weapons”can be Digital Entertainment, Inc. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、

obtained which provide different means of attack which 邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Kon-
consist of bombs, boomerangs, stopwatches, crosses, and ami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of
torches. Hearts are collected to use each of these “sub- darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
weapons.”The player can only carry one sub-weapon at [4] “Haunted Castle”. The Castlevania Dungeon. Retrieved
a time. 11 July 2011. External link in |work= (help)
Each of Haunted Castle's six levels conclude with a boss
fight. Like in other games of the series, these bosses
are generally taken from horror literature or legend, and 4.5 ''Castlevania: The Adventure''
include Medusa, Frankenstein's monster, and of course,
Dracula.
Castlevania: The Adventure, known as Dracula
Densetsu (ド ラ キュ ラ 伝 説 Dorakyura Densetsu, lit.
4.4.2 Development The Legend of Dracula* [2]) in Japan, is a platform
game released for the Game Boy in 1989. It is the first
A small Japanese game publisher called Hamster ported Castlevania title for the system. Castlevania: The Adven-
the Japanese version of Haunted Castle to the PlayStation ture was re-released in color as part of the Konami GB
2 in May 2006 as part of the Oretachi Geasen Zoku Sono Collection compilations in Japan and Europe. A remake
series. This game port was not released outside Japan.* [4] titled Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth was released as
a WiiWare game for the Wii.

Audio
4.5.1 Gameplay
The soundtrack was composed by Kenichi Matsubara,
who previously did the soundtrack to Castlevania II: Si-
mon's Quest. There are a several notable music tracks
in Haunted Castle that have been reused in other Castle-
vania games. The well-recognized "Bloody Tears" (first
heard in the previously released Castlevania II) is used
in this game as the theme for Stage 3. Another arcade
piece, the Stage 1 theme “Cross Your Heart”, was re-
cently reused in Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin under the
title “Crucifix Held Close”and as an unlockable song
in Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. It is also part
of the“Akumajo Dracula Medley”that appears in Kon-
ami's Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 3 (originally ap-
pearing in the Japanese arcade and PlayStation 2 music
game series Keyboardmania), along with“Bloody Tears”
. “Clockwork's Beat”, which plays during Stage 5, was
remixed in Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow under the name
“Underground Melodies”(actually the name of Haunted
Castle's Stage 4 theme). Finally,“Don't Wait Until Night” A screenshot of the game's first level.
, played during Stage 6, which borrows hints of“The Si-
lence of Daylight”(the town music from Castlevania II),, Set a century before the events of the original Castlevania,
was remixed in Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow for Julius' the player controls an ancestor of Simon Belmont named
theme “Heart of Fire”, though this particular song is Christopher Belmont who goes on a quest to defeat Drac-
actually a medley of the Haunted Castle tune and“Heart ula.* [1]* [3]* [4]
of Fire”from Stage 5 of the original Castlevania.
The game consists of four stages, and unlike other Castl-
evania games, there are no sub-weapons, but hearts are
4.4.3 References used to restore health.* [1] The player has three lives, af-
ter which the player must restart the level.* [4] Weapons
[1] Konami Game Music Collection Vol.1 (Media notes). King can be upgraded, such as the whip into the chain whip
Records Co., Ltd. 1988. and flame whip, but any enemy damage will downgrade
an upgraded weapon.* [4] There are no stairs, unlike other
[2] Konami Official Guide: Akumajō Dracula X Chronicle, pg.
Castlevania games.* [4] At the end of each level, there is a
121
“primary evil”to confront.* [5] Players can utilize crys-
[3] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (23 October tals, hearts, and crosses of gold.* [5] There is also a point
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Konami counter, and at 10,000 points, a player receives an extra
 4.6. ''CASTLEVANIA III: DRACULA'S CURSE'' 55

life, and also receives one for every 20,000 points after Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, known in Japan as
that.* [5] Each stage also has a time limit in which to com- Akumajō Densetsu (悪魔城伝説, literally Devil's Cas-
plete the level.* [5] tle Legend),* [2] is the third and final Castlevania video
game produced for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
It was published by Konami in Japan in 1989, in North
4.5.2 Reception and legacy America in 1990, and in Europe in 1992 (some time af-
ter the European release of Super Castlevania IV). It was
Castlevania: The Adventure received mixed reviews. The later released on the Wii Virtual Console in the PAL re-
game was regarded difficult at times, with long levels and gions on October 31, 2008, in North America on January
only three lives before playing the second cycle. The 12, 2009 and in Japan on April 21, 2009.
graphics were thought to be“competent”, the music well-
composed with memorable tunes.* [4] IGN said it had a The plot of Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is a prequel to
basic design, none of the series' staple bosses, and noth- the original Castlevania (much like the earlier Game Boy
ing original.* [1] Game Informer's Tim Turi felt that it was game Castlevania: The Adventure) set a few centuries be-
held back by its technical limitations but praised its sound fore the events of the original game. The game's protago-
quality.* [6] nist is Trevor C. Belmont, an ancestor of the original hero
Simon Belmont.

Comic book
4.6.1 Gameplay
A series of comic books were released in 2005 by
IDW Publishing called Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy, Castlevania III abandons the action-adventure game and
which centered on the character of Christopher Bel- role playing game elements of its immediate predecessor
mont.* [7] Castlevania II: Simon's Quest and returns to the platform
game roots of the first Castlevania title. Unlike Castl-
evania, however, Castlevania III is non-linear: Trevor,
4.5.3 References the main character, can be assisted by one of three pos-
sible assistant characters, and after completing the first
[1] Mark Bozon (2007-01-18). “Castlevania: The Retro- level, and at several other points throughout the game, the
spective”. IGN. p. 5. Retrieved 2008-07-12. player is given a choice of two branching paths to follow.
[2] Perfect Selection Dracula ~New Classic~ (Media notes). The player can obtain multiple endings depending on the
King Records Co., Ltd. 1992. choices they make throughout the game.
There are two main routes through the game's fifteen
[3] Konami staff, ed. (1991). Castlevania II: Belmont's Re-
venge instruction manual. Konami. p. 11. ???-CW-USA.stages. The second stage is an optional excursion for pick-
ing up one of the three partner characters, and the main
[4] “Castlevania: The Adventure (1989)". GameSpy. 1999- branch occurs part way through the third stage. Each
01-01. Retrieved 2010-01-31. route contains total of nine stages (ten if the player takes
[5] Konami staff, ed. (1989). Castlevania: The Adventure the optional second stage). The upper route takes the
instruction manual. Konami. DMG-CV-USA. player across the lake to the main bridge, entering Drac-
ula's castle through the front gate, and is generally re-
[6] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania garded as the easier of the two routes. The lower route
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05. takes the player through a series of underground tunnels
[7] “Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy”. GameSpy. 2005- and cavernous areas, eventually scaling the cliff side be-
01-01. Retrieved 2010-01-31. low the castle, and is generally considered more difficult
than the upper route. The lower route also features one
short branching section of its own at stage 6. The two
4.5.4 External links paths converge in the main hall of the castle.

• Castlevania: The Adventure at MobyGames

4.6.2 Plot

4.6 ''Castlevania III: Dracula's

The year is 1476, and Count Dracula has started to rav-
age Europe with an army of monsters. The Belmont fam-
Curse'' ily of vampire hunters, once exiled from Wallachia, are
called into action by the Church. They feared the Bel-
“Dracula's Curse”redirects here. For the 2002 film, monts'“super-human”power, but with Dracula menac-
see Dracula (2002 film). For the 2006 film, see Bram ing to swallow Europe in darkness, they are left with no
Stoker's Dracula's Curse. choice but to call Trevor Belmont, current wielder of the
Vampire Killer Whip.
 56
Joining Trevor Belmont in his mission to defeat Dracula
are three new playable characters: Sypha Belnades, a
young sorceress with poor physical attack power but
powerful elemental magic spells at her disposal; Grant
Danasty, a pirate with the ability to climb on walls and
change direction in mid-jump (a rare ability in earlier
games of the series); and Alucard, Dracula's son, a
dhampir with the ability to shoot fireballs and transform
into a bat. Trevor can be accompanied by only one com-
panion at a time. If he chooses to take on another he must
abandon his current companion. The player can “spir-
itually transform”between Trevor and his ally with the
“select”button. Both Trevor and whoever is accompa-
nying him share the same health meter. The ending of
the game differs depending on which companion Trevor
has with him at the time, or if he does not take another
character with him at all.
4.6.3 Development
Besides just the different title, Akumajō Densetsu, the
Japanese version has several other differences. Most no-
tably, the original Japanese version contained a special-
ized “VRC6”coprocessor chip. The game's audio pro-
grammer, Hidenori Maezawa, assisted in the chip's cre-
ation. This chip added two extra pulse-wave channels and
a saw-wave channel to the system's initial set of five sound
channels. The majority of the music combines the chan-
nels to imitate the sound of a synthesized string section.
Western versions of the NES did not have the ability to
support external sound chips, so the North American re-
lease replaced the VRC6 with Nintendo's Memory Man-
agement Controller 5 (MMC5). The MMC5 chip's sound
channels cannot be used with the NES, and the game's
music had to be downgraded by Yoshinori Sasaki to com-
ply with the NES's standard five channels.
Other changes differed in the gameplay or graphics. In-
stead of using a stabbing dagger, Grant throws daggers
as his main attack. Some enemies do less damage in
the Japanese version, and had their sprites changed for
the Western releases. Some instances of nudity on the
enemies were also censored. The Japanese version had
slightly different backgrounds in many stages, and had
special effects not seen in the North American and Euro-
pean releases.
The North American and PAL versions have several hid-
den features that can be accessed by entering a certain
name for the player, which include starting the game with
10 lives (by entering the name“HELP ME”), the option
to start the game with any of the three spirit partners, and
to access the second, more difficult quest. These features
are not present in the Japanese version.
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
4.6.4 Reception and legacy
Nintendo Power listed it as the ninth best Nintendo Enter-
tainment System video game, praising it for its strong im-
provements over previous entries in the series.* [4] Game
Informer's Tim Turi felt that it was a return to form after
Castlevania II. He discussed characters such as Alucard
(who he called iconic) and Grant (who he praised for his
wall cling ability).* [5] GamesRadar ranked it the eighth
best NES game ever made. The staff felt that it returned
to Castlevania's roots after Castlevania II yet “took the
series to new heights.”* [6] GameZone ranked it as the
third best Castlevania title. The staff preferred III the
most as it felt like the original game the most; they felt its
price on the Virtual Console was worthwhile.* [7]
The 1991 Captain N episode Return to Castlevania was
based on this game.
2005's Castlevania: Curse of Darkness featured Trevor
Belmont as a playable character.
IGN placed Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse 5th on their
list of the Top 100 NES Games.* [8]
Other media
Main article: Akumajō Dracula Famicom Best
An animated Dracula's Curse movie is in development,
and may be split into three parts. It is being produced by
Frederator Studios and written by Warren Ellis, with art
direction by James Jean.* [9]
Akumajō Dracula Famicom Best was a soundtrack album
that included the Famicom Disk System version of the
game's original music.
4.6.5 References
[1] “Konami Collector's Series: Castlevania & Contra”.
gamefaqs.com.
[2] Konami (2007-10-23). Castlevania: The Dracula X
Chronicles. Konami. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、邪
⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Konami
translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of dark-
ness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
[3] Baker, Christopher Michael. “Castlevania III: Dracula's
Curse Review”. Allgame. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
[4]“Nintendo Power - The 20th Anniversary Issue!" (Maga-
zine). Nintendo Power 231 (231). San Francisco, Cali-
fornia: Future US. August 2008: 71.
[5] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
[6] “Best NES Games of all time”. GamesRadar. 2012-04-
16. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
4.7. ''CASTLEVANIA II: BELMONT'S REVENGE'' 57

[7] Workman, Robert (2011-09-27). “Happy 25th Birth-

day Castlevania: The Ten Best Games in the Series”.
GameZone. Retrieved 2013-12-06.

[8] IGN Staff (2011).“Top 100 NES Games - #5 Castlevania

III: Dracula's Curse”. IGN. Retrieved February 4, 2013.

[9] Justin McElroy (2007-05-07).“Warren Ellis planning on

three Castlevania films”. Joystiq. Retrieved 2008-07-13.

4.6.6 External links

• Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse at MobyGames

4.7 ''Castlevania II: Belmont's Re-

venge'' Belmont battling one of the bosses

For the NES game also called Castlevania II, see
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest.
Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge, known as Dracula
Densetsu II (ド ラ キュ ラ 伝 説 II, officially translated
The Legend of Dracula II)* [1] in Japan, is a platform
game released for the Game Boy in 1991. It is the sec-
ond Castlevania title for the Game Boy and serves as a
sequel to the previous title, Castlevania: The Adventure.
Belmont's Revenge is included in color in the fourth vol-
ume of the Konami GB Collection compilations.* [2] Set
fifteen years after the events of Castlevania: The Adven-
ture, Dracula returns and kidnaps Christopher Belmont's
son Soleiyu at his coming of age feast, and turns him into
a demon. With Soleiyu's mystical powers, Dracula re-
takes human form and rebuilds his castle, forcing Christo-
pher to confront Dracula once again to save his son and
Transylvania.* [3]* [4]
4.7.3 Reception
IGN thought the game made better use of the Game Boy's
hardware than the first Castlevania handheld, and also
applauded its inclusion of traditional Castlevania items,
weapons, and having a cleaner graphical aesthetic. It was
still hurt, however, by a lack of character speed and its
short play time.* [3] GameSpy called it one of the best
action games on the original Game Boy.* [5] Game In-
former's Tim Turi considers it the best Castlevania game
on the original Game Boy; he cited the improved graphics
and use of sub-weapons.* [6]
4.7.4 References
[1] Perfect Selection Dracula ~New Classic~ (Media notes).
King Records Co., Ltd. 1992.

[2]
4.7.1 Gameplay
[3] Mark Bozon (2007-01-18). “Castlevania: The Retro-
Unlike the previous Game Boy title, sub-weapons in the
spective”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
form of holy water and axes (or the cross in the Japanese
version) are available in the game. There are four initial
[4] Konami staff, ed. (1991). Castlevania II: Belmont's Re-
levels, each taking place in a separate castle with unique
venge instruction manual. Konami. p. 11. ???-CW-USA.
theme such as air, plant, earth, and crystal, and can be
completed in any order.* [3]* [5] There are also very large
[5] “Castlevania 2: Belmont's Revenge (1991)". GameSpy.
trap rooms in the levels.* [3] The game also utilizes a pass-
1999-01-01. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
word system.* [4]
[6] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
4.7.2 Development

The Japanese and Konami GB Collection version of the

game changes one of the sub-weapons, replacing the axe 4.7.5 External links
with a cross.* [5] While the axe can go in an upward arcing
motion that can go through walls and barriers, the cross • The Castlevania Dungeon: Castlevania II: Belmont's
can do a back-and-forth horizontal motion. Revenge
58 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

4.8 ''Super Castlevania IV'' jump across.* [7] In addition to jumping, the player can
control Simon to move while crouching.
Super Castlevania IV, known in Japan as Akumajō Do- Like its predecessors, players can use secondary weapons
rakyura (悪魔城ドラキュラ,“Devil's Castle Dracula” that consume Simon's“Hearts”, which are dropped from
*
[1]), is a 1991 action-platform video game developed candles and enemies.* [5]* [8] The secondary weapons in-
and published by Konami for the Super Nintendo Enter- clude an axe which can be thrown in an arc, and a watch
tainment System. A retelling of the events of the original which stops all enemy motion.* [8] Collecting the items
Castlevania, the game takes place in 1691 Transylvania, known as the Double and Triple Shots allows the player to
where the vampire hunter Simon Belmont must defeat throw secondary weapons up to three times in a row.* [5]
the vampire Dracula.* [2]* [3] It features expanded play
control, 16-bit graphics featuring SNES Mode 7, and a
soundtrack featuring brand new pieces and remixes based 4.8.2 Development and release
on previous Castlevania music. The game was re-released
on the Virtual Console in 2006 for the Wii* [2] and in Super Castlevania IV was directed by Masahiro Ueno
2013 for the Wii U. (credited in the game as Jun Furano since Konami did not
allow the use of real names at the time), who was also the
main programmer.* [9] His first 16-bit game, Ueno's team
4.8.1 Gameplay possibly started development on it during 1989. Ueno
liked the original Castlevania for the Nintendo Entertain-
ment System the most and wanted to make a pure action
game that was similar to it.* [9] Ueno only considers Su-
per Castlevania IV a remake of the original Castlevania to
some extent. Many features in Super Castlevania IV were
introduced to make it a less frustrating game for players,
such as giving them more control over Simon when he
walked up stairs.* [9]
Due to the team being small, everyone was involved with
the design and some ideas came from the creative artists
and others by the programmers' experiments. The team
drew maps on paper and a lot was changed as the game
was worked on. Mitsuru Yaida (credited as Yaipon) pro-
grammed Simon and also implemented the game's whip
system, which was to introduce some new gameplay that
was not possible on the NES.* [9] As the enemy and boss
programmer, Ueno conceived some rough ideas and ad-
The whip is a large part of Super Castlevania IV's gameplay. ditional programmers would implement more detailed
boss patterns. Earlier bosses were designed to be eas-
Super Castlevania IV is a side-scrolling platform game ier so that players could discover weak points and effec-
where the player takes control of Simon through eleven tive weapons without retrying.* [9] Ueno also worked on
levels.* [4] Players begin the game with three lives, and both the Japanese and English versions of the game, with
the game results in game over once they have lost them all. the latter featuring some instances of censorship.* [10] He
The player will lose a life if all of Simon's health gauge is was asked to alter the color palette in the English ver-
depleted or if they do not finish the level within the time sion in order to remove some depictions of blood in stage
limit.* [4] The health gauge can be restored through food eight.* [9]
items that can be dropped from candles and enemies, or It was re-released on several platforms, such as the Wii
with the Magic Crystal, which is received after defeating U's Virtual Console.* [11]
the boss at end of each level.* [4]* [5] A password can also
be entered to continue the game.* [6]
Audio
With Simon's whip, players can attack enemies in eight
* *
directions with the use of the control pad. [6] [7] By
holding down the attack button, the whip will go limp Main article: Akumajō Dracula Best 2
and can be waved around with the control pad, which can
be used to block projectiles.* [7] The length and power of The soundtrack for Super Castlevania IV was com-
the whip can be increased up to two levels by collecting posed by Masanori Adachi and Taro Kudo (credited as
an item called the Morning Star.* [5] The whip is not only Masanori Oodachi and Souji Taro respectively). Ueno
used for fighting, but also for latching onto rings to swing wanted to make the environment of Super Castlevania IV
over areas that are too wide or dangerous for the player to more interactive and was proud of how the game's sound
4.9. ''KID DRACULA''
effects and music contributed to the atmosphere.* [9] The
music was released on Akumajō Dracula Best 2 in a com-
pilation with Castlevania: The Adventure and Castlevania
II: Belmont's Revenge's music.
4.8.3 Reception
Upon Super Castlevania IV's North American release, the
game was acclaimed by critics. Nintendo Power gave
the game four overall scores of 4.0, 4.0, 4.5 and 4.5 out
of 5.* [19] Among several items, the magazine cited the
game's graphics, music, and action sequences as positives.
In 2006, the game was then named by Nintendo Power as
the 66th best game made on a Nintendo system. Now
it has been ranked 27 according to the last issue.* [20]
Official Nintendo Magazine placed the game at 56 on
their list of the 100 best Nintendo games ever. Game In-
former wrote that it“perfect[ed] the classic formula”due
to its whip and less stiff gameplay. It also praised its use
of Mode 7.* [21] GameZone ranked it as the second best
Castlevania title. The staff praised its gameplay, audio,
and visuals (in particular its “multi-scrolling playfields
and wicked special effects.”)* [22]
In 1994 the game was reviewed by Sandy Petersen in 100.
Dragon #209's “Eye of the Monitor”column. Petersen
gave the game 3 out of 5 stars.* [23] [20]“NP Top 200”, Nintendo Power 200, February 2006, pp.
The game sold a little over 500,000 copies world-
wide.* [24] [21] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
4.8.4 References
[1] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (23 October
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Konami [23] Petersen, Sandy (September 1994),“Eye of the Monitor”
Digital Entertainment, Inc. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、
邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Kon-
ami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of [24] McFerran, Damien (20 July 2014). “Super Castlevania
darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
[2] “Nintendo.com – Super Castlevania IV – Game Info”.
Nintendo. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
[3] Super Castlevania IV instruction booklet. Konami. 1991.
pp. 4–5. SNS-AD-USA.
[4] Super Castlevania IV instruction booklet. Konami. 1991.
pp. 6–7. SNS-AD-USA.
[5] Super Castlevania IV instruction booklet. Konami. 1991.
pp. 16–17. SNS-AD-USA.
[6] Super Castlevania IV instruction booklet. Konami. 1991.
pp. 8–9. SNS-AD-USA.
[7] Super Castlevania IV instruction booklet. Konami. 1991.
pp. 10–11. SNS-AD-USA.
[8] Super Castlevania IV instruction booklet. Konami. 1991.
pp. 14–15. SNS-AD-USA.
[9]“The Making Of: Super Castlevania IV”, Retro Gamer
(119), 2013-08-15: 30–35.
59
[10] “GDC 09: Confronting Censorship in Videogames”.
Retrieved 2009-03-25.
[11]“Super Castlevania IV hitting the Wii U eShop next week”
. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
[12] “Super Castlevania IV for SNES - GameRankings”.
GameRankings. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
[13] “Super Castlevania IV - Overview - allgame”. Allgame.
Retrieved 2013-05-05.
[14] “Super Castlevania IV GamePro Review (Nov. 1991)
Issue”. GamePro Magazine. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
[15] Brad Shoemaker. “Super Castlevania IV Review -
GameSpot.com”. Retrieved 2007-01-10.
[16] Lucas M. Thomas. “Super Castlevania IV VC Review -
IGN”. Retrieved 2007-01-07.
[17] Damien McFerran. “Super Castlevania IV (Wii Virtual
Console / Super Nintendo) Review - Nintendo Life”. Nin-
tendoLife. Retrieved 2006-12-26.
[18] “Super Castlevania IV Reviews and Articles for SNES -
GameRankings”. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
[19]“Now Playing”, Nintendo Power 32, January 1992, p.
58–66.
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
[22] Workman, Robert (2011-09-27). “Happy 25th Birth-
day Castlevania: The Ten Best Games in the Series”.
GameZone. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
, Dragon (209): 61–62.
4 proved the best Dracula games don't have to be scary”.
Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
4.8.5 External links
• Super Castlevania IV at MobyGames
• Super Castlevania IV at Votable.com
4.9 ''Kid Dracula''
Kid Dracula (悪 魔 城 す ぺ しゃ る ぼ く ド ラ キュ ラ
く ん Akumajō Supesharu: Boku Dorakyura-kun, liter-
ally "Demon Castle Special: Kid Dracula") is a comical
gothic-themed platform game video game, and a spinoff
to Castlevania. It is simultaneously a remake and a se-
quel to the 1990 Famicom game Akumajō Special: Boku
Dracula-kun* [2] (悪魔城すぺしゃるぼくドラキュラ
くん, literally “Demon Castle Special: Kid Dracula”)
60 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

which was released in Japan only. Konami released the Retrieved 15 May 2013.
title for the Game Boy in 1993 in Japan and North Amer-
ica. [2] “Castlevania Cameo Appearances: Kid Dracula”. MrP's
Castlevania Realm. Video Game Museum. Retrieved Oc-
tober 31, 2010. The Game Boy version, which was re-
4.9.1 Plot leased three years later, is simultaneously a remake and a
sequel. External link in |work= (help)
This game is a sequel to the events of the original Boku
Dracula-Kun. Galamoth (called Garamoth in the game)
has returned and it is up to Kid Dracula to stop him once 4.10 ''Castlevania: Rondo of
again. However, he seems to have forgotten most of his
spells. Also, many of his minions have turned against him
Blood''
and joined Galamoth. Death remains by his side however,
and gives him tips and heirlooms from his father, Dracula, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (悪魔城ドラキュラ X ⾎
along the way. の輪廻 (ロンド) Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo,
lit. Devil's Castle Dracula X: Rebirth of Blood) is a
platform-adventure video game developed by Konami for
4.9.2 Legacy the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² System directed by Toru
Hagihara. It is set in the fictional universe of the Castle-
The Japanese name of the Castlevania series is Akumajō vania series, where the protagonist Richter Belmont goes
Dracula (literally“Devil's Castle Dracula”), which is also to save his lover Annette, who was abducted by Dracula.
the name used in most spin-offs of the Castlevania games It was released in Japan on October 29, 1993. A direct
in Japan, cementing a relationship between the two. The sequel to it, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, was re-
game's main antagonist, Garamoth, later appeared as a leased in 1997. The game was later ported to the Super
boss character in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Nintendo as Castlevania: Dracula X, and the PlayStation
In Symphony, he dropped his cartoonish appearance and Portable as Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles.
was named Galamoth (due to the ambiguity of Japanese-
English transliterations).
Other appearances of Kid Dracula include an appearance
4.10.1 Gameplay
as a secret item in The Legend of the Mystical Ninja for
SNES and GBA, in addition to his appearance in the
Super Famicom version of Gokujō Parodius! 〜 Kako no
Eikō o Motomete 〜 as a selectable character. Kid Drac-
ula is also a hidden selectable character in the game's se-
quel, Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius: forever with me, which
is the PlayStation and Sega Saturn version of the Super
Famicom game, Jikkyō Oshaberi Parodius. Additionally,
Garamoth/Galamoth appears as a boss enemy in Aku-
majō Drakula X: Nocturn in the Moonlight/Castlevania
Symphony of the Night, appearing towards the very top
of the reverse castle.
Kid Dracula was appeared like card in Wai Wai Poker for
the Medal Game.
Galamoth would make a reappearance in Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow for the Game Boy Advance as a soul
used by the protagonist Soma Cruz to counter the ef-
fects of time-stopping magic of the Chronomage crea- Richter fighting the Behemoth.* [1]
ture. Galamoth's relation to Time as well as his conflict
The objective is to guide the primary player character
with Dracula is further expanded in Castlevania Judgment
where he sends a creature known as Time Reaper to de- Richter Belmont through nine stages,* [2] with four alter-
stroy his rival. As an inflated float, Kid Dracula would nate routes,* [3] as he searches for his kidnapped beloved
make a cameo appearance in New International Track & Annette and ultimately confronts Dracula in his cas-
Field for the Nintendo DS. tle.* [4] Richter makes use of a whip as his main weapon
and one of six sub-weapons: an axe, a dagger, holy water,
a grimoire, a pocket watch, and a cross.* [5] While explor-
4.9.3 References ing the castle, Richter can rescue four maidens, including
Annette's young sister* [6] Maria Renard who then be-
[1] “Kid Dracula European Box Art”. GameFAQs. Konami. comes a playable character.* [7]* [8] She attacks using her
4.10. ''CASTLEVANIA: RONDO OF BLOOD''
doves and one of six sub-weapons: a white tiger kitten,
dragon whelp, baby phoenix, turtle,* [9] egg or musical
notes.* [5] She is more agile, can do a double jump, and
can do twice the amount of damage that Richter does in
each normal attack because the doves she shoots out re-
turn to her and therefore can do a second hit of damage
on the way back, but she takes much more damage than
Richter.
Rondo of Blood incorporates elements from the earlier
Castlevania games which typically featured linear game-
play and a member of the Belmont clan as the protagonist,
and the later entries which emphasized untimed explo-
ration of the environment.* [10] Rondo of Blood makes
use of untimed stages with a clear beginning, but more
than one ending to some levels; this then affects the sub-
sequent environment, monsters, and boss monster that the
player character encounters at the end of the level.* [10]
Items such as money, hearts, and food can be found scat-
tered throughout the areas.* [11] Rondo of Blood also fea-
tures the Item Crash ability reused in subsequent Castle-
vania titles, which allows a sub-weapon to be used in a su-
per attack.* [8] Its direct sequel, Castlevania: Symphony
of the Night, reuses many of the monsters.* [10]
4.10.2 Plot
Taking place in 1792, Rondo of Blood is set in the
fictional universe of the Castlevania series. The premise
of the series is the eternal conflict between the vampire
hunters of the Belmont clan and the immortal vampire
Dracula. The protagonist is 19-year-old Richter Bel-
mont (Jin Horikawa), heir to the whip Vampire Killer
and Simon Belmont's direct descendant.* [12] He comes
to the castle after his beloved Annette (Atsuko Honda)
is kidnapped by Dracula's servant Shaft.* [13] Two times
throughout the game, Dracula's trusty lieutenant, Death,
attempts to stop Richter before he reaches Dracula.
Along the way, Richter frees Annette's sister* [6] Maria
Renard (Yōko Teppōzuka), an orphaned 12-year-old who
was taken to the castle with her and insists on joining
him;* [12]* [14] Terra (Hiromi Murata), a nun who mis-
takes him for a manifestation of God;* [15] Iris (Akie
Yasuda), the daughter of the village doctor;* [16] and
finally Annette.* [17] After defeating Shaft and Death,
Richter confronts Dracula (Hiroya Ishimaru) and van-
quishes him.* [18] The castle then collapses into the sea.
4.10.3 Development
Rondo of Blood is the tenth installment of the Castlevania
video game series.* [2] Produced by Konami, Rondo of
Blood originally saw only a Japanese-exclusive release on
the PC Engine on October 29, 1993.* [3]* [19] Later, a
port was released on the Wii for the Japanese Virtual
Console on April 22, 2008; as an import, it became avail-
able in North America on March 15, 2010 and in the PAL
61
region (Europe and Australia) on March 19, 2010.* [20]
Audio
For the audio, Rondo of Blood makes use of Red
Book Audio along with the onboard soundchip, allowing
for better musical quality.* [21]* [22] Akira Souji, Keizo
Nakamura, Tomoko Sano, and Mikio Saito composed the
soundtrack of Rondo of Blood.* [23]* [24] The songs from
Rondo of Blood,“Overture”,“Beginning”and“Opus
13”, appeared on a pre-order bonus CD for the 2006
Nintendo DS game Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin.* [25]
Konami Style published the two-disk soundtrack of the
remake of the game, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chron-
icles, on November 8, 2007.* [26] The songs "Vampire
Killer",“Beginning”,“Cemetery”, and“Divine Blood-
lines”were rearranged; it also included a bonus track of an
English-language version of“Nocturne”from Symphony
of the Night.* [26] Within The Dracula X Chronicles is an
option which enables players to choose songs from Rondo
of Blood and Symphony of the Night to play in the back-
ground.* [4] These songs are found in the form of records
hidden within the game.* [11]
4.10.4 Versions and re-releases
Castlevania: Dracula X
Castlevania: Dracula X, known as Akumajou Dracula XX
(悪魔城ドラキュラ XX Akumajō Dorakyura XX) in
Japan and Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss in Europe,* [27]
was developed for the Super Nintendo Entertainment
System.* [3] While the plot is similar to Rondo of Blood
and it uses many of the latter's graphics, it featured a dif-
ferent art style, redesigned levels, and altered gameplay
elements (such as having only two alternate levels and
Maria as a nonplayable character).* [3]* [22]* [28] It was
released on July 21, 1995 in Japan, in September 1995
in the USA and Europe,* [27] and on June 22, 1996 in
Australia as an uncensored release. The game was also
released as a Wii U Virtual Console download in Japan
on April 23, 2014, in North America on October 2, 2014
and the PAL regions on November 13, 2014.
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, known in Japan
as Akumajō Dracula X Chronicle (悪魔城ドラキュラ X
クロニクル Akumajō Dorakyura Ekkusu Kuronikuru, lit.
“Devil's Castle Dracula X Chronicle”)* [29] is a 2.5D re-
make of Rondo of Blood for the PlayStation Portable.* [8]
It includes the original game and a port of its sequel, Sym-
phony of the Night, as unlockable content.* [1] Symphony
of the Night includes the option to play as Maria (as did
the Sega Saturn version, but based on the Rondo of Blood
version), as well as redone scripts, sound effects and new
62
voice acting.* [30] Gameplay in The Dracula X Chronicles
remains largely unchanged from Rondo of Blood.* [31]
However, a Boss Rush mode was added; completion of it
three times unlocks the mini-game Peke.* [32] It was re-
leased in North America on October 23, 2007, in Japan
on November 8, 2007, in Europe on February 15, 2008
and in Australia & New Zealand on April 9, 2008.* [33] In
2008, the North American edition was re-released as part
of the "Greatest Hits" label while the Japanese edition
was re-released on July 15, 2010 under the “Best Selec-
tion”label.* [33] The game was added to the PlayStation
Network in Europe in June 2014, as a PSP-only release
(the game is already compatible with the PS Vita).
4.10.5 Reception
Reception to the PC Engine's Rondo of Blood was pos-
itive. 1UP described Rondo of Blood as “a beautifully
crafted action game in the classic Castlevania style”and
a “long-coveted classic”.* [34] IGN awarded the Wii
port its “Editors' Choice”and described it as enjoy-
able and “worth the wait”.* [10] Nintendo Life rated it
9/10, praising the level design, soundtrack, graphics, and
level difficulty.* [21] Electronic Gaming Monthly stated
that Rondo of Blood “can easily be the best CD ti-
tle yet”, and argued that the only bad point to it is
that it would not be released in the USA.* [35] They
later awarded the game Best Japanese Action Game of
1994.* [36] GamePro commented, “Declaring Dracula
X to be the greatest Castlevania of all time would be a slap
at Castlevania IV for the SNES, but earmarking X as one
of the ten best side-scrollers of all time is a no-brainer.”
*
[37]
On the release of the SNES port, Famicom Tsūshin scored
Dracula X a 24 out of 40,* [38] and Electronic Gaming
Monthly scored it a 6.75 out of 10, saying it is a good
game in its own terms but does not hold up to previous
Castlevania games.* [39] It received a ranking of 73.75%
from Game Rankings, based on four reviews.* [40] Drac-
ula X received mixed reviews from critics. Most review-
ers stated that it was an inferior conversion of the PC En-
gine game.* [10]* [30]* [39]* [41] GamePro criticized that
the stage design fails to encourage re-exploring stages, the
bosses are not challenging enough, and the graphics and
gameplay are primitive:“no knockout Mode 7 stages, no
rotating rooms (like in Castlevania IV). Your character is
also very small. The play engine feels like it's right out
of the 8-bit versions ...”* [41] In contrast, IGN's retro-
spective on the series referred to it as “still one of the
best traditional Castlevania games”, and that it “holds
its own”in terms of graphics, including a brighter color
palette and Mode 7 graphics, but suffered from weak A.I.
and bad level layout.* [3]
Critical reaction to the remake, The Dracula X Chroni-
cles, was generally favorable. Metacritic listed The Drac-
ula X Chronicles as 80/100 while Game Rankings gave it
an 81.40%.* [42]* [43] Reviewers praised the updated vi-
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
suals, enjoyable soundtrack, inclusion of Symphony of the
Night and other bonus content.* [1]* [31]* [44]* [45] The
high level of difficulty was noted by reviewers as poten-
tially frustrating for players unused to it,* [1]* [31]* [45]
and the voice acting drew criticism as “soap opera
fare”.* [31] Conversely, GameSpy called The Dracula X
Chronicles“a solid remake”, but considered it unneces-
sary and“worse than the original”.* [46] Game Informer's
Tim Turi felt it was a worthwhile remake of Rondo of
Blood and praised its inclusion of it and Symphony of the
Night as extra games.* [47] GameZone ranked it as the
fifth best Castlevania title. Like Game Informer, the staff
praised the quality of the remake and the inclusion of the
aforementioned games.* [48]
4.10.6 References
[1] jkdmedia (November 13, 2007).“Castlevania: The Drac-
ula X Chronicles – PSP – Review”. Game Zone. Re-
trieved September 4, 2010.
[2] Thorsen, Tor. “Castlevania: Rondo of Blood drips onto
VC, Rage of the Gladiator strikes WiiWare”. Gamespot.
Retrieved September 5, 2010.
[3] Bozon, Mark (January 18, 2008).“Castlevania: The Ret-
rospective – Page 4”. IGN. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
[4] Joyny, Patrick (February 2, 2007). “Previews: Castleva-
nia: The Dracula X Chronicles”. Gamespy. Retrieved
September 5, 2010.
[5] “Weapons/Spells – Castlevania: The Dracula X Chroni-
cles Guide”. IGN. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
[6] Low, David (January 14, 2006). “Franchise Mode #11
– Castlevania, Part 1”. PALGN. Retrieved October 11,
2010.
[7] “Maidens – Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
Guide”. IGN. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
[8] Parish, Jeremy (February 1, 2007). “Castlevania PSP
Preview for PSP from 1UP”. 1UP.com. Retrieved
September 4, 2010.
[9] “The Four Chinese Guardians”. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
[10] Thomas, Lucas M. (March 26, 2010). “Castlevania:
Rondo of Blood Review”. IGN. Retrieved September
4, 2010.
[11] “Items – Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles Guide”
. IGN. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
[12] Konami (2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
–Instruction booklet. p. 4.
[13] Konami Computer Entertainment Japan (October 23,
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. PlaySta-
tion Portable. Konami. Dracula: That young lady has a
certain “connection”with my old foes...the Belmonts.
Bring her alive. I have a most amusing idea. / Shaft: By
your command.
4.10. ''CASTLEVANIA: RONDO OF BLOOD''
[14] Konami Computer Entertainment Japan (October 23,
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. PlaySta-
tion Portable. Konami. Maria: Are you that man An-
nette was talking about? / Richter: You know about An-
nette? Where is she? / Maria: We were together when
they brought us here, but now... / Richter: I see... /
Maria: Don't worry, I'll help you! [...] Richter: Ha! No,
no. Just...be good, go home, back to your mom and dad.
They're worried about you. / Maria: ...No, they know I'm
safe with you. / Richter: ?! / Maria: They can see it from
Heaven. They were killed.
[15] Konami Computer Entertainment Japan (October 23,
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. PlaySta-
tion Portable. Konami. Tera: Oh God in heaven! You've
answered my prayers! / Richter: It's dangerous here.
Hurry up and run! / Tera: Such majesty. You can only
be... the manifestation of God Himself! Oh, great Lord!
Your servant, Sister Tera, thanks you with all her soul!
[16] Konami Computer Entertainment Japan (October 23,
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. PlaySta-
tion Portable. Konami. Iris: Just relax. My father's a
doctor...
[17] Konami Computer Entertainment Japan (October 23,
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. PlaySta-
tion Portable. Konami. Annette: Richter... Richter, it's
you! / Richter: You're all right. [...] She'll be in danger
either way until I settle things with Dracula. And so will
you, Annette... Just get as far away from here as you can.
/ Annette: All right.
[18] Konami Computer Entertainment Japan (October 23,
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. PlaySta-
tion Portable. Konami. Dracula: Impossible... You've
beaten me? / Richter: I'm a Belmont. That's my job. /
Dracula: H-Humanity will call me back again. It always
does. Its desire is insatiable... / Richter: You're right.
We never learn. But we'll have to someday. And in the
meantime, if you do come back, someone like me will be
waiting.
[19] “Akumajo Dracula X: Chi no Rondo ̶Release Sum-
mary”. GameSpot. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
[20] “Casltevania: Rondo of Blood for the Wii”. Gamespot.
Retrieved September 5, 2010.
[21] Dillard, Corbie (March 16, 2010). “Castlevania: Rondo
of Blood (virtual console) review”. Nintendo Life. Re-
trieved September 5, 2010.
[22] Whalen, Mike; Giancarlo Varanini. “The History of
Castlevania – Page 7”. Gamespot. Retrieved Septem-
ber 5, 2010.
[23] Raiga: Strato Fighter (Media notes). Pony Canyon, Inc.,
Scitron Digital Contents Inc. 1991.
[24] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (1993). Castle-
vania: Rondo of Blood. Konami Digital Entertainment,
Inc. Scene: staff credits.
[25] Kohler, Chris (November 10, 2006). “Exclusive: Castl-
evania Music CD Track Listing!". Wired.com. Retrieved
September 5, 2010.
63
[26] Gann, Patrick. “Akumajou Dracula X Chronicle OST”
. RPGFan. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
[27] “Castlevania Dracula X ̶Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
[28] Low, David (January 14, 2006). “Franchise Mode #11
– Castlevania, Part 2”. PALGN. Retrieved October 11,
2010.
[29] 悪魔城ドラキュラシリーズ総合サイト - 1995 (in
Japanese). Konami. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
[30] Kumar, Matthew (January 3, 2008). “Castlevania: The
Dracula X Chronicles PSP Review”. Eurogamer. Re-
trieved September 5, 2010. received an incredibly inferior
port to the Super Nintendo
[31] Burt, Andy (October 23, 2007).“Castlevania: The Drac-
ula X Chronicles review from GamePro”. GamePro.
Archived from the original on 2010-04-13. Retrieved
September 5, 2010.
[32] “Secrets – Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles Guide”
. IGN. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
[33] “Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles for PSP”.
Gamespot. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
[34] Parish, Jeremy (October 23, 2007). “Castlevania: The
Dracula X Chronicles”. 1UP.com. Retrieved September
4, 2010.
[35]“The Belmont Series Continues On!". Electronic Gaming
Monthly (55) (EGM Media, LLC). February 1994. p. 88.
[36]“Electronic Gaming Monthly's Buyer's Guide”. 1995.
[37]“Overseas ProSpects: Dracula X”. GamePro (58) (IDG).
May 1994. p. 164.
[38] NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: 悪魔城ドラキュラ
XX. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.345. Pg.29. 28 July
1995.
[39]“Review Crew: Dracula X”. Electronic Gaming Monthly
(Ziff Davis) (75): 32. October 1995.
[40] “Castlevania Dracula X for SNES”. Game Rankings.
Retrieved September 5, 2010.
[41]“ProReview: Castlevania: Dracula X”. GamePro (85)
(IDG). October 1995. p. 64.
[42] “Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles”. Metacritic.
Retrieved September 4, 2010.
[43] “Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles for PSP”. Game
Rankings. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
[44] Workman, Robert (October 26, 2007).“Castlevania: The
Dracula X Chronicles Review”. GameDaily. Retrieved
September 4, 2010.
[45] Cabral, Matt. “Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles”
. Games Radar. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
[46] Hall, AJ (October 23, 2007). “GameSpy: CAstlevania:
The Dracula X Chronicles – Page 1”. GameSpy. Re-
trieved September 4, 2010.
64
[47] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
[48] Workman, Robert (2011-09-27). “Happy 25th Birth-
day Castlevania: The Ten Best Games in the Series”.
GameZone. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
4.11 ''Castlevania: Bloodlines''
Castlevania: Bloodlines, known as Vampire Killer (バ
ンパイアキラー Banpaia Kirā) in Japan and as Castle-
vania: The New Generation in PAL regions, is a platform
game developed and published by Konami for the Sega
Genesis, released worldwide in March 1994. It was the
only Castlevania video game released on the Genesis.
The game's storyline concerns a legendary vampire
named Elizabeth Bartley who is Dracula's niece, suddenly 4.11.2
appearing in the 20th century. Plotting a sacrificial war
in order to bring her uncle back to life, she orchestrates
the beginning of World War I. Quincy Morris' son, John,
and his best friend Eric Lecarde, vow to take up the fight
against evil. Together they manage to prevent Dracula's
full resurrection.
Unlike most Castlevania games, Bloodlines was the first
game in the series that does not take place exclusively in
Dracula's castle, with most levels taking place throughout
Europe.
4.11.1 Gameplay
LeCarde fighting the first miniboss, a Hellhound
As with most early Castlevania games, players proceed
through each level, defeating enemies and collecting gems
(hearts in previous games) to power special weapons (in
this game, the axe, boomerang, and holy water). Each
stage is sectioned, and has a sub-boss battle in the mid-
dle, with a main boss battle at the end. Some items will
increase the power of the characters' weapons. Some por-
tions of the game split into different paths, depending on
which character is chosen. John is able to swing past huge
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
gaps with his whip, whereas Eric must use a different
route by performing high jumps by using his spear.
In addition to the first level (Dracula's castle in Roma-
nia), there are another five levels set in other European
countries ̶Athens, Greece; Pisa, Italy; a weapon factory
in Germany; the Palace of Versailles, in France; and the
fictional Castle Proserpina in England.
Bloodlines is also noteworthy for its abundance of spe-
cial effects, such as the Atlantis Shrine's water reflections,
the swaying tower of Pisa, and large multi-jointed bosses.
The final stage even uses effects to add challenge, such
as playing upside-down or playing while the screen di-
vides up into sections. The “Item Crash”feature (from
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood) makes its return in Blood-
lines.
Story
Artwork used for the cover of the Japanese, European and Aus-
tralian versions
In 1897, the long war between humanity and Dracula
came to an end, as Dracula was laid to eternal rest by
Quincey Morris, a distant descendant of the Belmont
family. Peace was restored to Europe, until the outbreak
of the First World War, which transformed the continent
into a dark world filled with massacre and violence. At
the beginning of the war, in June 1914 at Sarajevo, the
Crown Prince of Austria was assassinated. It was said
4.11. ''CASTLEVANIA: BLOODLINES'' 65

that a strange beautiful woman was involved, within the Sinking Old Sanctuary,”was reused in later Castlevania
shadows. It was Elizabeth Bartley (エリザベート・バー games, Circle of the Moon, for the Game Boy Advance,
ト リー Erizabēto Bātorī ). In order to revive her un- and Legacy of Darkness, for the Nintendo 64.
cle, Count Dracula, she conducted an unholy ceremony The main themes for each of the first levels of the three
which caused the war, giving her possession of human NES Castlevania games (Vampire Killer, Bloody Tears,
souls from Europe. Beginning) are accessible in-game with a code, can be
The game itself takes place in 1917. The characters played in the sound test and one will be chosen randomly
are John Morris, a distant descendant of the famed Bel- to play when the player obtains the maximum weapon
mont and Morris families who obeyed his fate to fight power level. Also, Nothing to Lose (the Castle Keep
vampires day and night, and Eric Lecarde, whose girl- theme for the NES Castlevania) was played in the final
friend was transformed into a vampire when Elizabeth part of the first stage. Theme of Simon (from Super Castl-
was revived. After Drolta Tzuentes (ドロテア・ツェ evania IV) plays after defeating Elizabeth and before the
ンテス Dorotea Tsentesu) resurrected Elizabeth Bartley, battle with Dracula.
they traveled across Europe to conduct the resurrection of
Count Dracula. John Morris and Eric Lecarde followed
them. Even though the resurrection of Dracula was a suc-
4.11.4 Reception
cess, the vampire hunters defeated him, and his allies.
Bloodlines was an “instant hit”upon release.* [5]
4.11.3 Development GamesRadar named Castlevania: Bloodlines the 8th best
Genesis game of all time out of a list of 25.* [6] Game
The game was originally released as a side story of Castl- Informer's Tim Turi praised the level of gore relative to
evania series.* [1] Eric's facial features were more fem- other Castlevania titles at the time. He also called it“one
inine (i.e., bishōnen) in the Japanese version. When of the most overlooked treasures in the franchise.”* [7]
brought to North America, his facial design was changed GameZone ranked it as the fourth best Castlevania ti-
in the intro to seem more masculine. Oddly, although also tle.* [5]
changed for the European and Australian versions intro,
his feminine face was kept for the cover of those releases.
Castlevania: Bloodlines underwent censorship during 4.11.5 References
localization to PAL regions in Europe and Australia. The
word blood was kept out of the title at the time. There- [1] Page 33, Rondo of Blood Strategy guide book
fore, the title was altered to Castlevania: The New Gen-
eration. When the game starts, the blood from the bot- [2]“It was my first title for the series ever, and I was under a
tom of the title screen was changed to water. Another lot a pressure.”– Michiru Yamane, from the Castlevania:
thing that was changed for the title screen is that the North 20th Anniversary Deluxe Art Collection
American and Japanese versions had blood dripping ef-
fects from the title to the blood pool, but in the European [3] “Castlevania: Bloodlines for Genesis - GameRankings”
version, the title screen just faded in through pixelated . GameRankings. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
text and had no blue water dripping effect. The zombies
were changed from pink to green to make them less grue- [4] “Castlevania: Bloodlines for Genesis - Arcade County”
some. In the European version, Eric's spear does not im- . Arcade County. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
pale him after he dies. There was a rearrangement of en-
emy placement as well, making the difficulty either eas- [5] Workman, Robert (2011-09-27). “Happy 25th Birth-
ier or harder depending on where in the game the player day Castlevania: The Ten Best Games in the Series”.
is. Only some sub-bosses use the life bar meter to show GameZone. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
damage, whereas others do not.
[6] GamesRadar staff (April 17, 2012). “Best Sega Genesis
games of all time”. GamesRadar. Retrieved February 2,
Audio 2013.

The music of Bloodlines was composed by Michiru Ya- [7] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
mane, who later garnered acclaim for her score for Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and subsequent hand-
held Castlevania adventures. Though she once admit-
ted to have worked under extreme pressure and dead-
lines,* [2] this soundtrack met the standards of the previ- 4.11.6 External links
ous entries and is highly regarded on its own for its gloomy
atmosphere. The music for the second level, titled “The • Castlevania Bloodlines at MobyGames
66 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

4.12 ''Castlevania: Symphony of as their main weapon. In Castlevania: Symphony of the

Night , Alucard can find and use weapons ranging from
the Night'' edged weapons like swords and knives to knuckles and
expendable items such as bombs or javelins.* [7] He can
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (Japanese: 悪魔 also obtain health restoratives, equipment and items that
城ドラキュラ X ⽉下の夜想曲 Hepburn: Akumajō boost his attributes;* [7] these are located on an inven-
Dracula X: Gekka no Yasōkyoku, Devil's Castle Drac- tory.* [6] Relics found throughout the castle provide Alu-
ula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight)* [1]* [2] is a platform- card with abilities, such as the ability to double jump.* [8]
adventure action role-playing game developed and pub- A bestiary kept by the castle's librarian, who also func-
lished by Konami in 1997. It is the sequel to Castlevania: tions as a shopkeeper, shows the monsters encountered
Rondo of Blood and features Dracula's dhampir son by the player and the items they drop when defeated.* [9]
Alucard as the protagonist.* [3] It marks a break from pre-
vious games in the series, which are action platformers. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night incorporates ele-
The game features more emphasis on exploration, non- ments found in role-playing games. Alucard's hit points
linear level design, and RPG elements. determine the maximum amount of damage he can with-
stand before dying while his magic points decide how
Its initial commercial success was limited* [4] – particu- frequently a magical attack may be cast. Alucard has
larly in the United States where it was not strongly publi- four other attributes: strength – the power of his phys-
cized – but it was critically praised, gained sales through ical attack; defense – his resilience to damage inflicted
word-of-mouth and eventually became a hit. It has since by the monsters; intelligence – the recovery speed of
been re-released on several gaming consoles and is now magic points; and luck – the frequency that items are
usually considered a sleeper hit and a cult classic of video dropped by enemies. Defeating monsters provides him
gaming. with experience points and he will level up after reach-
ing a predetermined amount, increasing his attributes in
the process.* [6] Alucard may cast eight different spells,
4.12.1 Gameplay which requires the player to input directional combi-
nations and will use up varying amounts of his magic
points.* [6]* [10] During the course of the game, Alucard
can acquire the ability to summon familiars, which func-
tion as complementary entities, aiding him in battle and
exploration. The North American version of the game
includes the Fairy, Demon, Ghost, Bat, and Sword famil-
iars. The original Japanese version also includes the fa-
miliars Nose Devil (functionally identical to the Demon
but with a Tengu mask) and Pixie.
Alternative modes of gameplay can be unlocked after the
completion of the game. By inputting Richter Belmont's
name as the user name, the player can choose to play as
Richter, who uses a whip as his main weapon and var-
ious sub-weapons.* [7]* [11] Two alternative modes have
Alucard as the player character with certain items and in-
creased or decreased attributes. In the Sega Saturn and
Gameplay in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, with Alucard, PSP remake of Rondo of Blood, Maria Renard is also
the primary character, in the center playable, by selecting her before starting a game in the
Saturn version, or by inputting her name in the save file
Like many installments of the Castlevania series, Castl- naming screen after beating the game with Alucard once
evania: Symphony of the Night uses a 2D side-scrolling in the PSP version.
style of gameplay.* [5] The objective of the game is to
guide the main player character Alucard through the
undead-filled castle as he sets out to defeat the vampire 4.12.2 Plot
Dracula.* [5] The game uses a non-linear style of game-
play; however, at the beginning, Alucard can access only See also: List of Castlevania characters § Rondo of
certain areas of the castle. By obtaining the three forms Blood and Symphony of the Night
(wolf, bat, and mist) that he can shapeshift into, he grad-
ually explores the castle.* [6] A map carried by Alucard Castlevania: Symphony of the Night begins during the
is automatically updated to show the player's progress ending of the previous game in the series, Castlevania:
through the castle.* [6] Rondo of Blood, where Richter Belmont (Scott McCul-
Protagonists in previous games of the series use whips loch; David Vincent in the redub) confronts and de-
4.12. ''CASTLEVANIA: SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT''
feats Count Dracula (Michael G; Patrick Seitz in the re-
dub).* [12] Four years later, Alucard (Robert Belgrade;
Yuri Lowenthal in the redub) arrives at the castle. Inside,
he meets Dracula's servant Death (Dennis Falt; Travis
Willingham in the redub), who warns him to stop his
quest to destroy the castle and strips him of his equip-
ment. He also meets Maria Renard (Kimberly Forsythe;
Michelle Ruff in the redub), a seventeen-year-old vam-
pire hunter who fought alongside Richter and is now
searching for him, and the castle's librarian, who sells
items and equipment to Alucard. Periodically encoun-
tering Maria throughout the castle, Alucard also meets
Richter, who claims to be the new lord of the castle and
forces him to battle with two monsters.
Alucard defeats the monsters, finds Maria again, and tells
her about Richter. Upset, she leaves Alucard to confirm
it for herself. Convinced that Richter is under somebody
else's control, Maria meets Alucard again; she urges him
not to hurt Richter and gives him an item that allows him
to see past illusions. In the castle's keep, Alucard con-
fronts Richter and learns that he plans to resurrect Drac-
ula so he may battle the vampire for eternity. Alucard
breaks the spell controlling Richter. Dracula's servant
Shaft (Jeff Manning; Tony Oliver in the redub) appears
and reveals that despite the spell being broken, Dracula
will be resurrected soon. Shaft summons an inverted ver-
sion of the castle.
Alucard leaves Richter to Maria's care and enters the in-
verted castle to find and destroy Shaft. Along the way,
he defeats Death and eventually finds Shaft. Shaft admits
he planned to end the threat of the Belmont clan by con-
trolling one as the master of the castle and forcing them
to fight each other. Alucard defeats Shaft, who reveals
that Dracula's resurrection is complete. Alucard faces
his own father, who vows to destroy humankind because
Alucard's mother Lisa was executed as a witch. Alucard
refuses to join his father in his revenge and the two battle.
Alucard defeats his father and suggests he lost the battle
because he lost his ability to love after Lisa's death. Drac-
ula quotes the biblical verse Matthew 16:26 (in the dub)
and learns that Lisa's final words were of eternal love for
him and a plea not to hate – or at least harm – humanity.
As Dracula vanishes, he asks for Lisa's forgiveness and
bids his son farewell. Escaping the crumbling castle,
Alucard rejoins Maria and Richter. Maria expresses re-
lief that he escaped while Richter blames himself as the
reason for Alucard's fight with his father. Alucard tells
Richter, “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is
for good men to do nothing,”(an attributed quote from
Edmund Burke) and resolves to disappear from the world
because of his cursed bloodline. Depending on how much
of the castle the player has explored, Maria either chases
Alucard with Richter's permission in the hope of chang-
ing his mind, or resigns herself to Alucard's fate and
leaves with Richter.
67
4.12.3 Development
The game was directed by Toru Hagihara, while assis-
tant director Koji Igarashi had creative influence and was
involved with the story-writing and programming.* [13]
From the outset, the game was intended to represent a
new direction for the franchise. According to Igarashi,
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night began development
as“something of a side story for the series, we were able
to break alot [sic] of Castlevania conventions and intro-
duce a lot of new elements that we still use today”.* [14]
His primary motivation for the abrupt design change was
the sight of dozens of Castlevania games in bargain bins
of Japanese video game stores; linear Castlevania games
offered limited replay value after completion.* [15] A
noted fan of 2D games, Igarashi was instrumental in refin-
ing the game's control scheme.* [16] The game was orig-
inally intended for the Sega 32X.* [17]
For Igarashi, regular action games were too short; he
wanted to create a game that “could be enjoyed for a
long time”.* [13] Consequently, the development team
abandoned the stage-by-stage progression of the previ-
ous Castlevania games in favor of an open castle that
the player could freely explore. Igarashi looked to the
The Legend of Zelda series, which involved much explo-
ration and back-tracking to extend the amount of game-
play.* [18] The development team used inspiration from
Zelda and Super Metroid to make the most of the castle
areas initially inaccessible to the player. The player would
gradually obtain items and vampiric powers that progres-
sively opened up the castle. Their idea was to reward ex-
ploration while retaining the hack-and-slash action of the
previous games.* [13]
Role-playing mechanics were added because Igarashi
felt the classic Castlevania games were too challenging
for average players.* [13] To change that, the team im-
plemented a leveling-up system with experience points,
which rewarded players with better attack and defense
statistics as they beat enemies. This system, combined
with a variety of items, armors, weapons and spells, al-
lowed the exploration to become less difficult for un-
skilled players.* [13]
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was artist Ayami Ko-
jima's first appearance in the video game industry. She
worked on the game as a character designer, conceptual-
izing the game's main and supporting cast. Her designs
for the game are heavily influenced by bishōnen-style art.
These illustrations were popular with the Castlevania fan
base, prompting Kojima to produce similar designs for
later titles.
The game is presented using 2D visuals, mainly sprites
animated over scrolling backgrounds. Effects such as
rotation and scaling are used liberally. Sprites range
from small to filling an entire screen. Parallax effects at-
tempt to simulate depth in backgrounds and can be seen
throughout the game.
68
Occasionally, the 3D capabilities of the PlayStation try
to embellish the largely 2D world. For example, cloudy
skies in the Royal Chapel area are rendered as 3D tex-
tures moving towards the player's perspective. A polyg-
onal clock tower visible from the Castle Keep rotates as
the player moves. Enemies and spells also sometimes ren-
der 3D elements as part of their special animations. The
game contains some short full motion video (FMV) se-
quences, most of which showcase the castle from differ-
ent angles. This technique was widely used at the time of
the game's production.
Music
Main article: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Original Game Soundtrack
The music used in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
was composed by Michiru Yamane. The soundtrack con-
tains elements from music genres classical, techno, gothic
rock, new-age, jazz, and subgenres of metal – including
thrash metal and black metal. “I Am the Wind”, a
vocal ending theme written by Rika Muranaka and Tony
Haynes, and performed by Cynthia Harrell, is played dur-
ing the credits.
The soundtrack contains arrangements of pieces from
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, particularly “Dance of Il-
lusions”, the final boss theme in Rondo of Blood. There
is also“Blood Relations”, a variation of the piece heard
in the first stage in Rondo of Blood.
4.12.4 Versions and re-releases
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was released in
Japan on March 20, 1997, in North America on Octo-
ber 2, 1997, and in Europe in November 1997.* [19] The
Japanese release was packaged with an art book con-
taining a small manga based on the game and a sound-
track compiled from most of the previous Castlevania
games.* [20] It contained two more familiars than the sub-
sequent English-language release.* [10] The game was re-
released in Japan on the “PlayStation the Best”label on
March 19, 1998, and in North America on “Greatest
Hits”in 1998.* [19] In 2009, an English fan translation
of the Japanese version was released.* [21]
The version released in North America and Europe con-
tain new English voice acting. The localization and trans-
lation was handled by Jeremy Blaustein.* [22] The UK re-
lease experienced limited distribution and a basic print
run. Despite its appeal, media ratings, and healthy sales
elsewhere, the UK release sold sparsely and was dis-
continued within 2 months. The only available copies
sent were sold through initial orders by UK retailers and
some limited online sales of remaining stock. No fur-
ther UK pressings were made and it became collectible
shortly after release. It was also re-released as a “PSone
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
Classics”title on the PlayStation Network store on July
19, 2007, in North America, on December 16, 2010, in
Japan, and on December 12, 2012, in Europe for use
with the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation Portable, and the
PlayStation Vita.* [19]
I understand why fans who've never played the Saturn ver-
sion would be interested in those features, but I really, re-
ally don't feel good about them. I couldn't put my name
on that stuff and present it to Castlevania fans.
̶Koji Igarashi, June 2007, on the Saturn port* [23]
In 1998, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was ported
to the Sega Saturn in Japan. In this version, Maria Renard
is both a fully playable character as well as a boss fight
(she fights Alucard before giving him the Holy Glasses
item), and Richter is available to play at start of the
game.* [24] When playing the game as Alucard, a“third
hand”is available for usable items.* [10] Alucard can
use exclusive items, such as the Alucard boots, in the
port.* [10] New areas – the Cursed Prison and the Un-
derground Garden, which had new bosses – can be vis-
ited.* [10]* [24] The port also contains remixes of pre-
vious Castlevania songs.* [25] Because of poor coding,
loading is more frequent and takes longer in the Saturn
version than in other versions.* [26] Because the Saturn
has limited hardware transparency support, transparency
effects such as the mists and the waterfall were replaced
with dithering effects.* [27] Rather than taking advantage
of the Saturn's increased resolution, the graphics were
stretched to fill the screen, causing some sprites to be dis-
torted. The overall quality of the Saturn port's video is
said, according to Igarashi, to be lower than the PlaySta-
tion version because it is a simple port handled by another
team and was not recoded to take advantage of the Sat-
urn's 2D capabilities. Igarashi overall expressed disap-
pointment with the Saturn version.* [23]
In 2006, Konami announced an Xbox 360 port of the
PlayStation version of the game would be distributed via
Xbox Live Arcade. The game was ported by Backbone
Entertainment.* [28] It was the first Xbox Live Arcade
title to exceed the 50 MB restriction then placed upon
Xbox Live Arcade games. The exception was made for
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night to “ensure that the
gameplay experience is the best it can be”.* [29] A version
of the game for Xbox Live Arcade was released on March
21, 2007.* [30] As with most Xbox Live Arcade games,
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night features leaderboards
that track players progress through the castle and features
12 achievements worth 200 points. To save space, all full
motion video sequences were removed from the North
American version of the game. They have since been re-
turned to the Japanese version, which is approximately
25 megabytes larger. While the unpatched version still
features“I Am The Wind”as the game's closing music,
a later patch replaced it with “Admiration Towards the
Clan”– the closing song in Castlevania: Lament of Inno-
cence. In 2009, Konami released Castlevania: Symphony
4.12. ''CASTLEVANIA: SYMPHONY OF THE NIGHT'' 69

of the Night alongside Super Contra and Frogger on the for creating this genre.* [18]
Konami Classics Vol. 1 for Xbox 360. In 1998, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was
A port of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was in- awarded PlayStation Game of the Year by Electronic
cluded as unlockable bonus content in Castlevania: The Gaming Monthly.* [56] It was also ranked 4th place on
Dracula X Chronicles for the Sony PlayStation Portable, EGM's list of 100 greatest games of all time, and was the
which was released in North America on October 23, highest PS1 game on the list. It was named Game of the
2007, in Japan on November 8, 2007, and in Europe Year by PSM in its list of the top ten games of 1997. It
on February 18, 2008. Except for the Japanese release, has appeared on several other “greatest game”lists, no-
the English translations features a new script and newly tably GameSpot's “The Greatest Games of All Time”
recorded voice acting, with the option to use the original list.* [54] It was placed 16th on IGN's “Top 100 Games
Japanese voices.* [31] It is a port of the PlayStation ver- of All Time”* [57] and 24th in Game Informer's “Top
sion but contains some additions and changes. Maria Re- 200 Video Games Ever”– down six places from its 2001
nard is a playable character and a boss in the PSP version, ranking.* [58]* [59] GameZone ranked it the best Castle-
who has different gameplay from her playable appearance vania title ever made.* [60] GamePro listed the discovery
in the Saturn version. Like the Xbox 360 version,“I Am of the inverted castle as the 26th-greatest moment in gam-
The Wind”is replaced with“Mournful Serenade”– an ing.* [61] GamesRadar named Castlevania: Symphony of
English recording of the Japanese version's ending music the Night the second-best PlayStation game of all time,
– as the closing theme. behind Metal Gear Solid.* [62] Edge ranked the game No.
A version of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night planned 35 on its list of “The 100 Best Games To Play Today”
for the Game.com handheld console was canceled.* [32] , stating “When you get to that moment when the castle *
In 2010, Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night, a puzzle turns on its head, you see that it's a work of genius”. [63]
game based on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, was
released for the iOS platform.* [33] 4.12.6 See also
• Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
4.12.5 Reception
At the time of its release in Japan, Castlevania: Symphony 4.12.7 References
of the Night received critical acclaim; it was low-balled
as a prospect for release in the United States and given [1] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (23 October
relatively little Stateside advertising. Since then, it has 2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Konami
developed a large cult following and copies of the orig- Digital Entertainment, Inc. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、
邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Kon-
inal PlayStation version are considered collectors' items.
ami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of
It demonstrated the continued popularity of 2D games
darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
during the fifth generation of video game consoles – the
32-bit era, which saw rapid advancements in 3D gam- [2] Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo (20 March
ing.* [53] 1997). Akumajō Dracula X: Gekka no Yasōkyoku.
Konami Co., Ltd. Scene: staff credits.
During the game's release in 1997, the console video
gaming market was trending towards 3D graphics. The [3] Bozon, Mark (January 18, 2008).“Castlevania: The Ret-
powerful new hardware in fifth generation consoles en- rospective – Page 4”. IGN. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
abled well-established gaming franchises such as Mario [4] Jeremy Parish. “Gaming Intelligence Agency – SotN
and The Legend of Zelda to receive highly successful Retrospective”. Gaming Intelligence Agency. Retrieved
3D remakes and 2D games began to decline in favor 2012-05-23.
with publishers because they speculated that they would
no longer sell. Although it received limited funding for [5] Julian Rignall (1997-10-02).“Castlevania: Symphony of
the Night”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
its North American production and was initially not a
major financial success, Castlevania: Symphony of the [6] Staff (1997-11-20). “Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night eventually was a critical success, and the game Night”. GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2007-
later joined other popular PlayStation titles as part of the 11-07.
"Greatest Hits" line of re-released, best-selling PlaySta- [7] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Guide & Walk-
tion games.* [53] through”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. p. 3.
The gaming press often draws comparisons between the Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved
gameplay of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and its 2011-09-12.
2D successors with the popular game Super Metroid,* [54] [8] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Guide & Walk-
which led to the coinage of the term "Metroidvania" through”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. p. 7.
(portmanteau of Castlevania and Metroid).* [55] Igarashi Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved
considered himself “honoured”to have been credited 2011-09-12.
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[9] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Guide & Walk-
through”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. p. 5.
Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved
2011-09-12.
[10] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Guide & Walk-
through”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. p. 2.
Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved
2011-09-10.
[11] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Guide & Walk-
through”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. p. 4.
Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved
2011-09-12.
[12] Low, David (2006-01-14).“Franchise Mode #11 – Castl-
evania, Part 1”. Palgn. Retrieved 2010-10-11.
[13] McFerran, Damien (April 2007).“The Making of Castl-
evania: Symphony of the Night”. Retro Gamer (36). Re-
trieved August 30, 2013.
[14] Nintendo Power, July 2008
[15] Thomas Shin (2007). Unpublished interview from Enter-
tainment for All Expo 2007, Hardcore Gamer Magazine
[16] “Koji Igarashi on Mastering Castlevania”. Gamasutra.
Retrieved 2006-05-06.
[17] Kalata, Kurt (2006-07-26). “Tales From The Crypt:
Castlevania 20th Anniversary Blowout from 1UP.com –
Page 3”. 1UP.com. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
[18] Matulef, Jeffery (2014-03-21).“Koji Igarashi says Castl-
evania: SotN was inspired by Zelda, not Metroid”.
Eurogamer. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
[19] “Release Summary”. GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc.
Retrieved 2013-01-01.
[20]“Electronic Gaming Monthly: Behind the Screens”. EGM
96 (Electronic Gaming Monthly). 1997. p. 88.
[21] http://www.romhacking.net/translations/1427/
[22] http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/metalgear/
jeremyblaustein.htm
[23] Play Magazine, June 2007, pg. 35
[24] “The History of Castlevania”. gamespot.com. Archived
from the original on 2009-06-17. Retrieved 2006-05-06.
[25] Low, David (2006-01-16). “Franchise Mode No. 11 –
Castlevania”. PALGN. p. 2. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
[26]“Dracula X (review)". GRP No. 4 (Game's Republic).
1998. p. 84.
[27]“Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight (preview)". EGM
No. 110 (Electronic Gaming Monthly). 1998. p. 102.
[28] “Castlevania: SOTN”. Games Marketplace – Xbox.com
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[29] Sinclair, Brendan (2007).“Castlevania to break Live Ar- [49] Gerstmann, Jeff (21 March 2007). “Castlevania: Sym-
cade size limitCastlevania to break Live Arcade size limit” phony of the Night Review (X360)". GameSpot. Re-
. GameSpot.com. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
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[30] “Castlevania: Symphony of Night on Xbox Live Arcade”
. xbox.com. Archived from the original on 2007-03-25.
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[31] “Castlevania: Dracula X Chr. 'Debut'". Retrieved 2007-
07-18.
[32] “Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night [Game.com –
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[33] Fletcher, JC (23 July 2010).“Castlevania Puzzle: Encore
of the Night debuts on App Store”. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
[34] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night”. GameRankings.
Retrieved 18 December 2011.
[35] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for Xbox 360”.
GameRankings. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
[36] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PlayStation)".
Metacritic. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
[37] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for Xbox 360 Re-
views, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic”. Meta-
critic. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
[38] “Castlevania: SOTN Review for PS1 from 1UP.com”.
1UP.com. 9 May 2004. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
[39] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS) – Overview”
. Allgame. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
[40] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (X360) –
Overview”. Allgame. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
[41] https://archive.org/stream/Computer_and_Video_
Games_Issue_192_1997-11_EMAP_Images_GB#page/
n75/mode/2up
[42] Edge staff (November 1997). “Castlevania: Symphony
of the Night (PS)". Edge (51).
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Gaming Monthly. 31 October 2003. Archived from the
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[44] Parkin, Simon (22 March 2007). “Castlevania: Sym-
phony of the Night Review”. Eurogamer. Retrieved 11
April 2012.
[45] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night”. Game Informer.
October 2007: 46–47. Archived from the original on 22
February 1999. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
[46] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Review for PlaySta-
tion on GamePro.com”. GamePro. Archived from the
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[47] Baldric (October 1997). “Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night Review”. Game Revolution. Archived from the
original on 22 October 1997. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
[48] “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Review (PS)".
GameSpot. 20 November 1997. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
trieved 11 April 2012.
4.13. ''CASTLEVANIA LEGENDS'' 71

[50] Rignall, Julian (2 October 1997). “Castlevania: Sym- Taru Zensōkyoku, translated Devil's Castle Dracula: Dark
phony of the Night – PlayStation Review”. IGN. Re- Prelude).
trieved 11 April 2012.
The videogame has enhancements for the Super Game
[51] Bozon, Mark (22 March 2007).“Castlevania: Symphony Boy.
of the Night Review – Xbox 360 Review”. IGN. Re-
trieved 11 April 2012.

[52] “XBLA Review: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” 4.13.1 Gameplay

. Official Xbox Magazine UK. 21 March 2007. Archived
from the original on 28 March 2007. Retrieved 11 April
2012.

[53] “The History of Castlevania”. gamespot.com. Retrieved

2006-05-06.

[54] Varanini, Giancarlo. “GameSpot Greatest Games of

All Time: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night”.
GameSpot.com. Archived from the original on 2010-06-
16. Retrieved 2007-06-13.

[55] “Super Castlevania IV Wii Virtual Console Review”.

ign.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 2007-06-13.

[56]“PlayStation Game of the Year”. EGM 104 (Electronic

Gaming Monthly). 1998. p. 87.

[57]“Top 100 games of All Time (2005)". ign.com. Retrieved

2006-05-06.

[58] Cork, Jeff (2009-11-16). “Game Informer's Top 100

Games of All Time (Circa Issue 100)". Game Informer.
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Retrieved 2013-12-10.

[59]“Top 100 Video Games Ever”. GI No. 100 (Game In-
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[60] Workman, Robert (2011-09-27). “Happy 25th Birth-
day Castlevania: The Ten Best Games in the Series”.
GameZone. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
[61] GamePro staff (2006-07-16).“The 55 Greatest Moments
in Gaming (page 5 of 9)". GamePro. Archived from the
original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2010-06-13.
[62] GamesRadar staff (November 16, 2012). “Best PSX
games of all time”. GamesRadar. Retrieved February
2, 2013.
[63] Edge Staff (2009-03-09). “The 100 Best Games To Play
Today”. Edge Online. Retrieved 2014-01-21.
A player starts with three lives, after which the game
is over, but a player may continue from the beginning
of the last stage they were in.* [1] There is also a Hit
score showing how many enemies have been defeated in
each stage.* [1] Striking candles will often cause items
to appear.* [1] The game does not make use of any
sub-weapons, unlike most other Castlevania titles, and
relies heavily on the use of magic, which is another
unique feature.* [2] The magic system used relies on five
“Soul Weapons”, including Flame, Ice, Saint, Wind,
and Magic.* [2] Hearts are used as currency to acquire
weapons.* [2] Sonia can also enter a “Burning Mode”
, where she becomes invincible, moves faster, and has
more powerful attacks, though this power can only be
used once per life or level.* [2]

4.12.8 External links

• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night at MobyGames
4.13 ''Castlevania Legends''
Castlevania Legends is the third and final Castlevania ti-
tle released for the original Game Boy. It was released
in Japan on November 27, 1997 and in North America
on March 11, 1998. Its original Japanese title is Aku-
majō Dracula: Shikkoku Taru Zensōkyoku (悪魔城ドラ
キュラ漆⿊たる前奏曲 Akumajō Dorakyura: Shikkoku
4.13.2 Plot
The story begins in Transylvania in the year 1450. In
the game (although not the series' overall canon), Sonia
Belmont is the first Belmont to confront Dracula.* [1]* [2]
She also meets Alucard who seeks revenge against his fa-
ther Dracula.* [2]* [3] After Dracula's defeat, he swears to
Sonia that as long as there is evil in the world, he will be
resurrected, and in response she swears her family will al-
ways defeat him.* [2] The game (despite not being canon
to the series' main timeline) was also the first game in the
series timeline until Lament of Innocence.* [2]
72 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

4.13.3 Reception January 26, 1999, in Japan on March 11, 1999, and in
Europe on May 14, 1999.
IGN called the game one of the Game Boy's cult classics
Castlevania is the first 3D game in the Castlevania series.
despite the portable system's limitations.* [2] Gamespy
The player selects one of the game's protagonists to con-
called the music “disappointing”, as the previous two
trol: Carrie Fernandez, a young orphan gifted with magic
Game Boy Castlevania games were highly praised for
powers, or Reinhardt Schneider, the whip-wielding heir
their music.* [4] Game Informer's Tim Turi felt that the
to the Belmont clan (the series' recurring protagonists).
game was lacking especially compared to Castlevania:
Carrie and Reinhardt set out on a quest to stop Count
Symphony of the Night.* [5]
Dracula's impending return to power after a century of
Longtime Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi removed dormancy. The characters travel to and explore Dracula's
the game from the series timeline, claiming that in grand estate in their mission to defeat the count and his
his opinion it conflicted with the plotline of the main horde of undead minions.
games.* [6] He has stated that “Legends remains some-
thing of an embarrassment for the series. If only that de-
velopment team had the guidance of the original team of 4.14.1 Gameplay
the series.”* [7]
Castlevania, like most of its predecessors, is primarily an
action-adventure and platforming game. The Japanese
4.13.4 Other media logo for the game include the words “real action adven-
ture”in English.
Sonia was one of the confirmed leads in the Dreamcast
Combat is slightly more complex than in older entries.
game Castlevania: Resurrection, up until that game's can-
* A basic targeting and lock-on system has been imple-
cellation. [8]
mented. Players have the use of both a long-range attack
(the whip for Reinhardt, homing energy balls for Car-
4.13.5 References ries) and a close-quarters attack (dagger and rings respec-
tively). Each weapon has strengths and weaknesses. For
[1] Castlevania Legends Instruction Booklet. Konami. 1989. example, the Cerberus hounds can outrun Carrie's orbs,
p. 16. DMG-ADNE-USA. and Reinhardt must jump to land blows when fighting the
vampire in the Castle Keep. Both characters can acquire
[2] Mark Bozon (2007-01-18). “Castlevania: The Retro-
sub-weapons, of which only one can be used at a time. In
spective”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
past Castlevania titles they were powered by red hearts,
[3] “Castlevania Legends (1998)". GameSpy. 2000-01-01. but in this game are instead powered by red jewels. The
Retrieved 2008-07-13. sub-weapons are series mainstays: the axe, knife, cross,
and holy water.
[4] “The Music of Castlevania Legends”. GameSpy. 2000-
01-01. Retrieved 2008-07-13. A large part of the game's challenge is also based on
jumping from platform to platform while avoiding envi-
[5] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
ronmental hazards such as enemies and traps. Platforms
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
are usually stationary, but some may rotate out from un-
[6] Kurt Kalata (2006-07-26).“Tales from the Crypt: Castl- der the player, move through the environment like a rail
evania's 20th Anniversary Blow-out”. 1UP.com. Re- shooter (the gondola in the Tunnel level), and crumble or
trieved 2008-07-13. fall away underfoot. There are also some invisible plat-
forms that either afford players a strategic advantage or
[7] Nintendo Power, August 2008
lead to hidden items.
[8]“Castlevania Resurrection.”IGN.com. 2007. IGN Enter- Castlevania also includes elements from the survival hor-
tainment Inc. 21 June 2007. <http://dreamcast.ign.com/
ror game genre. In addition to the trappings and narra-
objects/012/012004.html>
tive devices of Gothic horror, players are often placed in
situations that may evoke feelings of stress, anxiety, and
vulnerability. Players may be trapped in caged fights with
4.14 ''Castlevania'' (Nintendo 64) monsters, such as the battle with the Cerebrus hounds in
the Villa when the screen darkens to near-black. Some
Castlevania, also referred to as Castlevania 64, known caged battles are timed, such as the boss battles in the
in Japan as Akumajō Dracula Mokushiroku (悪魔城ド Duel Tower level, where the gamer will be crushed by a
ラ キュ ラ 黙 ⽰ 録 Akumajō Dorakyura Mokushiroku, falling ceiling should they not best their enemy in time.
lit. Devil's Castle Dracula Apocalypse),* [2] is an action- Vampires are also often fought in caged environments,
adventure video game developed by Konami's Kobe with the added complication that they can latch onto Car-
branch for the Nintendo 64 video game console. It was rie and Reinhardt to suck their blood. If the player doesn't
released on a 64-megabit cartridge in North America on break free by rapidly rotating the control stick, the charac-
4.14. ''CASTLEVANIA'' (NINTENDO 64)
ter's status changes to “vamp”and they will not be able
to use their primary weapon or healing items. Unless a
specific item is used to recover, the game becomes expo-
nentially more challenging. Castlevania also features two
other survival horror sequences: In the Villa's maze gar-
den, players must follow Malus through the labyrinthine
hedges while strong, unbeatable enemies give chase. In
the Castle Center, players must carefully carry the“magic
nitro”item through an obstacle course to its destination.
One jump, fall, or hit will cause the volatile chemical to
explode, resulting in immediate death.
Although progression through the game is relatively lin-
ear, with characters unable to revisit completed levels,
there is also an emphasis on exploration. Most levels
require only occasional backtracking, and are relatively
straightforward in how players progress. The Villa and
Castle Center levels, however, are sprawling environ-
ments that require in-depth exploration. This element
of exploration and discovery is strengthened by the fact
that there is no in-game map, requiring players to rely on
memory alone to navigate. Occasionally boss battles will
not occur at end of a level, but rather in the middle or
even at the beginning (such as in first level, where play-
ers must fight a boss moments after starting the game).
The Duel Tower level consists only of boss battles. Both
styles of levels include light puzzle-solving, such as the
astronomical puzzle in the Castle Center's planetarium.
Puzzle solving often involves non-player characters such
as Charlie Vincent, Rosa, and the lizard man. Conver-
sations with these characters may yield insights or items
necessary to progress in the game.
Castlevania features an internal clock that results in a
day/night cycle. In a few choice areas the time of day will
affect events in the story: characters may not appear or
be unwilling to talk at a certain time of day. For example,
in the Villa level players must meet Rosa at sunrise in the
rose garden and Charlie Vincent will be asleep at night.
Also, if the player takes 16 or more in-game days to beat
the game, the game will give them a bad ending in which
Dracula and his dark forces prevail. The time of day also
affects whether or not the player can access certain areas
of the game. Doors sealed by magic and bearing a sun or
moon crest can only be opened during the corresponding
time of day. Additionally, timed events can occur which
grant access to secrets, such as the pillar in the Villa's
courtyard fountain. Players can use sun cards to advance
the time to sunrise (6 AM) and moon cards to sunset (6
PM). Finally, the strength of certain enemies can fluctu-
ate based on the time of day. For example, vampires are
much harder to defeat at night than during the day.
Castlevania has different settings to adjust the challenge
posed by the game. In“easy mode”, the player will only
be able to play until the end of the Castle Center level, at Dracula reincarnate – not simply possessed by him – and
which time the game will prompt them to try “normal
mode”to advance to the subsequent stages. Upon ful-
filling certain conditions“hard mode”will be unlocked. If the player took fifteen or fewer days to reach the second
In this mode enemies take more hits to defeat and sub- chamber on the stairs to the Castle Keep, they will arrive
73
weapons require more red jewel points to use (e.g. 2 jewel
points for the knife instead of 1).
Currency, in the form of moneybags, can be used to pur-
chase items that are not dropped by enemies or found
hidden in the environments. The heroes may also need
to battle Renon, the demon salesman, should they spend
over thirty thousand gold. An inventory on the pause
screen displays items, such as health-restoring meat,
restorative ampoules, keys, etc.
The North American and PAL versions of the cartridge
do not have a built in save feature; all saved games are
stored on a memory card (the Controller Pak) attached to
the Nintendo 64's controller. Players save their in-game
progress by using white jewel items scattered throughout
the levels, which must be touched to activate and can be
used indefinitely.
4.14.2 Plot
Dracula reawakens in 1852, after nearly sixty years of en-
forced slumber, as a result of humankind's descent into
vice and wickedness. Two young heroes sense his re-
turn: Carrie Fernandez, a girl gifted with magic pow-
ers, and Reinhardt Schneider, heir to the ancient Belmont
clan of vampire hunters. The two set out to storm the
Count's castle in the Transylvanian province of Wallachia
and vanquish him.
As they penetrate the castle walls, an aristocratic vam-
pire appears to warn Carrie and Reinhardt that “all who
oppose the Dark Lord will die”.* [3] The two then come
upon a decrepit villa, where they meet the elderly vampire
hunter Charles Vincent, beautiful yet unwilling vampire
Rosa, demonic salesman Renon and young boy Malus.
Beneath the estate's maze garden lies a subterranean path
to the castle's center, where Dracula's servants (Actrise
and Death) attempt to waylay the heroes by pitting them
in battle against their loved ones (the Fernandez warrior
and Rosa).
Carrie kills her vampirized kin while Reinhardt beats
Rosa in combat. The heroes then climb several of the
castle's towers before confronting Actrise and Death atop
the Room of Clocks. With their defeat, the heroes climb
the Clock Tower to the Castle Keep.
If the hero took sixteen or more“in-game”days to reach
the second chamber on the stairs to the Castle Keep, Vin-
cent will have arrived before them, been defeated by the
aristocratic vampire assumed to be Dracula and turned
into a vampire (thus triggering the bad ending). The hero
will then have to battle Vincent. Without Vincent's inter-
cession, the hero will not discover that Malus was indeed
receive one of the bad endings in which the hero rescues
the boy.
74 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

before Charles Vincent (thus triggering the good ending).
After fighting the vampire disguised as Dracula they will
encounter Malus, who transforms into an adult and de-
feat him atop the Clock Tower. After his defeat, Malus
will regain the form of a child. Attempting to dupe the
hero, he will pretend to have no recollection of the battle,
but Vincent will arrive and douse the boy with holy water.
Vincent explains that Malus was not possessed, but was in
fact Dracula reincarnate. Malus then transports the hero
to an alternate realm to battle his true form, a centipedal
dragon. After Dracula's defeat the player will receive
one of the good endings: in Carrie's ending, she places
a nosegay on her stepmother's grave. In Reinhardt's end-
ing, Rosa, who sacrificed herself for him atop the Room
of Clocks, is revived and her humanity restored.
4.14.3 Development
26, 1999.* [10] On that date, the game shipped as planned
and was available the day after at a MSRP of $49.95.* [11]
The character design and artwork was created by
Yasuomi Umetsu in an anime style.
Architecture in the game is predominantly inspired by
French castles: The Villa's exterior is based on one of
the façades of the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau in France's
Loire Valley. Dracula's castle drew inspiration from the
famous Mont Saint-Michel on the coast of Normandy.
Several elements of the game were designed to allude to
past Castlevania titles: Carrie's alternate costume is an
homage to Maria Renard's dress in Castlevania: Rondo
of Blood, Reinhardt's alternate costume is an homage to
Simon Belmont's outfit in the first Castlevania, and the
Behemoth boss in the Castle Center can be crippled,
a reference to the crawling Behemoth first featured in
Rondo of Blood.

Audio

Main article: Castlevania: The Original Game Sound-

track

The music for Castlevania was composed by Masahiko

Kimura, Motoaki Furukawa, and Mariko Egawa. Their
score is predominantly minimalist and ambient in compo-
sition. It features a wide variety of electronic instrumen-
A model of Camilla, a recurring Castlevania villain, in an early
tation, ranging from the period harpsichord to contem-
development screenshot.
porary beat synths. Tomokuni Katayama performed the
violin solo, a rendition of“Bloodlines”from Castlevania:
While in development at Konami Computer Entertain-
ment Kobe (KCEK), Castlevania was originally known Rondo of Blood, that greets the player on the title screen.
The soundtrack was released in Japan on March 26,
as Dracula 3D early in development. United States news
media referred to the game by this title as well as Dracula 1999. It was also released in Europe under the name
Castlevania: The Original Game Soundtrack.
64.* [4] When the English name was revealed to be simply
Castlevania, fans and media alike nicknamed it Castleva- Although many of the songs from Castlevania are fea-
nia 64 to differentiate it from previous games bearing the tured on the album, some background music and most of
same title. the incidental music from the game did not make it onto
In September 1997, the game was approximately the soundtrack. A few of the prominent missing songs in-
10% finished* [4] and was 20% complete in February clude a variation of the boss theme“Shudder”, as well as
1998.* [5] In October 1998 the game was featured at the the background music that plays during scenes in which
Tokyo Game Show; several levels were playable and the the hero converses with the demon merchant Renon or
game was a hit with the crowd.* [6] Later that month, elderly vampire hunter Charlie Vincent.
it was revealed that KCEK decided to drop two of the Castlevania also features sporadic voice acting, mainly for
planned four characters from the game “in favor of fo- the prologue narration and several of the game's main
cusing the programming team's development efforts and characters. Bianca Allen provided the voice for Carrie
moving completion of the game forward.”* [7] In Jan- and Andrew Hanikson for Reinhardt.* [3] The PAL ver-
uary 1999 a Japanese release date was set for March 4, sion of the game features voice acting for Dracula's ser-
1999* [8] and Castlevania won the“Game of the Month” vant in the Castle Wall and Castle Keep levels; the North
award at IGN.com.* [9] On the 18th, it was announced American version did not include the voice work for the
that the U.S. release date for the game would be January latter level.
4.15. ''CASTLEVANIA: LEGACY OF DARKNESS''
4.14.4 Reception
Castlevania received generally positive to mixed reviews.
It has an average of 78 out of 100 on Metacritic,* [13]
and 72.71% at GameRankings.* [12] At the release, most
critics considered the game to be a good transition to the
series, despite many changes in gameplay. GameSpot
praised the graphics, audio and gameplay, saying “The
developers have done a fantastic job of capturing the at-
mosphere and spirit of the series, while providing a well-
balanced, challenging gameplay experience that's filled
with pretty visuals, awesome (though limited) music,
plenty of secrets, and some incredible bosses (just wait
until you see Death... whew!)", while IGN highlighted
the sound better than the graphics, saying “Outstanding
sound effects with lots of bass. Good music, even if it's a
bit simple at times”, and Game Pro said“Is Castlevania
fun? It depends on what kind of game you're looking for
and how much energy you want to spend playing it. Fans
of the old Castlevania will marvel at this version's familiar
sites and environments and will appreciate the dedicated
tack of the gameplay. Novices will be chilled to the bone
at the thought of replaying a huge level after an untimely
fall (fortunately, there are numerous save points). Castle-
vania's a 3D platform spectacle that definitely warrants a
good look from N64 owners everywhere̶you won't find
better hauntings than this one”. This sentiment was not
shared by GameRevolution, who instead said that “The
gameplay, arguably the mainstay of the Castlevania se-
ries, just doesn't match up to its predecessors”,* [19] and
Nintendojo who said “It's not horrendous or even bad;
just extremely disappointing in execution”. Game In-
former's Tim Turi felt that it was frustrating and flawed;
it had a“special place”for him however due to its“des-
perate lonely atmosphere.”* [20]
The camera and the controls, however, were heavily crit-
icized. Game Revolution stated that the camera almost
ruined the game, saying "[T]he camera is barely tolera-
ble. Acting like a 7-year-old on Pixie Stix, the camera
will occasionally just go nuts, running around the char-
acter. Getting a good view of the action is almost im-
possible, so players find themselves just making due [sic]
with a bad camera angle. This, of course, often leads to
death.”and regarding the controls, "[T]he control itself is
a little frisky (...) Most of the control problems are found
in the speed of the character. Moving close to an edge
in order to jump to a lower platform is tedious – you end
up mastering the lemming dive before you are able to do
it with some degree of success”. IGN stated “Control
feels too float at first and the camera can be painful”.
4.14.5 References
[1] “Castlevania [1999] - Nintendo 64”. IGN. Ziff Davis.
Retrieved 2 August 2014.
[2] Konami (2007-10-23). Castlevania: The Dracula X
Chronicles. Konami. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、邪
75
⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Konami
translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of dark-
ness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
[3] Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe (KCEK) (1999-
01-26). Castlevania. Nintendo 64. Konami.
[4] IGN Staff (1997-09-24). “Dracula 64 Out for Blood”.
IGN. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
[5] IGN staff (1998-02-18).“Bring Out the Garlic...”. IGN.
Retrieved 2007-05-24.
[6] IGN staff (1998-10-08). “TGS: Konami Whips Castle-
vania into Shape”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
[7] IGN staff (1998-10-21). “Castlevania Revisited”. IGN.
Retrieved 2007-05-24.
[8] IGN staff (1999-01-11).“Coming Soon in Japan”. IGN.
Retrieved 2007-05-24.
[9] IGN staff (1999-01-11).“N64 Games in January”. IGN.
Retrieved 2007-05-24.
[10] IGN staff (1999-01-18). “Konami's '99 Lineup”. IGN.
Retrieved 2007-05-24.
[11] IGN staff (1999-01-26). “Beware Dracula”. IGN. Re-
trieved 2007-05-24.
[12] “Castlevania for Nintendo 64”. GameRankings. 1998-
12-31. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
[13] “Search Reviews, Articles, People, Trailers and more at”
. Metacritic. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
[14] Alan, Scott (2010-10-03). “Castlevania – Overview”.
allgame. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
[15] Hendrix, Air (2011-06-07). “Castlevania Review from
GamePro”. Web.archive.org. Archived from the original
on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
[16] “Castlevania 64 Review”. Gamerevolution.com. Re-
trieved 2014-05-22.
[17] Archived August 31, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
[18] “Castlevania – IGN”. Ign64.ign.com. Retrieved 2014-
05-22.
[19] “Castlevania 64 Review”. Gamerevolution.com. Re-
trieved 2014-05-22.
[20] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
4.15 ''Castlevania: Legacy of
Darkness''
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness, released in Japan as
Akumajō Dracula Mokushiroku: Gaiden ~Legend of Cor-
nell~ (悪 魔 城 ド ラ キュ ラ 黙 ⽰ 録 外 伝〜 レ ジェ ン
ドオブコーネル〜 Akumajō Dorakyura Mokushiroku:
Gaiden ~Rejendo obu Kōneru~, lit. Devil's Castle Dracula
76 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

Apocalypse: Side Story ~Legend of Cornell~* [1]), is a evania also features two high-stakes survival horror se-
video game that was developed and published by Konami quences: In the Villa's maze garden, players must help
for the Nintendo 64. It was first released in North Amer- Henry through the labyrinthine hedges while strong, un-
ica on November 30, 1999 and is a prequel and expanded beatable enemies give chase. In the Castle Center, play-
version to the first Castlevania game on the Nintendo ers must carefully carry the “magic nitro”item through
64,* [2] but also contains a remake of the original game a nerve-wracking obstacle course to its destination. One
with improved graphics, added villains (Spider Queen, fall or hit can cause the volatile chemical to explode, re-
Medusa), and alternate versions of some levels (Forest of sulting in immediate death.
Silence, Tower of Science, Tower of Execution, Clock
Tower).
4.15.2 Plot
4.15.1 Gameplay Set in the year 1844, the game stars the man-beast Cornell
in his quest to prevent his adoptive sister, Ada, from being
used as a sacrifice to resurrect Dracula. The game opens
as Cornell arrives at his village, which has been burned to
the ground by Dracula's minions. He finds Ada's pendant
in a doorway and follows her scent to Dracula's castle.
During the course of the game, Cornell comes upon a
grand estate owned by the Oldrey family: J.A. Oldrey,
the master of the Villa, Mary, his wife, and Henry, their
son. Gilles de Rais and Actrise have turned Oldrey Senior
into a vampire. At Mary's request, Cornell guides Henry
to safety. Later in life, Henry returns to Castlevania to
save kidnapped children.
Throughout the game, Cornell encounters his rival and
fellow man-beast, Ortega. Ortega has allied himself with
Dracula to finally beat Cornell in combat, turning into a
Cornell confronts a “Knight”enemy. Legacy of Darkness fea-
chimera like creature. They eventually battle near the end
tures 3D gameplay.
of the game, just before Cornell defeats Dracula and saves
A large part of the game's challenge is based on jumping his sister. He only accomplishes the latter by sacrificing
from platform to platform while avoiding environmental his man-wolf powers. Unbeknownst to the hero, acquir-
hazards, such as enemies and traps. Platforms are usu- ing this power was the true aim of the dark forces, as
ally stationary, but some may rotate out from under the it was the perfect sacrifice (not Ada, as Cornell had as-
player, move through the environment like a rail shooter sumed) to resurrect Dracula at his full power.
(the gondola in the Tunnel level), and crumble or fall away
underfoot. There are also some invisible platforms that
either afford players a strategic advantage or lead to hid-
4.15.3 Development
den items.
Legacy of Darkness was a continuation of Konami's first
Castlevania also includes elements from the survival hor- attempt (Castlevania, also published in 1999) to create a
ror game genre. In addition to the trappings and narra- 3D Castlevania. The game more fully realizes the game
tive devices of Gothic horror, players are often placed in designers' vision. For example, Cornell was present in
situations that evoke feelings of stress, anxiety, and vul- early development media and press information for Castl-
nerability. Players may be trapped in caged fights with evania, but was ultimately removed before the game's re-
monsters, such as the battle with the Cerberus hounds in lease.
the Villa when the screen darkens to near-black. Some
caged battles are timed, such as the boss battles in the Legacy's primary focus is on a new story (a prequel
Duel Tower level, where the gamer will be crushed by a to Carrie and Reinhardt's adventures) in which Cornell
falling ceiling should they not best their enemy in time. explores new levels, as well as redesigned levels from
Vampires are also often fought in caged environments, Castlevania 64. Levels from Castlevania 64 that have not
with the added complication that they can latch onto Car- been drastically changed (such as the Villa) are often nav-
rie, Cornell, Henry and Reinhardt to suck their blood. If igated in a new or novel manner and feature different puz-
the player doesn't break free by rapidly rotating the con- zles. Completing the game once unlocks Henry's quest,
trol stick, the character's status changes to “vamp”and and he explores his own set of levels and new bosses,
they will not be able to use their primary weapon or heal- many are newly redesigned levels based on the levels of
ing items. Unless a specific item is used to recover, the Castlevania 64 as well.
game becomes exponentially more challenging. Castl- Carrie and Reinhardt's quests are a secondary focus
4.16. ''CASTLEVANIA: CIRCLE OF THE MOON'' 77

(bonus features), that can only be unlocked after com- 4.15.4 Reception
pleting both Cornell and Henry's quests. Carrie and Rein-
hardt's quests lack the voice acting, some cutscenes and Legacy of Darkness has received a mixed recep-
the original level designs present in Castlevania 64 (due tion. It received an aggregate score of 63.80% from
to space concerns), instead adopting the new level designs GameRankings. Tim Turi of Game Informer felt that the
(from Cornell and Henry's quests). Their quests also fea- werewolf form was interesting but not enough to make it
ture new bosses from Henry's quest, such as Medusa and a good game.* [9]
the Queen of the Spider. They are also given new ar-
mor and weapon designs, though the original starting ar-
mor from Castlevania 64 can be unlocked during Henry's 4.15.5 References
quest.
[1] Konami (2007-10-23). Castlevania: The Dracula X
In Legacy control of the game's characters, camera, and Chronicles. Konami. Scene: Opening. Japanese: 悪魔
frame-rate were streamlined. The game also supports the 城の城主、邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であっ
Nintendo 64's Expansion Pak add-on, which allows for た。Konami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula,
an option in which textures are displayed in a higher res- lord of darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among
olution. However, this mode have some frame-rate is- us.
sues. Legacy of Darkness also features several minor ad-
ditions, such as an alternate costume for Cornell and new [2] http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/bigboxshots/3/
alternate costumes for Carrie and Reinhardt (their origi- 196883_50214_back.jpg
nal costumes from Castlevania 64). [3] “CASTLEVANIA” (in Japanese). Konami. 2002. Re-
Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness was present within trieved 2007-05-19.
the series' original chronology from its original release
[4] Kalata, Kurt (2006-07-26). “Tales from The Crypt:
until 2002, when a timeline published on the official
Castlevania's 20th Anniversary Blow-Out”. 1UP.com.
Japanese Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance website Retrieved 2007-05-19.
omitted it - as well as several other Castlevania games
- from the series' continuity.* [3] The others also included [5] Image of the most recent English language timeline.
Castlevania Legends for the Game Boy, Castlevania: Cir-
cle of the Moon and the original Castlevania release for [6] Nintendo Power, July 2008
the Nintendo 64.
[7]“Appearances: Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness”, Castl-
In 2006, series producer Koji Igarashi stated that“These evania Judgment Manual, 23
games were taken out of the timeline [...] not because I
didn't work on them, but because they were considered by [8] http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?option=com_
altcaster&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=9cfac7534b&
their directors to be side projects in the series”.* [4] Since
ipod=y
the 2002 removal, the events of Legacy of Darkness have
occupied an ambiguous place in timelines published by [9] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
Konami of Japan, Konami of America, and various gam- Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
ing publications. The most recent English language time-
line, distributed with preordered versions of Castlevania:
Portrait of Ruin in North America by Konami of Amer-
ica, includes Legacy of Darkness but does not describe
4.16 ''Castlevania: Circle of the
*
the game's plot. [5] IGA later clarified that he looks at Moon''
the titles as "...a Castlevania “gaiden”(subseries)" and
complimented them by stating "...they both have a really Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (Japanese: 悪魔城ド
unique take on the Castlevania world.”* [6] ラキュラ Circle of the Moon Hepburn: Akumajō Do-
IGA later reincorporated the games into his timeline, and rakyura: Sākuru obu za Mūn, Devil's Castle Dracula: Cir-
*
included Cornell as a playable character in Castlevania cle of the Moon [1]), known simply as Castlevania in the
Judgment (Nov 2008). The game included references PAL region, is a video game created by Konami only for
to the plot and elements from the game including Cor- the Game Boy Advance. Published as a launch title in
nell's sister Ada and his clan. Chronologically speaking 2001, Circle of the Moon belongs to Konami's Castlevania
his appearance in Castlevania Judgement is set before the video game series, the premise of which centers on the
events of Legacy of Darkness. The manual states that eternal conflict between the vampire hunters of the Bel-
Cornell's previous appearance was in Legacy of Dark- mont clan and the immortal vampire Dracula. Circle of
ness.* [7] According to IGA characters from different the Moon focuses on Nathan Graves and his quest to res-
eras of Castlevania's timeline were brought together by cue his kidnapped mentor from Dracula. It is the last
magic to save the timeline from being destroyed.* [8] Castlevania game to use the series' original logo, which
had been longstanding in all prior games for the past fif-
teen years.
78 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

4.16.1 Gameplay Attribute.* [4] Each of the ten Action card takes its name
from one of the gods and goddesses from Roman mythol-
ogy, and determines the type of magic being performed,
while the ten Attribute cards take their names from crea-
tures from Greek and Roman mythology, and add an
effect to the magic.* [2]* [4] To produce a magical ef-
fect, the player combines one card from each of the two
categories, for a total of one hundred different combi-
nations.* [4] In “The Battle Arena”̶a certain area of
the castle which consists of seventeen rooms filled with
stronger versions of monsters found elsewhere in the cas-
tle̶Nathan's supply of mind points is drained, causing
the DSS cards to become temporarily unusable.* [5]
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon has four alternative
modes of gameplay, which must be completed in order
In this screenshot, the player character (center) prepares to attack as completion of one mode unlocks the code for the next.
Cerberus (left), the guardian of a power-up. Once the player has finished Circle of the Moon for the
first time, he or she receives a code that can be entered
Circle of the Moon makes use of a 2D side-scrolling style as his or her name when starting a new game; this code
of gameplay, similar to many of the previous Castle- will start the game in Magician Mode, in which Nathan
vania video games.* [2] The objective of Circle of the has decreased strength and defense, but increased intelli-
Moon is to lead player character Nathan Graves through gence and begins with all twenty DSS cards.* [5] Fighter
a monster-filled castle as he searches for his kidnapped Mode does not permit the use of DSS cards, but in-
mentor.* [3] Like many of the previous Castlevania pro- creases his strength and endurance.* [5] Shooter Mode al-
tagonists, Nathan uses a whip to attack and defeat ene- lows a higher maximum of hearts he can carry, but gives
mies, alongside secondary weapons̶an axe, cross, holy a penalty to strength, defense, and hit points. Nathan can
water, dagger and stopwatch̶only one of which may be throw homing daggers if he collects two daggers in a row
carried at any time by the player.* [3] Hearts, typically in this mode.* [5] Thief Mode reduces Nathan's strength
found within candles, determine the amount of any sec- and defense, but increases his luck greatly.* [5]
ondary weapon carried by him.* [2] Circle of the Moon
follows a nonlinear style of gameplay: at the beginning
4.16.2 Plot
of the game, Nathan can only traverse certain areas of
the castle; by obtaining various abilities, such as becom- Taking place in 1830, Circle of the Moon is set in one
ing able to run, double jump, and wall kick, he gradually of the fictional universes of the Castlevania series. The
explores the castle.* [3] He will also encounter rooms with premise of the original series is the eternal conflict be-
the ability to teleport him across portions of the castle and tween the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan and
rooms which will restore his health and allow the player
the immortal vampire Dracula. Circle of the Moon's
to save his or her progress in the game.* [2] The game also protagonist, however, is Nathan Graves, whose parents
automatically updates the castle map to reflect Nathan's
died a decade ago to banish Dracula.* [6] Morris Bald-
progress through it.* [3] win, who helped in Dracula's banishment, trained him to
Circle of the Moon incorporates elements found in role- defeat Dracula and the monsters; Morris ultimately chose
playing games.* [4] Nathan possesses various statistics: him as his successor and gave him the“Hunter Whip”, to
hit points, the amount of damage he can withstand be- the displeasure of Hugh, Morris' son who trained along-
fore dying; magic points, how often he can cast a mag- side him.* [6]* [7]
ical attack; strength, the power of his physical attack;
At an old castle, Camilla, a minion of Dracula, revives
defense, his resilience to damage inflicted by the mon-him, only to be interrupted by the arrival of Morris,
sters; intelligence, the recovery speed of magic points;
Nathan, and Hugh. Before they are able to banish him
and luck, the frequency with which items are dropped by
again, Dracula destroys the floor under Nathan and Hugh,
enemies.* [2] Defeated enemies drop various items and causing them to plummet down a long tunnel. Surviving
equipment, and provide experience points; after reach-the fall and wishing to find his father, Hugh leaves Nathan
ing a predetermined amount of experience points, Nathan
behind. Nathan proceeds to search the castle for his men-
will level up, and his statistics will improve.* [3] The de-
tor.* [8] Along the way, he learns that at the next full
feat of boss enemies allows the player to acquire new abil-
moon, Morris' soul will be used to return Dracula to full
ities to progress further in the game.* [2] power.* [9] He also periodically encounters Hugh, who
Unique to Circle of the Moon is the Dual Set-up Sys- becomes more hostile as the game progresses.* [7]* [10]
tem (DSS), based on magic cards found throughout the Eventually, Nathan encounters Camilla, who hints that
game that belong to one of two categories: Action and she and Dracula are responsible for the changes in his
4.16. ''CASTLEVANIA: CIRCLE OF THE MOON'' 79

personality.* [11] Nathan vanquishes Camilla in her true Craig Harris of IGN called Circle of the Moon “one of
form and meets up with Hugh once more. Upon seeing the best playing Castlevania games released”, calling the
him, Hugh immediately attacks him with the goal of prov- gameplay “very long and extremely challenging without
ing himself to his father through Nathan's defeat; Nathan, being frustrating or a chore to zip through”. However, he
however, realizes that Dracula is controlling Hugh.* [12] noted that due to the dark graphics, the game was “dif-
Nathan defeats him, and Dracula's control over Hugh ficult”to see, and that the character animations looked
breaks.* [13] Confessing that he doubted his self-worth as though “they've been ripped out of a GBC devel-
when Nathan was chosen as successor, Hugh tasks him opment”.* [3] GameSpot.com gave it 9.6 out of 10.* [2]
with Morris' rescue.* [14] GamePro rated the game 5.0, their highest rating, stating
Arriving at the ceremonial room, Nathan confronts Drac- that it closely mirrored the most highly acclaimed Castle-
vania game, Symphony of the Night with its rich graphics
ula, who confirms that he had tampered with Hugh's soul
to cause the changes in his personality.* [15] They be- and branching story.* [23] Gaming Target heavily praised
the smoothness of the animations, though too cited a lack
gin to fight and halfway through, Dracula teleports away
to gain his full power. Hugh then frees his father and of replay value and dark graphics. In addition they gave
praise to the game's DSS system, describing it as the best
tasks Nathan with Dracula's banishment.* [16] Nathan
continues the battle and defeats Dracula, before escap- new feature of the title.* [25] RPGamer also praised the
ing the collapsing castle to reunite with Morris and Hugh. new system, calling it a“breath of fresh air”when com-
Nathan is declared a master vampire hunter by Morris. bined with the existing ideas from previous entries in the
Hugh vows to retrain under Morris due to his failure. series, though in contrast felt the game had significant
replay value due to its various additional modes and the
strengths/weaknesses related to each that required new
4.16.3 Development strategies. Despite their criticism of the plot and recycled
elements, they summarized the title as“Konami's Second
Developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe, Symphony”.* [4] GameSpy stated that while the graphics
Circle of the Moon was designed as a launch title for were a problem, they more readily attributed the issue to
the Game Boy Advance.* [17] At the 2000 Tokyo Game the Game Boy Advance itself than the game, adding“it's
Show, a playable demo of it debuted, which featured two a horror game about Dracula, don't you want ample light
selectable player characters: Hugh and Nathan.* [17] The around you anyway?" They also praised the game's music
option to play as Hugh did not appear in the final ver- and sound effects as appropriate for the title, though crit-
sion of the game.* [2] Circle of the Moon was published icized the lack of decent artificial intelligence on the part
by Konami in Japan on March 21, 2001, in North Amer- of the enemies.* [24] Game Informer's Tim Turi felt that
ica on June 11, 2001, and as Castlevania in the PAL re- it was the first game to imitate Symphony of the Night's
gion on June 22, 2001; it also saw a Japanese-only re- style but criticized the dark visuals.* [30]
release under the“Konami the Best”label on November Despite the game's success, series producer Koji Igarashi,
3, 2005.* [18] It was published on the Wii U Virtual Con- who had not been involved in its production, was highly
sole on October 9, 2014, in North America.* [19] critical of the game. When developing follow up title
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, he cited in an in-
Audio terview several flaws he felt should have been rectified in
Circle of the Moon's design, primarily its control scheme
Circle of the Moon's score was composed by Sotaro To- and the dark appearance of the graphics on the Game Boy
jima and Hiroshi Mitsuoka. It consists of numerous Advance. He additionally criticized the DSS card system,
remixes of tracks from earlier games, such as "Vampire stating that it “did not match with the world Castlevania
Killer", “Aquarius”(from Castlevania III: Dracula's had established over a long period of* time”, though ad-
Curse) and“The Trick Manor”(also known as“Clock- mitted he felt it was a good system. [31] In 2002,* Circle
work Mansion”). Also included are some original pieces of the Moon was removed from the series timeline, *
[32] a
such as “Fate to Despair”, “Awake”, and “Proof of move met with some resistance from fans. [33] Igarashi
Blood”. noted the reason for the removal was not due to his non-
involvement with the game, but instead the intention of
the game's development team for Circle of the Moon to
4.16.4 Critical reception and legacy be a stand-alone title.* [34] Some reviewers have argued
that his criticism of the game was unwarranted and his re-
Circle of the Moon was positively received, selling a total cent installments did not match up to Circle of the Moon.
of one million copies in the month following its North
American and European release, 500,000 of which in
Japan.* [27] It was rated the 108th best game made on 4.16.5 References
a Nintendo System in Nintendo Power's Top 200 Games
list.* [28] On the review aggregate site Metacritic, it is the [1] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (23 October
twelfth-highest rated Game Boy Advance title.* [29] 2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Konami
80
Digital Entertainment, Inc. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、 [14] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy Ad-
邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Kon-
ami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of
darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
[2] Jeff Gerstmann (June 7, 2001). “Castlevania: Circle of
the Moon”. Gamespot.com. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
[3] Harris, Craig (June 14, 2001). “Castlevania: Circle of
the Moon”. Ign.com. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
[4] Alley, Jake. “Castlevania: Circle of the Moon review”.
RPGamer. Crave Online. Retrieved 2010-03-02. [15] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy Ad-
[5] “Secrets – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Guide &
Walkthough”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Re-
trieved 2011-08-20.
[6] Konami (2001). Castlevania: Circle of the Moon – In-
struction booklet. pp. 20–21.
[7] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy Ad-
vance. Konami. Hugh: Damn! Who asked you for help!
/ Nathan: I couldn't just leave you there, could I? / Hugh:
Don't think that you defeated it. It was the power of that
whip. / Nathan: Hugh.../ Hugh: You could never beat
me in training. Never once! But father named you the
successor and gave you the Hunter Whip. Your parents
and my father banished Dracula together and those fond
memories clouded his judgment. Don't forget that!
[8] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy Ad-
vance. Konami. Nathan: We have to find Master / Hugh:
I'll go. He's my father. Nathan, you'll be in the way. Just
get out of here. / Nathan Graves: I want to find Master
as much as anybody.
[9] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy
Advance. Konami. Necromancer: Child, before I fin-
ish you, I will tell you some news. Your precious Master
is already in our power. / Nathan: What!!! / Necro-
mancer:That old man will feed us with his soul. The rite
has been prepared and we only await the full moon.
[10] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy
Advance. Konami. Nathan: Hugh! Are you alright? /
Hugh: What are you doing here? Are you trying to take
my glory? / Nathan: Wha? What are you talking about?
I just want to save Master. / Hugh: You're in the way! I
will defeat Dracula myself and then...
[11] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy Ad-
vance. Konami. Camilla: The one who was with you...he
was more honest with himself. Even MY MASTER ap-
proves of him. (giggle) / Nathan: What? What have you
done to Hugh?
[12] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy Ad-
vance. Konami. Hugh: I am superior to you. I will defeat
you to prove myself to father. / Nathan: You are being
controlled by...Camilla? No... by Dracula!
[13] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy Ad-
vance. Konami. Nathan: Stop Hugh! I don't want to hurt
you! Hugh!!/ Hugh: Nathan? (moan) I' I'm... I'm alright
now. / Nathan: You are yourself again.
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
vance. Konami. Hugh: Nathan, I'm sorry. I was envious
of you./ Nathan: ? / Hugh: When father named you the
successor, I was afraid I was worthless. I wanted...needed
the recognition. / Nathan: Enough. / Hugh: That prob-
ably was the dark weakness that father saw...in my soul.
Why he chose you. / Nathan: Stop it Hugh! / Hugh: It's
alright. Even I realize now that father was right in his de-
cision. Don't make me embarrass myself further. Allow
me self-pity for now. Help father now. I am entrusting his
return to you. / Nathan: I accept.
vance. Konami. Dracula: What an emotional display.
But don't' fool yourself. Even you must have darkness
upon your soul. / Nathan: What? / Dracula: To be su-
perior. To be honored for your singular accomplishments.
/ Nathan: ! / Dracula: ...to be loved by all...to get the
glory even at the expense of others. That is what your
friend craved. I just increased that desire, that power. /
Nathan: You despicable blight! How dare you toy with
his soul. I'll get you for that.
[16] KCEK (2001-06-08). Circle of the Moon. Game Boy Ad-
vance. Konami. Morris: Chase him! Don't let him es-
cape! Urgg... / Nathan: !! /Hugh: I'll take care of father.
You go after him. / Nathan: ...right. Get Master to safety.
/ Hugh: Nathan, banish Dracula and then make sure you
get out. / Nathan: I will.
[17] Staff (2000-09-22). “TGS 2000 Castlevania: Circle of
the Moon Hands-On”. GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc.
Retrieved 2011-08-23.
[18] “Related Games – Castlevania: Circle of the Moon”.
GameSpot. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
[19] Campbell, Evan (2014-09-25). “Castlevania: Dracula
X and Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Coming to Wii
U Virtual Console”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment. Re-
trieved 2014-09-26.
[20]“Castlevania: Circle of the Moon for Game Boy Advance”
. Game Rankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2014-05-
07.
[21] “Castlevania: Circle of the Moon for Game Boy Advance
Reviews”. Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2014-
05-07.
[22] Fitzloff, Jay.“Game Informer Online”. Game Informer.
Retrieved 2009-07-10.
[23] Staff (2001-06-12). “Review: Castlevania: Circle of the
Moon”. GamePro. Archived from the original on 2008-
06-21. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
[24] Bub, Andrew.“Reviews: Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
(GBA)". GameSpy. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
[25] Noad, Derek (2001-06-18). “Castlevania: Circle of the
Moon review”. Gaming Target. UGO.com. Retrieved
2010-03-02.
[26] “IGN Game Boy: Games, Cheats, News, Reviews, and
Previews”. IGN.com. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
4.17. ''CASTLEVANIA CHRONICLES'' 81

Like the original Castlevania game, hidden items worth

[27] Harris, Craig (2001-07-23). “Castlevania Breaks Half a
Mil”. IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-02-24. points and hidden 1-ups will appear throughout the game
if the player ducks or stands in particular portions of a
[28]“NP Top 200”. Nintendo Power 200. February 2006. pp. level. Another notable feature is the multiple loops after
58–66.
the game is completed. Previous Castlevania games had
[29] “All Game Boy Advance Video Game Releases”. increased difficulty for the game's second playthrough.
Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2014-05-07. An increased amount of damage taken from enemies in
earlier levels as well as new enemy placement and at-
[30] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania tack patterns were just a few things to make the second
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05. playthrough more difficult. This game, however, has as
many as six additional playthroughs with each one be-
[31] Minkley, Johnny (2002-07-18).“Konami's vampire Har- coming much more difficult than the last.
mony”. Computer and Video Games. Retrieved 2010-02-
25. Completing “Arrange Mode”also unlocks special fea-
tures including an art gallery as well as a “Time Attack
[32] “CASTLEVANIA” (in Japanese). Konami. 2002. Re- Mode”. Exclusive to the U.S. and European versions
trieved 2007-05-19. of Chronicles, the art gallery features artwork by Ayami
Kojima for Chronicles and Castlevania: Symphony of the
[33] Staff. “55. Koji Igarashi”. IGN. IGN Entertainment.
Retrieved 2010-02-25.
Night. The “Time Attack Mode”allows the player to
race through any stage, complete with a time meter, to
[34] Kalata, Kurt (2006-07-26). “Tales from The Crypt: beat their best time.
Castlevania's 20th Anniversary Blow-Out”. 1UP.com.
Retrieved 2007-05-19.
4.17.2 Audio

4.17 ''Castlevania Chronicles''
Castlevania Chronicles (キャッスルヴァニアクロニ
ク ル Kyassuruvania Kuronikuru) is a platform video
game developed by Konami* [1] and originally released
for the Sharp X68000 home computer in 1993 as Aku-
majō Dracula (悪 魔 城 ド ラ キュ ラ Akumajō Do-
rakyura, translated Devil's Castle Dracula).* [2] In 2001,
the game was released in all regions on the PlayStation
as Castlevania Chronicles with added features, including
an Arranged Mode for new players. The original re-
lease is sometimes unofficially dubbed “Akumajō Drac-
ula X68000”to differentiate it from other games in the
series.* [3]* [4] It was made available for download via the
PlayStation Network as a PSone Classic on December 18,
2008.
The game follows the same premise as Castlevania for
the Nintendo Entertainment System, where the vampire
hunter Simon Belmont must defeat Dracula and save
Transylvania.
4.17.1 Gameplay
The music for the X68000 game contains a variety of
new arrangements of familiar tunes from the series as
well as brand new compositions altogether. Before each
game, the player is given a choice between three dif-
ferent sound modules: the X68000's FM Synthesizer,
MIDI Roland LA (MT-32, CM-32L, CM-64) and MIDI
Roland GS (SC-55, SC-33, SC-155, CM-300, CM-500).
While the soundtrack will remain the same throughout
the game regardless of which sound module is chosen,
the instrumentation may vary and some songs will be ar-
ranged slightly differently. Sōta Fujimori, staff composer
for the Konami Corporation in Japan, performed all new
arrangements of the soundtrack for Castlevania Chroni-
cles' “Arrange Mode”. In the Japanese Chronicles, un-
like the US and European versions, the sound hardware
selection screen automatically appears before starting a
game on “Original Mode”just as it did in Akumajō
Dracula (X68000). A code must be entered to reach it
in either mode in the U.S. and European versions, while
the Japanese version only requires one to be entered in
“Arrange Mode”. Audio-wise, the Japanese version of
Chronicles had slowdown issues with the music playback.
These were fixed for the U.S. and European releases.* [5]

Akumajō Dracula is a game based on Castlevania, with 4.17.3 Development

a completely new engine designed to take advantage of
the Sharp X68000 hardware. The entire game is com-
pletely updated, including familiar stages that have been
redesigned, as well as brand new stages altogether. It con-
tains all of the special items and sub-weapons from the
original game, as well as an exclusive rare item known
as the laurel, which refills six health blocks for 10 hearts.
This game is also notable for its high difficulty level.
The PlayStation re-release, Castlevania Chronicles, ex-
panded much more to the X68000 game. This includes
a brand new rendered intro and ending, with new char-
acter designs by Ayami Kojima for Simon Belmont and
Dracula, improved graphical effects, enhanced music and
sound effects, and a more balanced and adjustable diffi-
culty level. Players can choose to play this “Arrange
82 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

Mode”version of the game with all of the new features [8] Varanini, Giancarlo. “Castlevania Review”. Gamespot.
intact, or play the “Original Mode”version as it was Retrieved August 19, 2013.
originally presented on the Sharp X68000.
[9] Smith, David (2001-10-24). “Castlevania Chronicles”.
While the “Original Mode”presented on Chronicles is IGN. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
otherwise identical to the X68000 game, there are a few
limitations since it is emulated on different hardware. [10] Varanini, Giancarlo (2001-10-12). “Castlevania Chron-
icles”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
One noticeable difference is the brief loading times that
now appear before boss fights and stages. The other draw- [11] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
back is the lack of an internal clock on the PlayStation. Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
The original game utilized the X68000ʼs internal time
and date settings; the time on the clock tower during the
boss fight on stage 15 would reflect the X68000ʼs current 4.18 ''Castlevania: Harmony of
time and the color scheme used on the painting in stage
21 would reflect one of the four seasons according to the Dissonance''
computer's current date. On the PlayStation game, each
time the system is turned on, the time and date have to be “Castlevania: Double Pack”redirects here. For the
manually adjusted only after a hidden “Extra Option” second game included, see Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
menu is accessed by inputting an altered version of the
Konami Code.* [6]
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, known in Japan
Exclusive to the U.S. and European versions of Chronicles as Castlevania: Byakuya no Concerto (キャッ ス ル
is an interview with Koji “IGA”Igarashi.* [5] ヴァ ニ ア ⽩ 夜 の 協 奏 曲 Kyassuruvania Byakuya no
Koncheruto, officially translated Castlevania: Concerto
of Midnight Sun),* [1]* [2] is a platform-adventure video
4.17.4 Reception game developed and published by Konami for the Game
Boy Advance. Belonging to Konami's Castlevania video
Castlevania Chronicles has been met with mixed to posi- game series, it is the second installment of the series on
tive reviews. IGN rated the PlayStation release 7.8, say- the Game Boy Advance. It was released in Japan in June
ing it was “a lot of fun”.* [9] GameSpot gave that same 2002, in North America in September 2002, and in Eu-
release a 6.1, saying it lacked replay value and was graph- rope in October 2002. It was the first Castlevania game
ically outdated.* [10] Game Informer's Tim Turi felt that to be called“Castlevania”in Japan instead of“Akumajō
it wasn't the worst option for people who wanted a classic Dracula”.
Castlevania game but was “lackluster.”* [11]
Harmony of Dissonance occurs in the fictional universe
of the Castlevania series; the premise of the series cen-
4.17.5 References ters on the eternal conflict between the vampire hunters
of the Belmont clan and the immortal vampire Dracula.
[1] Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo (8 October Set fifty years after Simon Belmont vanquished Dracula's
2001). Castlevania Chronicles. Konami of America, Inc. curse, Harmony of Dissonance focuses on his grandson
Scene: title screen, staff credits. Juste Belmont and his quest to rescue a kidnapped child-
hood friend.
[2] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (23 October
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Konami Koji Igarashi produced Harmony of Dissonance with
Digital Entertainment, Inc. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、 the intent of “creat[ing] a game that was similar to
邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Kon- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night", the critically ac-
ami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of claimed PlayStation game that he had worked on.* [3]
darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
Harmony of Dissonance sold 126,000 units in the United
States and did not become a“huge hit in Japan”.* [3]* [4]
[3] GameSpot Staff. “The History of Castlevania”.
Critics praised it as an entertaining game with improved
Gamespot. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
graphics as compared to its predecessor Castlevania: Cir-
[4] Varanini, Giancarlo (2001-10-01). “Castlevania Chron- cle of the Moon, but criticized its soundtrack. In January
icles Preview”. Gamespot. Retrieved 2008-10-09. 2006, Harmony of Dissonance was re-released in North
America and later Europe, along with Castlevania: Aria
[5] Varanini, Giancarlo (2001-10-01). “Castlevania Chron- of Sorrow, as part of the Castlevania Double Pack.
icles Preview”. Gamespot. Retrieved 2008-10-09.

[6] “Castlevania Chronicles Codes”. Gamespot. Retrieved

2008-10-09.
4.18.1 Gameplay

[7] Thompson, Jon. “Castlevania Chronicles - Review”. Harmony of Dissonance makes use of a 2D side-scrolling
Allgame. Retrieved August 19, 2013. style of gameplay, similar to many of the previous Castl-
4.18. ''CASTLEVANIA: HARMONY OF DISSONANCE'' 83

points, which affects how often he can cast a magical at-

tack; strength, the power of the physical attack; defense,
the reduction of damage taken from an enemy; intelli-
gence, the strength of the magical attack; and luck, which
determines the rate of items dropped by enemies.* [6]
Certain relics will also affect his statistics: the Fang
of Vlad increases his defense points, for example.* [14]
Equipment in the form of weapon modifications, armor
and accessories can also be found scattered about the cas-
tle and will contribute to his statistics.* [11] Occasionally,
an enemy will drop an item after being killed.* [6] Items
can also be bought with in-game money from a merchant
who appears in various places throughout the castle.* [6]
Additional modes can be unlocked in the game. For Boss
In this screenshot, the player character (center) casts a magical Rush Mode, the player is required to complete the game
attack by combining the dagger and the Summoning Tome.
once and can then fight the bosses from the game in or-
der with the number of bosses depending on the level of
evania video games.* [5] The objective of the game is difficulty selected.* [6] Maxim Mode requires the player
to lead the player-character, Juste Belmont, through the to finish the game with the best ending and allows the
monster-filled castle as he searches for his kidnapped player to take control of Maxim. Unlike Juste, Maxim
friend.* [5] The castle consists of two “layers": Castle cannot equip items and can only use his boomerang as a
A and B. Structurally, each castle has mostly the same weapon.* [6] Finishing with the best ending also unlocks
room layout, but monster types, items, and other aspects an option to listen to the music of the game.* [6]
vary between the two versions. Later, the player can use
special warp rooms that can teleport Juste to other cas-
tle rooms and between castles.* [6] The two castles share 4.18.2 Plot
a connection; for example, the destruction of a wall in
one castle can cause a change in the other.* [6] The game Setting and characters
further divides the castle into various, named areas: the
Shrine of the Apostates, for example.* [6] Relics and keys Harmony of Dissonance takes place in 1748, fifty years
found within the castle allow Juste to reach previously in- after Simon Belmont ended Dracula's curse.* [15] As re-
accessible areas.* [7]* [8] Harmony of Dissonance makes sult of his battle against Dracula was that the villagers
use of the forward dash move, which causes Juste to move changed their opinion of him and the Belmont fam-
forward with a short burst of speed.* [9] Unique to Har- ily.* [13] Producer Koji Igarashi explained: “Simon was
mony of Dissonance is the ability to collect furniture and regarded as a life-saver, and people started to look upon
collectables to furnish a bare room that Juste finds in the him as a hero; little by little, the people started to gather
castle. This, under certain circumstances, does affect the around them. A village, therefore, was formed around
ending.* [10] Belmonts. Juste Belmont grew up in this environment
with his childhood friends Maxim Kischine and Lydie Er-
Juste primarily attacks at close quarters using the series' langer.”* [13]
traditional whip weapon, the Vampire Killer. It can be
brandished to deflect projectile attacks, reminiscent of The protagonist and primary player character is Juste Bel-
Simon Belmont's usage of the weapon in Super Castle- mont, the grandson* of *Simon Belmont and descendant
vania IV.* [11] A variety of ranged sub-weapons̶holy of Sypha Belnades, [7] [16] who *
at the age of sixteen,
water, a dagger, a holy book, a cross, a gem, an axe, and gained the Vampire Killer whip. [17] Together with his
a thunder gauntlet̶are available, one of which can be amnesiac and injured best friend Maxim Kischine, he sets
carried at any given time and combined with one of the off to rescue his kidnapped childhood friend, Lydie Er-
*
five spell books̶Fire Book, Ice Book, Bolt Book, Wind langer. [15] While exploring the castle, he encounters a
*
*
Book, and the Summoning Tome [12]̶hidden through- merchant who stumbled upon the castle [18] and Death,
*
out the castle to create a magical attack.* [7] Casting a Dracula's servant. [19]
spell renders the player character invincible for a mo-
ment.* [6] Story
Harmony of Dissonance also makes use of elements found
in role-playing games.* [13] Defeating minor enemies and Juste meets Maxim at a castle where Lydie is being held
bosses will procure experience points for Juste, who will captive; after a brief talk, he leaves Maxim outside and
level up when statistical requirements are met.* [6] Level- begins to explore the castle.* [20] Within the castle, Juste
ing up will increase his statistics: hit points, the amount encounters Death, who confirms that the castle is Drac-
of damage the character can receive before dying; magic ula's.* [19] He then meets up with a dazed Maxim, whose
84 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

memory is slowly returning to him and they split up to who had previously worked on the character designs for
cover more of the castle ground.* [21] While trekking Symphony of the Night, designed the characters of Har-
through the castle, Juste notices that the castle sometimes mony of Dissonance.* [33]
has different atmospheres.* [22] He also meets Maxim Harmony of Dissonance departs from the usual structure
several more times, but is baffled by how his friend seems of the series, in which Dracula is resurrected and a mem-
to change personalities periodically.* [23] Regardless, in ber of the Belmont clan sets out to defeat him, in fa-
one of their meetings, Maxim reveals that he went on a vor of a plot that takes place in between Dracula's resur-
journey to find and destroy the remains of Dracula, some- rections.* [13] Harmony of Dissonance incorporates other
thing Simon Belmont had previously done, but when he
changes: a fusion-spell system replaced the dual-card sys-
collected all six, his memory went blank.* [16] tem introduced in Circle of the Moon, and the graphics
Juste encounters Death again, who explains that the cas- were also brightened and controls improved.* [3] In pro-
tle has been split in two “layers”to accommodate the duction at the same time was Castlevania: Aria of Sor-
two spirits living in Maxim's body: his original spirit and row (2003), and as a result, the two share similar pro-
an evil one created from Dracula's remains and his sup- gramming engines and gameplay elements.* [34] Origi-
pressed jealousy of Juste.* [24]* [25] Maxim later con- nally slated for a mid-June release,* [11] Harmony of Dis-
firms this and admits to being Lydie's kidnapper.* [25] sonance was not released until September 2002.* [35] It
Juste meets his friend again in the other layer of the cas- was released in Japan on June 6, 2002, in North America
tle where he reveals that he lost his memory to protect on September 16, 2002, and in Europe on October 11,
Lydie. He then gives Juste his bracelet to help him lo- 2002.* [36] It was published on the Wii U Virtual Con-
cate her in the castle.* [26] However, when Juste finds sole on October 16, 2014, in North America.* [37]
her, Death kidnaps her to use her blood as a means to
unite the two castles by destroying Maxim's spirit.* [27]
Juste defeats Death, and proceeds to search for Maxim. Audio
Along the way, he accumulates Dracula's remains, which
are scattered throughout the castle. In the center of the On June 26, 2002, Konami published Castlevania: Cir-
castle, he finds Maxim with an unconscious Lydie.* [28] cle of the Moon & Castlevania: Concerto of Midnight Sun
Original Soundtrack (KMCA-162).* [38] Soshiro Hokkai
Three endings exist. In the first, Maxim, possessed, has composed the soundtrack for Harmony of Dissonance
already bitten Lydie. With Maxim's defeat, Juste escapes with Michiru Yamane creating the additional stage mu-
the collapsing castle alone and curses his inability to save sic.* [39] Igarashi later noted that the quality of the music
either friend.* [29] In the second, Maxim struggles against had been“sacrifice[d]" for the graphics of the game.* [3]
the possession and urges Juste to kill him. In his final mo-
ments, he thanks Juste for killing him and reveals that he
Notes
had wished to save him from his fate as a Belmont. Out-
side the castle, Lydie awakens, unharmed, and tells Juste
not to blame himself for Maxim's death.* [30] The third • Tracks 1 through 19 from Castlevania: Circle of the
ending begins the same as the first, except that, during the Moon
fight, Maxim notices that Juste wore his bracelet and re-
• Tracks 20 through 45 from Castlevania: Harmony
sists the possession. Dracula flees into a weakened form
of Dissonance
using the gathered remains and fights Juste, planning to
use his blood to return himself to full power. Vanquish-
ing him, Juste escapes the castle together with Maxim 4.18.4 Reception
and Lydie, whose bite marks disappear by the time she
regains consciousness. Outside the castle, the three re- In the United States, about 126,000 units of Harmony of
solve to return home.* [31] Dissonance were sold,* [4] and in Japan, it was not con-
sidered a“huge hit”by Igarashi.* [3] Metacritic assigned
it a score of 87 of 100* [41] while GameRankings gave it
4.18.3 Development
an 84%.* [40]
Produced by Koji Igarashi and developed by Konami At the time of its release, Harmony of Dissonance re-
Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Castlevania: Harmony ceived positive reviews from English-language critics.
of Dissonance is the second installment of Konami's GameSpot commended it as “not just a fine Castleva-
Castlevania video game series for the Game Boy Advance nia game--it's also one of the better Game Boy Advance
(GBA).* [32] Its predecessor Castlevania: Circle of the games to come around in a while”.* [5] Gamespy stated:
Moon had been developed by a different studio, Konami “Despite its unevenness, Castlevania: Harmony of Disso-
Computer Entertainment Kobe.* [3] Igarashi began the nance is a quality adventure that represents the best at-
game's development with the intention of making an in- tempt yet made at miniaturizing the brilliance of Sym-
stallment of the series for GBA that shared similarities phony of the Night.”* [45] While worrying about the loss
with Symphony of the Night (1997).* [3] Ayami Kojima, of originality of the franchise and noting that "Harmony
 4.18. ''CASTLEVANIA: HARMONY OF DISSONANCE''
of Dissonance almost obsessively copies Symphony of the
Night", GamePro called it “a fun action game and a fine
Castlevania game in its own right.”* [44] The improved
graphics of Harmony of Dissonance, especially the back-
grounds, 3D effects, and multi-jointed bosses, received
praise from reviewers, who called them “plentiful and
visually stunning”,* [5] and “top-notch”.* [9]* [44]
The soundtrack of the game was less well received. Crit-
ics panned the music as “easily the worst Castlevania
soundtrack”* [45] and “muddy, plodding, and reminis-
cent of the days of four-channel NES soundtracks”.* [44]
Conversely, GameSpot found that the music was “de-
cent”and occasionally“fitting or even catchy”, but failed
to live up to the high expectations of the series.* [5] IGN
felt that while not “quite as bad as importers have made
it out to be”, the songs “aren't nearly as nice as they
have been in past Castlevania adventures.”* [9] Review-
ers also disliked the lack of difficulty with GamePro de-
scribing it as the game's“biggest flaw”.* [44]* [45] Other
criticism included predictable and easy boss battles,* [5]
and “a much smaller explorable area and somewhat less
compelling map design”.* [45]
Retrospective reviews, however, have been more critical
of the game. Considering Harmony of Dissonance “one
of the more disappointing titles of the series”* [47] and
“the least-impressive of the three GBA titles,”* [32] ret-
rospective critics cited the dull castle design and frequent
switching between castle layers as some of the game's
biggest flaws.* [32]* [47] PALGN's David Low criticized
the inclusion of the“possessed ally”element from previ-
ous Castlevania titles along with the game's easier game-
play, the player character's badly animated sprite, and the
occasionally gaudy environments.* [47] Looking back on
the series, Mark Bozon of IGN concluded: “Still Har-
mony of Dissonance shows off some decent visuals as an
in-between, mid-generation game, and paved the way for
GBA's strongest Castlevania title, Aria of Sorrow.”* [32]
Game Informer's Tim Turi meanwhile felt that its design
was among Castlevania's best despite having among the
worst music in the series.* [48]
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance was re-released in [16] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
North America in January 2006, along with Castleva-
nia: Aria of Sorrow, as part of Castlevania Double Pack.
[17] (2002) Konami: Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance --
Both games are contained on a single GBA Game Pak.
This pack also appeared in Europe later that year. It was
picked as the IGN Game Boy Game of the Month for [18] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
January 2006.* [49]
4.18.5 References
[1] Konami TYO (2002-06-06). Castlevania: Byakuya no
Concerto. Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: pro-
logue, staff credits.
[2] Dracula ̶Castlevania: Circle of the Moon – Castleva-
nia: Concerto of Midnight Sun Original Soundtrack (Me-
dia notes). Konami Music Entertainment, Inc. 2002.
85
[3] GameSpot staff (2002-09-19). “TGS 2002: Castlevania
Q&A”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
[4] Boulette, Bryan. “Crunching Numbers: DS vs. GBA”.
RPGamer. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
[5] Kasavin, Greg (2002-09-18). “Castlevania: Harmony of
Dissonance Review for Game Boy Advance”. GameSpot.
pp. 1–2. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
[6] Kepper, Sean. “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance/
Walkthrough”. IGN. p. 2. Archived from the original on
2012-02-25. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
[7] Henninger, Michael.“Preview: Castlevania: Harmony of
Dissonance (Game Boy Advance)". RPGamer. Retrieved
2010-02-24.
[8] Kepper, Sean. “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance/
Walkthrough”. IGN. p. 14. Archived from the original
on 2005-03-11. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
[9] Harris, Craig (2002-09-16). “IGN: Castlevania: Har-
mony of Dissonance Review”. IGN.com. Retrieved
2009-07-12.
[10] Kepper, Sean. “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance/
Walkthrough -Page 16”. IGN. Archived from the original
on 2012-02-25. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
[11] Gamespot staff (2002-06-04).“Castlevania: Harmony of
Dissonance Preview”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-07-
05.
[12] (2002) Konami: Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance --
Instruction Booklet. Konami, 17.
[13] Minkley, Johnny (2002-07-18).“Konami's vampire Har-
mony”. Computer and Video Games. Archived from the
original on 2009-04-02. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
[14] Kepper, Sean. “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance/
Walkthrough”. IGN. p. 13. Archived from the original
on 2009-08-12. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
[15] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Prologue.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Sky Walkway.
Instruction Booklet. Konami, 22.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Merchant's
Shop in the Castle Treasury.
[19] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Marble Corri-
dor, first encounter with Death.
[20] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Beginning.
[21] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Shrine of the
Apostates.
86
[22] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Castle Trea-
sury.
[23] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Skeletion
Cave.
[24] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Warp Room
in Clocktower.
[25] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Castle B: Sky
Walkway.
[26] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Castle A: Sky
Walkway.
[27] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Castle A: Cas-
tle Top Floor.
[28] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Castle B: Cen-
ter of the Castle.
[29] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Castle B: Cen-
ter of the Castle, Ending.
[30] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Castle A: Cen-
ter of the Castle, Ending.
[31] Konami TYO (2002-09-16). Harmony of Dissonance.
Game Boy Advance. Konami. Level/area: Castle B: Cen-
ter of Castle, best ending.
[32] Bozon, Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret-
rospective - Page 7”. IGN. Retrieved 2010-02-17.
[33] Bozon, Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret-
rospective”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
[34] IGN Staff (2003-01-16). “IGN: Castlevania: Aria of
Sorrow”. IGN. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
[35] Gamespot staff (2002-06-04).“Castlevania: Harmony of
Dissonance delayed”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-07-05.
[36] “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance for Game Boy Ad-
vance”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-02-21.
[37] Nunneley, Stepheny (2014-10-02). “Castlevania: Har-
mony of Dissonance lands on Wii U Virtual Console this
month”. VG24/7. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
[38] Kalabakov, Daniel. “RPGFan Soundtrack Reviews -
Dracula - Castlevania: Circle of the Moon/Concerto ofAria of Sorrow is set in the year 2035, when Dracula has
Midnight Sun OST”. RPGFan. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
[39] “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance for Game Boy Ad- power as a result of being a potential vessel of Dracula's
vance”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-07-06.
[40] “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance Reviews and Ar- herit the undead lord's power. The game incorporates
ticles for Game Boy Advance - GameRankings”. Game the same combination of elements from platform games
Rankings. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
[41] “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (gba: 2002): Re-
views”. Metacritic. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
[42] ゲームボーイアドバンス - キャッスルヴァニア ~ ⽩
夜の協奏曲 ~. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.122.
30 June 2006.
[43] Barber, Chett. “A Portable Symphony of the Night”.
Game Informer. Archived from the original on 2006-01-
08. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
[44] Fox, Fennec (2002-09-17). “Review : Castlevania: Har-
mony of Dissonance (Game Boy Advance)". GamePro.
Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved
2009-07-12.
[45] Turner, Benjamin (2002-09-18). “GameSpy.com - Re-
view”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2009-07-12.
[46] “IGN Game Boy: Games, Cheats, News, Reviews, and
Previews”. IGN.com. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
[47] Low, David (2006-01-16).“Franchise Mode #11 – Castl-
evania”. PALGN. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
[48] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
[49] Bozon, Mark (2006-01-31). “GBA Game of the Month:
January 2006”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
4.18.6 External links
• Official website (Japanese)
4.19 ''Castlevania: Aria of Sor-
row''
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, released in Japan as Castl-
evania: Akatsuki no Enbukyoku (キャッスルヴァニア
〜暁⽉の円舞曲〜 “Castlevania: Minuet of Dawn”),
is a side-scrolling platforming video game developed and
published by Konami for the Game Boy Advance. It is the
third and final installment of the Castlevania series on the
Game Boy Advance* [2] and was released in North Amer-
ica on May 6, 2003 and in Japan on May 8, 2003.* [1] Pro-
ducer Koji Igarashi, who had led the production teams for
previous Castlevania titles, led Aria of Sorrow's develop-
ment as well. Michiru Yamane also returned to compose
the music for the game alongside Takashi Yoshida and
Soshiro Hokkai. Director Junichi Murakami was new to
the Castlevania series.
long been sealed away after a battle in 1999. The plot fol-
lows the journey of Soma Cruz, a teenager granted occult
reincarnation, as he battles dark figures that wish to in-
and role-playing video games as in the previous game
 4.19. ''CASTLEVANIA: ARIA OF SORROW''
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.* [3] Aria of Sorrow
introduces several new features to the series, such as the
“Tactical Soul”system and employs a futuristic storyline
in contrast to the medieval setting of many other Castle-
vania games.* [4]* [5]
Although Aria of Sorrow sold poorly in Japan, selling
only 27,000 units nearly one month after its release, it
was commercially successful in the United States, with
more than 158,000 units sold in the three months fol-
lowing its release.* [6]* [7] Aria of Sorrow received praise
from several video game publications, with some consid-
ering it one of the best games in the Castlevania series
since Symphony of the Night.* [3]* [5] Konami released a
sequel to Aria of Sorrow, titled Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row, on August 25, 2005 in Japan.* [8] It incorporated
many elements from its predecessor, including the“Tac-
tical Soul”system.* [9] Aria of Sorrow was re-released as
part of Konami's “Konami the Best”line on November
3, 2005 in Japan, and in a dual pack with Harmony of
Dissonance, titled the Castlevania Double Pack, in North
America on January 11, 2006.* [1]* [10]
4.19.1 Gameplay
An image of gameplay, with the primary character, Soma Cruz,
using a soul to attack a pair of enemies.
Aria of Sorrow features a 2D side-scrolling style of game-
play where the player controls the onscreen character
from a third-person perspective to interact with people,
objects, and enemies. Like previous games in the se-
ries and most role-playing games, characters level up each
time they earn a set number of experience points from de-
feating enemies; each“level”gained increases the char-
acter's statistics, thus improving their performance in bat-
tle.* [11] Statistic examples include hit points, the amount
of damage a character can receive; magic points, which
determine the number of times a character can use mag-
ical attacks; strength, the power of a character's physical
attacks; and intelligence, the power of a character's mag-
ical spells.* [11] Upon encountering an enemy, the player
can use a variety of weapons to attack and defeat the en-
emy. Despite the game being set in 2035, the available
weapons are largely medieval, including swords, axes, and
87
spears; though a handgun is available.* [5] These weapons
differ in their damage output, the range of the weapon,
and the speed of the attack.* [5] Items and other acces-
sories can be found by defeating enemies or by purchas-
ing items from the game's shop.* [11]
Similar to previous games in the series, Aria of Sor-
row is set within Dracula's castle, which is further sub-
divided into several areas that the player traverses.* [3]
These areas feature different components, such as differ-
ent enemies, varying terrain characteristics, and a unique
piece of theme music. Similar to most platform games,
progression between areas is limited by the abilities the
player currently has.* [12] While the method in which the
player progresses through the game is initially linear, the
player's options become more diverse as the number of
character abilities increases.* [3]
Tactical Soul
Aria of Sorrow introduces a new ability system, Tactical
Soul system, to the Castlevania series. It involves absorb-
ing the souls of enemies in order to gain additional abili-
ties.* [13] Except for human enemies and the game's final
opponent, all souls can be absorbed by the player.* [14]
The rate at which enemies' souls are obtained varies be-
tween enemies.* [15] Players can trade souls between two
Aria of Sorrow cartridges using two Game Boy Advance
consoles and a link cable.* [3]
Souls provide a variety of effects, and are separated into
four categories: Bullet, Guardian, Enchant, and Ability
souls.* [16] The player can only have one type of Bul-
let, Guardian, and Enchant soul equipped at any given
time. Bullet souls are Soma Cruz's replacement for Sub
Weapons in this game, and enable the player to consume a
set amount of magic points to use an ability, often some
form of projectile.* [16] Guardian souls provide contin-
uous effects, including transforming into mythical crea-
tures and summoning familiars.* [14] Guardian souls con-
tinually drain magic points so long as they are activated.
Enchant souls are continuously active so long as they are
equipped, and provide increases in statistics or other in-
nate abilities̶such as the ability to walk on water.* [4]
Ability souls give the player innate abilities, which are of-
ten required to traverse certain areas of the castle.* [16]
Because the souls are automatically activated and stay ac-
tive unless the player specifically disables them, they do
not consume magic points.* [5]
Additional modes
Aria of Sorrow includes additional modes of play that dis-
play elements not seen in the game's primary scenario.
The New Game+ option allows a player that has com-
pleted the game to replay the game with all equipment
and souls the player had acquired in a previous file.* [17]
Additionally, the player can opt to start the game in Hard
88 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

Mode, offering the same gameplay at a higher difficulty
level.* [17] Two other modes offer alternatives to the stan-
dard gameplay. Boss Rush mode involves the player fac-
ing all of the game's bosses in quick succession, and is
unlocked after the player completes the game once.* [18]
Julius Mode is an additional mode of play unlocked with
the same method.* [18] The player takes control of Julius
Belmont, the member of the Belmont clan featured in the
game.* [18]
had previously worked on the characters in Castlevania
games such as Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance.* [28] Due to the
game being set in the future, Kojima's designs are no-
tably more contemporary, utilizing modern clothing, in
contrast to the medieval attire that characters from previ-
ous games wore.* [21]
Story

4.19.2 Plot The story begins in the year 2035, when Soma Cruz
is visiting Japan as a transfer student and living near
Setting the Hakuba shrine. During a solar eclipse, he vis-
its the Hakuba shrine with his childhood friend Mina
Aria of Sorrow takes place in the fictional universe of the Hakuba.* [23] He and Mina are then drawn into the
Castlevania series. The series' premise is the conflict be- eclipse, landing in a mysterious castle, where they meet
tween the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan and the a government agent named Genya Arikado. Arikado re-
immortal vampire Dracula. Thirty-six years before the veals that they are in Dracula's castle.* [29] After a group
start of Aria of Sorrow, Dracula was defeated once and of monsters appear and are dispatched by Arikado, one
for all by the Belmont clan, and his powers sealed into of the monsters' souls is absorbed by Soma. Arikado ex-
a solar eclipse.* [19]* [20] Shortly after Dracula's death, plains this as the awakening of Soma's “power of dom-
a prophecy was made that Dracula's reincarnation would inance”.* [22] Arikado then directs Soma to enter the
come to his castle in 2035 and inherit all of Dracula's castle and seek “the master's chamber”.
powers.* [19] This prophecy acts as the driving force be- As Soma proceeds through the castle, he confronts sev-
hind the plot of Aria of Sorrow, and is the primary mo- eral characters, each present due to a prophecy related to
tivation of the supporting characters to be present.* [17] Dracula's powers. Graham Jones, a missionary that has
The game takes place in Dracula's castle, the most com- come to the castle, befriends Soma. Graham explains
mon setting for the series, with the castle divided into the nature of the castle* [30] and reveals that Dracula,
numerous areas that the player traverses over the course long thought to be immortal, was destroyed for good in
of the game.* [3] 1999, and that his powers will be passed down onto his
reincarnation.* [19] When Soma proceeds further into the
castle, he meets the witch Yoko Belnades, who is present
Characters
on the orders of the Roman Catholic Church. Yoko is
looking for Graham, who she believes is dangerous and
Main article: List of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and the inheritor of Dracula's powers.* [31] She clarifies the
Dawn of Sorrow characters nature of Soma's powers, revealing that they are not nec-
essarily evil, but inherent to Soma himself.* [32] Later,
The protagonist and primary playable character of Aria Soma encounters Hammer, a member of the United
of Sorrow is Soma Cruz, a transfer student studying States Army ordered to come to the Hakuba shrine. He
in Japan who possesses the “power of dominance”, has forfeited his mission, however, in favor of selling
which allows him to absorb the souls of monsters and goods.* [33] He becomes Soma's vendor, selling numer-
use their abilities.* [21]* [22] He is initially accompanied ous goods to aid Soma's mission. A mysterious man then
by his childhood friend, Mina Hakuba, the daughter of accosts Soma, asking about the nature of Soma's dark
the priest of the Hakuba shrine.* [23] Over the course power. When Soma continues to converse with him, the
of the game, Soma meets additional characters that aid man reveals that he has amnesia, and the only thing he
him in his quest: Genya Arikado, an enigmatic govern- remembers is his name starts with “J”.* [26]
ment agent and disguise for Alucard, the son of Drac-
Soma meets Graham again, and questions him on Yoko's
ula;* [24]* [25] Yoko Belnades, a witch and member of the
suspicions. Graham claims he will receive Dracula's pow-
Belnades clan;* [21] J, an amnesiac man drawn to Drac-
ers, believing himself to be Dracula as he was born on the
ula's castle;* [26] and Hammer, a soldier of the United
day Dracula was slain.* [27] Graham inquires as to the
States Army ordered to investigate the events occurring
nature of Soma's powers, to which Soma responds that
at Dracula's castle, although he abandons this mission and
he has “the power to rule,”causing Graham to panic
sets up a shop to sell Soma equipment (potions, weapons
and flee.* [34] Concerned, Soma confides this incident to
and the like). Graham Jones, a missionary who be- Yoko, who recommends that Soma join her in stopping
lieves he is Dracula's reincarnation, serves as the game's
Graham.* [35] As Soma proceeds further through the cas-
antagonist.* [27] tle, he comes upon a scene of Graham stabbing Yoko with
The characters were designed by Ayami Kojima, who a knife. Graham retreats, and Yoko warns Soma of Gra-
4.19. ''CASTLEVANIA: ARIA OF SORROW''
ham's power.* [36] Arikado arrives, promises Soma he
will look after Yoko, and demands that Soma pursue Gra-
ham.* [37] Soma meets“J”again, who reveals he is Julius
Belmont, the man who defeated Dracula in 1999.* [20] As
he leaves, he remarks that he knows something about the
current situation, but does not elaborate.* [38]
Soma ascends to the castle's keep and confronts Graham
in the throne room. Although Soma's sole desire is to
leave the castle, Graham is convinced that Soma must
be killed for absorbing the souls of the castle's mon-
sters.* [39] Soma manages to defeat Graham, even af-
ter Graham uses his newfound powers to assume a de-
monic form. As Graham falls in defeat, Soma absorbs his
powers, and realizes he is Dracula's reincarnation.* [40]
Arikado arrives and reveals a way for Soma to save him-
self by halting the flow of chaos into the castle.* [41] Soma
proceeds to the Chaotic Realm, but Julius attacks him,
believing that Soma is Dracula.* [42] Julius allows Soma
to defeat him, as he sensed Soma's soul fighting against
Dracula's influence.* [43] Before he leaves, Soma elicits a
promise from Julius to kill him if he fully becomes Drac-
ula.* [44] Soma travels through the Chaotic Realm and
finally locates the source of chaos. Soma manages to de-
feat the manifestation of chaos and is sent congratulations
by Yoko, Hammer, Julius, and Arikado. Soma awakens
back in the Hakuba Shrine with Mina, pleased that the
conflict is over.
4.19.3 Development
Producer Koji Igarashi, who led the production teams for previ-
ous Castlevania titles, led Aria of Sorrow's development.
Aria of Sorrow was first unveiled at a press conference
in San Francisco by executive producer Koji Igarashi
on January 16, 2003. Igarashi had worked on previous
89
Castlevania games such as Castlevania: Symphony of the
Night and Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance. Aria of
Sorrow was placed in production alongside Harmony of
Dissonance, resulting in both games sharing similar pro-
gramming engines and gameplay elements.* [45] Aria of
Sorrow's Ability souls, for example, provide the protag-
onist with innate abilities like the Relic items in Har-
mony of Dissonance.* [46] Nevertheless, Igarashi claimed
he wished to try a“different route”for the series with Aria
of Sorrow via placing the game in a futuristic setting.* [21]
Ayami Kojima, who had previously collaborated with
Igarashi on the designs for the characters of Symphony of
the Night and Harmony of Dissonance, was brought into
the project.* [21] Following the “different route”mo-
tif, the character designs were made more contemporary,
using modern clothing over the more medieval look of
the previous Castlevania installments.* [21] In develop-
ing the game's back story, Igarashi partially based it on
Nostradamus's prediction of a “big evil lord in 1999”
and the 1999 solar eclipse in Eastern Europe.* [47]
One of Igarashi's prominent concerns during develop-
ment was addressing the criticism expressed concerning
Harmony of Dissonance. Igarashi noted that the music
in Harmony of Dissonance had not been well received
and Michiru Yamane, who had previously worked on the
acclaimed music for Symphony of the Night, was hired
in order to compose for Aria of Sorrow.* [48] The de-
velopment team worked on the game's audio cycles, as
well as delegating more cartridge space and processor cy-
cles for the sound.* [45] Maintaining the visual quality of
Harmony of Dissonance was a chief objective during de-
velopment, as many reviewers had felt that Harmony of
Dissonance had excelled in graphics at the cost of the
audio.* [48] Furthermore, the staff tried to improve the
series' gameplay system while retaining fan-favorite el-
ements.* [46] Certain aspects that were missing in Har-
mony of Dissonance, such as hidden rooms, were incorpo-
rated into Aria of Sorrow.* [21] Igarashi added Soul trad-
ing via a link cable to assist players with collecting every
soul in the game, which he believed would be cumber-
some to accomplish alone.* [46]
4.19.4 Reception
Aria of Sorrow has received favorable reviews from sev-
eral video game publications, with many comparing it
to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, widely consid-
ered the best game in the Castlevania series.* [3]* [16]
Famitsu, considered to be one of the most respected video
game news magazines in Japan,* [54] gave Aria of Sor-
row a 36/40, the highest score any game in the Castleva-
nia series has received from Famitsu.* [52] It was rated
by Nintendo Power as the 22nd best game made on a
Nintendo System in their Top 200 Games list.* [55] In
Japan, the game sold only 27,000 units one month after
its release, considered to be a poor showing for a ma-
jor video game franchise.* [6] Conversely, the game was
 90 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

significantly more successful in the United States, with “pretty darn good.”* [45] GameSpot, although labeling
more than 158,000 units in sales three months after its the music as “mostly forgettable,”noted that it was far
release.* [7] better than the audio of Harmony of Dissonance, and cel-
As the third installment of the Castlevania series on ebrated the individual audio used for enemies.* [4]
the Game Boy Advance, many reviewers made note In terms of storyline and characters, RPGamer welcomed
of the game's differences as versus its predecessors, the characters' depth, and the emphasis placed into the
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon and Castlevania: Har- personalities and development of supporting characters,
mony of Dissonance, with many considering it the asserting that previous Castlevania games ignored the de-
definitive Castlevania game for the Game Boy Ad- velopment of the supporting characters in exchange for
vance.* [5]* [17] GameSpy noted that Aria of Sorrow concentrating on the protagonist.* [17] IGN called the
“managed to get just about everything right”as versus its game's ending “incredibly unfulfilling and disappoint-
predecessors, and lauded it as “the best portable Castle- ing,”but lauded the change from the conventional plot of
vania game yet created.”* [3] RPGFan claimed that Aria a Castlevania game, in which a member of the Belmont
of Sorrow "[showcased] the true art of game develop- clan defeats Dracula with the aid of a host of support-
ment: to adapt and change as necessary yet remain con- ing characters.* [5] GameSpy criticized the presence of a
sistent.”* [16] RPGamer considered Aria of Sorrow one “weak female who needs protection”and an“effeminate-
of the best games ever released for the Game Boy Ad- looking man who does all the slaying”as stereotypical
vance.* [17] Castlevania elements, but noted that the “powerful and
In 2007 IGN ranked it as the second best Game Boy compelling scenario”the game had *
was the best in the
*
Advance game of all time. [56] Game Informer's Tim series since Symphony of the Night. [3]
Turi ranked it among the best Castlevania games on the
Game Boy Advance. He praised its gameplay and visuals 4.19.5 Sequel and re-release
for setting a standard for future Castlevania games.* [57]
GameZone ranked it as the seventh best Castlevania ti- Due to the success of Aria of Sorrow, the production of
tle and the best of the Game Boy Advance Castlevania Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, a rare sequel in the Castl-
titles.* [58] evania series, was announced on January 6, 2005.* [59]
The gameplay, specifically the Tactical Soul system, was In an interview, Koji Igarashi noted that he felt that the
a frequent subject of acclaim among reviewers. RPG- Tactical Soul system used in Aria of Sorrow, as well as
Fan called the Tactical Soul system “addictively [sic] the storyline with Soma Cruz, were a waste to use in only
fun”, and GameSpot lauded the simplicity and depth of one game, and contributed to his desire to make a se-
the gameplay.* [4]* [16] RPGamer considered the game- quel.* [13] As such, the Tactical Soul system was reintro-
play “one hundred percent solid,”lauding the game's duced in Dawn of Sorrow, as well as several new devel-
controls and interaction with enemies, as well as the Tac- opments, such as an anime character design, as Ayami
tical Soul system.* [17] RPGFan asserted that the game Kojima was not part of the production staff for Dawn of
had “a chance to be the most revered installment of the Sorrow.* [9]* [60] Though Aria of Sorrow was successful,
series, hardly caught in the shadow of Symphony of the its sales figures failed to meet expectations and prompted
Night like its predecessors.”* [16] The game's length and the switch to anime-style designs. In 2005, Igarashi ex-
difficulty were brought into question by several review- pressed a desire to develop a game centered on the battle
ers. GameSpot noted that a single play through the game between Julius Belmont and Dracula, but commented that
would only last ten hours, and that the player grew“prac- the project would be dependent on available production
tically unstoppable”over the course of the game.* [4] time.* [61] Aria of Sorrow was re-released in both Japan
RPGamer echoed this assessment, deriding the fact that and in the United States. On November 3, 2005, it was
the game “never [offered] much of a challenge”, but re-released as part of Konami's “Konami the Best”line
noted that the“simplistic fun”of the gameplay rectified in Japan.* [1] Aria of Sorrow was re-released, along with
this.* [17] Harmony of Dissonance, in the Castlevania: Double Pack
in North America on January 11, 2006.* [10]
The game's graphics and audio were widely praised by
reviewers. RPGFan extolled the game's environments
as “gorgeous and well layered,”and noted while the 4.19.6 References
game did not achieve the level of graphical quality set by
Symphony of the Night, it “made a damn good attempt [1] “Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow”. Giant Bomb. Retrieved
at it.”* [16] GameSpy called the graphics “crisp, clear 2014-04-17.
and colorful,”with “good animation on easily viewable
[2] Bozon Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret-
sprites.”* [3] GameSpy additionally noted that the game's
rospective - Page 7”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
audio, a particularly lambasted feature of Harmony of
Dissonance, was “fitting and well-composed.”Prior to [3] Turner, Benjamin (2003-05-03). “GameSpy: Castleva-
the game's release, IGN commented that the music was nia: Aria of Sorrow Review”. GameSpy. Archived from
the original on 2007-02-10.
4.19. ''CASTLEVANIA: ARIA OF SORROW''
[4] Kasavin, Greg (2003-05-09). “Castlevania: Aria of Sor-
row for Game Boy Advance Review”. GameSpot. Re-
trieved 2007-11-23.
[5] Harris, Craig (2003-05-05). “IGN: Castlevania: Aria of
Sorrow Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
[6] Wollenschlaeger, Alex (2003-06-01). “RPGamer >
Japandemonium - Delirium of Disorder”. RPGamer. Re-
trieved 2007-12-06.
[7] “RPGamer - Editorials - Crunching Numbers: DS vs.
GBA”. RPGamer. Retrieved 2007-11-12.
[8] “Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow”. GameSpy. Retrieved
2014-04-16.
[9] Mueller, Greg (2005-10-05).“Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row Review”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
[10] Sinclair, Brendan (2005-12-09). “Castlevania combo
headed to GBA”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-11-23.
[11] Moriarty, Colin (2003-05-23). “Guides: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Guide (GBA) - Page 2”. IGN. Retrieved
2007-11-27.
[12] Moriarty, Colin (2003-05-23). “Guides: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Guide (GBA) - Page 11”. IGN. Retrieved
2007-11-27.
[13] Berghammer, Billy (2005-07-28). “Castlevania Mania:
The Koji Igarashi Interview”. Game Informer. Archived
from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
[14] Moriarty, Colin (2003-05-23). “Guides: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Guide (GBA) - Page 8”. IGN. Retrieved
2007-11-27.
[15] “Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow GBA Review”. 1UP.com.
2005-05-09. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
[16] Holzworth, Christopher (2003-09-21). “RPGFan Re-
views - Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow”. RPGFan. Re-
trieved 2007-12-04.
[17] Boulette, Bryan. “RPGamer > Staff Retroview > Castle-
vania: Aria of Sorrow”. RPGamer. Retrieved 2007-11-
23.
[18] Moriarty, Colin (2003-05-23). “Guides: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Guide (GBA) - Page 13”. IGN. Retrieved
2007-12-04.
[19] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: So...you
are trying to tell me now that Dracula has been resur-
rected? / Graham: No. Dracula perished in 1999. You
do know of the prophecy of 1999, don't you? / Soma:
Nostradamus' great prophecy? / Graham: That's right.
Dracula resurrected exactly as he predicted. But vampire
hunters destroyed him completely. They ended his regen-
eration cycle by sealing his castle...the symbol of his de-
monic power, inside the darkness of an eclipse. / Soma:
And that eclipse is where we are now? / Graham: Yes,
but there's still more to the story. / Soma: There's more?
/ Graham: In the year 2035, a new master will come to
the castle, and he will inherit ALL of Dracula's powers.
91
[20] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Julius: My real
name is JULIUS BELMONT. I am a descendant of a clan
that has fought against Dracula for ages. / Soma: And that
person who destroyed Dracula in 1999 was... / Julius:
Yes. It was me...
[21] Nutt, Christian (2003-01-18). “GameSpy: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Preview”. GameSpy. Archived from the
original on 2004-12-16.
[22] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Arikado: So it
has awakened. / Soma: What? What has? / Arikado:
The spirit of the creature you killed has just entered your
body. You have the power to absorb the abilities of the
monsters you kill.
[23] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: I live near
the Hakuba shrine, an ancient shrine with strong ties to
Japanese mythology. Mina Hakuba, the only daughter of
the shrine's caretaker, is both my classmate and my only
childhood friend.”
[24] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: Arikado
said he'd put up a protective barrier...and while we're on
the subject. Just who is Arikado?. / Mina: I'm not sure.
I heard he does something related to national intelligence.
[25] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Yoko: You've met
Aluca... um, I mean, Genya Arikado right
[26] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. J: I can't give you
my name, but people call me J.”/ Soma: People call you
'J'? Why hide your real name? Are you a criminal? / J:
No. I have amnesia. I'm told that I was in an accident in
1999. When I woke up in the hospital, I had forgotten my
name and my past.
[27] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Graham: I was
born on the very day that Dracula was destroyed...so, in
short, that means I AM DRACULA!
[28] Bozon, Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret-
rospective”. IGN. Archived from the original on 2007-
01-21.
[29] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Arikado: Why
have you come here? / Soma: Why? Well, Mina and
I...Hang on where are we? / Arikado: We're in Dracula's
castle.
[30] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: Is it true
that this is Dracula's castle? / Graham: It most certainly
is. / Soma: But isn't Dracula's castle in Europe some-
where? / Graham: In theory yes. But his TRUE castle
exists somewhere else.
92
[31] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Yoko: I'm not used
to being thanked by people. Oh I forgot to ask you. Have
you seen a man named Graham? / Soma: Graham? Yes,
I met him earlier. / Yoko: Be wary of that man. I believe
that he will inherit Dracula's powers. / Soma: No way!
He did not look like a bad guy. / Yoko: Right, and I've got
a bridge to sell you! Don't be fooled by his appearance!
He's not who you think he is.
[32] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Yoko: Oh, no...did
I say something...I...well...what's said is said. Essentially,
you have the power to rule over and command monsters. /
Soma: Rule over monsters? I have no desire to do that...
/ Yoko: It comes as naturally as breathing for you, so you
may not realize it yet. And although I called it a 'dark
power' it doesn't mean its evil. It's like a weapon. Its user
decides whether to use it for good or evil.
[33] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Hammer: I
thought I was inspecting a shrine. But suddenly I was in
a castle. Don't ya think that's a mean thing to do to a
guy? So I just bailed on my mission. / Soma: What do
you mean? / Hammer: There were a bunch of strange
people gathered at the shrine. I thought they'd be good
customers, so I opened up a shop. / Soma: Ah...good for
you... / Hammer: There are weapons all over this castle
and no monsters at the front gate. Good place for a shop!
Come on by! I'll give ya a good deal.
[34] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Graham: I sense
a power within you. Do tell me...what kind of power has
awoken within you? / Soma: ...The power to rule... /
Graham: WHAT?! You foolish boy! That's impossi-
ble! / Soma: HUH? / Graham: I can't remain here any
longer. I must get to the throne! Your name is Soma right?
You are wrong Soma! I will not allow you to rule!
[35] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Yoko: But it's bet-
ter this way. / Soma: What is? / Yoko: The fact that he
sees you as an enemy means you're my comrade. / Soma:
Does it? / Yoko: What? You don't want to be on my
side? / Soma: No...that's not what I meant... / Yoko: It's
so much fun to tease you. But this is not the time to be
fooling around. Your presence here has thrown Graham
into a panic. This is our chance.
[36] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: Gra-
ham that bastard! What has he done?! / Yoko: He
has...absorbed this castle's power...and he's gotten much
stronger. Oww ahh...my plan has...failed...
[37] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: Graham
went to the throne. What's there? What are you hiding
from me?! / Arikado: I cannot say. You must go there
yourself and if you don't...you will lose Mina...and Yoko
as well! Their fate is in your hands...
[38] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: You haven't
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
met a man named Graham yet, have you? / Julius: Gra-
ham? Uh, you mean that missionary right? I met him a
little while ago. But when he saw my face, he turned and
ran. / Soma: He told me that he was Dracula. / Julius: I
did sense Dracula's powers at work within him... But it's
difficult to believe that he's Dracula...rather...I think...No,
forget it. It is nothing more than a hunch.
[39] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: I came
here to find a way out of this castle. / Graham: With my
new abilities, I can get you out of here quite easily...You,
however, have some property of mine in your possession.
The souls of MY demons are under YOUR control. Can
I forgive such a crime? NO! NEVER! / Soma: If I knew
how, I'd return them all to you right here and now! / Gra-
ham: Even if you return them, you have still committed
the crime of stealing. Don't you know that? It's only right
that thieves receive the punishment they deserve. / Soma:
You are one selfish bastard! / Graham: You're guilty of
grand theft. Therefore, I sentence you to death!
[40] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: Finally...I
clearly understand...everything. I am...Dracula.
[41] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Arikado: The evil
in this spirit comes from those who seek chaos and de-
struction. So we need to cut off the source of the chaos in-
fluencing the spirit. / Soma: Is that possible? / Arikado:
This castle is a product of Dracula's magic. It's a spiritual
world. My point is this...a stream of chaos exists within
this castle as well. There is a place where you, Dracula,
can go. That's where the chaos is!
[42] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Julius: I must de-
stroy Dracula at any cost. That is my destiny. / Soma:
NO WAIT! I don't want to fight against you. / Julius:
Nothing you say will stop me! Prepare to die!
[43] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: You took
it easy on me. I could tell. The strength of a Bel-
mont...No...the strength of a vampire hunter is greater
than this. / Julius: ...When I fought you, I felt the evil
spirit within you. But there's more...I also sensed Soma's
spirit. And that's more than enough to stop me.
[44] Konami (2003-05-06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow.
Game Boy Advance. Konami Tokyo. Soma: ...I've got a
favour to ask of you. / Julius: What is it? / Soma: From
here. I will set off to fight against my own fate. If I lose
the battle...and I become reincarnation of evil, I want you
to kill me. / Julius: ...I will...I promise.
[45] IGN Staff (2003-01-16). “IGN: Castlevania: Aria of
Sorrow”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-11-02.
[46]“Previews: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow”. Game Informer
(GameStop) (119): 71. March 2003.
[47] Ashby, Alicia; Wilde, Thomas (2005). “Fan Interview”
. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Official Strategy Guide.
DoubleJump Publishing. p. 248. ISBN 0-9741700-7-0.
4.20. ''CASTLEVANIA: LAMENT OF INNOCENCE'' 93

[48] Varanini, Giancarlo (2003-01-16). “Hands-
onCastlevania: Aria of Sorrow”. GameSpot. Retrieved
2007-11-02.
[49] “Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (gba: 2003): Reviews”.
Metacritic. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
[50] “allgame ((( Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow > Overview )))".
Allgame. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
[51] “Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow // GBA /// Eurogamer”.
Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2007-06-17.
[52] Wollenschlaeger, Alex (2003-04-25). “RPGamer >
Japandemonium - Skank Now, Apocalypse Later”.
RPGamer. Retrieved 2008-01-10.
[53]“Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow”. Game Informer: 119.
June 2003.
gameplay. It was released in Japan and North America in
late 2003 and Europe and Australia in early 2004.
Lament of Innocence takes place in the Castlevania series.
Set in 1094, it focuses on the origins of the series' premise
̶the eternal conflict between the vampire hunters of the
Belmont clan and the immortal vampire Dracula. Lament
of Innocence follows Leon Belmont as he searches a vam-
pire's castle in search of his kidnapped betrothed.
Lament of Innocence received generally positive reaction
from reviewers, who praised it as an enjoyable, though
not complex * [2]* [3] video game.
4.20.1 Gameplay

[54] Thorsen, Tor (2006-03-08). “FFXII gets perfect score

from Famitsu". GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-11-03.

[55]“NP Top 200”. Nintendo Power 200. February 2006. pp.

58–66.

[56] Harris, Craig (2007-03-16).“Top 25 Game Boy Advance

Games of All Time”. IGN. Retrieved 2014-04-17.

[57] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania

Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.

[58] Workman, Robert (2011-09-27). “Happy 25th Birth-

day Castlevania: The Ten Best Games in the Series”.
GameZone. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
Leon (center) fights the Medusa boss; the heads-up display in-
[59] Van Autrijve, Rainier (2005-01-06). “Castlevania DS
dicates his remaining “health”, magic points, and number of
Announced”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
subweapons (upper left) and the boss's life bar (lower center).
[60] Sheffield, Brandon (2005-08-15).“Gamasutra - Interview
- “Whip Smart: Konami's Koji Igarashi On Mastering The objective of Lament of Innocence is to lead the
Castlevania"". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2007-12-18. primary player character and protagonist Leon Belmont
through the monster-filled castle as he searches for his
[61] Ashby, Alicia; Wilde, Thomas (2005). “Fan Inter- kidnapped beloved.* [2] Exploring the castle is an open-
view”. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Official Strategy ended task, with puzzles, concealed items and rooms,
Guide. DoubleJump Publishing. pp. 249–250. ISBN 0-
and bosses.* [4] A room near the castle's entrance con-
9741700-7-0.
tains portals to the five main areas, all of which are ac-
cessible from the beginning.* [3] After Leon defeats each
4.19.7 External links area's boss, the final area becomes unlocked.* [3] Health
restoratives and items to improve gaming statistics such
• Official Aria of Sorrow site (Japanese) as strength and defense can be purchased with in-game
money from a shop on the castle grounds.* [5]
For his primary weapon, Leon makes use of the Whip
4.20 ''Castlevania: Lament of In- of Alchemy given to him by a non-player character, the
shopkeeper named Rinaldo.* [6] Later on, Leon can ac-
nocence'' quire three more whips, each guarded by an elemental
boss: the Ice, Lightning, and Fire Elemental Whips.* [5]
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, released as Castle- Near the end of the game, his Whip of Alchemy turns
vania (キャッスルヴァニア Kyassuruvania) in Japan, into the more destructive Vampire Killer.* [5] In addition,
Europe, and Australia,* [nb 1] is an action-adventure Leon can combine one of five sub-weapons̶a knife, an
video game developed by Konami for the PlayStation axe, a cross, a crystal, and holy water̶with one of seven
2 console. Belonging to Konami's Castlevania video orbs to form a special attack.* [5] Over the course of the
game series, it is the first installment of the series on the game, he will learn special techniques and magic attacks
PlayStation 2 and the third to make use of a 3D style of as well.* [2]
94 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

Two additional player characters can be unlocked: the
new character Pumpkin and Joachim, a vampire who
appeared earlier in the game as a boss.* [7] Pumpkin
makes use of Leon's whip as the primary weapon and
only one sub-weapon, has all whip and defensive skills
prelearned, and does more damage than Leon.* [7] In
contrast, Joachim uses five flying swords as his primary
weapons; he lacks an inventory and the ability to use
relics and purchase items from Rinaldo's shop. However,
Joachim has access to two magic attacks in the place of
sub-weapons.* [7]
his beloved wife. He offers Leon the same, but a dis-
gusted Leon refuses.* [24]* [25] Mathias orders Death to
kill Leon, but Leon defeats Death, vowing that the Bel-
mont clan will hunt down Mathias and destroy him one
day.* [26] The game's epilogue reveals that Mathias be-
came Dracula, the series' main antagonist.* [27]
4.20.3 Development

4.20.2 Plot

Lament of Innocence is set in the fictional universe of

the Castlevania series. Set in 1094, it focuses on the
origins of the series' premise* [nb 2] ̶the conflict be-
tween the vampire-hunting Belmont clan and the vampire
Dracula.* [10] The protagonist and primary player char-
acter of Lament of Innocence is Leon Belmont, a for-
mer baron and member of the Belmont clan.* [11] His
close friend, Mathias Cronqvist, tells him that Leon's be-
trothed, Sara, is being held captive by the vampire Walter
Bernhard.* [12]* [13] During the game, he encounters Ri-
naldo Gandolfi, an alchemist and resident of the forest Promotion at the 2003 Electronic Entertainment Expo
outside Walterʼs castle.* [14]
Directed by Koji Igarashi, Lament of Innocence was un-
Arriving on the castle grounds, Leon meets Rinaldo, who veiled at the 2003 Electronic Entertainment Expo in
gives him a whip crafted by alchemy to assist in killing Los Angeles, California, United States, from May 14–
the monsters and enchants his gauntlet so he is able to 16.* [28] Lament of Innocence marks the first appearance
use magic relics within the castle.* [15]* [16] Leon also of the series on the PlayStation 2 and is third in the se-
learns that he must defeat five monsters to gain access to ries to make use of a three-dimensional (3D) format, af-
Walter's throne room.* [17] Arriving at the castle, Leon ter the Nintendo 64 installments Castlevania (1999) and
proceeds to defeat the five monsters, including Joachim, Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (1999).* [1] The game's
a vampire kept prisoner in the castle by Walter.* [18] Be- title in Japan, simply Castlevania, was meant to reflect
fore dying, Joachim mentions the Ebony and Crimson the fact that Igarashi intended Lament of Innocence to
Stones, both of which are created from alchemy,* [19] and
be a new starting point for the series.* [29] Envisioning
explains to Leon that the Ebony Stone can produce dark- the concept of the game as possessing “fully connected
ness.* [20] From Rinaldo, Leon learns that the Crimson
rooms,”Igarashi found that this hindered the map's acces-
Stone converts the souls of vampires into power for its sibility and made the puzzles more difficult to solve.* [29]
holder.* [19]
He then divided the map into separate ones for each area
After Leon reaches Walterʼs quarters, he rescues Sara and "[kept] the puzzles contained within each area.”* [29]
and attempts to slay him with the whip, to no effect. At While Igarashi“extended a 2D game style into 3D,”the
Rinaldo's cottage, it is revealed that Sara is slowly be- 3D environment proved to be quite different, possessing
coming a vampire.* [21] Rinaldo reveals that Leon must less precision.* [29] According to Igarashi, the 2D games
sacrifice Sara to make the whip effective against Wal- proved easier to create, as the player could easily under-
ter.* [21] Overhearing their conversation, Sara begs him stand all elements of the 2D game, such as the location of
to kill her and use her soul to save others from suffer- the monster and where the player character should run or
ing her fate.* [22] Leon reluctantly completes the ritual, attack.* [29] Despite these trade-offs, he enjoyed that the
creating the Vampire Killer whip. 3D graphics contributed to creating a “reality-based en-
Devastated by the loss of Sara, Leon returns to the castle vironment”in gaming.* [29] The team completed Lament
to confront Walter and defeats him. Death takes Wal- of Innocence, with time left over to further refine the bal-
ter's soul and offers it up to Mathias; Mathias appears ance of the game's elements; as a result, the game be-
and reveals he had orchestrated everything to obtain his came progressively difficult as the team grew accustomed
soul and convert it into power for himself using the Crim- to it, according to Igarashi.* [29] Promotion for the game
son Stone.* [23] Mathias explains that he chose immortal- in Japan included pop singer Sonim dressed as its protag-
ity as a vampire so he could curse God for taking away onist.* [29]
4.20. ''CASTLEVANIA: LAMENT OF INNOCENCE'' 95

Lament of Innocence continues the style begun in transition the series from a 2D side-scrolling style of
Symphony of the Night (PlayStation, 1997), with Ayami gameplay to a 3D one with Lament of Innocence was
Kojima as illustrator and Michiru Yamane as com- positively received.* [2]* [3]* [35] The Official PlayStation
poser.* [29] Although Castlevania installments typicallyMagazine stated: “Proof that a Castlevania game can be
feature many arrangements of music that had appeared done in 3D while retaining the essence of the series with
in earlier games, Igarashi limited the number of arrange-
great music and gameplay, and a stylized look. There's
ments that could appear in Lament of Innocence to one still room for improvement, but it's a great new begin-
ning.”* [34] Reviewers criticized the hallways and rooms
or two, because the game served as the origins of the se-
ries.* [29] Yamane made use of a wide range of styles, as repetitive,* [2]* [3]* [6] and the gaming camera was a
including dance music, solos on the piano, instrumental mixed bag for reviewers. Times Online found it “excel-
arias, and industrial rock.* [2] lent, itʼs like a good referee ̶you donʼt even notice
it most of the time,”* [34] while PALGN and Jeremy
Dunham of IGN found the angles unhelpful when plat-
4.20.4 Release forming.* [2]* [38] Other criticism included the difficulty
in uncovering the secret items,* [35] length of the game-
The game was released on October 21, 2003, in North play,* [4]* [6] absence of a map for the entire castle,* [6]
America,* [30] on November 27, 2003, in Japan,* [31] and that the player had to search for and use inventory
and on February 13, 2004, in Europe.* [30] A Japanese items as a battle was occurring.* [4]
limited edition was released simultaneously and con- The plot of the series was generally positively re-
tained bonus content: a painting by Kojima, a calendar, ceived.* [34]* [36]* [38] GameSpy praised it as“forebod-
and a music CD.* [31] In Japan, Lament of Innocence saw ing and well-played -- ahead of the curve for a genre best
a re-release under the Konami Dendou Collection label known for making the player bite back laughs at fatuous
on March 2, 2006.* [32] The game was released for the melodrama,”* [36] while GMR Magazine stated: “The
PlayStation Network on June 18, 2013.* [33] story is treated with respect and subtle class (that is, if you
desregard the lackluster dialogue), with the conclusion
providing the foundation for the many eventual battles be-
4.20.5 Reception tween the Belmonts & Dracula.”* [34] IGN wrote that it
borrowed elements from the film Bram Stoker's Dracula
Review aggregator Metacritic shows an averaged score of (1992).* [2] Additionally, reviewers generally praised it
79 out of 100, indicating “generally favorable reviews.” for the atmosphere* [2]* [4]* [3] and details of the graph-
*
[34] Edge stated: “While it's not as cleverly structured ics.* [2]* [4]* [6] According to GamePro's Mike Weigand,
as the pinnacle of the series, 'Symphony of the Night,' it "[t]here's atmosphere to burn, too, as the vivid graph-
resurrects that game's hallmarks of seductive exploration ics bring shadows, fog, brick, and other surroundings to
and satisfying topographical progress. It breathes new life.”* [4] Conversely, GameZone felt that the graphics,
life back into one of videogaming's oldest franchises.” though nice, looked dated.* [37] The voice acting drew
*
[34] Play wrote: “A bold success as an incendiary ac- mixed reactions from reviewers, from well-done* [38] to
tion game, brilliantly nuanced in its mechanics and full of overdone* [6] and“terrible.”* [37] In contrast the sound-
atmospheric appeal. And it's also a fantastic version of track was generally praised as fitting,* [2]* [3]* [35]* [36]
Castlevania... My criticism comes, mostly, from imagin- although PALGN wrote that sometimes it felt out of
ing the triumphant possibilities a Castlevania adventure place.* [38]
holds.”* [34] According to Game Informer, the game
"[a]lmost feels like an exercise (albeit a beautiful-looking Lament of Innocence has also been examined in ret-
one) exploring many of the franchise's classic compo- rospective. 1UP.com's Kurt Kalata wrote that the
nents. But the end result just proves that Castlevania is “dungeon-crawling gameplay and repetitive environ-
more than a set of ideas, it's a gameplay experience that ments”prevented Lament of Innocence from succeeding
remains not fully realized.”* [34] Conversely, Jeremy Jas- as a game. According to Kalata, the controls and feel
trzab of PALGN wrote in an unfavorable review:“If you of the game *
were improved over the Nintendo 64 install-
want to walk around a large repetitive castle, Castlevania: ments. [40] According to Mark Bozon of IGN, the game
*
Lament of Innocence will do the job for you.”[38] Game continued the“style and presentation as previous Castle-
*
Informer's Tim Turi felt that it was a“decent action game vania games.” [10] PALGN's David Low noted that the
for its time”though he also felt it was too linear and wasn't game was not commercially successful and wrote that the
worthy enough to be a Castlevania game. [39] * Nintendo 64 installments of the series had more ambi-
tion, with Castlevania of the Nintendo 64 remaining the
The gameplay of Lament of Innocence received gener- “definitive 3D Castlevania game”. Finding Lament of
ally positive reaction from reviewers, who praised it as Innocence enjoyable for a little bit of time with poten-
enjoyable, though not complex* [2]* [3] and “intuitive.” tial for a sequel, Low expressed his disappointment that,
*
[36] A reviewer for GameZone drew comparisons of while the Castlevania installments for the handheld game
Lament of Innocence's gameplay to that of Devil May consoles were gaining depth and refinement in his opin-
Cry (2001).* [37] Overall, the developers' attempt to re-
96
ion, PS2 players were presented with “an undeveloped
and repetitive action game”.* [1]
The game has also attracted scholarly analysis. In their
study of religion in video games (2007), William Sims
Bainbridge and Wilma Alice Bainbridge examined sev- [12] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlaySta-
eral offline and online video games, among them Lament
of Innocence. Bainsbridge and Bainsbridge note that holy
water and a cross, both religious items, aid the protago-
nist in his quest, sometimes better than his axe, knife or
whip; they suggest the holy water and cross are "[t]he only
*
help religion offers”in the game. [41] [13] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
4.20.6 Notes
[1] This made it the fourth installment in the series to be sim-
ply titled Castlevania in the PAL region.* [1]
[2] Lament of Innocence's story takes place earlier than the
prequel Castlevania Legends (Game Boy, 1997), which
depicts the first battle between the Belmont clan and Drac-
ula in 1450;* [1]* [8] Legends was later removed from the
series' canon by Igarashi, for its conflict with the timeline
of the series.* [9]
4.20.7 References
[1] Low, David (2006-01-18).“Franchise Mode #11 - Castl-
evania, Part 2”. PALGN. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
[2] Dunham, Jeremy (2003-10-20). “Castlevania: Lament
of Innocence”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment. pp. 1–4.
Retrieved 2008-02-08.
[3] “Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Review for PlaySta-
tion 2”. GameSpot. CBS Interactive. pp. 1–3. Retrieved
2010-10-07.
[4] MAJORMIKE (2006-05-02). “Review: Castlevania:
Lament of Innocence”. GamePro. Archived from the
original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
[5] “Goodies ̶Castlevania: Lament of Innocence guide”.
ign.com. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original
on 2006-01-11. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
[6] Fahey, Rob (2004-03-05). “Castlevania: Lament of In-
nocence PlayStation 2 Review”. Eurogamer. Retrieved
2010-10-10.
[7] “Secrets ̶Castlevania: Lament of Innocence guide”.
ign.com. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original
on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2010-10-05.
[8] Bozon, Mark (2007-01-19). “Castlevania: The Retro-
spective”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment. p. 6. Retrieved
2013-09-22.
[9] Kalata, Kurt (2007-07-26).“Tales from the Crypt: Castl-
evania 20th Anniversary Blow-Out”. 1UP.com. p. 5.
Retrieved 2013-09-22.
[10] Bozon, Mark. “Castlevania: The Retrospective – Page
7”. ign.com. IGN Entertainment. p. 7. Retrieved 2010-
10-07.
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
[11] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Rinaldo: Leon... You're not Baron Leon
Belmont? / Leon: Just Leon Belmont. I have given up
my title.
tion 2. Konami. Narrator: One night Mathias struggles
from his sickbed and tells Leon that the appearance of the
monsters is tied to a vampire, who has a castle in the For-
est called Eternal Night, and that Leon's betrothed, Sara,
has been kidnapped and brought to the castle.
2. Konami. Narrator: Leon Belmont, a courageous man
who feared nothing and whose combat abilities were sec-
ond to none, and Mathias Cronqvist, a genius tactician,
whose learning made him an exception in a largely illiter-
ate society. They trusted each other completely and they
were bound by an old friendship.
[14] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Leon: Why are you living in a place like
this? / Rinaldo: I have unfinished business with Walter
Bernhard, the master of this forest.
[15] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Rinaldo: Take this with you. It will help you
against the monsters. / Leon: What is this? / Rinaldo: A
whip made with alchemy.
[16] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Rinaldo: The gauntlet is enchanted now. /
Leon: A spell? / Rinaldo: Some enemies' attacks release
a special power. If you block them with the gauntlet, you
can gather that power. / Leon: What can I do with that
gathered power? / Rinaldo: You will be able to use the
magical relics by releasing that power.
[17] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Rinaldo: The door leading to his throne is
guarded by five monsters / Leon: So I will need to defeat
them first.
[18] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Leon: Why is a vampire locked away here?
/ Joachim: Shut up! Damn Walter. I would have won,
were it not for his Ebony Stone.
[19] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Rinaldo: Have you ever heard of the Philoso-
pher's Stone? / Leon: No, I haven't. / Rinaldo: Making
the Philosopher's Stone is the ultimate goal of alchemy. It
provides eternal youth. The two other stones were appar-
ently created accidentally. No details of how they were
made remain now. / Leon: I see. I know about the Ebony
Stone, but what kind of power does the Crimson Stone
have? / Rinaldo: I don't know the details. It turns the
souls of vampires into power for its master.
[20] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Leon: You promised, answer me. What is the
Ebony Stone? / Joachim: A stone created from alchemy.
It creates neverending darkness.
[21] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Rinaldo: She is not a vampire yet to be pre-
cise, she would be aware of it... but as time passes, she
4.21. ''CASTLEVANIA: DAWN OF SORROW'' 97

will gradually lose her humanity. Like my daughter. / [30] Calvert, Justin (2003-11-20).“PS2 Castlevania dated for
Leon: Is there anything I can do? / Rinaldo: The only Europe”. GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2013-
thing would be to defeat Walter immediately. [...] Let me 09-29.
ask you this. Can you kill that girl? / Leon: What are
you saying? / Rinaldo: If you make the whip complete, [31] “Castlevania: Lament of Innocence limited edition”.
you can destroy him. But in order to do that, you need GameSpot. CBS Interactive. 2003-09-16. Retrieved
a tainted soul... one that trusts you and one that you can 2010-10-09.
trust. [32] “Castlevania: Lament of Innocence For PlayStation 2”.
[22] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
2. Konami. Sara: If my soul can save others, then I will [33] Chieng, Kevin (2013-06-17). “PS2 Classic Castlevania:
not die in vain. I do not want anyone else to suffer my fate. Lament of Innocence Comes to PSN Tomorrow”. Game
[23] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation Trailers. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
2. Konami. Death: I shall take your soul! This power... I [34] “Castlevania: Lament of Innocence For PlayStation
offer to the king who wields the Crimson Stone! / Math- 2 Reviews, Rating, Credits, and More at Metacritic”.
ias: Excellent... I never spent a better night. [...] You Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
didn't disappoint me, Leon. I knew without a doubt you
would accomplish this. / Leon: What is the meaning of [35] 1UP.com staff (2004-05-09). “Castlevania: Lament of
this? / Mathias: I needed a powerful vampire's soul. That Innocence (PS2)". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
is all. / Leon: Are you saying you used me?! / Mathias:
Not just you. Your betrothed, Sara, Rinaldo, and Wal- [36] Nutt, Christian (October 2003). “Castlevania: Lament
ter... I used all of you. I never thought it would go so well, of Innocence (PS2)". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment.
though. / Leon: Is that- that stone the Crimson Stone? Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved
2013-09-18.
[24] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Leon: I sense a rage from this whip... Math- [37] jkdmedia (2003-10-16). “Castlevania: Lament of Inno-
ias! You abandoned humanity?! / Mathias: That's right! cence - PS2 - Review”. GameZone. Retrieved 2013-09-
By becoming a vampire, I obtained eternal life. That was 18.
my goal. It was my revenge against God! / Leon: Revenge
[38] Jastrzab, Jeremy (2006-01-25).“Castlevania: Lament of
against God?! / Mathias: We have risked our lives and
Innocence Review”. PALGN. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
fought for the sake of God... But God mercilessly stole
away the one I loved most... When all I ever wished for [39] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
was Elisabetha's safety!! If limited life is God's decree, Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
then I shall defy it!! And within that eternity, I shall curse
Him forevermore! [40] Kalata, Kurt (2006-07-26).“Tales from the Crypt: Castl-
evania 20th Anniversary Blow-Out”. 1UP.com. p. 3.
[25] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation Retrieved 2013-09-17.
2. Konami. Mathias: Then come with me. I will give
you eternity, too. / Leon: You wretched fool. [41] Bainsbridge, William Sims; Bainsbridge, Wilma Alice
(2007). “Electronic Game Research Methodologies:
[26] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation Studying Religious Implications”. Review of Religious
2. Konami. Death: To think that I would be... / Leon: I Research (Religious Research Association, Inc) 49 (1):
now have the power to destroy all related to the vampires. 35–53. JSTOR 20447471.
Though you have divine powers, you are no exception. /
Death: Unfortunately for you, as long as my master sur-
vives, I will rise from the dead... / Leon: I see. Give him 4.20.8 External links
this message: You now have become a cursed being and
I will never forgive you. This whip and my kinsmen will • Official website (archived)
destroy you someday. From this day on, the Belmont clan
will hunt the night. • Castlevania: Lament of Innocence at MobyGames
[27] Konami (2003-10-23). Lament of Innocence. PlayStation
2. Konami. Narrator: Mathias goes into hiding in for-
eign lands and continues to curse God for eternity. Even- 4.21 ''Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
tually, he renames himself Lord of the Vampires, King of
the Night.
row''
[28] Varanini, Giancarlo (2003-02-23). “Castlevania coming Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, known in Japan as Aku-
to the PS2 this fall”. GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Re- majō Dracula: Sōgetsu no Jūjika (悪魔城ドラキュラ
trieved 2010-10-09. 蒼⽉の⼗字架, literally Devil's Castle Dracula: Cross of
*
[29] Nutt, Christian (October 2003). “Igarashi & Yamane on the Blue Moon), [2] is an action-adventure game devel-
Lament of Innocence”. GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. oped and published by Konami. It is part of Konami's
pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on 2005-03-11. Re- Castlevania video game series and the first Castlevania
trieved 2013-09-29. game to be released on the Nintendo DS. The game is the
 98 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

sequel to Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and incorporates

many elements from its predecessor. Dawn of Sorrow
was commercially successful, selling more than 15,000
units in its first week in Japan and 164,000 units in the
United States three months after its initial release.* [3]* [4]
Dawn of Sorrow continues the story of Aria of Sorrow,
in which Dracula has been completely defeated, and his
powers assumed by his reincarnation, Soma Cruz. With
the help of his allies, Soma avoids becoming the new dark
lord. A cult forms to bring forth a new dark lord by killing
Soma. Soma and his allies move to ensure that a new dark
lord is not created.
Dawn of Sorrow incorporates many features from pre-
vious Castlevania games: the combination of elements
from platform games and role-playing video games, the
“Tactical Soul”system featured in Aria of Sorrow, and
a dark, gothic atmosphere.* [5]* [6] Dawn of Sorrow also
introduces new gameplay elements, such as the “Magic
Seal”system, which requires the use of the DS stylus to
draw a pattern in order to defeat powerful enemies,* [5] a
distinctive anime character design,* [7] and a multiplayer
mode, where two players compete for fastest times on
a prerendered level.* [6] The game received high scores
from many video game publications, and was considered
one of the best games on the Nintendo DS for 2005. The
game was re-released in Japan on June 29, 2006 and later
in North America during 2007 as part of the “Konami
An image of gameplay, with the primary character, Soma Cruz,
the Best”line.* [1] using the Flame Demon soul. The upper screen shows the char-
acter's statistics and information on the enemy.

4.21.1 Gameplay
During the game, the player controls the onscreen charac-
ter from a third-person perspective to interact with peo-
ple, objects, and enemies. Like previous games in the
series and most role-playing games, characters level up
each time they earn a set number of experience points
from defeating enemies; each level gained increases the
character's statistics, thus improving their performance in
battle. Statistic examples include hit points, the amount
of damage a character can receive; magic points, which
determine the number of times a character can use mag-
ical attacks; strength, the power of a character's physical
attacks; and intelligence, the power of a character's mag-
ical spells.* [8] Upon encountering an enemy, the player
can use a variety of weapons to attack and defeat the en-
emy. Despite the game being set in 2036, the weapon
choices are largely medieval, including swords, axes, and
spears, although handguns and a rocket-propelled grenade
are available.* [5] These weapons differ in their damage
output, the range of the weapon, and the speed of the at-
tack.* [9]
Dawn of Sorrow, similar to most games in the Castle-
vania series, is set in a castle, which is further subdi-
vided into various areas.* [5] Areas of the castle differ
in their composition, including monsters and terrain fea-
tures. In addition, each area has its own unique piece of
theme music that plays while the player remains in that
area.* [5] The character moves around the environment
based on the player's choices; however, the areas the char-
acter can move into are restricted based upon the items
the player has, similar to most platform games.* [5] Pro-
gression, however, is not linear, as players are free to ex-
plore the parts of the castle they have access to, and can
backtrack or move forward as they see fit.* [5]
Tactical Soul
The primary method for the player to gain additional abil-
ities in the game is the absorption of souls via the Tacti-
cal Soul system, which was originally featured in Aria of
Sorrow.* [6] Except for human enemies and the game's fi-
nal opponent, all enemies' souls can be absorbed by the
player. The chances for absorbing a soul varies on the en-
emy, as certain enemies will release souls more regularly
than others.* [10] The player can absorb multiple copies
of the same soul; many of these souls will increase in ef-
fectiveness depending on the number of the same soul a
player possesses.* [9] Souls provide a variety of effects,
and are separated into four categories: Bullet, Guardian,
Enchant, and Ability souls. The player can only have
one type of Bullet, Guardian, and Enchant soul equipped
at any given time. However, when the player acquires
4.21. ''CASTLEVANIA: DAWN OF SORROW''
the “Dopplegänger”soul, the player can have two dif-
ferent weapon and soul setups, and switch between them
at will.* [6] Players can trade souls wirelessly using two
Dawn of Sorrow game cards.* [6]
Bullet souls are often projectiles, and consume a set
amount of magic points upon use.* [11] Guardian souls
provide continuous effects, including transforming into
mythical creatures, defensive abilities, and the summon-
ing of familiars.* [11] The movement and attacking of
familiars can be directly controlled with the stylus.* [5]
Guardian souls continually drain magic points so long
as they are activated.* [11] Several Guardian souls can
be used in conjunction with Bullet souls to execute spe-
cial attacks called Tactical Soul combos.* [12] Enchant
souls offer statistical bonuses and resistance against sev-
eral forms of attack. They are passive, and require no
magic points to remain active.* [13] Ability souls give the
player new abilities and are required to move into certain
areas of the castle. They are always active, and therefore
not equipped, nor do they consume magic points.* [13]
Some examples include the ability to break ice blocks
with the stylus, and the ability to double-jump.* [13]
Souls can alternatively be spent to permanently transform
a character's weapon.* [14] At Yoko Belnades' shop, the
player can remove certain souls from their inventory in or-
der to change their weapon into a stronger form.* [5] Cer-
tain weapons can only be acquired through using souls to
strengthen a lesser form of the weapon.* [5] Souls are also
used in the “Enemy Set”mode, where a player builds a
custom scenario.* [15] The player can place monsters in-
side rooms if the player has acquired the monster's soul in
the main game, but boss enemies cannot be added to any
scenario, even if the player has the boss' soul.* [15] Two
players, using two Nintendo DS consoles, can compete
in these scenarios, with the winner being the one with the 4.21.2
fastest time in completing the course.* [14]
Setting
Magic Seal
A Magic Seal presented after reducing a boss's health to zero. game.* [5] The future setting of both Aria of Sorrow and
The Magic Seal system is a new feature introduced ula's defeat, was a result of Koji Igarashi wanting to take
99
in Dawn of Sorrow, and makes use of the DS touch-
screen.* [14] Once the player reduces the hit points of a
"boss" enemy to zero, a circle will appear, and the game
will automatically draw a pattern connecting any num-
ber of smaller circles on the circumference of the larger
circle.* [16] After this, the player is prompted to draw
the same pattern on the touchscreen in a set amount of
time.* [5] If the player fails to draw the pattern accurately
within the time limit, the boss will regain health and the
battle will resume.* [17] If successful, the boss will be de-
feated.* [17] More powerful boss enemies require higher
level Magic Seals, which have more intricate and com-
plex patterns as the level increases and are found over the
course of the game.
Julius Mode
After the player completes the game with either the worst
ending or the best ending, Julius Mode is unlocked, simi-
lar to the Julius Mode in Aria of Sorrow.* [6] Julius Mode,
in storyline terms, follows the assumption that Soma suc-
cumbed to his dark power, and became the new dark
lord.* [18] A new game can then be started from the main
menu in Julius Mode.* [19] In Julius Mode, the playable
characters include Julius Belmont, Yoko Belnades, and
Alucard.* [20] Each character has a weapon and an assort-
ment of abilities unique to them, and although these abil-
ities remain static throughout the entire game, the char-
acters' statistics can improve by acquiring enough expe-
rience points to level up.* [20] The castle layout and ene-
mies are the same, with the exception of the final battle,
which is against Soma.* [21]
Plot
Dawn of Sorrow is set in the fictional universe of the
Castlevania series. The primary premise of the series is
the struggle of the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan
against the vampire Dracula and his legacy. Before the
events of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Dracula was per-
manently defeated and his castle sealed within a solar
eclipse.* [22] With Dracula dead, a prophecy relating to
who would inherit his powers drove the events of Aria of
Sorrow, with the protagonist, Soma Cruz, realizing that
he was Dracula's reincarnation.* [23]* [24] Soma manages
to escape his fate of becoming the new dark lord with the
help of his allies.* [24] Dawn of Sorrow takes place one
year after the events of Aria of Sorrow, where Soma be-
lieves that his inherited powers have been lost.* [25] The
majority of the game is played inside a copy of Dracula's
castle, which is further subdivided into several areas that
the player must venture through over the course of the
Dawn of Sorrow, as well as starting a storyline after Drac-
100 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

a “different route”with Aria of Sorrow.* [9]* [22] dark lord by destroying Soma.* [27] He later encounters
Dmitrii and is able to defeat him. Soma gains dominance
over his soul, although he acquires no abilities.* [33] As
Characters Soma travels further, he comes upon Dario. Soma bests
him, and Celia teleports Dario away from harm.
Main article: List of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and
Dawn of Sorrow characters Soma meets Arikado, who is initially angered by Soma's
presence, but accepts the situation. He gives Soma a let-
ter and a talisman from Mina. Soma briefs Arikado on
The primary playable character in Dawn of Sorrow is the current situation, and Arikado leaves to locate Dario.
Soma Cruz, the reincarnation of Dracula, the longtime Soma comes upon Dario and Julius, with the latter de-
antagonist of the Castlevania series.* [26] He is supported feated due to his inability to use the Magic Seals.* [34]
in his quest by Mina Hakuba, the daughter of the priest Dario retreats, instructing Soma to fight him in the cas-
of the Hakuba shrine; Genya Arikado, a mysterious gov- tle's throne room. Soma does so, lambasting Dario for
ernment agent dealing primarily with the supernatural; only desiring power, and promising to defeat him.* [35]
Julius Belmont, the latest member of the Belmont clan of Before the battle begins, Soma uses one of his souls to
vampire hunters featured in the series; Yoko Belnades, transport himself into the mirror in the room, revealing
a witch in the service of the Roman Catholic Church; Aguni, the flame demon sealed within Dario's soul. Soma
and Hammer, a vendor of military material who retains a defeats Aguni, leaving Dario powerless. As Dario flees,
large information network.* [26] Celia arrives, and instructs Soma to come to the castle's
A cult, dedicated to the resurrection of the dark lord, center.
serves as the game's antagonists. Celia Fortner is a Upon arriving, Soma is forced to watch Celia kill Mina.
shadow priestess at the head of the cult, and seeks to Furious, he begins to succumb to his dark power.* [36]
revive the dark lord in order to prevent the loss of her The talisman that Mina gave Soma is able to slow the
magical powers.* [26] Dmitrii Blinov and Dario Bossi are transformation, enabling Arikado to arrive in time to in-
Celia's primary lieutenants, the former a ruthless manip- form Soma that the “Mina”that Celia killed was a
ulator and the latter a vicious firebrand.* [26] They are doppelgänger.* [37] This aborts the transformation, but a
the “dark lord's candidates,”born on the day Dracula soul exits Soma and enters the doppelgänger, which takes
was slain, and thus can assume the mantle of dark lord on the appearance of Dmitrii. Dmitrii states that when
by destroying Dracula's soul, which is present in Soma Soma defeated him he allowed himself to be absorbed,
Cruz.* [27] wishing to use his powers to copy Soma's ability of dom-
inance over the souls of Dracula's minions. He then leaves
Story with Celia to absorb the souls of many powerful demons
and monsters in an attempt to increase his power.* [38]
One year after the events in Aria of Sorrow, Soma is liv- Soma and Arikado chase after the two, and find them in
ing peacefully, and believes that his powers have been the castle's basement. Dmitrii, using Celia as a sacrifice,
lost.* [25] A woman who identifies herself as Celia Fort- seals Arikado's powers, and engages Soma. However, his
ner, appears and summons several monsters. Arikado ar- soul is unable to bear the strain of controlling the demons
rives to help Soma defeat the monsters, after which Soma he has absorbed, and they erupt out of him, combining
absorbs their souls. Celia retreats, proclaiming that she into one gargantuan creature called Menace. Soma man-
will destroy Soma. Soma expresses disbelief at the re- ages to defeat it, but the souls that composed the demon
turn of his powers, but Arikado reveals that his powers begin to fall under Soma's dominance. He becomes over-
were never lost, only dormant.* [28] He informs Soma whelmed and rejects them, fleeing from the castle with
that Celia is the head of a cult that seeks the resurrec- Arikado. Soma is conflicted over the present situation,
tion of the dark lord.* [29] He leaves, instructing Soma as he believes that it was his responsibility to become
not to pursue Celia. the dark lord and that the events of the game were a re-
sult of him not accepting this responsibility, but Arikado
Soma, however, uses information acquired from Ham- convinces him that his fate is not fixed.* [39] Soma then
mer to locate the cult's base, a facsimile of Dracula's cas- shares a tender moment with Mina, much to the amuse-
tle.* [30] Hammer arrives, and as he has left the military, ment of his onlooking friends.
agrees to help Soma by opening up a shop in the cas-
tle.* [31] After entering the castle, Soma encounters Yoko
and Julius Belmont. As Julius leaves, Soma escorts Yoko 4.21.3 Development
to a safe location. During this time, she instructs him in
the use of a Magic Seal, which is necessary to defeat cer- The production of Dawn of Sorrow was announced on
tain monsters in the castle.* [32] As Soma travels farther January 6, 2005 as the first Castlevania game to be re-
into the castle, he meets Celia, who is flanked by two men, leased on the Nintendo DS.* [40] Longtime Castlevania
Dmitrii Blinov and Dario Bossi. Celia explains their na- producer Koji Igarashi was in charge of the produc-
ture as the“dark lord's candidates,”who can become the tion.* [40] The choice to use the Nintendo DS in favor of
4.21. ''CASTLEVANIA: DAWN OF SORROW''
Longtime Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi led the production
team.
the Sony PlayStation Portable was due to Aria of Sorrow's
success on Nintendo's Game Boy Advance, and Igarashi's
observations during the 2005 E3 Media and Business
Summit of both consoles.* [41] Igarashi felt that the sto-
ryline with Soma Cruz and the Tactical Soul system were
a waste to only use in one game, contributing to his de-
sire to make a sequel.* [42] The original design team from
Aria of Sorrow, as well as numerous new additions from
Konami Tokyo, was involved in the production of Dawn
of Sorrow.* [7] Igarashi intended to include a white col-
lar Japanese worker in the game.* [42] This worker would
be a manager in a Japanese firm and have a family as
well.* [42] However, the development team's opposition
to this idea forced him to drop this prospect.* [42]
The use of the technical features of the Nintendo DS was
one of the production team's principal concerns during
development.* [42] The DS touch screen was a primary
point of interest, and several functions, such as picking
up items on the screen and moving them, were originally
intended to be incorporated.* [42] However, scheduling
problems forced the development team to abandon many
of these ideas.* [42] Igarashi's primary concern with using
the touch screen was that it would detract from“the Castl-
evania pure action gameplay,”in which the player would
have to slow down play in order to use the stylus.* [43]
The DS microphone was looked at during development,
but Igarashi noted that although he found humorous uses
for it, it was never seriously considered for inclusion into
the game.* [42]
For the graphical representations of the numerous en-
emies in the game, Igarashi had sprites from previous
Castlevania games such as Castlevania: Symphony of
the Night reused, and the development team redesigned
101
them for use on the Nintendo DS.* [7] Unlike most recent
Castlevania games, Ayami Kojima did not participate in
the character designs for Dawn of Sorrow.* [7]* [44] In-
stead, the characters were drawn in a distinctive anime
style. This was done due to influence from producer Koji
Igarashi, who wanted to market the game to a younger
audience.* [7] Aria of Sorrow's sales figures did not meet
expectations, and as a result, Igarashi consulted Kon-
ami's sales department. The staff concluded that the de-
mographics of the Game Boy Advance did not line up
with the series' target age group.* [44] Igarashi believed
that the Nintendo DS inherently attracted a younger au-
dience, and he was working to court them with the
anime style.* [44]* [45] Furthermore, Igarashi considered
the anime style a litmus test for whether future Castle-
vania games would incorporate it.* [46] Kojima's hiatus
was also to allow her to concentrate upon her character
designs for Castlevania: Curse of Darkness.* [7]* [44]
Audio
The game's music was composed by Michiru Yamane
and Masahiko Kimura.* [47] Yamane, a longtime com-
poser of music for the Castlevania series, had previ-
ously worked on the music of Castlevania games such as
Symphony of the Night and Aria of Sorrow,* [48] while
Kimura had developed the music for Castlevania on the
Nintendo 64.* [49] In an interview, Yamane noted that she
made the music“simple”and“easy to recognize,”sim-
ilar to her work on previous Castlevania games, and she
specifically drew a parallel between her work on Castle-
vania games for the Game Boy Advance and her music in
Dawn of Sorrow.* [50] Igarashi, present in the interview,
asserted that making music for handheld game consoles,
regardless of the type, is largely the same, although he ac-
cepted that the DS's sound capabilities were much better
than those of the Game Boy Advance's.* [50]
4.21.4 Reception
Dawn of Sorrow has received critical acclaim from many
video game publications, with several hailing it as the
best Nintendo DS game of 2005. In Japan, the game
sold over 15,000 units in its first week, acquiring the
number ten slot in software sales.* [3] The game sold
over 164,000 copies three months after its release in the
United States.* [4] The game was later re-released in both
Japan and North America as part of Konami's“Konami
the Best”line.* [1]
Many reviewers noted that despite being highly similar to
Aria of Sorrow, it managed to define itself as a standalone
title. GameSpot commented that Dawn of Sorrow suc-
ceeded in continuing 2D games as a definite genre, and
that it“keeps that flame burning as bright as ever”.* [5] In
addition, GameSpot considered it for the accolade of best
Nintendo DS game of 2005, with the prize ultimately go-
 102
ing to Mario Kart DS.* [56] Editors at IGN awarded Dawn
of Sorrow the prize of best adventure game on the DS for
2005.* [57]
The gameplay, the Tactical Soul system in particular, re-
ceived praise from reviewers. The sheer depth of abil-
ities from the numerous souls found in the game was
lauded, and IGN believed that the ability to have two cus-
tomizable “profiles”of different abilities was “an ex-
tremely handy idea”.* [5]* [6] The relative difficulty of
the game and its length was also brought into question,
with GameSpot noting that the game could be finished in
five hours and “is fairly easy as far as Castlevania games
go”.* [5]
GameSpot extolled the game's animation and graphics,
describing the backgrounds as “intricate and gorgeous”
and the individual animation, especially of enemies, as
one of the game's“highlights”.* [5] IGN echoed this as-
sessment, calling the animation“stunning and fluid,”and
noted the differences in graphics between Aria of Sor-
row and Dawn of Sorrow, stating that the latter was on a
“broader and more impressive scale”.* [6] The utilization
of an anime style of drawing the characters, as versus the
traditional gothic presentation of illustrator Ayami Ko-
jima in previous Castlevania games, was lambasted by re-
viewers. GameSpy deplored the“shallow, lifeless anime
images”used for the characters and Kojima's absence
from the production.* [14] IGN believed the new images
were “down to the level of 'generic Saturday morning
Anime' quality”.* [6] The audio by Michiru Yamane and
Masahiko Kimura was highly regarded, with GameSpot
stating that it was “heads and shoulders above [Aria of
Sorrow]".* [5] IGN noted that the DS dual speaker system
presented the audio “extraordinarily well”.* [6] In the
review from 1UP.com, the game's score was compared to
the soundtrack of Symphony of the Night, and the sound
quality and compositions considered“excellent”and“ex-
ceptional”respectively.* [9]
The functionality associated with the Nintendo DS,
namely the use of the touch screen and the Magic
Seal system, was subject to criticism from reviewers.
GameSpot noted that it was difficult to use the stylus im-
mediately after the game prompted the player to draw the
Magic Seal, thus forcing the player to use their finger-
nail on the touch screen.* [5] Other functions using the
touch screen, including clearing ice blocks, were viewed
as trivial, with GameSpy labeling it as a“gimmick”.* [14]
However, IGN dismissed the lack of DS functionality as
a major issue, claiming that it “doesn't hurt the product
in the slightest”.* [6]
In 2010, the game was included as one of the titles in
the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You
Die.* [58]
4.21.5 References
[1] “Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow - Release Summary”.
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 15,
2006. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
[2] Konami (2007-10-23). Castlevania: The Dracula X
Chronicles. Konami. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、邪
⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Konami
translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of dark-
ness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
[3] Freund, Josh (2005-08-31). “GAF - News - Japan:
Weekly software sales for 8/22 - 8/28”. gamesare-
fun.com. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
[4] Boulette, Bryan. “RPGamer - Editorials - Crunching
Numbers: DS vs. GBA”. RPGamer. Retrieved 2007-
10-27.
[5] Mueller, Greg (2005-10-05).“Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row Review”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
[6] Harris, Craig (2005-10-04). “Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
[7] Barres, Nick Des. “TGS2005 - Koji Igarashi”. play-
online.com. Archived from the original on September 28,
2007. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
[8] Konami, ed. (2005). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow North
American instruction manual. Konami. p. 10.
[9] Parish, Jeremy (2005-10-03). “Castlevania: Dawn of
Sorrow DS Review”. 1UP.com. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
[10] Konami, ed. (2005). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow North
American instruction manual. Konami. p. 14.
[11] Konami, ed. (2005). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow North
American instruction manual. Konami. p. 12.
[12] Ashby, Alicia; Wilde, Thomas (2005). “Hidden Stuff”
. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Official Strategy Guide.
DoubleJump Publishing. pp. 246–247. ISBN 0-
9741700-7-0.
[13] Konami, ed. (2005). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow North
American instruction manual. Konami. p. 13.
[14] Leeper, Justin (2005-10-04).“Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row Review”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
[15] Konami, ed. (2005). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow North
American instruction manual. Konami. p. 20.
[16] Konami, ed. (2005). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow North
American instruction manual. Konami. p. 6.
[17] Konami, ed. (2005). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow North
American instruction manual. Konami. p. 7.
[18] Julius Belmont: “So...Soma has become the dark lord.
I have no other choice...The battles of the past are to be
waged once again...”/ Genya Arikado: “I had assumed
that he would have equipped the talisman from Mina... It
would have protected him. But alas, I will have to unleash
my power...”Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn
of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
[19] Konami, ed. (2005). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow North
American instruction manual. Konami. p. 4.
4.21. ''CASTLEVANIA: DAWN OF SORROW''
[20] Pavlacka, Adam (2005-10-04). “Castlevania: Dawn of
Sorrow Review | Nintendo DS Game Reviews”. Yahoo!
Games. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
[21] Julius Belmont:“Soma... It's time I fulfilled my promise
to you.”/ Yoko Belnades: “I'm sorry, Soma. I will
free you from your torment.”/ Alucard:“Soma...I never
wanted it to end this way...But I can't allow you to wreak
havoc anymore...”Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania:
Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
[22] Nutt, Christian (2003-01-18). “GameSpy: Castlevania:
Aria of Sorrow Preview”. GameSpy. Archived from the
original on February 10, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
[23] Soma: “So...you are trying to tell me now that Dracula
has been resurrected?" / Graham: “No. Dracula per-
ished in 1999. You do know of the prophecy of 1999,
don't you?" / Soma: “Nostradamus' great prophecy?" /
Graham: “That's right. Dracula resurrected exactly as
he predicted. But vampire hunters destroyed him com-
pletely. They ended his regeneration cycle by sealing his
castle...the symbol of his demonic power, inside the dark-
ness of an eclipse.”/ Soma: “And that eclipse is where
we are now?" / Graham: “Yes, but there's still more to
the story.”/ Soma:“There's more?" / Graham:“In the
year 2035, a new master will come to the castle, and he
will inherit ALL of Dracula's powers.”Konami (2003-05-
06). Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. Game Boy Advance.
Konami Tokyo.
[24] Shoemaker, Brad (2005-05-16). “Castlevania for
DS (working title) Exclusive E3 2005 Hands-On”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-11-03.
[25] Mina Hakuba: “And what was it called? You know,
the ability to use the power of monsters?" / Soma Cruz:
“You mean the power of dominance? I lost it when we es-
caped Dracula's Castle, remember?" Konami (2005-10-
04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Kon-
ami Tokyo.
[26] “Official Castlevania website”. Konami. Archived from
the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-06-09.
[27] Soma Cruz: “So those two are the dark lord's candi-
dates...”/ Celia Fortner: “Correct. They were born at
the same time as Dracula's demise. They are inheritors
of Dracula's dark powers.”/ Soma Cruz: “But that's
no guarantee that they can become the dark lord.”/ Celia
Fortner:“They can. By shattering Dracula's soul.”Kon-
ami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Nin-
tendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
[28] Soma Cruz: “Yeah, I'm fine. But that power...It re-
turned! Arikado, what's going on?" / Genya Arikado:
“The power didn't“return.”It was always with you. You
just never had a need for it since you fled the castle. And
that set free all the souls that you had gained dominance
over.”Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row. Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
[29] Genya Arikado: “They want to resurrect the lord of
darkness. Like some sought to do with Dracula.”/ Soma
Cruz: “I guess they don't like the fact that I didn't be-
come the 'lord of darkness'.”/ Genya Arikado: “Not
103
only that, they intend to create a new lord by eliminating
you.”Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sor-
row. Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
[30] Soma Cruz: “So, the cult's base is here. Hammer's info
wasn't so iffy after all.”Konami (2005-10-04). Castleva-
nia: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
[31] Hammer: “Aw, man... Well, since I'm here, I'd bet-
ter make the best of it. I guess I'm back in business, and
you're my customer!" Konami (2005-10-04). Castleva-
nia: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
[32] Yoko Belnades: “The cult leader appears to create gates
that draw the power of darkness. Monsters exposed to
that power are said to be invincible.”Soma Cruz: “So
how am I supposed to destroy them?" / Yoko Belnades:
“That's where this Magic Seal comes in.”Konami (2005-
10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo DS.
Konami Tokyo.
[33] Soma Cruz: “Unh! What was that? Did I gain dom-
inance over a human soul? No, I gained no power...
But...what was that light?" Konami (2005-10-04). Castl-
evania: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
[34] Julius Belmont: “Watch it. He's tough. Especially for
me, since I can't use Magic Seals.”Konami (2005-10-
04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Kon-
ami Tokyo.
[35] Soma Cruz: “Was there ever any doubt? Power is noth-
ing if you don't know how to use it. I'll never lose to a fool
dominated by his own power like you.”Konami (2005-10-
04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Kon-
ami Tokyo.
[36] Soma Cruz: “If it means getting Mina's revenge, I'll do
it. Make me the dark lord.”Konami (2005-10-04). Castl-
evania: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
[37] Genya Arikado: “That Mina is a fake!" / Celia Fort-
ner: “Arikado! Why must you always get in the way?"
/ Genya Arikado: “How clever of you to use a Dop-
pelganger. Ah, but you haven't won just yet...”Konami
(2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo
DS. Konami Tokyo.
[38] Genya Arikado: “You copied the power of dominance
from Soma?" / Dmitrii Blinov:“Ah, so you understand.
I touched the boy's soul and copied his ability.”Konami
(2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Nintendo
DS. Konami Tokyo.
[39] Soma Cruz: “Then that means there will always be
a need for a dark lord. All because I ducked out from
becoming the next in line!" / Genya Arikado: “Don't
misconstrue me! Perhaps there is a need for the dark
lord...But there is no reason at all for you to become the
dark lord.”/ Soma Cruz:“But if it weren't for me, none
of this would have happened!" / Genya Arikado:“You're
neither a god nor a demon. You're only human. You have
no chance at ever achieving perfection. Or are you saying
you want to be the dark lord?" / Soma Cruz: “No...Of
course not.”Konami (2005-10-04). Castlevania: Dawn
of Sorrow. Nintendo DS. Konami Tokyo.
104 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

[40] “Konami's Renowned Castlevania Series to Make its De- 4.21.6 External links
but on Nintendo DS System”. GameSpot. 2005-01-06.
Retrieved 2007-10-18. • Official website (Japanese)
[41] Berghammer, Billy (2005-01-31).“Castlevania: The Koji • Official Castlevania website
Igarashi Interview”. Game Informer. Archived from the
original on February 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-27.

[42] Berghammer, Billy (2005-07-28). “Castlevania Mania: 4.22 ''Castlevania: Curse of Dark-
The Koji Igarashi Interview”. Game Informer. Archived
from the original on March 1, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-
ness''
18.
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, known in Japan as Aku-
[43] Vore, Bryan (2006-06-22).“Castlevaniaʼs Koji Igarashi:
majō Dracula: Yami no Juin (悪魔城ドラキュラ闇の
Chat of Ruin”. Game Informer. Archived from the orig-
inal on October 13, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
呪印 Akumajō Dorakyura: Yami no Juin, lit. “Devil's
Castle Dracula: Curse of Darkness”), is action adventure
[44] Ashby, Alicia; Wilde, Thomas (2005). “Fan Interview” game developed by Konami for the Xbox and PlayStation
. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Official Strategy Guide. 2. Despite development for both Xbox and PlayStation
DoubleJump Publishing. p. 249. ISBN 0-9741700-7-0. 2, only the PlayStation 2 version was released in Japan.
[45] Sheffield, Brandon (2005-08-15).“Gamasutra - Interview An Xbox version was released throughout Asia under
- “Whip Smart: Konami's Koji Igarashi On Mastering the NTSC-J Format, with English language dialogue. A
Castlevania"". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2007-10-19. manga adaptation was also published by Tokyopop.
[46] Payton, Ryan (2005-11-03). “A new art style for Castl-
evania”. 1UP.com. Retrieved 2007-06-04. 4.22.1 Gameplay
[47] “Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Info”. GameSpot. Re-
trieved 2008-04-10. Being a 3D game like Lament of Innocence before it,
Curse of Darkness differs from its predecessor in a num-
[48] Bozon, Mark (2007-01-18).“IGN: Castlevania: The Ret- ber of ways. It includes a more complex, action/adventure
rospective”. IGN. Archived from the original on Novem- style of gameplay, much like Symphony of the Night and
ber 2, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
Aria of Sorrow. Hector is not a member of the Belmont
[49] “Castlevania Info”. GameFAQs. Retrieved 2007-10-26. clan, so he does not use the “Vampire Killer”whip; in-
stead he has the ability (much like Alucard and Soma
[50] Berghammer, Billy (2005-09-16).“TGS 2005: The Koji
Cruz) to equip a variety of different weapons ranging
Igarashi & Michiru Yamane Interview”. Game Informer.
from swords (both one handed and two handed), spears,
Archived from the original on November 4, 2005. Re-
trieved 2007-10-26. axes (also both one handed and two handed), brass knuck-
les and an extra type called special weapons (which varies
[51] “Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (ds: 2005): Reviews”. from tonfas to gatling guns). However, there is an extra
Metacritic. Retrieved 2007-10-20. gameplay mode after finishing the game that allows play-
[52] “allgame ((( Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow > Overview ers to play as Trevor Belmont, equipped with the“Vam-
)))". Allgame. Retrieved 2008-06-16. pire Killer”and the subweapons which are the knife, axe,
holy water, cross, and stopwatch. The battle system is
[53] Purchese, Rob (2005-10-13). “Castlevania: Dawn of somewhat similar to that of Dynasty Warriors, whereas
Sorrow Review // DS /// Eurogamer”. Eurogamer. Re- one button is used for standard combo attacks, and a sec-
trieved 2008-02-17.
ondary button is used for stronger “finishing attacks”
[54] “Castlevania - Famitsu Scores Archive”. Famitsu. after a singular standard attack or a combo of standard
Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved attacks. As the player acquires progressively stronger
2012-04-11. weapons throughout the game, the number of standard
and finishing attacks the player can perform increases ac-
[55] “G4 - Reviews - Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow”. X-Play.
Retrieved 2007-10-20. cordingly. Each different weapon type has a different set
of combos that can be performed.
[56] “GameSpot's Best of 2005 - Platform Awards”.
GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 30,
Departing from the central hub level layout of Lament
2007. Retrieved 2007-10-20. of Innocence, wherein the player chooses from a num-
ber of distinct stages all accessible from a central hall-
[57] “IGN.com presents The Best of 2005”. IGN. Archived way, Curse of Darkness features a more complete game
from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved 2007- world with a complete castle map as in Symphony of the
10-20. Night. However, the game still uses the same map en-
[58] Mott, Tony (2010). 1001 Video Games You Must Play gine as Lament of Innocence, rather than the square-based
Before You Die. London: Quintessence Editions Ltd. p. grid of 2-D Castlevanias. Furthermore, a noticeable dif-
600. ISBN 978-1-74173-076-0. ference in level design is that much of the game does not
4.22. ''CASTLEVANIA: CURSE OF DARKNESS'' 105

take place in Dracula's castle, but rather exploring forests, own blood to unlock a parallel world called the Infinite
mountains, temples, aqueducts, ruins, and villages in Eu- Corridor, where Isaac is supposedly hiding. However,
rope. The player will be also aided by “Innocent Dev- when Hector fights a Dullahan there, an evil glyph chan-
ils”, which are demonic creatures developed by Hector nels his energy and uses it to summon a new incarnation
himself through the Devil Forgery skill, in order to de- of Dracula's castle. Isaac, who intended this all along,
feat enemies and solve puzzles within the game. They're cruelly stabs Trevor and leaves him for dead.
similar to Alucard's Familiars in Symphony of the Night, Hector enters the new Castlevania, where he fights and
however they level up and evolve together with Hector. defeats his nemesis. As he prepares to kill him in a fit of
The Innocent Devils (commonly referred as I.D.'s) come
rage, he suddenly remembers Julia, who had warned him
in 6 different types. Each I.D. gives specifics bonuses to not to let the Curse take hold of him. Horrified, Hector
Hector's stats.
realizes that his actions are being controlled by Dracula's
In PS2 version only, the player can get the Moai statue. Curse. A triumphant Zead appears and confirms this, ex-
This item can only get it if the player have a cleared file of plaining that the Devil Forgemasters were supposed to
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence on their memory card. fight to the death, with the blood-stained Hector becom-
Conversely, load times are faster in the Xbox version. ing the vessel for the Count's reincarnation. Having se-
cured Isaac's body for this purpose, he reveals himself
to be Death and attacks, in vain. Hector proceeds to fight
4.22.2 Plot Dracula, who is unable to take full control of Isaac's body
and returns to the afterlife. Hector then uses his powers
Setting as a Devil Forgemaster to lift the Curse. Julia comes to his
rescue, and they start a new life together. Meanwhile, St.
Curse of Darkness is set in the year 1479, three years af- Germain departs for the distant future, wondering how
ter the events of Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse. Though the struggle between mankind and Dracula will end.
defeated by vampire hunter Trevor Belmont, Dracula's
curse continues to ravage the European countryside,
spreading disease, mob violence, and heresy in its wake. 4.22.3 Development
Amidst all this devastation is Hector, a Devil Forgemaster
who had formerly worked under the employ of Dracula It was produced by Koji Igarashi (also known as IGA),
but betrayed him sometime during the events of Castleva- who has worked on several other games in the Castlevania
nia III. Eventually growing disgusted with Dracula's bru- series, including Castlevania: Symphony of the Night,
tal methods, Hector leaves Castlevania and relinquishes Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Lament of
his powers to live amongst humans, settling down to live Innocence. Also returning are series artist Ayami Kojima
a peaceful life. When Hector's fiancée Rosaly is ac- and composer Michiru Yamane.
cused of witchcraft and burned at the stake, Hector learns
that her murder was directed by his fellow Forgemaster,
Isaac. Seeking revenge, Hector chases his former col- Audio
league back to his old home, and back to the demonic
life he believed he had left behind him. Michiru Yamane once again composes the music. Gui-
tars, which were omitted from Lament of Innocence's
score, have returned in Curse of Darkness. There was a
Story sampler given away as a bonus to anyone who pre-ordered
a copy of Castlevania: Curse of Darkness from support-
When the game begins, Hector arrives at an Abandoned ing retailers.
Castle to confront Isaac. The latter scoffs at his desire
Animaze has done the English language-voicework for
for revenge and dares him to regain his powers so they
the Characters.
can settle their score in a satisfying way. Hector reluc-
tantly accepts the challenge, and starts hunting his for-
mer friend across the Transylvanian countryside. During 4.22.4 Reception and legacy
his quest, he encounters several people: Julia Laforeze,
a young witch in exile who turns out to be Isaac's sis- The game was generally well received, generating mid
ter, Trevor Belmont, who distrusts him for being a Devil to high review scores. Common praises often go to the
Forgemaster, Zead, a kindly holyman who provides him game's battle system - which as stated by IGN "...can
with reliable information about Isaac's whereabouts, and offer up a fairly wide variety of skirmishes and strate-
St. Germain, a mysterious time traveller who presses him gies...”-, the Innocent Devil system and musical score.
to abandon his quest, but eventually leaves him alone with Common criticisms of the game go to the game's envi-
some cryptic comments about a “new destiny”having ronments, which have generally been considered dull and
emerged for him. repetitive. X-Play gave Curse of Darkness a 3 out of 5
At one point, Trevor decides to trust Hector, and uses his while IGN gave it a 7.8, or“Good”rating.* [8] GamePro
106
Magazine gave the game a 4.0 out of a 5.0 fun factor, stat- [5] Greg Kasavin (November 1, 2005). “Castlevania: Curse
ing that it was a game that got more intriguing as it goes
on. Gamespot rated it 6.8, saying it looked good and had
[6] http://gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=1733
solid controls, but the level design was “monotonous”
.* [5] Game Informer's Tim Turi felt that it was“decent” [7] http://web.archive.org/web/20060509020426/http:
but did not feel like it captured the “overall style and
atmosphere”of other Castlevania games.* [13]
Manga
Adapted and illustrated by Kou Sasakura, a two-volume
manga adaptation titled Castlevania: Curse of Dark-
ness (悪 魔 城 ド ラ キュ ラ 闇 の 呪 印 Akumajō Do-
rakyura: Yami no Juin) was published in Japan from
2005 to 2006.* [14] Taking place between the events of
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and Castlevania: Curse of
Darkness, the manga centers on Isaac and Hector.* [15]
Tokyopop licensed it for English-language release in
North America.* [14] The first volume, (ISBN 978-1-
4278-0053-4), was released September 1, 2008, and the
second, (ISBN 978-1-4278-0214-9), was published Jan-
uary 1, 2009.* [16] It is also licensed in France by Soleil
Manga.* [17]
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness was positively received
by English-language readers. The first volume ranked
72nd on the list of the top 100 best-selling graphic nov-
els in September 2008 with an estimated 1,564 copies
sold.* [18] In December 2008, the second volume placed
171st on the list of the top 300 best-selling graphic nov-
els with an estimated 720 copies sold.* [19] However,
it received mixed reviews from English-language critics
̶two of whom were fans of the Castlevania franchise.
Criticism focused on Sasakura's artwork which tended
to focus on close-ups and neglect the backgrounds, and
the lack of fleshed-out characters.* [15] Mania Entertain-
ment's Nadia Oxford disliked having a child as one of the
main characters, calling it “unnecessary pandering to a
younger audience”and concluding that“It's disappoint-
ing to see Castlevania thrown to a kid like so many other
great properties.”* [20] Conversely, another reviewer de-
scribed it as“a fairly well done vampire comic book”with
a “pitch perfect mood”and pleasant artwork,* [21] and
About.com's Deb Aoki ranked it fifteenth on her list of
the twenty-two best vampire manga.* [22]
4.22.5 References
[1] http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/
928432-castlevania-curse-of-darkness/index.html
[2] http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/
castlevania-curse-of-darkness
[3] http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3145299&
did=1
[4] “Castlevania - Famitsu Scores Archive”. Famitsu.
Archived from the original on 2009-02-20. Retrieved
2012-04-12.
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
of Darkness”. GameSpot.com. Retrieved 2008-02-08.
//ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r25746.htm
[8] Roper, Chris (October 31, 2005). “Castlevania: Curse
of Darkness”. ign.com. Retrieved 2006-06-04.
[9] http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1044/
Castlevania-Curse-of-Darkness/p1/
[10] http://www.gamershell.com/xbox/castlevania_curse_of_
darkness/review.html
[11] http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/
928432-castlevania-curse-of-darkness/articles.html
[12] http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/castlevania-cod/index.
html
[13] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
[14] “Tokyopop Adds Castlevania: Curse of Darkness Manga”
. Anime News Network. 12 March 2008. Retrieved 2
July 2010.
[15] Haley, Ken (19 September 2008). “Castlevania: Curse
of Darkness, Vol. 1”. PopCultureShock. Retrieved 2
July 2010.
[16]“Manga + Comics: Book Catalog”. Tokyopop. Retrieved
26 April 2009.
[17] “Castlevania Tome 1”[Castlevania volume 1] (in French).
Soleil Manga. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
[18] “Top 100 Graphic Novels Actuals--September 2008”.
ICv2. 22 October 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
[19] “Top 300 Graphic Novels Actuals--December 2008”.
ICv2. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
[20] Oxford, Nadia (23 October 2008). “Castlevania: Curse
of Darkness Vol. #01”. Mania Entertainment. Retrieved
2 July 2010.
[21] Douresseaux, Leroy (24 September 2008).“Castlevania:
Curse of Darkness”. Coolstreak Cartoons. Retrieved 2
July 2010.
[22] Aoki, Deb. “Best Vampire Manga̶Best of the Blood-
suckers̶22 Best Vampire Manga”. About.com. Re-
trieved 2 July 2010.
• "Castlevania: Curse of Darkness.”play Magazine.
February 2005. pp. 18–22.
4.22.6 External links
• Official website (Japanese)
• Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (manga) at Anime
News Network's encyclopedia
 4.23. ''CASTLEVANIA: PORTRAIT OF RUIN'' 107

4.23 ''Castlevania: Portrait of Aside from Dracula's castle, Jonathan and Charlotte ex-
plore other environments such as Egyptian-like deserts
Ruin'' and London-like towns via paintings dispersed through-
out the castle.* [8] During the adventure, the heroes en-
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, known in Japan as Aku- counter 155 different enemies, which are kept track in
majō Dracula: Gallery of Labyrinth (悪魔城ドラキュ a bestiary.* [9] Many enemies from previous Castlevania
ラギャラリー・オブ・ラビリンス, translated Devil's titles make appearances either as standard monsters or
Castle Dracula: Gallery of Labyrinth),* [4] is a platform- bosses for the sections of the castle and paintings. As
adventure game developed and published by Konami.* [3] they progress, the duo learn new skills and acquire equip-
The game was released on November 16, 2006 in Japan, ment and items which allow further exploration in the
and in the US on December 5, 2006 for the Nintendo DS game.* [10]
handheld game console.* [5] Portrait of Ruin is the first
Like previous Castlevania games, this game features al-
Castlevania to feature a cooperative multiplayer game-
ternate endings. Portrait of Ruin has two different end-
play mode and the first handheld Castlevania to have En-
ings. Both involve Jonathan and Charlotte preventing
glish voice-overs, outside of its original Japanese release.
Dracula from being resurrected, but only one involves
Portrait of Ruin is set in 1944 Europe during World War the defeat of Brauner, another vampire enemy, and the
II,* [6] and is a continuation of the story from Castlevania: Actual defeat of Dracula. At one point in the game, the
Bloodlines.* [7] The game introduces new protagonists player's actions determine which ending will be obtained.
and antagonists to the Castlevania series as well as ex- The first ending is normally referred to as the“bad”end-
pand on the two character gameplay found in the previ- ing because the main objectives of the game's story are
ous Nintendo DS Castlevania title, Castlevania: Dawn of not completed; to indicate this, the game will display a
Sorrow. Portrait of Ruin has met with an overall posi- "Game over" screen instead of the credits. The second
tive critical response and has received high ratings from ending completes those objectives and allows the player
reviews, along with several awards. to explore more of Dracula's castle and gain access to
more paintings. This ending is considered the canonical
ending to the game.* [9]
4.23.1 Gameplay
Alternate modes
Portrait of Ruin features a 2D side-scrolling style of
gameplay.* [1] One of the main features to the gameplay Portrait of Ruin features alternate modes of gameplay;
is that players can switch freely between two characters, four single player modes for the main story and a “Boss
Jonathan and Charlotte, similar to the“Julius mode”from Rush”mode that can be played with either one or two
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow. Jonathan and Charlotte players. Aside from Health and Magic Power enhance-
can combine their powers to perform a powerful attack ments, items cannot be obtained nor used in any of the
together known as “Dual Crush”,* [6] and their com- extra modes of the main game. Initially, only one story
bined abilities are needed in certain parts of the castle for mode is available and features the main protagonists,
them to solve puzzles and progress through the story. For Jonathan and Charlotte.* [9] After obtaining the better of
example, the player must have both characters board two the two endings with Jonathan and Charlotte, the player
“motorcycles”and alternate between them to dodge ob- will unlock a prologue to the main story,“Sisters Mode”,
stacles to have both motorcycles intact to crash through a and additional stages in the Boss Rush Mode.* [11] Com-
wall.* [8] pleting the game also gives the player the option to in-
crease the difficulty, add level caps on new games, and
start a game with all previously obtained items and skills.
If the player meets certain requirements in the game, two
other versions of the main story mode are made available;
“Richter Mode”and “Old Axe Armor Mode”.* [9]
In“Sisters Mode”, the player controls Loretta and Stella
Lecarde. This mode serves as a prologue to the story-
line in Jonathan's Mode. They have different controls
compared to the normal gameplay in that attacks are con-
trolled completely with the stylus. Loretta is able to use an
ice spell which is aimed with the player's stylus, and Stella
is able to damage enemies and objects that the player
passes the stylus over. Instead of reaching Dracula, the
game ends when Brauner is reached. Richiter mode al-
lows the player to control Richter Belmont and Maria Re-
The main characters, Jonathan and Charlotte, attacking together. nard, the latter in the first time as a playable character in
108
an American or European release. There are a few minor
differences in the control scheme, and they begin with all
of their mobility upgrades, which allows the player to ex-
plore the castle freely from the beginning.* [9] 'Richter'
is also misspelled as Richiter within dialogue boxes in
the main game.* [11] In Old Axe Armor mode, the player
controls the Old Axe Armor enemy. Because there is only
one character, the player is unable to switch characters as
in the other modes. The character also lacks any magic
spells and has only two sub-weapons.* [9]
Boss Rush Mode is separate from the main game; essen-
tially, it is a time attack mode. There are three sepa-
rate stages to choose from, though initially only one is
available. The other two become available after obtain-
ing the true ending of the game. Each stage is a series of
rooms that the player traverses from left to right. Within
each room is a boss or collection of monsters from the
game. Depending on how quickly a player completes
each stage, they will be rewarded with special items which
can be added to the inventory of the normal game. This
mode also features a wireless, cooperative two player op-
tion.* [9]
Nintendo Wi-Fi
Portrait of Ruin is the first game in the Castlevania fran-
chise with cooperative multiplayer.* [8] However, this is
the second multiplayer Castlevania game; Dawn of Sor-
row, also for the DS, was the first to have a multiplayer
mode. Players can interact through either the Co-op
mode or a Shop mode. Both modes can connect by lo-
cal wireless or Nintendo Wi-Fi.* [6] The online coopera-
tive mode allows two players to complete Boss Rushes to-
gether. The character used in this mode can be chosen at
the beginning and is selected from a list of characters that
is unlocked through the standard gameplay. The Co-op
mode is initially limited to one boss-run challenge, but af-
ter a file is beaten, two more challenges become available.
The online Shop mode allows players to sell their items
to other player. When another player buys the item, the
selling player gains the money, but doesn't lose the item.
4.23.2 Plot and setting
Portrait of Ruin takes place in the fictional universe of
the Castlevania series. The series' premise is the con-
flict between the vampire hunters of the Belmont clan
and the immortal vampire Dracula. The story occurs in
Dracula's castle and is set in 1944 Europe during World
War II.* [6] In addition to the castle, the main characters
explore various different paintings that have been con-
structed by Brauner, a villain. The paintings act as portals
to new areas and feature a distinct look that is different
from the main castle.
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
Characters
Portrait of Ruin introduces new characters to the Castle-
vania series. The main protagonists are Jonathan Morris
and Charlotte Aulin. Jonathan is the current wielder of
the legendary whip,“Vampire Killer”, which was passed
down to him by his father, John Morris from Castlevania:
Bloodlines. As he is not a direct descendant of the Bel-
mont clan, he is unable to unlock the Vampire Killer's full
power without the assistance of a member of the Lecarde
family. Charlotte is a mage and distant descendant of the
Belnades clan. The game features the same antagonists as
previous Castlevania titles and introduces three new ones.
The main villain is Dracula and serves as the game's final
boss. Despite his previous incarnations in the timeline,
such as Symphony of the Night, Dracula has short, black
hair and no facial hair.
The new antagonists are three vampires that have taken
control of Dracula's castle. Leading them is Brauner, an
elderly vampire based on the real life artist Victor Brauner
from the same time period. Brauner recreated Dracula's
castle using the souls of the dead from World War II in
order to draw power from the castle. He plans to use that
power to destroy humanity.* [12] He disdains humanity,
because his two real daughters had been killed 30 years
prior during World War I. Brauner is able to construct
paintings that contain pocket dimensions in order to har-
ness the castle's power for his own purposes. He is joined
by vampire sisters, Stella and Loretta. Although the two
are vampires, they are actually Eric Lecarde's daughters.
After being turned into vampires by Brauner, the sisters
believe Brauner is their father. In the bad ending Brauner
gives up and escapes from the castle in order to save the
life of their two adopted daughters.
Assisting the two main characters are a priest named Vin-
cent Dorin and a ghost that introduces himself as“Wind”.
Vincent acts as a merchant to the two characters and sells
weapons, potions and skills. Wind provides Jonathan and
Charlotte new skills and equipment that once belonged to
him if they perform certain tasks called “quests”.* [6]
Wind's identity is eventually revealed to be Eric Lecarde,
who once fought alongside Jonathan's father to slay Drac-
ula in Bloodlines, and that Eric is Stella and Loretta's true
father.
Story
Prior to the start of the game, the two sisters, Stella and
Loretta travel to Dracula's castle in search of their father,
Eric Lecarde. After traversing through the castle, the two
arrive at Brauner's lair where they find their father de-
feated. Seeing the two sisters, Brauner grabs them and
turns them into vampires.* [13] At the beginning of the
game, Jonathan and Charlotte encounter Vincent at the
gates of the castle, who serves as a merchant. Upon enter-
ing the castle, Jonathan and Charlotte encounter an enig-
matic blue figure that they first identify as hostile. After
 4.23. ''CASTLEVANIA: PORTRAIT OF RUIN''
the figure transforms into a humanoid male, he explains
that he was killed a short time ago and had cast a mag-
ical barrier to keep himself conscious while still within
the confines of the castle.* [14] He introduces himself as
“Wind”.
Shortly after meeting Wind, Jonathan and Charlotte find
one of Brauner's magical portraits. Unable to destroy it
from outside, the two travel into the world within.* [15]
Soon, they find Brauner's channeler, a Dullahan. Shortly
after its defeat, one of the vampire sisters appears and
disdains their efforts, saying their control is lessened in
only a minor degree. Later, when entering the second
portrait, they find Brauner and the two twins; Brauner
laughs at the notion of reviving Dracula, as he has failed
too many times to control humanity, but concedes his
power is too great to ignore. Both sisters desire to kill the
two humans, but Brauner sees Dracula's servant Death
as a greater threat, as he could wrest control from him
far more easily than them. While exploring the castle,
Charlotte and Jonathan encounter Death, who acts as if
Dracula were already revived. When informed Dracula
is still dead, and that another vampire is controlling the
castle, he scoffs at the idea of a hand other than Dracula's
to rule Castlevania. Yet, he is gravely disturbed when he
sees the statements are true, and promptly leaves to seek
a way to destroy Brauner and revive Dracula.* [16]
Jonathan and Charlotte encounter Stella at the base of
the Tower of Death, and after being promptly defeated,
she loses her locket as she flees with her sister. Open-
ing the locket, Charlotte finds a photo of the twins with
Wind, and both decide to question him. Wind con-
fesses his true name, Eric Lecarde, and that the twins are
his children.* [17] Later, Jonathan and Charlotte confront
Death, who wants to disassociate himself from Brauner
and has no desire to fight. Nevertheless, he engages them
but is defeated and flees. When Jonathan and Char-
lotte reach the towering spire of the Master's Keep, they
find the Dracula's throne room sealed off, and conclude
that Brauner is delaying Dracula's revival to siphon his
power.* [18]
After searching the castle, Jonathan and Charlotte obtain
the Sanctuary spell, a magical attack that dispels curses
and allows the dead to rest in peace. During the battle
with the twins, the sisters are cured of their vampirism
by Charlotte's spell. This allows them to regain their san-
ity, and they subsequently offer to perform a ritual that
allows Jonathan to utilize the Vampire Killer whip's full
power.* [19] After Jonathan passes the test and defeats
the Memory of the Whip, an entity bearing the likeness
of Richter Belmont, he is warned against overusing it,
as the Vampire Killer drains life force of a non-Belmont
wielding the full power, eventually killing the user as it
did Jonathan's father. After the twins are defeated, they
open a passage leading to a massive storeroom that con-
tains a portrait leading to Brauner's studio.* [20] The two
confront Brauner and defeat him. When confronted about
his acts, he admits justice wasn't on his side, but refuses to
109
acknowledge it was on the heroes'. Death suddenly hov-
ers from above, and kills Brauner with one swing of his
scythe. This act destroys the painting sealing the Throne
Room, and Jonathan and Charlotte then go to battle with
Dracula.
Before they can engage Dracula, Death enters the room
and sides with his master, and together they attack the
heroes.* [21] During the course of the battle, Death and
Dracula merge into a more powerful form, but they are
eventually defeated by Jonathan and Charlotte. When de-
stroyed, everyone flees the castle, and sees from the dis-
tance as the walls collapse. Later, the twins, Jonathan
and Charlotte are visited in the fields outside the castle
by Eric's ghost, who gives some advice to the twins and
thanks Charlotte and Jonathan for destroying the curse
before his spirit finally fades from existence. As the four
of them leave, they end up forgetting about Vincent, who
is comically trying to get their attention as he chases after
them.
4.23.3 Development
NCL first announced a new Castlevania for the DS on Oc-
tober 5, 2005.* [22] Details of the game were not released
until April 21, 2006, when Konami revealed the game's
title and its World War II setting.* [23] On May 9, 2006,
the official trailer was shown at Konami's official press
conference.* [24] The trailer showcased the smooth player
switching and combinations of Jonathan and Charolette's
abilities. In an interview with producer Koji Igarashi in
June 2006, it was revealed the game would try to utilize
the touch screen better than Dawn of Sorrow. He also
mentioned he was thinking of incorporating cooperative
game play in an unlockable stage via WiFi.* [25] More
information concerning online game play were released
a month later at Comic-Con 2006, but details on how
it would be implemented were still unconfirmed.* [26]
At the 2006 Tokyo Game Show, Igarashi confirmed de-
tails about the WiFi modes and stated Portrait of Ruin
would have a cooperative time attack and an online shop
mode.* [27]
Because of Nintendo's solid infrastructure for the DS,
Igarashi wanted to try the online components, and test
for possible online game play, in future Castlevania ti-
tles.* [27] Igarashi commented the two player game play
was homage to Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, his fa-
vorite Castlevania game.* [28] The anime style of art-
work was retained from Dawn of Sorrow, which Igarashi
had switched to in the previous title to appeal more
to the younger demographics of the Nintendo handheld
systems.* [29]* [30] Portrait of Ruin's development cycle
took roughly the same amount of time as Dawn of Sor-
row did. Koji Igarashi stated that the schedule became
tight due to Nintendo Wi-Fi difficulties, considering it
was their first online enabled game.
110
Audio
See also: Music in the Castlevania series
Portrait of Ruin featured English voice-overs for por-
tions of the game. The original Japanese dialog was also
included as an easter egg. Michiru Yamane returned
to compose the music, with additional songs by Yuzo
Koshiro. IGN noted that the style of the music tracks
ranged from “hauntingly morose to almost jovially up-
tempo”.* [31] The audio tracks are also accessible via
a “Sound Mode”that is unlocked by defeating Drac-
ula. The player can also collect records of certain tracks
that can be used to replace the game's default background
music. The songs“Sandfall”and“In Search of the Se-
cret Spell”that play in the Forgotten City level are origi-
nally from Konami's own King's Valley 2 released on the
MSX2 computer.
4.23.4 Merchandise
Castlevania 20th Anniversary Pre-order Bundle
There were several pieces of Castlevania: Portrait of
Ruin merchandise released along with the game. Strategy
guides were released, both in Japan and North America.
In Japan, Konami released an official strategy guide.* [32]
In North America, the official strategy guide was released
by BradyGames and featured a complete walkthrough,
maps, and item lists.* [33] The most notable merchan-
dise was the “20th Anniversary Pre-order Bundle”.
In celebration of their 20th anniversary of the series,
anyone that pre-ordered Portrait of Ruin at any popu-
lar game outlet, received a free bundle, along with the
game.* [34] The bundle includes a variety of Castlevania
products contained in cardboard sleeve with a plastic Seal
of the Castlevania logo. The products include: a sound-
track CD containing songs from the Castlevania series,
a timeline poster covering many of the significant char-
acters and events of Castlevania history,* [35] a 48-page
art book containing artwork from the entire series,* [28] a
clear/white game case designed to hold both Castlevania:
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
Dawn of Sorrow and Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, and
an extendable stylus.* [34]
4.23.5 Reception
Portrait of Ruin has met with overall positive reviews
and received various awards. Game Informer awarded it
“Handheld Game of the Month”for January 2007,* [39]
and listed it as one of the“Top 50 Games of 2006”.* [44]
Portrait of Ruin also won“Best Original Score”* [31] and
was runner-up for“Best Adventure Game”in IGN's Best
of 2006.* [45] Dracula was listed as the third top villain of
2006 by Game Informer, citing the final boss fight in Por-
trait of Ruin as the reason.* [46] 1UP.com listed it as the
“Best DS Game”in their“Best of E3 2006”feature.* [47]
The audio was well received. GameSpot called the mu-
sic “excellent”and rated the sound a 9 out of 10.* [40]
Yahoo! Games rated the sound a 4.5 out of 5.* [43] Game
Informer called the audio a high point of the game, though
complained about Charlotte always shouting the name of
her attack.* [39] Game Informer also praised the coopera-
tive element and felt that more games should be designed
like it.* [48] IGN stated that“the dramatic score is enough
to send a chill up your spine”, though mentioned that
amount of vocals was sparse.* [41] GameZone ranked it
as the ninth best Castlevania game. Robert Workman (an
editor for GameZone) complimented it for its changes to
the series that came without a sacrifice to quality.* [49]
The game play received mixed reviews, though most were
overall positive. GamePro complimented the multiplayer
components and noted that the game “not only reaf-
firms the series' greatness, but is easily one of the best
handheld games released this year.”They also rated the
game a 4.5 out of 5 in all categories.* [50] Eurogamer
commented that the two character game play was com-
plicated and sometimes awkward. They also compared it
to its predecessor, stating that Portrait of Ruin deviated
away from Dawn of Sorrow in terms of game play.* [7]
Game Informer called it “one of the best experiences in
gaming”and complimented the story, setting, and game
play.* [44] Yahoo! Games called the game play “addic-
tive”and praised the two character game play. They also
complimented the online multiplayer, the setting, and the
freedom to play the game with or without the DS's spe-
cial functions, but criticized some of the dialog.* [43] IGN
stated that the game was not “the mind-blowing revela-
tion that Dawn of Sorrow was”, but still complemented
the “solid”game play and called it an enjoyable expe-
rience.* [41] GameSpot called it a great game because it
“stays true to the familiar Castlevania design and delivers
a fun, lengthy adventure.”* [40] Game Informer men-
tioned the two character play was“done before, but Por-
trait of Ruin's system is particularly smooth in execution.”
*
[39]
4.23. ''CASTLEVANIA: PORTRAIT OF RUIN''
4.23.6 References
[1] “Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin for DS”. ToTheGame.
2006-09-11. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
[2] “Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin for DS”. GameSpot. Re-
trieved 2006-10-12.
[3] “Konami - Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin”. Konami. Re-
trieved 2007-07-25.
[4] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (23 October [16] Jonathan: Dracula isn't this castle's master anymore!
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Konami
Digital Entertainment, Inc. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、
邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Kon-
ami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of
darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
[5] Morcos, Antoine (2006-04-21).“Un nouveau Castlevania
sur Nintendo DS” (in French). Jeux France. Retrieved
2006-04-23.
[6] Konami (2006). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Instruction
Booklet. Konami.
[7] Bramwell, Tom (2006-12-13). “Castlevania: Portrait of
[17] Wind: ... Ah, indeed, I do. Let me tell you my real
Ruin Review”. Eurogamer. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
[8] Nintendo Power 204. June 2006. pp. 31–33. Missing or
empty |title= (help).
[9] Deats, Adam; Joe Epstein (2006). Castlevania: Portrait
of Ruin Official Strategy Guide. BradyGames Publishing.
ISBN 0-7440-0889-1. [18] Jonathan: What the? I can see the way ahead but I can't
[10] “Castlevania returns to the Nintendo DS with Portrait of
Ruin”. Konami. 2006-04-21. Archived from the original
on 2006-05-04. Retrieved 2006-04-23.
[11] Sallee, Mark Ryan. “Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS)
Guide - Secrets”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
[12] “Konami E3 2006 Special Site - Castlevania: Portrait of
Ruin” (in Japanese). Konami. 2006-05-10. Retrieved
2006-05-10.
[13] Loretta: Father! / Eric: S-Stay back! / Stella: But
you're hurt so badly! / Eric: !! Brauner! / ... / Brauner:
Have no fear. I shall grant you a world of peace, my
beloved daughters... Konami Digital Entertainment Co.,
Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin.
Nintendo DS. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Lim-
ited.
[14] Jonathan: !! Something's here?! / Charlotte: It's not
human. / Johnathan: A Monster?! / Charlotte: No,
wait! I sense no evil from him. / ... / Charlotte: I find it
very odd to find a ghost not controlled by Dracula's castle.
/ Wind: A smart girl, compared to this foolish boy. Just
before I died, I cast a magic barrier on myself, binding my
soul to this place. I'm free from the castle's control, but I'm
trapped here. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited
(2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. Nintendo
DS. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
111
[15] Charlotte: In short, think of it as a series of walls that sur-
round the magic controlling Dracula's Castle. The paint-
ing itself is just the outermost wall. As soon as you break
it, it'll regenerate. It's unbreakable. / Jonathan: How
convenient. So now what? / Charlotte: I'll align my
magic with the painting's so we can enter it. That'll be the
best way to circumvent the castle's magic. The risk is quite
high though. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited
(2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. Nintendo
DS. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
Why are you here? / Death: My, what an odd thing to
say. This castle belongs to Lord Dracula. To him and no
one else. / Charlotte: I get it. You've joined forces with
Brauner because you're thinking of resurrecting Dracula,
aren't you? / Death: Brauner... Who are you talking
about? / Jonathan: There's no point in playing dumb!
We already know the current master of this castle is a vam-
pire by the name of Brauner! / Death: Vampire Brauner...
Even with my power, I didn't sense that. It seems I have
been dormant for far too long. Konami Digital Entertain-
ment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of
Ruin. Nintendo DS. Konami Digital Entertainment Co.,
Limited.
name. It's Eric. Eric Lecarde. / ... / Charlotte: Then
what's your relationship with the two girls in the photo? /
Eric: They're my daughters. Konami Digital Entertain-
ment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of
Ruin. Nintendo DS. Konami Digital Entertainment Co.,
Limited.
move forward! / Charlotte: Hold on a minute... This is
the way to the throne, but it's spatially segregated. / ... /
Charlottte: Simply put, there's something like an invisi-
ble wall here. Brauner said he had separated Dracula from
the castle. This is what he was talking about. Konami
Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castl-
evania: Portrait of Ruin. Nintendo DS. Konami Digital
Entertainment Co., Limited.
[19] Jonathan: The vampire's control seems to be fading. It's
a success! / Charlotte: Well, of course. “No prob-
lem”, as you would say. / Loretta: We... What have we
been doing? / Stella: ... The heir to the Vampire Killer.
Jonathan Morris, correct? I apologize for all that we have
put you through. / Jonathan: Huh? Oh sure. N-No prob-
lem. / Stella: And Miss Charlotte, thank you so much for
setting us free. / ... / Stella: One more thing. It's about
the Vampire Killer. / Loretta: We can perform a ritual to
unlock the power of the whip. Konami Digital Entertain-
ment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of
Ruin. Nintendo DS. Konami Digital Entertainment Co.,
Limited.
[20] Stella: The studio painting is sealed by four paintings sur-
rounding it. / Charlotte: Meaning we need to break the
seal to enter the painting. / ... / Loretta: The door to
the inner room can only be opened by either Brauner or
ourselves. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited
(2006-12-05). Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. Nintendo
DS. Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Limited.
112 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

[21] Jonathan: Oh, so you're ignoring me? Turn and face me!
/ Death: You will not touch Lord Dracula! This time,
let's fight for real! / Dracula: Enough with this sideshow.
Why don't we show him our combined power? Konami
Digital Entertainment Co., Limited (2006-12-05). Castl-
evania: Portrait of Ruin. Nintendo DS. Konami Digital
Entertainment Co., Limited.
[22] “The Magic Box: International Videogame news”. The
Magic Box. 2005-10-05. Archived from the original on
2007-03-11. Retrieved 2007-01-29.
[23] Hatfield, Daemon (2006-04-21). “Drac is Back”. IGN.
Retrieved 2007-01-29.
[24] Childers, Brent (2006-05-09). “IGN: E3 2006: Castle-
vania Portrait of Ruin Details”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-
05-03.
[25] Vore, Bryan (2006-06-22).“Castlevaniaʼs Koji Igarashi:
Chat of Ruin”. GameInformer. Archived from the orig-
inal on October 13, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
[40] Mueller, Greg (2006-12-05). “Castlevania: Portrait of
Ruin for DS”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
[41] Rob Burman (2007-03-07). “Castlevania: Portrait of
Ruin UK Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
[42] Moses, Elisa. “Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Review”.
G4TV. Retrieved 2007-07-25.
[43] Leeper, Justin (2006-12-08). “Konami's classic, beloved
franchise adds a brilliant two-character dynamic”. Yahoo!
Games. Archived from the original on August 19, 2008.
Retrieved 2007-01-11.
[44]“The Top 50 Games of 2006”. Game Informer (165)
(Cathy Preston). January 2007. p. 63.
[45] IGN Staff. “IGN Presents the Best of 2006”. IGN.
Retrieved 2007-05-02.
[46]“Top 10 Villains of 2006”. Game Informer (165) (Cathy
Preston). January 2007. p. 56.

[26] Sanders, Kathleen (2006-07-24). “IGN: Comic-Con
2006: Castlevania Gets Co-Op”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-
05-03.
[27] Nix (2006-09-24). “IGN: TGS 2006: At the End with
Koji Igarashi”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
[28]“Castlevania 20th Anniversary Deluxe Art Collection”.
20th Anniversary Pre-Order Bundle. Konami Digital En-
tertainment Co. Ltd. December 2006.
[29] “TGS2005 - Koji Igarashi”. Play. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
[30] Payton, Ryan (2005-03-11). “A new art style for Castl-
evania (Page 4 of 4)". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
[47] 1UP.com staff.“1UP.com's Best of E3 2006”. 1UP.com.
Retrieved 2008-02-01.
[48] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
[49] Workman, Robert (2011-09-27). “Happy 25th Birth-
day Castlevania: The Ten Best Games In the Series”.
GameZone. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
[50] “Review: Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin”. GamePro.
2006-12-05. Archived from the original on 2006-12-08.
Retrieved 2006-12-06.

[31] IGN Staff. “IGN Presents the Best of 2006”. IGN.

4.23.7 External links
Retrieved 2007-05-02.
• Official website (Japanese)
[32] 送料無料悪魔城ドラキュラギャラリー・オブ・ラ
ビリンス公式ガイドコンプリートエディション (in • Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin at MobyGames
Japanese). Konami. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
• ActImagine Press Release
[33] “Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Official Strategy Guide”.
BradyGames. Retrieved 2007-09-11. • E3 2005: Nintendo's E3 2005 Press Conference at
IGN
[34] Sinclair, Brendan (2006-10-23). “Konami boxes DS
Castlevania”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-05-03.

[35]“Castlevania The Timeline”. 20th Anniversary Pre-Order 4.24 ''Castlevania: Order of Shad-
Bundle. Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Ltd. Decem-
ber 2006. ows''
[36] “Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin - DS Reviews”. Game
Castlevania: Order of Shadows is a mobile game devel-
Rankings. Retrieved 2007-06-04.
oped for the Java Platform, Micro Edition, and released
[37] “Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS) Reviews”. by Konami in September 2007.
Metacritic. Retrieved 2007-07-25.

[38] “allgame ((( Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin > Overview 4.24.1 Gameplay
)))". Allgame. Retrieved 2008-06-16.

[39] Biessener, Adam (January 2007). “Castlevania: Portrait Order of Shadows features gameplay similar to that of
of Ruin - Review”. Game Informer (165) (Cathy Pre- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and other games in
ston). p. 114. Archived from the original on December the series: it's a platform game with RPG characteristics,
20, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-19. like the HP, MP and experience points.
 4.25. ''CASTLEVANIA: ORDER OF ECCLESIA'' 113

Desmond Belmont, the playable character, has also a lot 4.25 ''Castlevania: Order of Eccle-
of weapons to collect along the game, like axes, swords
and hammers, besides his standard leather whip.
sia''
The game features the ability to swap out the existing Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, known in Japan as Aku-
soundtrack with songs from the original Castlevania.* [1] majō Dracula: Ubawareta Kokuin (悪魔城ドラキュラ
奪われた刻印, lit. Devil's Castle Dracula: The Stolen
Seal),* [4] is a platform-adventure game and the third
4.24.2 Plot Nintendo DS installment of the Castlevania franchise, de-
veloped by longtime Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi.
Desmond Belmont and his two sisters, Zoe and Dolores,
search Dracula's castle for a cult called“The Order”that
is trying to resurrect Dracula.* [2] This game takes place 4.25.1 Gameplay
in the late 17th century, and is a side story to the official
canon,* [3] and thus, not part of Koji Igarashi's official
timeline. The player takes control as Desmond Belmont,
the heir of the Vampire Killer whip.* [2]

4.24.3 Development

Originally, the storyline was around a character named

Gryff LaRue and his family of “mages and witches”,
but was modified as the Belmont clan has always been
portrayed as a “family of warriors”. After the rewrite,
the story was changed to be more similar to traditional
Castlevania stories, and made Desmond Belmont wield a
whip instead of an axe or sword.* [4] The game was built
“from the ground up”to be played on cell phones.* [3] A boss fight.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is a two dimensional

4.24.4 Reception action-adventure game, featuring adventure and role-
playing video game elements such as the ability to equip
IGN rated the game 6.7, calling it “decent”, and with armor and cast spells. A new combat system called the
little replay value compared to other Castlevania en- “Glyph System”allows the player's character, Shanoa,
tries.* [2] 1up.com has given it a D-, calling it a “major to collect icons called "Glyph symbols”, which she can
disappointment”.* [5] Wired magazine rated the game 3 acquire by defeating enemies or conquering challenges.
out of 10, praising the game's music, but calling far too These symbols can be equipped to her arms and back, al-
short and easy to complete.* [1] lowing her to perform special powers and skills. There are
over 100 different Glyphs the player can wield, such as
weapon and magic glyphs. Glyphs use MP (Magic Points)
4.24.5 References to work, and once the MP gauge is depleted, the player
must stop attacking to allow it to recharge. The player can
[1] Chris Kohler (2007-09-07). “Mobile Review: Castleva- also use a special Glyph Union technique, which calls a
nia: Order Of Shadows”. Wired (magazine). Retrieved more powerful attack based on the glyphs equipped. The
2008-02-05. Union attacks consume the Heart Points gauge, a feature
that was absent in Portrait of Ruin. There are also certain
[2] Eduardo Vasconcellos (2007-09-21). “Castlevania: Or- Glyphs which can be used to solve some puzzles.* [5]
der of Shadows Review”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
Many different types of locales can be visited in the game,
including forests, mountains, and oceans. There are a to-
[3] Eduardo Vasconcellos (2007-08-23). “Castlevania: Or-
der of Shadows Q&A”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-02-05.
tal of 20 locations, with an overworld map used to tra-
verse between them. Besides fighting enemies and mov-
[4] Tyrone Rodriguez (2007-08-01). “Blog Entry 2: The ing on from one location to next, there are also a number
Beginning”. Konami. Retrieved 2008-02-05. of side quests for the player to solve. After completing
a quest, the player will receive a prize in return. If the
[5] Andrew Podolsky (2007-11-29). “Castlevania: Order of player finishes the game, new features will become avail-
Shadows (WIRELESS)". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-02- able to the player, including sound test, hard mode, boss
05. rush mode and Albus mode, with an alternate playable
114
character. It also features online play, allowing the player
to trade items with other players or go head-to-head in a
versus mode.* [5] The game also makes use of the DS-to-
Wii connectivity with Castlevania Judgment, which un-
locks content in both games.* [6] Order of Ecclesia is the
first canonical game in the series in which the Vampire
Killer whip does not appear in any form.
4.25.2 Plot
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia takes place after
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, sometime in the
1800s, right after the era of Richter Belmont. As the
Belmont Clan had vanished by that time, several organi-
zations are created in order to research countermeasures
against Dracula and his eventual return. Among these or-
ganizations, the most promising was the Order of Eccle-
sia, who created a triad of magical glyphs based on Drac-
ula's power, named “Dominus.”Shanoa is a member
chosen by the order's leader, Barlowe, as the human ves-
sel for Dominus. As the ritual begins, the Dominus glyphs
(Anger, Hatred, Agony) are stolen by Shanoa's colleague
Albus, and Shanoa loses her memories and emotions. She
goes to retrieve them, unaware of his true intentions.
In her pursuit, Shanoa arrives in the deserted Wygol Vil-
lage and finds out that Albus kidnapped its inhabitants,
brought them to different hidden locations, and impris-
oned them. As Shanoa rescues them throughout the
game, she learns that Albus captured them to perform
some kind of experiment on them which involved taking
samples of their blood. On two occasions, Shanoa tracks
down Albus, who willingly gives her two of the Dominus
glyphs. When she finds him to be possessed by the power
of the third glyph, she is forced to fight him. After killing
Albus, his mind and soul are absorbed by Shanoa together
with the last Dominus glyph. Albus explains that his true
intentions were to find a way to defeat Dracula without
Shanoa using Dominus, as he knew that it would kill her
if she used it. Her lost memories and emotions were ac-
tually taken by Dominus, and not Albus, as Barlowe had
told Shanoa. He also reveals that the reason he experi-
mented on the villagers was because they were the last
descendants of the Belmont Clan, and he believed their
blood would have the power to help him control Dominus
without it consuming him.
Confronting Barlowe after learning the truth, Shanoa
learns that his true objective is to bring Dracula back to 4.25.5 References
life, using Shanoa as a sacrifice. After Barlowe is de-
feated in a fight, he offers his own life to revive Drac- [1] “Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia”. GameSpot. Retrieved
ula, and Dracula's castle appears. Eventually confronting
Dracula, Shanoa successfully defeats him using Dominus, [2] 悪 魔 城 ド ラ キュ ラ 奪 わ れ た 刻 印 (in Japanese).
seemingly at the cost of her own life. However, Albus ap-
pears and reveals that only a single soul has to be offered.
He sacrifices his own soul in Shanoa's place, but not be- [3] “Castlevania Order of Ecclesia (DS)". Retrieved 2009-
fore he restores her memories and emotions and asks her
to smile for him. The castle crumbles, and Shanoa es- [4] Konami (2007-10-23). Castlevania: The Dracula X
capes.
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
4.25.3 Development
The game was made by the team who developed
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin* [7] along with Igarashi.* [8]
In a Wired interview, Igarashi said, “We're doing an-
other Nintendo DS version. There hasn't been an official
announcement, but we're doing it... we want people to en-
joy the PSP version Castlevania: The Dracula X Chroni-
cles, and afterwards we're announcing it. So, please wait
a little bit”.* [8] On January 25, 2008 a group of“leaked”
screenshots from a DS Castlevania game that also showed
Wii connectivity appeared. In response, Igarashi didn't
give a direct answer if this was even the same game or
said it was an official Konami product̶he told IGN that
“Konami doesn't comment on rumor or speculation.”* [9]
Eventually, it was confirmed by a later update that these
were screenshots from Order of Ecclesia.* [10]
4.25.4 Reception
Shane Bettenhausen called it a cross between Symphony
of the Night and Simon's Quest, noting that the high dif-
ficulty level was balanced by the role-playing elements.
Bettenhausen also commented about the quality of the
game, despite the length, noting there are “3 or 4 lev-
els of things to find.”He concluded his experience with
the game stating “It's all action-RPG oriented Castle-
vania at its best”.* [20] He later awarded the game an
A- for 1Up.com, stating, “With this game, series di-
rector Koji Igarashi proves that he can still breathe new
life into this long-running, often self-cannibalizing fran-
chise.”* [13] Game Informer's Tim Turi praised its game-
play and called it his favourite portable Castlevania ti-
tle.* [21]
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia was awarded Best Nin-
tendo DS Game by GameTrailers.com in their 2008 video
game awards.* [22] It was also awarded the Best Plat-
form Game for the Nintendo DS from IGN.* [23] It was
also nominated for several other Nintendo DS-specific
awards, including Best Graphics Technology,* [24] Best
Original Score* [25] and Game of the Year. However, fol-
lowing the awards it won none of the nominations.* [26]
Initial sales of the game in Japan were reported at 19,000
copies sold during its first week.* [27]
2008-08-22.
Konami. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
01-06.
Chronicles. Konami. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、邪
4.26. ''CASTLEVANIA JUDGMENT'' 115

⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Konami [24] “IGN DS: Best Graphics Technology 2008”. IGN.com.

translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of dark- 2008-12-15. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
ness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
[25] “IGN DS: Best Original Score 2008”. IGN.com. 2008-
[5] Nihei, Wes (2008-05-15).“Previews: Castlevania: Order 12-15. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
of Ecclesia - gametap.com”. GameTap. Retrieved 2008-
[26] “IGN DS: Game of the Year 2008”. IGN.com. 2008-
05-18.
12-15. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
[6] Bozon, Mark (2008-07-11). “Pre-E3 2008: Hands-on
[27] Jenkins, David (October 30, 2008). “Japanese Charts:
Castlevania Judgment”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
Devil Summoner Vs. Girls Mode”. Gamasutra.com. Re-
[7] Gantayat, Anoop (2007-11-05). “Iga Confirms New DS trieved 2009-08-18.
Castlevania”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-15.

[8] Kohler, Chris (2007-10-20).“Interview: Iga Talks Castl- 4.25.6 External links
evania Everything”. Wired (magazine). Retrieved 2008-
05-15. • Official website (Japanese)

[9] Harris, Craig (2008-01-25). “Rumor Alert: Castlevania • Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia at Nintendo.com
DS 3 Shots Leaked?". IGN. Retrieved 2008-05-15.

[10] Flynn De Marco (2008-05-15). “Castlevania: Order of

Ecclesia Announced for Nintendo DS”. Kotaku. Re- 4.26 ''Castlevania Judgment''
trieved 2008-05-16.
Castlevania Judgment, known in Japan as Akumajō
[11] “Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia for DS - GameRankings” Dracula Judgment (悪魔城ドラキュラジャッジメン
. Game Rankings. Retrieved 2010-09-05.
ト Akumajō Dorakyura Jajjimento, officially translated
[12] “Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Critic Reviews for DS at Devil's Castle Dracula Judgment),* [3] is a 3D fighting
Metacritic.com”. Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-09-05. video game developed by Konami and Eighting for Wii.
The game is based on the Castlevania series of games,
[13] Bettenhausen, Shane (2008-10-21). “Castlevania: Or- and is the series' first fighting game.* [4]
der of Ecclesia Review for NintendoDS from 1UP.com”
. 1UP.com. Retrieved 2010-09-05.

[14] Gifford, Kevin (2008-10-15).“New Castlevania, Tenchu

4.26.1 Gameplay
4 Reviewed”. 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-10-16.

[15] “Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Reviews and Articles for

DS - GameRankings”. Game Rankings. Retrieved 2010-
09-05.

[16] Mc Shea, Tom (2008-10-27). “Castlevania: Order of

Ecclesia Review for DS - GameSpot”. GameSpot. Re-
trieved 2010-09-05.

[17] Theobald, Phil (2008-10-22). “GameSpy: Castlevania:

Order of Ecclesia - Page 1”. GameSpy. pp. 1–2. Re-
trieved 2010-09-05.

[18] “Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia: Reviews, Trailers, and

Interviews”. GameTrailers. Retrieved 2010-09-05.

[19] Bozen, Mark. “Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Review

- Nintendo DS Review at IGN”. IGN.com. Retrieved A fight in Castlevania Judgment.
2010-09-05.
The game features 3D environments, and uses the
[20] “1Up Yours (August 15, 2008)" (MP3). 1UP.com. 2008-
motion-sensing controls of the Wii Remote and
08-15. Nunchuk.* [4] The Wii Remote is used for attacks,
[21] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania
including basic attacks, “sub-weapons”and weapon
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05. attacks, by swinging the remote, and the Nunchuck is
used to move the character around the stage and for
[22] “Best DS Game”. GameTrailers.com. Retrieved 2008- defensive moves.* [5] Players can move freely around a
12-26. stage, similar to the game Power Stone.* [5]* [6]
[23] “IGN DS: Best Platform Game 2008”. IGN.com. 2008- Each character utilizes different weapons and differ-
12-15. Retrieved 2008-12-19. ent types of weapons that are available depending on
116 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

the stage and interactive environment of the stage; also, Igarashi has described the process of developing multi-
they can set traps or use monsters in the stage to at- player combat as a somewhat challenging task.* [5] The
tack one another.* [4]* [5] Summons are available in com- design team has worked on the game's graphics, espe-
bat, some of which can be caused by items. Players cially in-game textures, with some of the designers of
are able to make use of the Nintendo Wi-Fi connec- Elebits and Dewy's Adventure, who have joined Igarashi's
tion to play against each other, and can connect with the development team.* [5]
Nintendo DS game Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia to un-
lock bonus content in both games.* [4]* [6] Examples of
stages include the Throne Room, Torture Chamber and 4.26.4 Reception
the Ghost Ship.* [5]* [6] Players can choose to pick a dif-
ferent palette color for their chosen character, referred to Initial reaction to the announcement that the game would
in the game as “alignment color”, two of which apply be a fighting game was received by some with shock and
accessories chosen by the player.* [6] skepticism.* [6] IGN's initial viewing of the pre-E3 build
of the game made their reviewers conclude the game had
promise.* [6] However, a point harshly criticised by an ed-
4.26.2 Plot itor of gaming website Kombo.com was Takeshi Obata's
character design; Obata's work was perceived as deriva-
The character Galamoth plots to send the Time Reaper tive and inadequate, as the characters looked more simi-
from 10,000 years in the future into the past to destroy lar to those from Obata's work on Death Note than their
*
his rival Dracula* [7] and change history. A man named previous appearances in the Castlevania series. [25]
Aeon discovers this and pulls together champions from After being shown at the 2008 edition of the Tokyo
different eras of history into a time rift, in order to find a Game Show, the game received generally harsh criticism.
chosen one capable of destroying Galamoth's servant, the Kotaku editor Luke Plunkett wrote a long hands-on arti-
Time Reaper.* [8] cle about the game.* [26] He reported “I walked away
Like most traditional fighting games, each character has from the show feeling bad. Bad for Castlevania fans, at
their own obstacles and opponents to overcome based on least”and “There is just nothing right about this game.
their own strengths and backstories.* [5] Nothing.”Game designer Koji Igarashi had complaints
about the control scheme, reporting that “There's also
the issue of the Wii controller. It's difficult to do those
Characters sorts of precise movements when you're waving some-
thing around.”* [27] He otherwise objected that the initial
The characters span the Castlevania franchise's his- reaction to Judgment was “unfair.”* [28]
tory.* [4] There are 14 playable characters. When the The reception of Judgment was negative, holding a to-
game was first announced, six were confirmed: Si- tal rating of 49% on Metacritic.* [12] Gaming website
mon Belmont, Dracula, Death, Alucard, Maria and 1UP.com rated the game a D-. In addition to criticism
Shanoa.* [9] Other playable characters include recurring about the art direction, 1UP also noted some things that
enemies and bosses of the Castlevania franchise,* [6] and they said disregarded established fighting conventions.
a new exclusive character named Aeon, the warrior of This included complaints about the“disorientating”cam-
time.* [10] era control. According to the review Konami had de-
Other non-playable characters roam the game's stages, scribed the game as“Versus Action”which is said by the
serving as obstacles that can be eliminated to replenish reviewer to be“an amalgamation that fuses action-game
energy. These characters include common Castlevania mechanics with a fighter”and then goes on to call the
enemies such as zombies, mermen and minotaurs. term “the bastard son of neologism".* [13] IGN called
Judgment a “deep, fun fighter”, praising the variety of
characters, style and design, while criticizing the cam-
4.26.3 Development era and lack of control customization possibilities.* [22]
IGN also nominated it for Best Fighting Game of 2008
Konami registered a game called Castlevania Judgment for the Wii, but it lost the award to Super Smash Bros.
with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Brawl.* [29] Nintendo Power rated the game a 7.0/10,
April 11, 2008.* [11] The game's lead designer, Koji stating that “In spite of being radically different from
Igarashi, began planning to bring a Castlevania game to its action-adventure predecessors, however, Castlevania
the Wii, and wanted to utilize the motion sensing con- Judgement is actually pretty fun”, praising its presenta-
trollers. To do so in a prolonged adventure story, how- tion, accessibility, and remixed music, while criticising
ever, would have been very tiring, since much of the game the implementation of sub-weapons, the control scheme,
involves whipping and swinging. But in an action set- and the character designs, calling them “questionable”
ting, the swinging motion would be broken up with rest- .* [23] In contrast, X-Play gave the game 1/5, claiming it
ing intervals and be more enjoyable.* [5] The game is fo- to be enormously unbalanced and having an awful control
cused on recreating the Gothic feel of the franchise.* [5] scheme, as well as“bastardizing established Castlevania
4.27. ''CASTLEVANIA: THE ARCADE''
designs”. GameSpy gave the game 1.5/5, praising the
game for its unlockables and its online mode, while crit-
icizing the game for unbalanced characters and irritating
camera.* [20] Gamespot gave the game a 3/10 score stat-
ing “The abhorrent camera, dreadful art, and cumber-
some controls are for masochistic applicants only; fans of
the franchise, fighting, or fun will find nothing of value in
this sloppy cash-in.”* [30] Following its later release in
Japan, the game was a financial bomb, having only sold
3,700 units.* [31]
4.26.5 References
[1] “Release date at IGN”. IGN. 2008-07-31. Retrieved
2008-07-31.
[2] "Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH brings its legendary
Castlevania series to Nintendo Wii in all-new action
guise.”. Voltage PR. 2008-07-09. Retrieved 2008-07-
17.
[3] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (23 October [27] http://kotaku.com/5067403/
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Konami
Digital Entertainment, Inc. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、
邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Kon- [28] http://kotaku.com/5028485/
ami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of
darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us.
[4] "Konami Announces Castlevania Judgment for Wii.”.
IGN. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
[5] Bozon (2008-07-11).“Pre-E3 2008: Interview With Iga”
. IGN. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
[6] Bozon (2008-07-11). “Pre-E3 2008: Hands-on Castle-
vania Judgment”. IGN. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
[7] http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?option=com_
altcaster&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=9cfac7534b&
ipod=y Konami's E3 press conference
[8] Castlevania Judgment manual, pg 1.
[9] Bryn Williams (2008-07-15). “GameSpy: Castlevania
Judgement preview”. GameSpy. Retrieved 2008-07-20.
[10] http://kotaku.com/5076153/
castlevania-judgments-final-three-revealed
[11] “Latest Status Info”. United States Patent and Trademark
Office. 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
[12] “Castlevania Judgment”. Metacritic. Retrieved 2008-
12-11.
[13] 1UP review
[14] http://www.eurogamer.es/articles/
castlevania-judgment-analisis
[15] http://g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1881/Castlevania_
Judgment.html
[16] http://gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/
C451EEA9-09E2-421A-B41F-81C9F97F5683.htm
117
[17] http://web.archive.org/web/20110607124836/http:
//www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/208124/
castlevania-judgment/
[18] http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/wii/
castlevania-judgment
[19] Gamespot review
[20] GameSpy review
[21] GameTrailers video review
[22] IGN review
[23] Nintendo Power, Holiday 2008, p.77
[24] XPlay review
[25] David Oxford (2008-06-27).“Passing Judgment on Wii's
Castlevania”. Kombo. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
[26] http://kotaku.com/5063502/
i-wish-i-hadnt-played-castlevania-judgement
koji-igarashi-precise-movements-hard-when-waving-something-around
koji-igarashi-tries-to-explain-castlevania-judgement-hate
[29] “IGN Wii: Best Fighting Game 2008”. IGN.com. 2008-
12-18. Retrieved 2008-12-19.
[30] GameSpot review
[31] http://gonintendo.com/?p=70182
4.26.6 External links
• Official Japanese website
4.27 ''Castlevania: The Arcade''
Castlevania: The Arcade, released in Japan as Aku-
majō Dracula: The Arcade (悪魔城ドラキュラ THE
ARCADE lit. Devil's Castle Dracula: The Arcade),* [3] is
an arcade game in the Castlevania franchise by Konami.
The game was first announced on July 23, 2008.* [4] The
game was released in Japan on October 2, 2009 and in
Europe in 2009.* [1]
4.27.1 Gameplay
The gameplay is similar to light gun shooters such as The
House of the Dead.* [5] Players utilize a special LED whip
remote. The remote has two buttons. A top thumb button
used to activate the whip, prompting players to swing the
remote at the screen to damage enemies. A bottom button
for the index finger is used to activate subweapons, such
as knives or crosses.* [5]* [6] Subweapons are refilled by
118 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

collecting hearts (up to 25) strewn about each stage in the Castlevania: The Adventure, it is the third game in M2's
form of destructible candles and wooden crates.* [6] ReBirth series, following Gradius ReBirth and Contra Re-
Up to two players can play the game at once. Charac- Birth. The setting of the game is a century before the orig-
ters in the game include the Vampire Hunter, the Lady inal Castlevania title, where the player controls an ances-
Gunner, and the Little Witch.* [6] tor of Simon Belmont named Christopher Belmont, who
must defeat the vampire Dracula.* [4]

4.27.2 Audio
4.28.1 Gameplay
Castlevania: The Arcade's soundtrack was released on
The Adventure ReBirth consists of six areas that the player
Akumajou Dracula Best Music Collections BOX, an 18 CD
has to complete in order to finish the game. Toward the
box set containing music from many Castlevania titles.
end of each area is a boss the player has to defeat before
The Arcade's music was featured on Disc 17.* [7]
advancing to the next stage.* [5]
The player's main weapon for attacking in-game enemies
4.27.3 References is a whip, which can upgraded by collecting orbs. The
last upgrade lets the player shoot fire from Christopher's
[1] " ムチ体感アクション『悪魔城ドラキュラ THE
whip for a short duration.* [4] Unlike the original Adven-
ARCADE』2 ⽉稼働". Gpara.com. January 10, 2009.
ture title for the Game Boy, there are sub-weapons which
Retrieved 2009-08-03.
are powered with items called hearts. There are five sub-
[2] http://www.arcadeflyers.com/?page=flyer&db= weapons and each has a different use.* [5]
videodb&id=6162&image=1

[3] Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. (23 October 4.28.2 Plot
2007). Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles. Konami
Digital Entertainment, Inc. Japanese: 悪魔城の城主、
邪⼼の神、ドラキュラ伯爵の復活であった。Kon- 4.28.3 Music
ami translation by Ken Ogasawara: Dracula, lord of
darkness, master of the devil's castle, walks among us. Main article: Dracula Densetsu ReBirth & Contra
ReBirth Original Soundtrack
[4] Salcedo, Brandon (July 23, 2008). “Castlevania: The
Arcade Revealed”. GamersMark.com. Retrieved 2009-
08-03. The game's soundtrack was composed by Manabu
Namiki, who worked on the other titles in the ReBirth
[5] Ashcroft, Brian (July 23, 2008). “Castlevania Japanese series. The music consists of remixes of previous Castl-
Arcade Game Hands-On”. Kotaku.com. Retrieved 2009- evania tracks.* [6] The official album was released on
08-03.
March 24, 2010 in a compilation with Contra ReBirth's
*
[6] Spencer (September 29, 2008).“Castlevania The Arcade: music. [7]
Crackinʼthe LED Whip”. Siliconera.com. Retrieved
2009-08-03.
4.28.4 Reception
[7] “GFCA-195~213 | Akumajo Dracula Best Music Collec-
tions BOX”. VGMdb. Retrieved 2012-09-04. The Adventure ReBirth garnered positive reviews, achiev-
ing a Metacritic score of 78% based on 22 critic reviews,
and 81.40% on GameRankings with 20 critic reviews.
4.27.4 External links
Game Informer's Tim Turi praised its audio and noted
• Official website (Japanese) that it was a better game than Castlevania: The Adven-
ture though still felt it was“unforgiving”.* [10] In 2011,
Robert Workman of GameZone ranked it as the 10th best
Castlevania game and complimented Konami for making
4.28 ''Castlevania: The Adventure this game in light of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow.* [11]
ReBirth''
4.28.5 References
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth (Japanese: ドラ
キュ ラ 伝 説 ReBirth Hepburn: Dorakyura Densetsu: [1] ドラキュラ伝説 ReBirth
ReBirth, The Legend of Dracula ReBirth* [3]) is a side-
scrolling action platform game developed by M2, and re- [2] NintendoWare Weekly: Castlevania ReBirth, Pilotwings,
Oregon Trail | Joystiq
leased by Konami for the Wii in 2009 as a WiiWare ti-
tle. It is currently available in Japan, North America, Eu- [3] Perfect Selection Dracula ~New Classic~ (Media notes).
rope, and Australia. Based on the 1989 Game Boy title King Records Co., Ltd. 1992.
 4.29. ''CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW'' 119

[4] Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. : Castlevania: The
Adventure Rebirth
[5] Castlevania the Adventure Rebirth Review – Wii Review
at IGN
[6] Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth screens pop up- De-
structoid
[7] ドラキュラ伝説 ReBirth ＆魂⽃羅 ReBirth オリジナ
ルサウンドトラック: KONAMI のショッピングサイ
ト | コナミスタイル (konamistyle)
[8] Reviews and News Articles – GameRankings
Óscar Araujo, who was acclaimed for his work on the
game.
The game sold well and received positive reviews from
video game publications. It was praised for new elements
it provided to the franchise, although this was also the
subject of criticism as it did not retain traits from previ-
ous Castlevania games. Konami requested that the de-
velopment team produce more titles related to Lords of
Shadow. This includes two sequels titled Castlevania:
Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate and Castlevania: Lords
of Shadow 2.

[9] Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth for Wii Reviews,

Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic 4.29.1 Gameplay
[10] Turi, Tim (2012-04-04). “Ranking The Castlevania Lords of Shadow is a third-person action-adventure game
Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved 2013-12-05. in which the player controls the main character, Gabriel
Belmont.* [6]* [7]* [8] The combat involves a retractable
[11] Workman, Robert (2011-09-27). “Happy 25th Birth-
day Castlevania: The Ten Best Games In the Series”. chain whip called the Combat Cross. The player *
can
GameZone. Retrieved 2013-12-05. perform up to forty unlockable combos with it. [7] The
commands consist of direct attacks for dealing damage to
single enemies, and weak area attacks when surrounded
4.28.6 External links by them. It is also capable of interactions with sec-
ondary weapons, such as knives, holy water and other
• Official website items which can be upgraded.* [7] In addition, the Com-
bat Cross's melee skills can be combined with the Light
• Official website (Japanese) and Shadow magic system, which are spells aimed at de-
fense and aggression, respectively.* [7]* [9] The whip is
upgradeable* [9] and can also be used to guard against an
4.29 ''Castlevania: Lords of opponent's attack.* [7]
Shadow'' The developers attempted to reach out to new audiences
by distancing Lords of Shadow from previous Castlevania
games, but kept some elements intact to not alienate fran-
“Lords of Shadow”redirects here. For other articles, chise fans.* [10] For example, vampires and werewolves
see Lords of Shadow (disambiguation). are recurring enemies in the game, but other existing en-
emies include trolls, giant spiders and goblin-like crea-
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a video game in tures. The enemies can be defeated for experience points,
the Castlevania series developed by MercurySteam and which can be used to purchase combos or to augment the
Kojima Productions and published by Konami. Lords player's abilities further.* [11] Lords of Shadow has large-
of Shadow was released in late 2010 for the Xbox 360 scale bosses known as titans. The Combat Cross can be
and the PlayStation 3. The Microsoft Windows port used to grapple onto their bodies and navigate them, and
was released in August 2013.* [5] Lords of Shadow is an break the runes that animate the titan.* [7]* [10]
action-adventure game set in Southern Europe during the Similar to the original Castlevania titles, platforming and
Middle Ages. A reboot to the franchise, the story focuses puzzles are a key component and are featured in fifty lev-
on Gabriel Belmont's quest to defeat a malevolent force els.* [6]* [7] The player can control Gabriel to jump most
known as the Lords of Shadow and revive his wife. The distances, dash or hold his balance above fatal pits.* [7]
player controls Gabriel in 3D environments as he uses The Combat Cross can be used for exploration pur-
melee skills to defeat enemies and solves puzzles to move poses like scaling walls, rappelling and swinging across
through the game. gaps.* [12] Some sequences of the game require the player
The game was originally announced as Lords of Shadow to solve physical puzzles or brain teasers. Alternatively,
with no connection to the Castlevania series mentioned. moving certain objects can set off chain reactions and
This was done to keep their plans to radically change the open paths to new areas. Activating switches can also as-
direction of the Castlevania mythos a secret and to pre- sist against traps.* [7] The player can explore the levels in
vent the announcement of the game from upstaging an- order to find hidden items, which can increase health or
other series release, Castlevania Judgment. Hideo Ko- magic abilities. These items are “gems"; there are three
jima, creator of the Metal Gear series, helped produce types, including life gems, light gems and dark gems.
the title. The music was composed by Spanish composer These can increase life endurance, light magical ability
120 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

and dark magical ability, respectively.* [7]* [11] Gabriel departs for the Land of the Necromancers for
the last part of the mask. There, Zobek appears before
Gabriel with the Devil Mask over his face, and divulges
4.29.2 Synopsis that he is the Lord of the Necromancers and that he grew
tired of the Lords of Shadow dividing the power amongst
Setting and characters the three of them. Orchestrating the events of the story,
he searched Hell for this power until an evil force entered
Producer David Cox stated the game is a reboot of the him and expanded his knowledge of the dark arts, which
franchise.* [13]* [14] The setting of Lords of Shadow is allowed him to cast the spell that separated the Earth
during “the end of days”in the year 1047.* [15] The from the Heavens so that the Spirits would contact the
Earth's alliance with the Heavens has been threatened by Brotherhood. Zobek discloses he used the Devil Mask
a malevolent force known as the Lords of Shadow. A on Gabriel to kill Marie and that all he needed was for
dark spell has stopped the souls of the deceased from Gabriel to restore the power of the Spirits to avoid suspi-
leaving,* [16] while evil creatures inhabit the dying land cion from them.* [29]* [30] Satan (Jason Isaacs) emerges
and attack living people. and takes the God Mask from Zobek, revealing himself
as the mastermind who gave Zobek his powers so that
The main character, Gabriel Belmont* [17] (voiced by
Satan could have revenge on God and return to the Heav-
Robert Carlyle* [13]), is a member of the Brotherhood of
ens.* [31]* [32] Gabriel confronts Satan and defeats him,
Light, an elite group of holy knights who protect and de-
releasing souls of the deceased from limbo.* [33] Gabriel
fend innocent people against the supernatural creatures.
discovers the God Mask cannot bring Marie back and that
Gabriel's wife Marie (Natascha McElhone* [13]) was bru-
it only allows him to see through God's eyes. Marie tells
tally murdered by one of them, and her soul cannot leave
him he has been given a new life to redeem himself before
as it is trapped in limbo.* [16] Because she is now neither
she departs with the God Mask.* [34]
alive nor dead, she realizes what is at stake and guides
Gabriel to his destiny to save the world as he investi- The story is expanded in two DLC packs titled Reverie
gates the dark spell. He travels the destroyed land, meet- and Resurrection. Reverie has Gabriel returning to
ing other characters, such as the oldest living member of Carmilla's castle to contain an ancient evil, the Forgot-
his order,* [8] Zobek (Patrick Stewart, who additionally ten One (Colin McFarlane), with the help of Carmilla's
narrates the game* [13]). Two masks referred to as the daughter Laura (Grace Vance), who is also a playable
God and Devil Masks lie at the center of the plot, with character that assists Gabriel in some sequences of the
the God Mask having powers to resurrect the dead.* [10] DLC. Before entering a portal into the Forgotten One's
Gabriel intends to defeat the three factions of the Lords prison, Laura tells Gabriel he cannot enter it in his mor-
of Shadow in order to obtain the pieces of the God Mask tal form and dies after she has Gabriel drink her blood
and bring back his deceased wife.* [16]* [18] to use its powers to enter, turning him into a vampire.
During Resurrection, the Forgotten One aspires to destroy
the humans' world, but he is defeated by Gabriel who
Plot claims his power for himself. Corrupted by the Forgot-
ten One's power, Gabriel destroys his Combat Cross and
Gabriel is sent by the Brotherhood of Light to the Lake leaves through the portal.
of Oblivion, where his deceased wife, Marie,* [19]* [20] In a post-credits scene after the main game's ending,
tells him that Spirits who founded the Brotherhood Zobek is seen alive during modern times, and has un-
said that the Lords of Shadow's power will save the covered Gabriel living as a vampire called Dracula.* [35]
world.* [21] Gabriel meets a man from the Brotherhood Zobek mentions the acolytes of Satan are preparing for
called Zobek,* [22] who states that a prophecy has been his return and that they must stop him before he takes re-
kept a secret by a select few, which tells of a pure-hearted venge on both of them.* [36] Before Gabriel disappears,
warrior who will claim the Lords of Shadow's power to Zobek tells him he will free him of his immortality if he
overcome evil.* [23]* [24] Zobek says that he and Gabriel helps him.* [37]
must enter the lands of the Dark Lords in order to unite
the Heavens with the world again, and that with this
Gabriel can bring Marie back from the dead.* [25] Gabriel 4.29.3 Development
defeats the werewolf Cornell (Richard Ridings* [26]) and
the vampire Carmilla (Sally Knyvette* [26]) for the first Castlevania was rebooted due to the team's concern over
two pieces of the God Mask on his journey,* [27] while the poor sales in their latest Castlevania games. The
learning that they were once two of the three founding team wished to expand the franchise's fanbase with this
members of the Order who fought the spawns of Satan game.* [38] A number of prototypes in parallel devel-
in God's favor until they transformed into the Spirits, opment competed to become the next Castlevania title.
with power only second to God's. After they ascended to Konami told MercurySteam the game would be an origi-
the Heavens, they left behind their dark sides, who were nal intellectual property (IP) when it was first greenlit as
known as the Lords of Shadow.* [28] a Castlevania title.* [39] Konami eventually asked them
 4.29. ''CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW'' 121

to cease work on Lords of Shadow while it was still in the game, with twenty tracks in total.* [51]* [52] In Oc-
its early stages, until David Cox showed the Japanese se- tober 2013, specialist label Sumthing Else Music Works
nior management the game and was offered help by video issued the soundtrack in a more widely available CD re-
game designer Hideo Kojima.* [40] Konami then chose lease while selling a digital format of the previously issued
the pitch for it as the next Castlevania entry.* [9]* [16] tracks that were featured on the CD that came with col-
The original concept for the game was to remake the first lector's editions of the game alongside additional material
Castlevania starring Simon Belmont, but it was later de- exclusive to the digital release. Araujo was nominated
cided to make a reboot of the franchise.* [41] Lords of by the International Film Music Critics Association for
Shadow still drew inspiration from earlier titles in the se- breakout composer of the year for his work on Lords of
ries, most notably Castlevania for the Nintendo Entertain- Shadow.* [53] He won “Best Original Score for a Video
ment System, and Super Castlevania IV.* [10] Game or Interactive Media.”* [54]
Kojima's input included advising Cox's team to redesign Lords of Shadow features voiced dialogue by a profes-
some of the lead character, Gabriel, who he felt needed sional cast recorded in London, an aspect which has been
a “more heroic face”.* [42] Originally, Gabriel's de- acclaimed by the gaming press. The cast includes Robert
sign resembled a classic barbarian,* [39] before Kojima Carlyle and Patrick Stewart. The part of Gabriel was orig-
then advised the staff to refine him into a character that inally going to be offered to Gerard Butler, but he was not
was more relatable for the player.* [43] Cox mentioned available.* [55] The cast would make their own contribu-
that the voice acting provided by Robert Carlyle helped tions to the characters during the recordings. David Cox
humanize Gabriel's character.* [44] Kojima also oversaw mentioned that “What could have been an 'in and out'
the Japanese localization of the game, employing a num- voiceover job for them [the voice actors] wasn't. Instead,
ber of voice actors from the Japanese versions of Metal their love of the script and praise saw them developing
Gear Solid.* [45] Cox stated that Kojima otherwise al- their characters and working through the motivations for
lowed the actors a lot of freedom with the project.* [10] them”.* [56]
MercurySteam wanted to depart from the art style of the
other games in favour of one that was darker. Cox said,
“The old games had this boyish depiction of vampires and 4.29.5 Reception
monsters and we wanted them to have a darker edge this
time around.”* [18] VideoGamer.com drew comparisons During its development, Lords of Shadow was placed
between the art style and Guillermo del Toro's work.* [46] on several lists for most anticipated video games.
GameTrailers ranked it at number 7 for “Top 10 Most
The developers claimed to avoid the use of quick time Anticipated Games of 2010.”* [79] Explicit Gamer wrote
events during combat, stating that they distracted the “With so many great games in store for us in 2010, you
player from the action, but the game relies heavily should be sure not to overlook Castlevania: Lords of
upon them, requiring their use for nearly every engage- Shadow when it hits the shelves.”Games Radar placed
ment.* [18]* [47] When the game was 60% complete, Lords of Shadow at number 26 for 100 Most Anticipated
MercurySteam was aiming for 30 frames per second per- Games of 2010, stating that“This could be a megaton re-
formance, as opposed to 60 frames, which the com- lease.”1UP.com's top 50 most anticipated games of E3
pany said was not a priority at that stage.* [10] The 2010 ranked Lords of Shadow at number 17.* [80] De-
game reached gold status following an announcement spite the heavy anticipation, Cox noted there was still a
on Twitter made by David Cox on September 9, 2010. small number of fans who did not like the game's transi-
The game's two downloadable content (DLC) episodes, tion to the 3D format. He stated, “Fair enough, some
Reverie and Resurrection, were released in February 2011 people aren't going to like what we're doing and we ac-
and June 2011 respectively to explain the twist from the cept that but generally what we're trying to do is bring the
story's ending.* [48]* [49] David Cox referred to these fans with us ... there's no point in going back and making
DLC chapters as “a mistake.”* [38] the same game again – the point is to make a clean break
A port for Microsoft Windows was announced in June and move forward with the series.”* [74]
2013 with the subtitle of “Ultimate Edition”. The Reaction to Lords of Shadow was highly positive.* [75]
downloadable content chapters are also included within 1UP's review praised how the game took elements from
the game. It was released in Steam on August 27, 2013 other series and executed them well.* [81] GamesRadar
and in retail on August 30, 2013.* [5] drew favorable comparisons to other action games it has
given a perfect score, including God of War III, Bayonetta
and Dante's Inferno, while praising it for being “huge
4.29.4 Audio in scope, length, and depth, and it's polished with ob-
vious love and passion”.* [71] Official Xbox Magazine
The game's musical score was written by Spanish com- lauded the size of the game's content, writing "... [it] is
poser Óscar Araujo using a 120-piece orchestra. It also big. Actually, big's too little a word. It's monolithic...
features previous Castlevania musical themes.* [50] A From the Resi 4 mood of the scarecrow puzzle to the un-
soundtrack CD was also included in limited editions of expected oddity of the music box level, this is a game
122 CHAPTER 4. GAMES

that seemingly hasn't heard of DLC – and decides to offer
you immense value for money instead.”The publication
concluded it was otherwise a success.* [76] Other reviews
noted that it was derivative of other games and that it was
unlike the classic Castlevania series.* [73] GameSpot's re-
view calls the game “a good start for a series in need
of some new blood – so to speak – it's just unfortu-
nate so much of it comes from other games and not an
original source.”* [69] IGN found the combat repetitive
but felt the puzzles and platforming provided good pac-
ing.* [63] Game Informer's Tim Turi praised its boss bat-
tles, its magic-based combat system, and its story.* [82]
GameZone ranked it as the sixth best Castlevania ti-
tle. The staff praised the developers' success at bringing
Castlevania to 3D.* [83]
Xbox World 360 awarded the game the“Star Player Ac-
colade”in 2010.* [78] GamesMaster also gave it the“Gold
Award.”* [78]
The game was a commercial success. By November 2010
Konami had shipped one million copies in North Amer-
ica and Europe. Despite not achieving a high rank on [12] Words: PSM3 UK. “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow –
the sales chart, Konami was satisfied with the game's
sales considering the budget it had and the staff's inten-
*
tions. [84] The game also became the best-selling Castl- [13] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow”. Konami. Retrieved
evania game, which resulted in Konami's request to pro-
duce more titles.* [85] [14]“Lords of Shadow Interview for PS3”. VideoGamer.com.
[5] Nunneley, Stephany. “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow –
Ultimate Edition heading to PC in August”. VG247. Re-
trieved June 5, 2013.
[6] “Kotaku – Kojima Taking On Castlevania With Lords of
Shadow – E3”. Kotaku. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[7] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Gameplay Trailer in High
Definition –". G4tv.com. September 27, 2010. Retrieved
January 25, 2013.
[8] Nelson, Randy. “Impressions: Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow”. Joystiq.
[9] Arthur Gies (April 9, 2010). “Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow Eyes-On – PlayStation 3 Preview at IGN”.
Ps3.ign.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[10] “Lords of Shadow GC 09 Producer Interview”. Game-
trailers. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[11] @ 12:03 By Patrick Garratt (February 22, 2010). “Blog
Archive » Interview: Castlevania: Lords of Shadowʼs
Dave Cox”. VG247. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
producer interview, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow PS3
Previews”. GamesRadar. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
January 25, 2013.
September 16, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

4.29.6 Sequels [15] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of

Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: This
night in the year of our Lord 1047, marks the beginning of
On May 29, 2012, Nintendo Power magazine revealed a
our journey together; a journey into darkness, into mad-
sequel to Lords of Shadow for the Nintendo 3DS was in
ness.
development by MercurySteam, titled Castlevania: Lords
of Shadow – Mirror of Fate. The game takes place 25 [16] “Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow Video Game, Konami
years after Lords of Shadow and is in 3D with 2D game- Gamers Night: Rebirth Interview HD | Video Clip | Game
play. It follows Trevor Belmont, Simon Belmont, Alucard Trailers & Videos”. GameTrailers.com. April 9, 2010.
*
and Gabriel Belmont at different points in history. [86] Retrieved January 25, 2013.

On May 31, 2012, Konami announced the sequel at E3 [17] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow stars Gabriel Belmont”.
2012, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2. The game stars
Gabriel as Dracula while he seeks to regain his lost powers [18] Ragnarok, Demon (April 9, 2010). “Lords Of Shadow
to combat the return of Satan. He also must deal with the
Belmont clan, who want him dead. Mirror of Fate has a
climax that sets up the events of Lords of Shadow 2.* [87]
4.29.7 References
[1] “LGC: Jericho dev shows Lords of Shadow”. com-
puterandvideogames.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[2] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Dated”. IGN. August
18, 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2010.
[3] “Gamescom 2010: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow dated
for Europe”. ComputerAndVideoGames.com. August
18, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
[4] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow”. Gamersyde. Retrieved
October 3, 2010.
Gaming Target. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
Could Be The First Great 3D Castlevania – Castlevania:
Lords of Shadow – PlayStation 3”. GameInformer. Re-
trieved January 25, 2013.
[19] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Gabriel:
They have dreamt that a message waits for me at this lake;
a message that holds a clue to our salvation.
[20] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Pan: And
that is why they sent you to the Lake of Oblivion, because
they believe she is waiting for you here? To deliver a mes-
sage to you?
[21] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords
of Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Marie:
They are the Spirits who founded your Order... And that
the power of the Lords of Shadow is the key. They talk of
a prophecy... I don't understand what they mean.
4.29. ''CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW''
[22] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: I am
Zobek, a warrior of your Brotherhood of Light. Pan and
I are old acquaintances. He felt you would be in need of
my assistance.
[23] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: The
prophecy has been secret for many centuries. It is known
only to a select few.
[24] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: It
is written that a purehearted warrior will claim the power
of the Lords of Shadow as his own and use it in order
overcome all evil.
[25] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: We
have to enter the lands of the Dark Lords, you and I... We
must reclaim the powers they hold and unite the Heavens
with this world once more and ... Don't you see Gabriel?
You can bring her back.
[26] “Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow Video Game, E3 2010:
Trailer | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos”. Game-
Trailers. June 6, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
[27] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Gabriel: I
will head for the Land of the Lycans. You leave for the
territory of the Vampires and prepare the way... Then we
must go onto the Land of the Necromancers together...
his realm lies furthest.
[28] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords
of Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Cor-
nell: Hear me... Many centuries ago, three great warriors
founded the Brotherhood of Light, the order to which you
belong. Their sole purpose was to serve God and defeat
the Devil... For decades the founders fought fearlessly
against the spawns of Satan, and finally tipped the equi-
librium in God's favor... Such was their commitment to
the crusade, that their studies in holy enlightenment led
them to three sacred places, where the power of God con-
verged with such intensity, that it forged a bridge between
the spiritual and the real... The founders used that power
to purify themselves, abandoning their human forms and
transforming into spiritual beings who power was only
second to God's. / Cornell: Little did they realise that
what they left behind were not their carcasses devoid of
souls, but instead the dark sides of themselves. Don't you
see? That is how we came to be, we who you call the
Lords of Shadow!
[29] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Gabriel:
You? You are the Lord of the Necromancers? The final
Lord? / Zobek: Finally, you begin to understand! Yes,
Gabriel. It was I who cast the spell that separated the Earth
from the Heavens... I knew this would force my brothers
and sister in heaven to contact the order here on Earth...
The prophecy was their little ray of hope in the darkness!
We Lords of Shadow, as you call us, have been impotent
for far too long, fixed in an uneasy truce for many cen-
turies; each possessing our share of the power, but each
123
unable to have mastery over the others. Until now. I grew
tired of these years of proliferation. A constant truce be-
tween the three of us. Each unwilling to concede or co-
operate with the others. They were too blind to see the po-
tential in the power we held... if only it were combined...
I desired that ultimate power and was prepared to probe
the very depths of Hell in search of knowledge to acquire
it. I fought hordes of demons and became strong. Then, a
force so vast and terrible entered into me, expanding my
knowledge of the dark arts until it reached unimagined
heights. All I needed was someone to restore the lumi-
nous power of the Spirits, according to the prophecy, and
you have been the perfect dupe. ... Of course, I couldn't
arouse their suspicions that it was I who desired the power
for my own... No... I used the prophecy as my cover...
and you... my shining knight!
[30] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: The
gauntlet will do it for me! As I told you... dark power is
my dominion. Forged in the pits of Hell, no less. There
was just the matter of the child and her protector, but you
came through with flying colors! I needed your strength
of will and courage to complete the quest but I couldn't
risk you becoming too powerful. I needed to control you
at the end... Once you had murdered them. I knew you
would never be able to challenge me while wearing it.
Poor little Claudia... such a sweet thing. / Zobek: You
have exceeded even my wildest expectations! Killing and
butchering your way to victory! There is a terrible dark-
ness in you, my friend... Your burning desire to resurrect
your darling Marie has blinded you to it! As you slept, I
was able to... influence you with this mask but even I did
not foresee the beast that lay within. It was all too easy to
make you kill them. Your penchant for death and murder
were insatiable. You just needed a little nudge and off you
would go in search of the one thing that could bring her
back. Yes Gabriel, now you finally understand. It was you
who murdered your wife.
[31] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords
of Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Satan:
Don't you remember me? I came to you in the void. I
granted you knowledge and power. Power that you could
never have obtained on your own. Surely you haven't for-
gotten? In fact, I planted the idea for this whole elaborate
ruse into your tiny mind in order to serve my own higher
purpose. I no longer need your assistance. The power is
now mine!
[32] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Satan: Fa-
ther! I come for you... Before the end YOU will bow
down to ME!
[33] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Gabriel:
I... am... alive? No... I do not want this. Why has my
life been given back to me? / Marie: It is your fate. You
have been given back what was wrongfully taken from you.
To repent your sins... to make amends. / Gabriel: But
without you...? / Marie: You freed them all. You saved
us all, my Gabriel.
[34] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Marie: The
124
mask is a powerful device. It allows us to see through
God's eyes. / Gabriel: Can it really bring the dead back?
/ Marie: Yes... Look... / Gabriel: A fool's hope... /
Marie: It is too late for me, my love... ... I cannot come
back.
[35] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: An
unusual hiding place, for the Prince of Darkness. Don't
you think? / Gabriel: Zobek... / Zobek: Yes, old friend.
It is I. / Gabriel: Where have you been, all this time? /
Zobek: Out there, amongst the living. And what of you?
Why have you been hiding all this time... ... Gabriel? /
Gabriel: Don't you dare call me that! Eu sunt Dracul!
[36] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: Sa-
tan's acolytes are readying for his imminent return. He's
unlikely to welcome both of us with open arms, don't you
think? Help me stop him... or you and I will become his
favorite pets for all eternity.
[37] MercurySteam (October 5, 2010). Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow. PlayStation 3, Xbox 360. Konami. Zobek: Help
me, and I can free you of your immortality.
[38] Christian Donlan (June 6, 2013).“Castlevania: Lords Of
Shadow 2 – a titanic series overhaul”. Edge. Retrieved
June 9, 2013.
[39] “Everything You Need to Know About Lords of Shadow
| Ripten Video Game Blog”. Ripten. September 3, 2010.
Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[40] “The Story Of HowʻCastlevania: Lords of ShadowʼWas
Canceled, Then Resurrected, Dracula-Style » MTV Mul-
tiplayer”. Multiplayerblog.mtv.com. August 26, 2010.
Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[41] Nelson, Randy (April 9, 2010). “Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow began as remake of NES original”. Joystiq. Re-
trieved January 25, 2013.
[42] Gifford, Kevin (July 1, 2009). “Kojima Discusses Castl-
evania Involvement”. 1UP.com. Retrieved January 25,
2013.
[43] Reed, Kristan (July 7, 2010). “Castlevania: Lords of
Shadow Preview – Xbox 360 Preview at IGN”. IGN.
Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[44] Parker, Laura (September 23, 2010). “Castlevania's
Gabriel started off as a barbarian, says Cox”. VG247.
Retrieved July 1, 2013.
[45] Parker, Laura (August 12, 2010). “Kojima teases week-
end announcement – News at GameSpot”. GameSpot.
Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[46] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Review for Xbox 360” [65] Valay (September 29, 2010). “Castlevania: Lords of
. VideoGamer.com. September 28, 2010. Retrieved Jan- Shadow Review”. Edge Magazine. Retrieved January
uary 25, 2013. 25, 2013.
[47] Christian Donlan (September 28, 2010). “Castlevania:
Lords of Shadow PlayStation 3 Review Page 1”. Eu-
rogamer. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
CHAPTER 4. GAMES
[48] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Reverie – Xbox 360”
. IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
[49] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Resurrection – Xbox
360”. IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
[50] Kennedy, Sam (August 21, 2009).“Lords of Shadow Was
a Castlevania Game All Along”. 1UP.com. Retrieved
January 25, 2013.
[51] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow collector's edition spot-
ted”. Destructoid. March 16, 2006. Retrieved January
25, 2013.
[52] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow special collectorʼ
s edition
announced”. Video Games Blogger. Retrieved January
25, 2013.
[53] “International Film Music Critics Association 2011 Nom-
ineess Movie City News”. Movie City News. February
12, 2011. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[54] IFMCA announces its 2010 Winners for scoring excel-
lence
[55] Yoon, Andrew (September 23, 2010). “David Cox on
rebooting Castlevania for a new generation”. Joystiq. Re-
trieved January 25, 2013.
[56] “Castlevania: Lord Of Shadow Interview – PlaySta-
tion.Blog.Europe”. Blog.eu.playstation.com. September
24, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[57] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow”. GameRankings. Re-
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[58] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow”. GameRankings. Re-
trieved May 26, 2013.
[59] http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/
718143-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-ultimate-edition/
index.html
[60] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow”. Metacritic. Retrieved
May 26, 2013.
[61] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow”. Metacritic. Retrieved
May 26, 2013.
[62] http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/
castlevania-lords-of-shadow-ultimate-edition
[63] Daemon Hatfield (September 29, 2010). “Castlevania:
Lords of Shadow Review – Xbox 360 Review at IGN”.
IGN. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
[64] “Xbox Review: Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Review”
. ComputerAndVideoGames. September 28, 2010. Re-
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[66] Monfette, Christopher (September 28, 2010). “Castle-
vania: Lords of Shadow for Xbox 360 – Reviews”. G4tv.
Retrieved January 25, 2013.
4.29. ''CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW'' 125

[67] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Review in High Definition [85] “Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Mercury Steam's mission
–". G4tv. September 28, 2010. Retrieved January 25, to be the next Naughty Dog”. Eurogamer. February 20,
2013. 2013. Retrieved May 24, 2013.

[68] “Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow Review – Castlevania: [86] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate An-
Lords of Shadow – Xbox 360”. GameInformer. Septem- nounced For Nintendo 3DS”. Siliconera. May 29, 2012.
ber 28, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2012.

[69] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Review for Xbox 360”. [87] “Castlevania: Mirror of Fate Confirmed for 3DS –".
GameSpot. September 28, 2010. Retrieved January 25, IGN.com. May 29, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
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[70]“Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Review – Page 1”. Game-

4.29.8 External links
Spy. October 5, 2010. Retrieved June 9, 2013.

[71] “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow super review, Castlevania: • Official website

Lords of Shadow Review, Xbox 360 Reviews”. Games
Radar.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

[72] “Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow Video Game, Review |

Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos”. GameTrailers.
September 28, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

[73] “Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow (Xbox 360)". IGN. Re-

trieved January 25, 2013.

[74] “Lords of Shadow Interview for Xbox 360”.

VideoGamer.com. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

[75] “News: Castlevania: LOS gets ANOTHER 9/10 review –

in OPM”. ComputerAndVideoGames.com. September
26, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

[76] “News: Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow review – 9/10

in OXM”. ComputerAndVideoGames. September 25,
2010. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

[77] “PS3 News: Castlevania Lords of Shadow review: YET

ANOTHER 90+". ComputerAndVideoGames.com.
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[78] “News: Castlevania Lords Of Shadow review scores

Easton Reviews”. http://eastonreviews.yolasite.com/
castlevania---lords-of-shadow.php. September 23,
2010. Retrieved January 25, 2013. External link in
|publisher= (help)

[79] “GT Countdown Video Game, Top 10 Most Anticipated

Games Of 2010 | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos”
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2013.

[80] “1UP's Most Anticipated Games of E3 2010 Part 4 Video

from GameVideos”. 1UP.com. June 1, 2010. Retrieved
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Bloodline”. Game Informer. Retrieved December 5,
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[83] Workman, Robert (September 27, 2011). “Happy 25th

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[84] “Castlevania: LOS ships a million”. Eurogamer. Novem-

ber 22, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
Chapter 5
Appendix
5.1 List of ''Castlevania'' media
Logo of the Castlevania series
Castlevania is a video game series created and developed
by Konami. The series debuted in Japan on Septem-
ber 26, 1986 with Akumajō Dracula (悪魔城ドラキュ
ラ Akumajō Dorakyura, lit. “Devil's Castle Dracula”
), which was later released as Castlevania in the United
States (May 1, 1987) and PAL (December 19, 1988).
The series is one of Konami's most celebrated franchises,
appearing on several best-of lists.* [1] The games take
place in their fictional universe, which centers around the
Belmont clan and their fight against the vampire Dracula.
Castlevania titles have been released on numerous differ-
ent video game consoles, handheld game consoles, and [7] Some songs of the soundtrack are exclusively available
personal computer platforms, several of which have been
re-released on multiple platforms and included as part of
compilation packages. The series' characters have ap-
peared in several other Konami games. There have been
also numerous separately released music albums, initially
by King Records, then primarily by Konami.
5.1.1 Video games
Compilations and collections
Cancelled titles
Related titles
There are parody games created by Konami that have
Castlevania elements or characters.
126
5.1.2 Other media
Music albums
5.1.3 Notes
[1] The reprint of the album was released under the name
Akumajō Dracula Best on September 23, 1998 along with
the reprint of Akumajō Dracula Best 2.
[2] The reprint of the album was released under the same
name along with the reprint of the first volume on Septem-
ber 23, 1998.
[3] The CD was included in a pre-order bonus for Castle-
vania: Portrait of Ruin at GameStop, EB Games, and
GameCrazy.* [177]
[4] Also known as Castlevania 20th Anniversary Deluxe Music
Collection.
[5] Largest Castlevania music album till date containing 1
DVD & 18 CDs.
[6] The CDs contain the soundtracks and the DVD contains
an interview with Michiru Yamane and videos of record-
ing sessions.
through the official website of Sumthing Distribution.
[8] Some songs of the soundtrack are exclusively available
through the official website of Sumthing Distribution.
5.1.4 References
[1] “The Top 25 Videogame Franchises”. IGN. 2010-07-
07. Archived from the original on 2012-06-17. Retrieved
2013-02-02.
[2] 悪魔城ドラキュラシリーズ総合サイト – 1986 (in
Japanese). Konami. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
[3] “Castlevania (NES) – Release Summary”. GameSpot.
Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[4] “Vs. Castlevania – Release Summary”. GameSpot. Re-
trieved 2007-10-11.
[5] “Castlevania (PC) – Release Summary”. GameSpot.
Retrieved 2007-10-11.
5.1. LIST OF ''CASTLEVANIA'' MEDIA
[6] “Castlevania (Commodore 64) – Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[7] “Castlevania (Amiga) – Release Summary”. GameSpot.
Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[8] “Konami Collector's Series: Castlevania & Contra – Re-
lease Summary”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[9] “Castlevania (mobile) – Release Summary”. GameSpot.
Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[10] “Classic NES Series: Castlevania – Release Summary”
. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[11] Matt Casamassina (2007-04-30). “VC Mondays:
04/30/07”. IGN. Retrieved 2007-09-10.
[12] “Akumajou Dracula for MSX – Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
[13] “Vampire Killer (1986)". The Castlevania Dungeon. Re-
trieved 2008-01-24. External link in |work= (help)
[14] “Dracula II: Noroi no Fuuin – Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[15] “Castlevania II: Simon's Quest – Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-09-06.
[16] Whalen, Mike and Giancarlo Varanini. “The History of
Castlevania”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
[17] " ド ラ キュ ラ II 呪 い の 封 印". Konami. Retrieved
2008-12-04.
[18] 悪魔城ドラキュラシリーズ総合サイト – 1987 (in
Japanese). Konami. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
[19] “Akumajō Dracula Titles”. Konami Official Guide: Aku-
majō Dracula X Chronicle (in Japanese). Konami. 2007- [42] “Castlevania Dracula X – Release Summary”. GameSpot.
11-08. p. 121. ISBN 978-4-86155-193-2.
[20] “Haunted Castle Videogame by Konami (1988)". Killer
List of Videogames. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
[21] “Haunted Castle (1988)". The Castlevania Dungeon. Re-
trieved 2008-01-24. External link in |work= (help)
[22] “ACastlevania: The Adventure – Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
[23] 悪魔城ドラキュラシリーズ総合サイト – 1989 (in
Japanese). Konami. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
[24]“Developer Lookback: Konami Part I”. Retro Gamer
(Imagine Publishing) (53): 25. August 2008.
[25] “Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse – Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
[26] “Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge – Release Info”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
[27] 悪魔城ドラキュラシリーズ総合サイト – 1991 (in
Japanese). Konami. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
[28] “Super Castlevania IV – Release Summary”. GameSpot.
Retrieved 2007-09-11.
127
[29] “Super Castlevania IV (Wii)- Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
[30] “Akumajou Dracula Special: Boku Dracula-kun (1991)".
The Castlevania Dungeon. Retrieved 2008-01-23. Exter-
nal link in |work= (help)
[31] “Kid Dracula (1993)". The Castlevania Dungeon. Re-
trieved 2008-01-23. External link in |work= (help)
[32] 悪魔城ドラキュラシリーズ総合サイト – 1993 (in
Japanese). Konami. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[33] “Castlevania Chronicles – Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[34] Varanini, Giancarlo (2001-10-01). “Castlevania Chron-
icles Preview”. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
[35] 悪魔城ドラキュラシリーズ総合サイト – 2001 (in
Japanese). Konami. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
[36] McWhertor, Michael (2007-08-10).“Castlevania Chron-
icles Coming To PS3, PSP Via PSN”. Kotaku. Retrieved
2007-10-11.
[37]“Akumajo Dracula X: Chi no Rondo – Release Summary”
. GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-09-11.
[38] Parish, Jeremy (2007-02-01).“Castlevania: The Dracula
X Chronicles (PSP)". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2007-09-04.
[39] “Castlevania: Bloodlines – Release Summary”.
GameSpot. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
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6.1 Text
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onZero, JohnnyMrNinja, CrimsonScar, Scrltspdrslayer, LaVey Charkus Veros BeruDeJusu, TubularWorld, Guesty-Persony-Thingy, Im-
ageRemovalBot, WikipedianMarlith, Martarius, Sfan00 IMG, ClueBot, Abodos, Plastikspork, Clinton Baptiste, Capellan, Onikiri, Qsaw,
Ansath, Sinh~enwiki, Npyrhone, 718 Bot, Time for action, Marc-Olivier Pagé, OnTheMantle, Holothurion, JasonAQuest, Unused000706,
Zombie433, Tezero, SoccerMum75, Asianfilmguy, XLinkBot, Ladsgroup, Ost316, Applegodzmg, Addbot, The Sage of Stamford, Megata
Sanshiro, SpellingBot, Jhuhn, William043, Vio2112, Tallan, Koppas, Notyu1459, Zero4lyphe, Byakuya Truelight, OlEnglish, MuZemike,
Megaman en m, Yobot, TaBOT-zerem, Legobot II, Rabiznaz, ArchonMagnus, Abomb83, Angsc09, Rapunzel-bellflower, AnomieBOT,
Alexc2808, Imagepictures, Materialscientist, GB fan, Ouseraquenao, LilHelpa, Xmanchupo, Changhao, Colonthree, Ennio morricone,
SchnitzelMannGreek, Samwb123, FrescoBot, Daram.G, Saudijp, ThaLux, Kwiki, Freshh, Khashishi, Lucia Black, Tailikku, Toonmore,
Fatsticks0, Jeangabin, Black Squirrel 2, 777sms, Canyq, Purunyuu, WiiKiBoyz, Awesome McKillington, -- -- --, OliverDF, IDV, Cake-
walkScragFunds, Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, Mr.Smackdown, H3llBot, PetervanRooden, Ocdotaku30, The Country Girl, Klordane,
Shua27, ClueBot NG, Frietjes, Snyper1197, Mew2arceus, Spillik, BG19bot, Konamicodecontra, CityOfSilver, My Name Is Not Brad Pais-
ley, Luiscrawford, Rtfranco, BattyBot, Cyberbot II, Khazar2, Dobie80, MegaCyanide666, Dissident93, Mr. Guye, Sminthopsis84, Soledad-
Kabocha, Saruman38, BDE1982, Wario-Man, KahnJohn27, NathanWubs, Magicperson6969, Fumiko Take, Louissa Ferre, TransVannian,
Lemaroto, CensoredScribe, JoyRiderProdz, LiteBowser, DisneySwan1990, BananaSlamma, Eventhorizon51, Monkbot, Landingdude13,
Tomnolan4, Chaotic Purgatory, CoolGamer23, Midnight1996, GrayKirby, ErdrickLoto and Anonymous: 743
• List of Castlevania characters Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Castlevania_characters?oldid=713132624 Contributors:
Zundark, Ubiquity, DopefishJustin, Tedius Zanarukando, Stormie, Eric42, Gtrmp, Nifboy, Wmahan, Mackeriv, Ricardochirino, AstroBlue,
Venu62, Rich Farmbrough, EliasAlucard, AmosWolfe, Feitclub, Aquillion, Apostrophe, Jason One, Alansohn, Tony Sidaway, Sivak, New
Age Retro Hippie, Chonshu, Guy M, Tabletop, Dangerous-Boy, Psi edit, Combination, Jack Cox, BD2412, Rjwilmsi, Jonny2x4, Nezu
Chiza, Hibana, Imnotminkus, Melodia, Wavelength, Rtkat3, MoriyaMug, Gaius Cornelius, Thiseye, Tony1, Codenamecuckoo, Storm-

132
6.1. TEXT 133

Pooper, Nikkimaria, JuJube, Anclation~enwiki, Curpsbot-unicodify, JDspeeder1, TJF588, SmackBot, Tuxedo Mark, Erik the Appreciator,
Hogtree, Unyoyega, Kittynboi, Geoff B, Master Deusoma, Jackk, Chris the speller, Guermantes, FordPrefect42, Draculvania, Sephiroth
BCR, Maetch, Fuhghettaboutit, CaptainJade9, Derek R Bullamore, TyrannoRanger, Delf, John, Fallen Reality, AllStarZ, Cyberlink420,
Zeldamaster3, Childzy, Tarantulas, TPIRFanSteve, SoulinEther, Sonic Shadow, TJ Spyke, Iridescent, Longshot14, Shadoman, Judgesur-
real777, LordStanDeluxe, Skapur, Sabrewing, Belgium EO, Audiosmurf, OtakuMan, Showdown, Urutapu, CmdrObot, Rorshacma, Neelix,
Wyveelix, Ebonize christian, AniMate, Arrowned, FG Fox, Roxas 89, Headbomb, Luigifan, Somacruz94, X201, 54gsze4ghz5, Nick Num-
ber, CZeke, Guy Macon, Herald Alberich, TTN, Satoryu, Kung Fu Man, JAnDbot, Tony Myers, Cyclonius, M4701, HarkenSlash, Magiola-
ditis, Neofcon, LordCastlevania, Fayde, Silenced Gamer, Solarswordsman, AntiSpamBot, SuperSonicTH, Blood Oath Bot, SimbasGuard,
Penetrana, VolkovBot, Angel the Techrat, Oshwah, LeaveSleaves, Darius4, Sesshomaru, Monty845, AlleborgoBot, Unused000702, SieBot,
Vanished user la45ij56rt, Otaku A. Belmont, Eventide11, Lord Pent, KristenDArgyle, ImageRemovalBot, Martarius, ClueBot, Fadesga,
EoGuy, General Epitaph, Gaia Octavia Agrippa, WebJiCi, Bippo Ernesti, Mild Bill Hiccup, Onikiri, Kitty9992, DarthFett13, Cobra Blade,
Holothurion, LonerXL, Noosentaal, Egon Eagle, Ost316, Batmen, Addbot, MisterMario92, Megata Sanshiro, Jamiereid92, Ganos, The
Shadow-Fighter, Chzz, BlueMario1016, Mr.Yahoo!, Yobot, Ptbotgourou, Erigu, AnomieBOT, Jim1138, Imagepictures, Materialscientist,
Ouseraquenao, LilHelpa, Xepher219, Dunc0029, WhiteKnightLeo, FrescoBot, CayenneGaramonde, No One of Consequence, Canyq, Pu-
runyuu, RjwilmsiBot, MAXXX-309, DASHBot, EmausBot, Prinn, RA0808, CakewalkScragFunds, Brgenesis64, CadgerSackfulSwank,
Dsmithsmithy, Yanu Omanescu, ClueBot NG, Linklex7, Control-202, Widr, WikiPuppies, Spidervenom123, BG19bot, Dartpaw86, Ci-
tationCleanerBot, North911, Cyberbot II, ChrisGualtieri, Jaydude1992, Mediran, SNAAAAKE!!, Dobie80, SoledadKabocha, Mogism,
Tentinator, SParrXxX, AnthonyJ Lock, Eventhorizon51, User No. 99, Landingdude13, Chaotic Purgatory, Iroquois 85, Omega666Evil
and Anonymous: 524
• Dracula (Castlevania) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(Castlevania)?oldid=720478564 Contributors: Charles Matthews,
Andrevan, K1Bond007, Sander123, Kizor, Postdlf, Eric42, Gtrmp, Mackeriv, WpZurp, Rich Farmbrough, EliasAlucard, Joylock, Apos-
trophe, Anittas, Seancdaug, DreamGuy, New Age Retro Hippie, Woohookitty, Derktar, Combination, Braindusted, Jack Cox, Melesse,
Canderson7, 008, Gurch, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Melodia, Rahenna, Rtkat3, Lordshmeckie, Gaius Cornelius, Kiyosuki, Shionyr, Nightmare X,
Ospalh, Zythe, Codenamecuckoo, Glenn Magus Harvey, N. Harmonik, Buzda, El cid the hero, SmackBot, Cosmetor, Kittynboi, Master
Deusoma, Jackk, Chris the speller, Guermantes, Bluebot, Totema1, OrphanBot, Sephiroth BCR, Maetch, Fuhghettaboutit, Ghaleonh41,
Metamagician3000, Cyberlink420, VelairWight, Lancini87, Shadoman, Judgesurreal777, Shannernanner, OtakuMan, Tanthalas39, Jesse
Viviano, Cydebot, Arrowned, Tkynerd, Geekboy6, Guyinblack25, Coelacan, Headbomb, Luigifan, Folken de Fanel, X201, Jonny-mt,
Kung Fu Man, DReyn86, Megamanfan3, AP.BOT, Kakomu, Innocent J, Brittany Ka, TheJoust, Plasticup, Zerokitsune, VolkovBot, Sonic
the Hedgehog PL, Victory93, Showers, Lightmouse, KathrynLybarger, TX55, Lord Opeth, ClueBot, Inuboy1000, Kitty9992, Sonc X
PL, LonerXL, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Omegafouad, Mr.Yahoo!, Yobot, AnomieBOT, FrescoBot, CayenneGaramonde, Citation bot 1,
HRoestBot, Weedle McHairybug, Brother Valencio, Deagle AP, Hula Hup, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, Sungetsu15, Yanu
Omanescu, ClueBot NG, Cmcalpine, Shaddim, Linklex7, Spidervenom123, Gabriel Yuji, North911, BattyBot, Khazar2, SNAAAAKE!!,
Mogism, Eventhorizon51, Markman999 and Anonymous: 166
• Alucard (Castlevania) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alucard_(Castlevania)?oldid=689696544 Contributors: Cyde, Ahoerste-
meier, Andrevan, RickK, Selket, Stormie, Masssiveego, Phil Boswell, Kizor, David Gerard, Eric42, Gtrmp, Michael Devore, Kitsune Sniper,
Reyemile, Gilgamesh~enwiki, Mboverload, Golbez, Mackeriv, Quadell, OwenBlacker, Phil1988, Beginning, Aponar Kestrel, Rich Farm-
brough, EliasAlucard, Shadow Hog, Blade Hirato~enwiki, Anonymous Cow, Apostrophe, Pearle, Jason One, Seancdaug, DreamGuy, Zx-
cvbnm, New Age Retro Hippie, Havermayer, Jersyko, Keio, Psi edit, Jack Cox, Joeymartin64, Yar Kramer, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Menopause,
Melodia, YurikBot, King Zeal, Akutenshi~enwiki, Shell Kinney, Matt.lohkamp, Kiyosuki, Nightmare X, Misza13, Ma3nocum, BOT-
Superzerocool, Codenamecuckoo, Siyavash, Buzda, Nikkimaria, LordJumper, 404notfound, Kungfuadam, Mr. Christian, Errickfoxy,
SmackBot, Kittynboi, Chairman S., Master Deusoma, Tyciol, Guermantes, Bluebot, Philosopher, DarkJake, Colonies Chris, Draculvania,
OrphanBot, Sephiroth BCR, Maetch, Apofisu, TheCert, TyrannoRanger, Heimstern, BloodFire~enwiki, Cyberlink420, Kuhan, Sesud-
era, TJ Spyke, Jc37, TheFarix, Judgesurreal777, LordStanDeluxe, McJeff, OtakuMan, Bmecoli, CmdrObot, Rorshacma, Mika1h, Bass-
Bone, Cydebot, Words of Ivory, Abtract, TheFearow, Headbomb, Luigifan, Somacruz94, X201, Bethereds, CZeke, Soutamo, Kung Fu
Man, TAnthony, Xtremeblur, Neliobelmont, Trusilver, A Nobody, L337 kybldmstr, Plasticup, Cometstyles, Mr Wesker, TreasuryTag,
Angel the Techrat, Fishhook, Stigmar the destroyer, Sesshomaru, Victory93, WillyFourEyes, Aubri, ShinMagus, Unused000702, Van-
ished user la45ij56rt, Flyer22 Reborn, KristenDArgyle, Lord Opeth, Dawnbringer™, ClueBot, Redqueeney, Mild Bill Hiccup, Onikiri,
Kitty9992, Tintor2, Divineangelspear, Puceron, SchreiberBike, Deerstop, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Soapfoam, Omegafouad, Akashiya,
BlueMario1016, Yobot, Erigu, Mr T (Based), Searcy g, Citation bot, FrescoBot, Razdower, CayenneGaramonde, DASHBot, Hula Hup,
CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, Liquidmetalrob, H3llBot, Spidervenom123, Gabriel Yuji, SNAAAAKE!!, Mogism, Ninten-
donix, Maplestrip and Anonymous: 185
• List of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow characters Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Castlevania%
3A_Aria_of_Sorrow_and_Dawn_of_Sorrow_characters?oldid=710436215 Contributors: Selket, David Gerard, Nifboy, Michael Devore,
Circeus, AnmaFinotera, Combination, Rjwilmsi, Koavf, Master Thief Garrett, Czar, Jonny2x4, Melodia, RussBot, Tony1, N. Harmonik,
Nikkimaria, Crystallina, SmackBot, Erik the Appreciator, Master Deusoma, Sephiroth BCR, Maetch, Koweja, TheFarix, Iridescent,
Judgesurreal777, CmdrObot, Neelix, EpochDarkleaf, Guyinblack25, FG Fox, Epbr123, Headbomb, Luigifan, X201, Haha169, Silver
Edge, Kariteh, Lightwing1988, Appraiser, Ejfetters, JaGa, MartinBot, STBot, AntiSpamBot, Warut, Driveshooter, Jessica Ingmann, Gim-
meBot, Anonymous Dissident, TwilligToves, Ashnard, Orange32, Sesshomaru, Unused000702, Mild Bill Hiccup, Auntof6, DarthFett13,
Ost316, Megata Sanshiro, Team4Technologies, Mr.Yahoo!, Bunnyhop11, Erigu, Citation bot, CayenneGaramonde, Banej, EmausBot,
John of Reading, Hula Hup, CakewalkScragFunds, Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, H3llBot, ClueBot NG, Glorysama, Spidervenom123,
Cyberbot II, NathanWubs, Jodosma, Ugog Nizdast, Monkbot, SSTflyer and Anonymous: 61
• Soma Cruz Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soma_Cruz?oldid=702374506 Contributors: Selket, Morgan695, Caufman, Tzarius,
Rich Farmbrough, EliasAlucard, Sn0wflake, Thunderbrand, Cmdrjameson, Kappa, Apostrophe, Seancdaug, Tony Sidaway, Jtrainor, Alai,
Kouban, Smoke, Monpirri, Canderson7, Rjwilmsi, Eldamorie, Black Sword, TheMidnighters, CarolGray, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Imnotminkus,
Melodia, Satanael, Perish Song, DanMS, Kiyosuki, Pagrashtak, Bkerr, Shackleton, Conan-san, ANKi, SmackBot, Erik the Appreciator,
Hogtree, Master Deusoma, Taric25, Totema1, Sir Chocobo, Onikage725, Sephiroth BCR, A7X, Cyberevil, WeaksauceXP, Condem,
Abonilla, ILovePlankton, Cat's Tuxedo, Iridescent, Shadoman, Cydebot, Thijs!bot, Epbr123, Roxas 89, Headbomb, X201, AntiVandal-
Bot, Comrade Pajitnov, MegaTroopX, Bladestorm, TTN, Plasticup, Ace of Jokers, Blood Oath Bot, Sanuraausbloom, Victory93, Shad-
owniten, Red, JabbaTheBot, Lord Opeth, Alexbot, Randomran, Tezero, DumZiBoT, Vianello, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Omegafouad,
BlueMario1016, Erigu, GamerPro64, AnomieBOT, LilHelpa, The Stick Man, Bossanueva, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank,
Gabriel Yuji, SNAAAAKE!!, Mogism, Srednuas Lenoroc, Chocolatejr9 and Anonymous: 104
134 CHAPTER 6. TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

• Music in the Castlevania series Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_in_the_Castlevania_series?oldid=696443852 Contribu-

tors: Bearcat, Strugglepoo, Monpirri, Euchrid, Melodia, Malcolma, FE411, Nuttah, Judgesurreal777, The Prince of Darkness, Mika1h,
Headbomb, X201, TFunk, Jotamide, Izno, Yintan, JL-Bot, Addbot, Dawynn, Megata Sanshiro, Yobot, AnomieBOT, FrescoBot, Canyq,
Starcheerspeaksnewslostwars, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, The1337gamer, Dissident93, KahnJohn27 and Anonymous:
22
• Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight OST Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Symphony_of_the_Night_
Original_Game_Soundtrack?oldid=696244667 Contributors: Rich Farmbrough, Bender235, CyberSkull, Fritz Saalfeld, Combination,
Rjwilmsi, Koavf, Hibana, N. Harmonik, Buzda, SmackBot, Diplocephalus, Bluebot, Ishnariel, Kaixaken, Euchiasmus, Jesse Viviano,
Cydebot, Headbomb, Escarbot, MoogleDan, Zidane tribal, AtenRa, Jotamide, Eduemoni, DH85868993, Izno, Tikuko, Unused000702,
Cdl obelix, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, AnomieBOT, Canyq, Harizotoh9, Dissident93, Wario-Man, ClassicOnAStick and Anonymous: 16
• Castlevania: The Original Game Soundtrack Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_The_Original_Game_
Soundtrack?oldid=671480921 Contributors: Rich Farmbrough, Combination, Rjwilmsi, Koavf, N. Harmonik, Buzda, Guermantes,
ReyVGM, Ishnariel, Kaixaken, Cydebot, Headbomb, Escarbot, Jotamide, Izno, Sjones23, Unused000702, TX55, MelonBot, Addbot,
Megata Sanshiro, Dissident93, Wario-Man and Anonymous: 11
• Castlevania (video game) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_(disambiguation)?oldid=620322056 Contributors: TheRe-
alFennShysa, Erik, Tsuba~enwiki, New Age Retro Hippie, Codenamecuckoo, TJF588, MisterHand, Arrowned, Jakebreaker, Jhsounds,
JMiscreant, Addbot, Jhuhn, Killy mcgee, Luckas-bot, DSisyphBot, Kindzmarauli, Murderneo, Eventhorizon51 and Anonymous: 5
• Vampire Killer Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_Killer?oldid=716709699 Contributors: Jondel, GreatWhiteNortherner,
Eric42, Mackeriv, Seancdaug, Chrysaor, Megan1967, Woohookitty, Combination, HMP22, CoStar, StuartBrady, FlaBot, Jonny2x4, Bg-
white, Melodia, Gaius Cornelius, Nahallac Silverwinds, Smash, Allahweh1453, Glenn Magus Harvey, N. Harmonik, Buzda, That Guy,
From That Show!, SmackBot, Moeron, DuoDeathscyther 02, Jagged 85, Oscarthecat, Parrothead1983, OrphanBot, Fuhghettaboutit, Curly
Turkey, Jacquismo, TPIRFanSteve, Judgesurreal777, Sabrewing, Whyareall, Mika1h, Cydebot, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb,
X201, Bombman, VoABot II, Ecksemmess, Humblehelp, Mr Wesker, VolkovBot, Falcon8765, Victory93, Apathor, Unused000702,
GreaterWikiholic, WereSpielChequers, TX55, Foxj, CounterVandalismBot, StigBot, Raizen1984, LonerXL, Swindbot, Antti29, Ost316,
Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Drpickem, Luckas-bot, Sorrow007, GrouchoBot, Tailikku, Full-date unlinking bot, Lightlowemon, Inspector-
Bonham, Canyq, CakewalkScragFunds, Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, Another n00b, BattyBot, JYBot, Eventhorizon51, Monkbot,
Landingdude13, ClassicOnAStick, PatTheMoron, Dohvahkiin, Анна Озерова and Anonymous: 56
• Castlevania II: Simon's Quest Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_II%3A_Simon'{}s_Quest?oldid=719085138 Contrib-
utors: Bryan Derksen, Bueller 007, WhisperToMe, Furrykef, Meelar, LGagnon, Eric42, Mackeriv, Utcursch, DaveJB, Zantolak, Begin-
ning, Pseudo Intellectual, BuzzBomber, Evice, Thanos6, Apostrophe, CyberSkull, Ashley Pomeroy, Seancdaug, TheDotGamer, Crys-
talllized, New Age Retro Hippie, Forteblast, Saxifrage, Woohookitty, Fbriere, Combination, Mandarax, BD2412, Rjwilmsi, FlaBot,
Jonny2x4, Hibana, Imnotminkus, Liontamer, Sherool, Melodia, Gaius Cornelius, Wgungfu, Nahallac Silverwinds, Smash, Pagrashtak,
Allahweh1453, DrZarkov, Arima, PhilipO, Tickenest, Lumaga, N. Harmonik, Buzda, Calaschysm, JuJube, TJF588, Dposse, Flipkin,
SmackBot, Tuxedo Mark, Brown Derby, DuoDeathscyther 02, Jagged 85, Commander Keane bot, Plotor, Bluebot, Iamstillhiro1112, Whis-
pering, Colonies Chris, Silent Tom, Andy120290, GVnayR, Decltype, Curly Turkey, TyrannoRanger, J 1982, Mgiganteus1, Wickethewok,
TPIRFanSteve, TJ Spyke, Judgesurreal777, Garumike, McJeff, Whodhu, New User, Mika1h, Drinibot, Requestion, Cydebot, Lkermel,
Gnfnrf, After Midnight, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Epbr123, Headbomb, Vertium, X201, Ryusenshi, Cmg402, Seldane, Drgerrow,
Fru1tbat, RCHM, RobJ1981, Dreaded Walrus, Kariteh, Mike8bit, Ecksemmess, SparrowsWing, Raintheone, Torchiest, Jotamide, Innocu-
ousPseudonym, Tgeairn, Rgoodermote, Andy5421, Duhman0009, Casper10, Signalhead, ABF, Indubitably, Frank-i-am220, WOSlinker,
TXiKiBoT, Lots42, DeborahCliff, Modeps, Slysplace, LeaveSleaves, Ar-wiki, Agiar2000, Idg101, Victory93, Unused000702, SieBot, Sir-
Leopold, Akriloth2160, JohnnyMrNinja, KyoufuNoDaiou, WikiLaurent, Lockshaw13, Celique, ClueBot, Jesse Heinig, Theseven7, Hound-
ofBaskersville, Onikiri, Vixtrola, VegSXEBassist, Torqtorqtorq, Gerald G-Money, Bruplex, Belmontheir, Leonard^Bloom, LonerXL,
XLinkBot, Equationbessel, Fobmyxeer, Alexius08, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, MuZemike, Yobot, Newportm, GamerPro64, AnomieBOT,
Pacash80, JackieBot, Alexc2808, Imagepictures, Materialscientist, Citation bot, Anarchyfps, Frosted14, ASOTMKX, Weedle McHairy-
bug, Tim1357, Trappist the monk, Lorson, Canyq, Reach Out to the Truth, EmausBot, John of Reading, WikitanvirBot, Leech44, Cake-
walkScragFunds, Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, Wahjah, SporkBot, TomorrowWeDie, Bill Hicks Jr., ClueBot NG, DBigXray, Gabriel
Yuji, Wolfkid 96, Supernerd11, Harizotoh9, Glacialfox, Achowat, The1337gamer, ZumKotzen, SoledadKabocha, JokeKah, Sriharsh1234,
Wario-Man, NathanWubs, Munchman15, BartSmith85, Stamptrader, Justin.Parallax, KnightOfMars83, Monkbot, Landingdude13, Adri-
anGamer, 0xF8E8, Maplestrip, Dumuzid, Mrcatmunch, Dohvahkiin, Maxwizard099 and Anonymous: 258
• Haunted Castle (arcade game) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haunted_Castle_(video_game)?oldid=700308067 Contributors:
Eric42, Unknownwarrior33, Mackeriv, DaveJB, Oknazevad, Giraffedata, Apostrophe, Sam Korn, Jtalledo, Seancdaug, Snowolf, New Age
Retro Hippie, Combination, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Liontamer, Melodia, Powerlord, Allahweh1453, Larsinio, Tony1, N. Harmonik, Buzda,
SmackBot, Mitchan, DuoDeathscyther 02, Guermantes, Maetch, TKD, Ghaleonh41, DrLove0378, Judgesurreal777, Cydebot, Betacom-
mandBot, Barticus88, Headbomb, X201, Seldane, HanzoHattori, GurchBot, 01kkk, Ejfetters, PNG crusade bot, ElinorD, Unused000702,
TX55, JohnnyMrNinja, Hippo99, Bde1982, Holothurion, DumZiBoT, Addbot, The Sage of Stamford, Poco a poco, Megata Sanshiro,
Lightbot, Yobot, Alexc2808, Imagepictures, Xqbot, Canyq, GoingBatty, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, BattyBot, Dissi-
dent93, Monkbot, Landingdude13 and Anonymous: 52
• Castlevania: The Adventure Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_The_Adventure?oldid=689322330 Contributors:
Tedius Zanarukando, Davidcannon, Eric42, Ukexpat, Rich Farmbrough, Apostrophe, Jason One, CyberSkull, ABCD, Seancdaug, RJFJR,
New Age Retro Hippie, ADeveria, Combination, Rjwilmsi, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Liontamer, TnS, Melodia, Smash, Allahweh1453, PhilipO,
Falcon9x5, N. Harmonik, Buzda, Jeff Silvers, SmackBot, DuoDeathscyther 02, Iamstillhiro1112, GVnayR, Sigmafactor, Jacquismo,
Judgesurreal777, Heywøød, Rorshacma, Amalas, Cydebot, MisterSparkle, PV250X, Synergy, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb,
X201, RobJ1981, Kung Fu Man, Kariteh, Pipedreamergrey, R'n'B, Lg16spears, STBotD, Casper10, Ktalon, Eky-w-, Victory93, Un-
used000702, Rob.bastholm, Jappalang, Onikiri, Mspraveen, DragonBot, JasonAQuest, Addbot, Dawynn, Megata Sanshiro, The Shadow-
Fighter, Lightbot, Luckas-bot, Alexc2808, Ttc817, Xqbot, FrescoBot, Lorson, Canyq, EmausBot, John of Reading, CakewalkScragFunds,
Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, ClueBot NG, Shaddim, Marc122, Dissident93, Mogism, Munchman15, Magicperson6969, Eventhori-
zon51, Monkbot, AdrianGamer and Anonymous: 50
• Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_III%3A_Dracula'{}s_Curse?oldid=715686524
Contributors: Bryan Derksen, SimonP, Milkfish, Andrevan, Tedius Zanarukando, Furrykef, Jnc, Eric42, Golbez, Lucky 6.9, Christopherlin,
Mackeriv, Utcursch, DocSigma, DaveJB, Oknazevad, EliasAlucard, Myria, Zelda~enwiki, Apostrophe, CyberSkull, Seancdaug, ReyBrujo,
6.1. TEXT 135

Crystalllized, Zxcvbnm, Sivak, New Age Retro Hippie, Forteblast, Kenyon, Kelly Martin, Guy M, Stabaho, Tabletop, Combination, Fire-
bug, LeeWilson, Nihiltres, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Liontamer, Sherool, Bgwhite, Melodia, TexasAndroid, Smash, Allahweh1453, DrZarkov,
PhilipO, Haoie, Codenamecuckoo, Buzda, BlazeHedgehog, Dmuth, AMHR285, Jeff Silvers, KnightRider~enwiki, Flipkin, SmackBot,
Tuxedo Mark, Brown Derby, State of Love and Trust, DuoDeathscyther 02, Jagged 85, Raptor lll, Oscarthecat, Winterheart, Bluebot, Or-
angeDog, Khazar, DrLove0378, Shostie, TPIRFanSteve, TJ Spyke, Pjay5, Judgesurreal777, Croctotheface, Holyice7, Rorshacma, Mika1h,
Drinibot, Ken Gallager, Cydebot, PV250X, Soetermans, Odie5533, The snare, Guyinblack25, Dark Samus, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot,
Headbomb, X201, Angelic Psyche, Cmg402, Neglektedfew, Kariteh, Thermal0xidizer, Ecksemmess, KConWiki, Evaunit666, Make, Der-
Hexer, Jotamide, Lg16spears, SolotaireDeaton, Casper10, Thesoftbulletin82, ConFu$ioN, Sjones23, Lots42, Melsaran, Master Bigode,
Victory93, Unused000702, Vanished user la45ij56rt, The Parsnip!, Psonefan, TX55, Lockshaw13, HoundofBaskersville, Bippo Ernesti,
Onikiri, Eric28, The Dork Knight, LonerXL, Angryapathy, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Jhuhn, SiegfreidZ, MuZemike, Eky, Luckas-bot,
Yobot, AnomieBOT, Alexc2808, Imagepictures, Materialscientist, LilHelpa, Gensanders, Surv1v4l1st, Tailikku, Full-date unlinking bot,
Reaper Eternal, Lorson, Canyq, XGBA, Noommos, EmausBot, WikitanvirBot, RenamedUser01302013, CakewalkScragFunds, Hounder4,
CadgerSackfulSwank, SporkBot, Chano-kun, Bill Hicks Jr., ClueBot NG, Castlevania1234, Reanchi, Zerothemaster, Harizotoh9, Gwick-
wire, Sec713, The1337gamer, BattyBot, Wario-Man, NathanWubs, Munchman15, Stamptrader, Kingronnie1, KnightOfMars83, Landing-
dude13, ClassicOnAStick, Bitshifter700 and Anonymous: 133
• Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_II%3A_Belmont'{}s_Revenge?oldid=695836091
Contributors: Davidcannon, Eric42, Mackeriv, Thunderbrand, Apostrophe, CyberSkull, ABCD, New Age Retro Hippie, Y0u, Combination,
Rjwilmsi, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Melodia, GeeJo, Nahallac Silverwinds, Smash, Allahweh1453, Falcon9x5, N. Harmonik, Buzda, Alakazam,
Jeff Silvers, SmackBot, DuoDeathscyther 02, Iamstillhiro1112, Sephiroth BCR, GVnayR, Ghaleonh41, Axem Titanium, Jacquismo, TPIR-
FanSteve, SubSeven, Judgesurreal777, Mellery, Rorshacma, Cydebot, PV250X, Synergy, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb, X201,
Liquid-aim-bot, RobJ1981, Kung Fu Man, Kariteh, Dekimasu, Ejfetters, Lg16spears, Kenshinflyer, TXiKiBoT, Lots42, Eky-w-, Vic-
tory93, Unused000702, JohnnyMrNinja, Muro Bot, DumZiBoT, Addbot, Dawynn, Megata Sanshiro, Alexc2808, Citation bot, Xqbot,
Canyq, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, The1337gamer, Dissident93, Wario-Man, Monkbot and Anonymous: 43
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Mackeriv, Grunners, Apostrophe, Jason One, ABCD, Seancdaug, ReyBrujo, RJFJR, Drat, KeithV, New Age Retro Hippie, Smoke, Com-
bination, QuasarTE, BcRIPster, Jonny2x4, LeCire~enwiki, Hibana, Liontamer, Melodia, TexasAndroid, Sceptre, RussBot, Jtkiefer, Epolk,
Gaius Cornelius, Wgungfu, Smash, Wiki alf, Moppet65535, Allahweh1453, PhilipO, Haoie, Raven4x4x, ACE Spark, Dvirgueza, Bronks,
N. Harmonik, Buzda, Meegs, Jeff Silvers, KnightRider~enwiki, SmackBot, Diplocephalus, Hawertg, DuoDeathscyther 02, Draculvania,
Maetch, GVnayR, John, Darkwren, J 1982, Teancum, BOZ, TPIRFanSteve, TJ Spyke, Judgesurreal777, Heywøød, Rorshacma, Dud-
dyroar, Mika1h, Jesse Viviano, Cydebot, Conquistador2k6, PV250X, BaseballFury, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb, Luigifan,
X201, Digifiend, TarkusAB, Scottandrewhutchins, Escarbot, RobotG, Scepia, Jhsounds, Kung Fu Man, MER-C, PhilKnight, HarkenSlash,
JamesBWatson, Thermal0xidizer, Ecksemmess, Jotamide, Dorkmaster Flek, Bowser Jr. Koopa, STBotD, Casper10, SixteenBitJorge,
Mr Wesker, Cogswobble, Deltwalrus, Sjones23, Beem2, DMXrated, Cheesemeister, Victory93, Unused000702, GreaterWikiholic, Super
World Champions, Buulsit, KathrynLybarger, TX55, Dylan620, Eric28, Zaharous, Posix memalign, The Dork Knight, LonerXL, Addbot,
Megata Sanshiro, SiegfreidZ, Lightbot, Dmitry Rozhkov, Yobot, Gongshow, Knocks, AnomieBOT, Alexc2808, Citation bot, Craeldon,
FrescoBot, LucienBOT, Citation bot 1, Tailikku, Mister RPG, Σ, Full-date unlinking bot, Lightlowemon, Martin IIIa, Canyq, Tbhotch,
Acather96, CakewalkScragFunds, Solarra, CadgerSackfulSwank, Hydao, Odokee, H3llBot, Wayne Slam, GoodMarioFan, 16bitz, ClueBot
NG, Linklex7, Widr, Inaudita, The1337gamer, Wywin, NathanWubs, SolarStarSpire, Harimau Belang, Oldham amoureux, Mario Weaboo,
KnightOfMars83, Eventhorizon51, Pariah66, PatTheMoron, LaytonPuzzle27 and Anonymous: 168
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Eric42, Gtrmp, Kitsune Sniper, Mackeriv, Sam Hocevar, ESkog, Apostrophe, Jason One, Seancdaug, New Age Retro Hippie, Combi-
nation, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Melodia, Casey J. Morris, Buzda, SmackBot, Tyciol, Bluebot, Onikage725, GVnayR, TPIRFanSteve, Anime-
dude360, TJ Spyke, Judgesurreal777, ShelfSkewed, Cydebot, Soetermans, Synergy, Guyinblack25, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Head-
bomb, X201, Kung Fu Man, Tony Myers, Faviang, Philip Trueman, PNG crusade bot, Superjustinbros., Unused000702, TX55, John-
nyMrNinja, Sfan00 IMG, Gu1dry, Feinoha, MystBot, Addbot, Dawynn, Megata Sanshiro, Rnewcomer, Favonian, Lightbot, Mr.Yahoo!,
Belasted, Ennio morricone, Tailikku, Canyq, Jesse V., WikitanvirBot, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, AvicAWB, Xealking9,
Shaddim, The1337gamer, FourthLineGoon, TheJJJunk, Dobie80, MegaCyanide666, KahnJohn27, Dolphincradle, Papyrus-winged ninja
Akil and Anonymous: 56
• Castlevania: Rondo of Blood Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Rondo_of_Blood?oldid=713755181 Contributors:
DopefishJustin, Tzaquiel, WhisperToMe, Selket, Fredrik, LGagnon, Matt Gies, Eric42, Gtrmp, Gilgamesh~enwiki, Lucky 6.9, Mackeriv,
D3v4st4t0r, Oknazevad, Jh51681, Luvcraft, Apostrophe, CyberSkull, WTGDMan1986, 9114619, Seancdaug, Cromwellt, Tsuba~enwiki,
New Age Retro Hippie, Red dwarf, Forteblast, Woohookitty, Jeff3000, Tabletop, Arru, Combination, Tarnas, Sdornan, Master Thief Gar-
rett, Phlegatu, Jonny2x4, Y2j420, Akhenaten0, Liontamer, Rebochan, Check two you, Melodia, BlackThought, RussBot, MoriyaMug,
AstrixZero, Gs68, Allahweh1453, Larsinio, PhilipO, Misza13, Falcon9x5, Codenamecuckoo, Glenn Magus Harvey, N. Harmonik, Buzda,
SmackBot, DuoDeathscyther 02, Kittynboi, Parrothead1983, Guermantes, Atomofish, Kingfiogojr, Maetch, GVnayR, Tehw1k1, Tyranno-
Ranger, J 1982, Teancum, Wickethewok, TPIRFanSteve, TJ Spyke, OtakuMan, Rorshacma, Mika1h, Jesse Viviano, Cydebot, PV250X,
Arrowned, Soetermans, Lkermel, BetacommandBot, Deusfaux, Headbomb, Folken de Fanel, X201, Seldane, OptimumTaurus, Satoryu,
Alphachimpbot, Kariteh, Justinhwang1996, Tony Myers, Endlessdan, HarkenSlash, BrYaN55, Thermal0xidizer, Ejfetters, Thibbs, Innocu-
ousPseudonym, R'n'B, Richiekim, Beatchef, Aervanath, STBotD, Casper10, RogueQuestar, Mr Wesker, TXiKiBoT, Ky-Guy, Jogersbot,
Luminum, Bishop2, Victory93, Unused000702, Proud Ho, Mockingbus, Lesser Shadow, TX55, The Thing That Should Not Be, ChaosAn-
gelZero, Jair Moreno, Raizen1984, The Dork Knight, Holothurion, LonerXL, Muro Bot, DumZiBoT, XLinkBot, Polo83, HexaChord,
Addbot, Abacos, Megata Sanshiro, Jhuhn, The Shadow-Fighter, Vio2112, Team4Technologies, BlueMario1016, Legobot, Yobot, Math-
User2929, Rapunzel-bellflower, AnomieBOT, Elm-39, LilHelpa, FrescoBot, Citation bot 1, Tailikku, Tim1357, Martin IIIa, DARTH SID-
IOUS 2, EmausBot, WikitanvirBot, GoingBatty, DarkBlade4658, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, Asdfsfs, ChuispastonBot,
TheMasterofCats, VahnLegaia, Shaddim, Despatche, BG19bot, Harizotoh9, TheRoxyme, Dissident93, Munchman15, MatthewHoobin,
Spilia4, Monkbot, Landingdude13, DJV11181988, AdrianGamer, ClassicOnAStick, BD2412bot and Anonymous: 256
• Castlevania: Bloodlines Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Bloodlines?oldid=712391103 Contributors: Tedius Za-
narukando, Eric42, Nifboy, Unknownwarrior33, Mackeriv, SAMAS, Oknazevad, Rowaasr13, Cmdrjameson, Apostrophe, CyberSkull,
ABCD, Seancdaug, Tsuba~enwiki, New Age Retro Hippie, Firsfron, Woohookitty, Prezboy1, ThomasHarte, Combination, Rjwilmsi, Co-
emgenus, Justin Hirsh, Gurch, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Bgwhite, Melodia, Gaius Cornelius, Nahallac Silverwinds, Gs68, Smash, Amiganer,
Allahweh1453, Ospalh, N. Harmonik, Buzda, KingKane, Gordmoo, SmackBot, DuoDeathscyther 02, Hogtree, Master Deusoma, Guer-
mantes, OrphanBot, Maetch, Krsont, GVnayR, TPIRFanSteve, Violncello, TheFarix, Judgesurreal777, JoeBot, Trokco, CmdrObot, Ken
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Gallager, Cydebot, PV250X, Arrowned, Soetermans, Myth Maniac, Guyinblack25, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb, X201, E Li-
quere, Kariteh, Strife82, Gutsdozer, HarkenSlash, Mokgamen, MartinBot, M-le-mot-dit, Radicalfaith360, Mr Wesker, Dcancel, Smashedty,
Lots42, Sintaku, Suriel1981, Darius4, Victory93, Unused000702, SieBot, Splintercell007, TX55, DragonZero, The Thing That Should Not
Be, Onikiri, Smackboy69, Sin Harvest, Holothurion, LonerXL, Muro Bot, JasonHockeyGuy, Reezy, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Marx01,
The Shadow-Fighter, Theprophet08, Luckas-bot, AnomieBOT, 藏狐, Xqbot, I Feel Tired, FrescoBot, Tailikku, Full-date unlinking bot,
Lightlowemon, Canyq, OliverDF, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, ChuispastonBot, ClueBot NG, Bacongull, Rocket1377,
Harizotoh9, Samwalton9, FourthLineGoon, Dissident93, SoledadKabocha, KahnJohn27, Ebb1993, AdrianGamer, ClassicOnAStick, Sred-
nuas Lenoroc, Unfungames and Anonymous: 127
• Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Symphony_of_the_Night?oldid=
719661854 Contributors: Booyabazooka, Scott, Borkabrak, Tedius Zanarukando, Djungelurban, Stormie, Nateji77, LGagnon, Xanzzibar,
Eric42, DocWatson42, Nifboy, Wmahan, Mackeriv, LucasVB, D3v4st4t0r, Tzarius, Oknazevad, Adashiel, RevRagnarok, Luvcraft,
Matt Deckard, EliasAlucard, Evice, Ht1848, Sockatume, RoyBoy, Longhair, Apostrophe, Jason One, Chakan, CyberSkull, Seanc-
daug, ReyBrujo, Tsuba~enwiki, New Age Retro Hippie, Chrysaor, Forteblast, Firsfron, Woohookitty, Jackel, WadeSimMiser, Com-
bination, BD2412, Rjwilmsi, Sdornan, Agiorgio, Brighterorange, Remurmur, Who, GünniX, Jonny2x4, Y2j420, Hibana, Liontamer,
Sherool, ShadowHntr, Wanderingtaoist, Melodia, Satanael, YurikBot, MoriyaMug, Gaius Cornelius, NateDan, Nahallac Silverwinds,
Smash, Buckdj, Veledan, Allahweh1453, DrZarkov, Howcheng, PhilipO, Haoie, Falcon9x5, BOT-Superzerocool, Buzda, Zero1328, Trib-
aal, Closedmouth, Jwissick, Nae'blis, AMHR285, Krótki, Dposse, SmackBot, Uthanc, Diplocephalus, Erik the Appreciator, Hawertg,
Shaolin Samurai, DuoDeathscyther 02, Jagged 85, Wolf ODonnell, Master Deusoma, Iignotus, Twinturbo2, Guermantes, TimBentley,
MK8, Iamstillhiro1112, Kingfiogojr, TotalTommyTerror, Owlswater, Egsan Bacon, OrphanBot, Sephiroth BCR, AaronPaige, Maetch,
Olroxshade, Kawnhr, Jsol5, GVnayR, OrigamiNinja, Radagast83, SomaC, Sanius, Looris, Wizardman, Curly Turkey, John, Teancum,
BloodFire~enwiki, Jacquismo, Wickethewok, Syferus, 041744, Berenlazarus, Slakr, Nukkus, Atirage, TPIRFanSteve, Koweja, Masem,
TheFarix, Hetar, Cat's Tuxedo, Iridescent, Judgesurreal777, UltimaWeapon, Audiosmurf, Angeldeb82, CmdrObot, Amalas, Mika1h,
Drinibot, Jesse Viviano, Cydebot, Fujiarmu, JDX, Arrowned, Soetermans, Fabiom, Empathogen, Controid, Thaddius, Valrandir, Af-
ter Midnight, BetacommandBot, CrispyChicken, Thijs!bot, JAF1970, Epbr123, Roxas 89, Lanky, Headbomb, Folken de Fanel, X201,
Aericanwizard, Dfrg.msc, Warteen, SOLITAREDRAGON336, Silver Edge, KidIncredible, Seldane, Fru1tbat, Satoryu, Dreaded Wal-
rus, Kariteh, Andrzejbanas, DutchShadow, Mike mgoblue, FaerieInGrey, Magioladitis, BrYaN55, Appraiser, Crissaegrim, Morbid An-
gel83, Optiroc, Neliobelmont, Ejfetters, Wesker85, Jarvolt, Daedolon, Mokgamen, WLU, B. Wolterding, Brittany Ka, Corpsedust, Mar-
tinBot, Grandia01, Jotamide, Thanos777, NovaSe7en, RockMFR, J.delanoy, Yajaec, Tay524, SharkD, Dbgt88, Blackgaia02, ZeroAlu-
card, JossBuckle Swami, Worldwithoutaname, Bob, Mr Wesker, LordArros, Ivan Prowler, MetalGearDraco, Ersatz82, Mandilore, ABF,
Sjones23, BrandeX, Nightmare975, TXiKiBoT, Angel the Techrat, Beem2, Modeps, EyExist, Ylatify, Victory93, MachineFist, Un-
used000702, Kmasta, Splintercell007, Pengyanan, Connell66, Gunmetal Angel, TX55, Mwn3d, WikipedianMarlith, Martarius, ClueBot,
The Thing That Should Not Be, EoGuy, Sonic3456, Mild Bill Hiccup, Bokan, Farslayer, Salvete, Jusdafax, Wycked, Tezero, LinoPop,
Rror, MMiX2k, Blackwatch21, Ost316, ForeverFreeSpeech, Addbot, F4LL0UT, Barzahereh, Megata Sanshiro, Metagraph, Dream-
MastR, MrOllie, LaaknorBot, The Shadow-Fighter, FCSundae, Baffle gab1978, Wall Screamer, Calaslol, Execute Robot, BlueMario1016,
Yobot, Faschwaa, Amirobot, Rapunzel-bellflower, AnomieBOT, Tavatar, Dante2014, Grantsaylor1995, LilHelpa, Fuzzbox77, GrouchoBot,
Alzwded, Natural Cut, LucienBOT, Daram.G, Alxeedo, Lastofthe13kings, MJ94, Full-date unlinking bot, DLoc14, Lightlowemon, Trap-
pist the monk, Canyq, Dewritech, GoingBatty, IDV, CakewalkScragFunds, Brgenesis64, Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, ZéroBot, Hy-
dao, Fæ, H3llBot, DESTROYERJOSH1, Funnysheep, Fablefire, Wirelessguy1, Asdfsfs, Orange Suede Sofa, TheTimesAreAChanging,
ClueBot NG, Gareth Griffith-Jones, Control-202, Novusuna, BG19bot, The History Writter Guy, Gabriel Yuji, Pmac21, Harizotoh9,
LoneWolf1992, The1337gamer, Dissident93, Frosty, BartSmith85, Synthwave.94, Mgsgamefreak, Monkbot, Landingdude13, Classi-
cOnAStick, Superwerebat, Matiia, HomeyGump, Dohvahkiin, MaximFisher and Anonymous: 498
• Castlevania Legends Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_Legends?oldid=712387761 Contributors: Andrevan, Bloodshed-
der, Owen, Eric42, Mackeriv, Thunderbrand, Causa sui, Apostrophe, CyberSkull, Lectonar, Tsuba~enwiki, New Age Retro Hippie, For-
teblast, Y0u, Combination, QuasarTE, Hibana, Topstar, Melodia, Pigman, Smash, Pagrashtak, Shionyr, Falcon9x5, Glenn Magus Har-
vey, Buzda, Doom127, Jeff Silvers, SmackBot, Tuxedo Mark, DuoDeathscyther 02, Guermantes, Iamstillhiro1112, Draculvania, Zsinj,
GVnayR, Vina-iwbot~enwiki, TyrannoRanger, TPIRFanSteve, TJ Spyke, Judgesurreal777, Rorshacma, Cydebot, PV250X, ST47, Soeter-
mans, Synergy, Guyinblack25, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb, X201, RobJ1981, Jtrondelxuio, Kung Fu Man, Grievous Angel,
Lg16spears, Thequische, Bishop2, Victory93, Unused000702, Splintercell007, TX55, LaVey Charkus Veros BeruDeJusu, DragonBot,
Addbot, Abacos, DougsTech, Megata Sanshiro, SpellingBot, Tengumaru, The Shadow-Fighter, Lightbot, Legobot, Luckas-bot, Yobot,
Erigu, QueenCake, Citation bot, D'ohBot, Lastofthe13kings, Tim1357, Canyq, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, Samwalton9,
Wario-Man and Anonymous: 71
• Castlevania (Nintendo 64) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_(Nintendo_64)?oldid=699103094 Contributors: Eric42,
Mackeriv, Venu62, Sockatume, R. S. Shaw, Apostrophe, Anthony Appleyard, Lectonar, Seancdaug, ReyBrujo, New Age Retro Hippie,
Miss Madeline, Hbdragon88, Combination, Rjwilmsi, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Liontamer, Sherool, Melodia, GeeJo, Smash, Welsh, Allah-
weh1453, PhilipO, Misza13, Falcon9x5, Buzda, KingKane, Closedmouth, Sean Whitton, Fram, Anclation~enwiki, Trumpy303, Smack-
Bot, DuoDeathscyther 02, Raptor lll, Chris the speller, Guermantes, Draculvania, Sephiroth BCR, GVnayR, Drake Clawfang, TPIR-
FanSteve, Hu12, Octane, Mika1h, Cydebot, PV250X, Soetermans, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Supparluca, Headbomb, Luigifan, X201,
And4e, TTN, Kung Fu Man, Skorpio-88, Jotamide, Brian809, Plasticup, Floppydog66, Sjones23, TXiKiBoT, Lots42, Beem2, Cesar-
Leo, Hellwolf36, Victory93, Unused000702, Akriloth2160, EternalWashuFanboy, Wilson44691, TX55, Jusdafax, The Dork Knight, Df-
sghjkgfhdg, LonerXL, Tezero, MystBot, Addbot, MisterMario92, Megata Sanshiro, Herr Gruber, Ettrig, BlueMario1016, Luckas-bot,
Yobot, AnomieBOT, Ouseraquenao, Xqbot, Gcm90, Arukado15, Lastofthe13kings, Full-date unlinking bot, NeoGenPT, WikitanvirBot,
CakewalkScragFunds, Djlollyb, Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, BG19bot, Frze, Achowat, Cyberbot II, GoShow, Dissident93, Hmains-
bot1, Wario-Man, Kevinfrombk, OccultZone, Eventhorizon51, Papyrus-winged ninja Akil, Landingdude13, Ryancgordon, AJFU, Old-
dawg90 and Anonymous: 131
• Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Legacy_of_Darkness?oldid=719642948 Con-
tributors: Eric42, Mackeriv, Cmdrjameson, Apostrophe, CyberSkull, Lectonar, Seancdaug, New Age Retro Hippie, Tabletop, Combina-
tion, Remurmur, Jonny2x4, Sherool, Melodia, GeeJo, Smash, Allahweh1453, Haoie, N. Harmonik, Buzda, Anclation~enwiki, SmackBot,
DuoDeathscyther 02, Guermantes, Bluebot, Draculvania, GVnayR, TPIRFanSteve, Judgesurreal777, Mika1h, Drinibot, Cydebot, Soeter-
mans, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, N5iln, Headbomb, NighTrekr, X201, RobJ1981, Kung Fu Man, Tony Myers, Ejfetters, MegaZer0,
Lots42, Beem2, ElinorD, Victory93, Unused000702, TX55, Martarius, ClueBot, Someone another, Alexbot, The Dork Knight, Holothu-
rion, Swindbot, Tezero, MystBot, Addbot, Poco a poco, Landon1980, Megata Sanshiro, Download, Lightbot, Luckas-bot, Yobot, Rapunzel-
bellflower, GrouchoBot, Lastofthe13kings, Full-date unlinking bot, CakewalkScragFunds, Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, Wayne Slam,
6.1. TEXT 137

SNAAAAKE!!, Wario-Man, Papyrus-winged ninja Akil, Stefysmithy and Anonymous: 74

• Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Circle_of_the_Moon?oldid=708469061 Con-
tributors: Furrykef, LGagnon, David Gerard, Eric42, Alan Au, Dave2, Mackeriv, Ricardochirino, Rich Farmbrough, EliasAlucard, Go-
plat, Ht1848, Sockatume, Thunderbrand, Apostrophe, Jason One, CyberSkull, Seancdaug, Nosferatu Alucard~enwiki, New Age Retro
Hippie, Y0u, Kelly Martin, Firsfron, Bluemoose, Combination, Rjwilmsi, Chiefmartinez, QuasarTE, Czar, Hibana, Liontamer, Hah-
nchen, Wanderingtaoist, Melodia, Carlos Olivera~enwiki, Gaius Cornelius, Kiyosuki, Smash, Razer64, Allahweh1453, DrZarkov, PhilipO,
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02, MooMan1, Chris the speller, Guermantes, Atomofish, Draculvania, Sephiroth BCR, Maetch, Kawnhr, Dee man 45, Delf, JoshuaZ,
TPIRFanSteve, Koweja, Judgesurreal777, Mika1h, Drinibot, Jesse Viviano, Cydebot, Guyinblack25, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Doga-
roon, Lanky, Headbomb, X201, Paliosun, Dominicus Cerberus, Kung Fu Man, Kariteh, Ejfetters, RubilacEx, The Successor, Kenny28,
McSly, Casper10, Retaliate, VolkovBot, ElinorD, Victory93, Unused000702, Splintercell007, TX55, Blackcat52, Kunthum, Clue-
Bot, Jappalang, Salvete, Fishynut, Holothurion, LonerXL, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Herr Gruber, Lightbot, Luckas-bot, Rapunzel-
bellflower, AnomieBOT, Jim1138, Imagepictures, Ttc817, Anonymous from the 21st century, Shadowjams, DivineAlpha, Citation bot
1, Lastofthe13kings, Yslop, RjwilmsiBot, John of Reading, CakewalkScragFunds, Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, CrimsonRaven21,
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• Castlevania Chronicles Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_Chronicles?oldid=709104304 Contributors: Eric42, Mackeriv,
Oknazevad, Apostrophe, Thebeginning, CyberSkull, Seancdaug, Cromwellt, Lerdsuwa, Tsuba~enwiki, Kouban, New Age Retro Hippie,
Y0u, Ian Moody, Combination, Rjwilmsi, NatusRoma, Remurmur, Czar, Hibana, Liontamer, Melodia, RussBot, IanManka, Allahweh1453,
ACE Spark, Dvirgueza, N. Harmonik, Geopgeop, Buzda, SmackBot, Shaolin Samurai, DuoDeathscyther 02, Guermantes, Ravimakkar,
JHunterJ, TPIRFanSteve, Judgesurreal777, Turtleheart, The Prince of Darkness, CmdrObot, Mika1h, Drinibot, Cydebot, Betacommand-
Bot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb, X201, RobJ1981, Ejfetters, Guru Larry, VolkovBot, ElinorD, Edwin Herdman, Suriel1981, Victory93, Un-
used000702, SieBot, TX55, Bippo Ernesti, Niceguyedc, Anonymous101, Raizen1984, Holothurion, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, SiegfreidZ,
Yobot, AnomieBOT, Tavatar, Alexc2808, Lmxdoomguyx, Tailikku, Lastofthe13kings, Salvidrim!, Full-date unlinking bot, Canyq, Emaus-
Bot, OliverDF, Desine fata deum flecti sperare precando, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, ZéroBot, SporkBot, Bill Hicks Jr.,
ChuispastonBot, Despatche, GTAjaxoxo, Harizotoh9, Dobie80, NathanWubs, Eventhorizon51, Landingdude13, ClassicOnAStick, Fish-
LizardMan and Anonymous: 72
• Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Harmony_of_Dissonance?oldid=
710386675 Contributors: Tedius Zanarukando, LGagnon, Eric42, Mackeriv, EliasAlucard, Violetriga, Evice, Sockatume, CanisRufus,
Thunderbrand, Apostrophe, Jason One, CyberSkull, Seancdaug, Drat, New Age Retro Hippie, Y0u, Combination, Rjwilmsi, Chief-
martinez, CarolGray, Kertrats, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Liontamer, Sherool, Melodia, RussBot, Calicore, Gaius Cornelius, Smash, Allah-
weh1453, Misza13, Zwobot, Falcon9x5, Ms2ger, Buzda, Igglybuff, JuJube, Flowersofnight, DT29, Dposse, SmackBot, Diplocephalus,
DuoDeathscyther 02, Hogtree, Martin.Budden, Siradia, Guermantes, Kawnhr, Raum, Lalibo X, CardinalFangZERO, Khazar, Teancum,
Syferus, 041744, TPIRFanSteve, TJ Spyke, Masem, Judgesurreal777, Bmecoli, Omata SSK Korosu, Sakurambo, CmdrObot, Iced Kola,
Cydebot, AtTheAbyss, PV250X, Arrowned, Codetiger, Phydend, Guyinblack25, Alucard44, BetacommandBot, Lanky, Headbomb, X201,
Seldane, RobJ1981, Naraibot, Kariteh, Tony Myers, EagleFan, Daedolon, Fray Pentaro, Thibbs, Mokgamen, Jotamide, The Successor,
Mamyles, Warut, Casper10, MuratBulut, VolkovBot, Eky-w-, Amidamaru89, Victory93, Unused000702, GEM036, TypoBot, Tegrenath,
Martarius, Jappalang, Onikiri, Thegeneralguy, Sun Creator, Muro Bot, Another Believer, Swindbot, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, SiegfreidZ,
Erigu, Vini 17bot5, Rapunzel-bellflower, AnomieBOT, Imagepictures, Citation bot, Berzerker099990, Sophus Bie, ASOTMKX, Saturn-78,
Citation bot 1, Alucardwolf, Jaguar, Full-date unlinking bot, RjwilmsiBot, Leech44, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, H3llBot,
ChuispastonBot, EdoBot, ClueBot NG, Harizotoh9, Dobie80, Wario-Man, Munchman15, Monkbot, Landingdude13, ClassicOnAStick,
302ET, Daikirou and Anonymous: 105
• Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Aria_of_Sorrow?oldid=714546373 Contributors:
Conti, Andrevan, Selket, LGagnon, Eric42, Michael Devore, Mackeriv, Gamin000, EliasAlucard, Sn0wflake, Bender235, Aranel, Socka-
tume, Thunderbrand, Tyan23, Anonymous Cow, Sukiari, Apostrophe, Jason One, SnowFire, CyberSkull, Ynhockey, Seancdaug, Snowolf,
Alai, New Age Retro Hippie, Y0u, Zntrip, Canadian Paul, Combination, Rjwilmsi, Brighterorange, FlaBot, Gurch, Czar, Atomic Cosmos,
Jonny2x4, Hibana, Liontamer, ShadowHntr, Melodia, YurikBot, ZFGokuSSJ1, Kiyosuki, Nahallac Silverwinds, Smash, Celeles, Misza13,
Tony1, Falcon9x5, N. Harmonik, TJF588, Dposse, SmackBot, Diplocephalus, DuoDeathscyther 02, Hogtree, P b1999, Master Deusoma,
Gilliam, Sephiroth BCR, GVnayR, Fuhghettaboutit, Euchiasmus, Zeldamaster3, Judgesurreal777, RekishiEJ, Codemastercb, Mika1h, Jesse
Viviano, Juhachi, Cydebot, AtTheAbyss, Arrowned, Soetermans, Guyinblack25, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Lanky, Headbomb, X201,
Silver Edge, Kariteh, Andrzejbanas, Tony Myers, Sonicsuns, Paul Haymon, Mokgamen, Youareapirate, Razor Clam, DrKay, The Succes-
sor, Victorgehrke, Plasticup, Casper10, VolkovBot, GimmeBot, Rei-bot, TwilligToves, January2007, Ashnard, Victory93, Unused000702,
GreaterWikiholic, Evondral, JohnnyMrNinja, ImageRemovalBot, IceUnshattered, Piledhigheranddeeper, Pichpich, Ost316, Addbot, Swi-
iman, Megata Sanshiro, Ratengo, Mr.Yahoo!, Erigu, Rapunzel-bellflower, Citation bot, FrescoBot, Citation bot 1, Full-date unlinking bot,
RjwilmsiBot, Bossanueva, CakewalkScragFunds, Solarra, CadgerSackfulSwank, H3llBot, Virtuosonic, ClueBot NG, Satellizer, Harizo-
toh9, BattyBot, Palaxan, Dexbot, Dissident93, Wario-Man, Munchman15, TFA Protector Bot, Monkbot, Landingdude13, Belle, AJaniV,
Bernardo Estrada, ChrisThaBeast, ClassicOnAStick, NakhlaMan, SSTflyer, UY4Xe8VM5VYxaQQ, FishLizardMan and Anonymous: 89
• Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Lament_of_Innocence?oldid=698372882
Contributors: Frecklefoot, Booyabazooka, Tedius Zanarukando, K1Bond007, Eric42, Gtrmp, Mackeriv, Shadowlink1014, EliasAlucard,
Violetriga, Evice, Ht1848, Tenfour, Thunderbrand, Euniana, Apostrophe, Jason One, CyberSkull, Seancdaug, Spangineer, Snowolf, New
Age Retro Hippie, Y0u, Ian Moody, Combination, BD2412, Rjwilmsi, Carbonite, FlaBot, Ian Pitchford, CarolGray, Jonny2x4, Hibana,
Sherool, Algebraist, Melodia, Gaius Cornelius, GeeJo, Nahallac Silverwinds, Smash, Welsh, Misza13, Falcon9x5, Codenamecuckoo, Glenn
Magus Harvey, N. Harmonik, Pfft Bot~enwiki, Meegs, Luk, Ghost Eyes, KnightRider~enwiki, SmackBot, Evilgrug, Jhartigan, DuoDeath-
scyther 02, AngelUnderCover, Jagged 85, Stuart P. Bentley, The Rogue Penguin, Ishnariel, Sephiroth BCR, Tvaughn05, Derek R Bul-
lamore, Wickethewok, Rhaka, PEiP, Darkedge, TPIRFanSteve, Koweja, TJ Spyke, Judgesurreal777, Sk8rpunk179, Cydebot, Betacom-
mandBot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb, X201, MoogleDan, Pixelface, Pipedreamergrey, Cyclonius, MegX, Askari Mark, Anime Jason, Ejfet-
ters, Mokgamen, Naruto134, I I K I I, RockMFR, Calamity-Ace, Floaterfluss, STBotD, Casper10, Castlevaniamaster1, Bovineboy2008,
WOSlinker, Lots42, Lottiotta, Hizang, Victory93, FlyingLeopard2014, Unused000702, TJRC, GlassCobra, The Dark Fade, Seedbot,
TX55, DragonZero, Larrythefunkyferret, Martarius, ClueBot, Foxj, EoGuy, Bippo Ernesti, Onikiri, Tintor2, LonerXL, DumZiBoT, Ad-
dbot, Megata Sanshiro, BlueMario1016, Luckas-bot, Ptbotgourou, Rapunzel-bellflower, AnomieBOT, Eumolpo, Sergecross73, Light-
lowemon, Canyq, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, ClueBot NG, DrRockso87, The1337gamer, BattyBot, ChrisGualtieri,
SNAAAAKE!!, Hmainsbot1, Mogism, Jodosma, Kant.10, LaytonPuzzle27 and Anonymous: 129
138 CHAPTER 6. TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

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tors: K1Bond007, LGagnon, Bbx, Eric42, Jacoplane, Jonabbey, Michael Devore, Mboverload, Gadfium, Mackeriv, DocSigma, Tzarius,
Vague Rant, EliasAlucard, Bender235, ESkog, From, Evice, Sockatume, Richard W.M. Jones, Thunderbrand, Deathawk, Anonymous
Cow, Apostrophe, Jason One, CyberSkull, Seancdaug, Dark Shikari, Stillnotelf, ReyBrujo, New Age Retro Hippie, Y0u, Kelly Martin,
Smoke, Pinball22, Poiuyt Man, Tabletop, Hbdragon88, Combination, Cabutt, Yar Kramer, Remurmur, FlaBot, Sean WI, Czar, Atomic
Cosmos, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Liontamer, Sherool, Melodia, Kiyosuki, Nli10, Nahallac Silverwinds, Smash, Pagrashtak, Ravedave, ACE
Spark, Tony1, Corn Popper, Falcon9x5, VederJuda, Zero1328, Nikkimaria, AMHR285, That Guy, From That Show!, Dposse, SmackBot,
Smitz, Nihonjoe, DuoDeathscyther 02, Hogtree, Hydrogen Iodide, Sillygostly, Wolf ODonnell, P b1999, Master Deusoma, Guermantes,
TimBentley, Totema1, Sephiroth BCR, Maetch, Olroxshade, GVnayR, Tehw1k1, Delf, John, Euchiasmus, Nanaki626, NintendoGod, Zel-
damaster3, Spencer F., Eridani, Malomeat, TJ Spyke, Masem, Demota~enwiki, Pimlottc, Angeldeb82, LessHeard vanU, Eis Mikagami,
Showdown, Urutapu, CmdrObot, Mika1h, Jesse Viviano, Cydebot, Soetermans, Guyinblack25, Monedasybilletes, JalbertInd, Betacom-
mandBot, Thijs!bot, Epbr123, Lanky, Headbomb, Mrekli, X201, JustAGal, The Culprit, Silver Edge, Salavat, RobJ1981, Canadian-Bacon,
Andrzejbanas, Sonicsuns, Lightwing1988, Relyk, Appraiser, Mullon, Neliobelmont, Ejfetters, Innocent J, JaGa, Mokgamen, RockMFR,
Dispenser, Spartan 1505095, Plasticup, STBotD, Someone Else's Problem, Castlevaniamaster1, Varnent, Izno, Signalhead, VolkovBot,
Kyle the bot, SteveClement, Rei-bot, ElinorD, Legedevin, Amidamaru89, Tsukuyomi Gundam, Victory93, Crs101523, Hakanai, Un-
used000702, GreaterWikiholic, Miremare, Fratrep, TX55, JohnnyMrNinja, ClueBot, Bigdaddyskillz, Mild Bill Hiccup, Onikiri, Rockfang,
HeaveTheClay, PL290, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, LinkFA-Bot, AnomieBOT, Commander Shepard, ImperatorExercitus, Citation bot,
АлександрВв, ASOTMKX, Lastofthe13kings, Fatsticks0, Lightlowemon, RjwilmsiBot, EmausBot, GoingBatty, CakewalkScragFunds,
Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, H3llBot, Bill Hicks Jr., Helpful Pixie Bot, Player017, Harizotoh9, Cyberbot II, Dexbot, Wario-Man,
NathanWubs, ClassicOnAStick, SSTflyer and Anonymous: 181
• Castlevania: Curse of Darkness Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Curse_of_Darkness?oldid=706009053 Con-
tributors: Tedius Zanarukando, Bearcat, KnightofNEE, Davidcannon, DoubleCross, Mackeriv, CALR, EliasAlucard, Evice, Hn, Thun-
derbrand, Apostrophe, CyberSkull, Seancdaug, New Age Retro Hippie, Ian Moody, Kelly Martin, Fbriere, Tabletop, Combination, Un-
used007, Rjwilmsi, Brighterorange, FlaBot, Ian Pitchford, Gurch, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Sherool, Melodia, Smash, Misza13, Falcon9x5,
Codenamecuckoo, N. Harmonik, SmackBot, DuoDeathscyther 02, VigilancePrime, Jagged 85, Raptor lll, Gilliam, TheAntitype, Ishnariel,
Colonies Chris, Sephiroth BCR, BloodFire~enwiki, TheFarix, Judgesurreal777, LordStanDeluxe, Angeldeb82, Urutapu, CmdrObot, Cyrus
XIII, Mika1h, Cydebot, PV250X, Soetermans, Boudi140, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb, X201, Fayenatic london, Chileno.s21,
Anime Jason, Ejfetters, Mokgamen, MartinBot, Lg16spears, L337 kybldmstr, SJP, Castlevaniamaster1, Mr Wesker, Ellaine Licanor,
Sjones23, Beem2, ElinorD, LeaveSleaves, Jack the crack, Victory93, Unused000702, GreaterWikiholic, SieBot, Miremare, Flameoftears,
TX55, Goodraise, FFXFan1991, Capellan, Onikiri, Authorman, Fairbones, LonerXL, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Rapunzel-bellflower,
Happylord234, Imagepictures, Obersachsebot, Xepher219, ASOTMKX, FrescoBot, Fortdj33, Lastofthe13kings, Full-date unlinking bot,
Turian, Allen4names, Takinzinnia, Dem1995, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, Black04031965, Dissident93 and Anonymous:
100
• Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Portrait_of_Ruin?oldid=717823800 Contributors:
Frecklefoot, KSweeley, LGagnon, Lupin, Mboverload, DoubleCross, Mackeriv, Qjuad, From, Evice, LordRM, Thunderbrand, Bobo192,
Feitclub, Apostrophe, CyberSkull, Ynhockey, Fatalerrorrage, Snowolf, Zxcvbnm, Tsuba~enwiki, New Age Retro Hippie, Red dwarf, Firs-
fron, Combination, Loggie, Atomic Cosmos, Stormwatch, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Sonic Mew, Melodia, YurikBot, RussBot, Smash, Pagrashtak,
Snkcube, Tenks, Misza13, Tony1, Falcon9x5, OutRider2003, N. Harmonik, Calaschysm, Dposse, SmackBot, Moeron, DuoDeathscyther
02, Wolf ODonnell, Geoff B, The Soul Reaver, Guermantes, ReyVGM, DarkJake, CyberSach, Totema1, Colonies Chris, ACupOfCoffee,
Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Triplicity, Sephiroth BCR, Maetch, GVnayR, Cocopopz2005, Sanius, Sonic Hog, WeaksauceXP, Gobonobo,
Zeldamaster3, Ryulong, TJ Spyke, Dtrmp4, HallwayGiant, Nairume, Skapur, Bmecoli, JForget, The Prince of Darkness, Tobias Lind,
CmdrObot, Mika1h, Jesse Viviano, FoxSynergy, Cydebot, Garland Strife, Chiyocide, Krator, N J B, Guyinblack25, BetacommandBot,
Thijs!bot, Barticus88, Roxas 89, Lanky, Headbomb, Luigifan, X201, Sean William, AntiVandalBot, Daimanta, Tsukiakari, Scepia, Piotr
(Venezuela), Vendettax, Andrzejbanas, JackSparrow Ninja, Tony Myers, Tylerman12, Hydrahead, Dekimasu, Mister Deranged, Sikepike,
Eusis, Ejfetters, Mokgamen, Kloffy, SD TEKKEN, Pupster21, WIKI-GUY-16, Rettetast, RockMFR, BobbyBritish, Darth Mike, Hum-
blehelp, FruitMonkey, Tsubasarc, Venikz, ShadowLaguna, Gopherbob, Bob, Jamesontai, Lechapelierfou, Castlevaniamaster1, Varnent,
MetalGearDraco, Signalhead, Dcancel, Nrycar, McNoddy~enwiki, ZMakman, Bovineboy2008, TXiKiBoT, ElinorD, Eky-w-, Legedevin,
AnujSuper9, Ashnard, Victory93, BBoyRoO, Unused000702, SuperNESPlayer, Miremare, WRK, TX55, ImageRemovalBot, Wikipedian-
Marlith, Smackboy69, LonerXL, Muro Bot, Swindbot, Tezero, FightingStreet, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Griffin700, Yobot, ProtoBuster,
Rapunzel-bellflower, AnomieBOT, Rubinbot, Citation bot, Citation bot 1, Lastofthe13kings, Full-date unlinking bot, WiiKiBoyz, DASH-
Bot, EmausBot, John of Reading, OliverDF, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, Freddymeup, Ida Shaw, H3llBot, Cyberbot II,
Dissident93, Wario-Man, Monkbot and Anonymous: 259
• Castlevania: Order of Shadows Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Order_of_Shadows?oldid=666265695 Contrib-
utors: Ringbang, Tsuba~enwiki, New Age Retro Hippie, Euchrid, Rjwilmsi, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Melodia, Buzda, Nikkimaria, SmackBot,
DuoDeathscyther 02, Hmains, TPIRFanSteve, Judgesurreal777, Mika1h, Cydebot, Synergy, BetacommandBot, Thijs!bot, Headbomb,
Dukeruckley, X201, Varnent, TXiKiBoT, Victory93, Unused000702, Martarius, Holothurion, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Grey ghost,
Drilnoth, Full-date unlinking bot, Fatsticks0, Canyq, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, ClassicOnAStick and Anonymous: 23
• Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Order_of_Ecclesia?oldid=698373574 Contrib-
utors: LGagnon, From, Zxcvbnm, New Age Retro Hippie, Chiefmartinez, Hibana, Melodia, Pagrashtak, Falcon9x5, OutRider2003, N.
Harmonik, Buzda, Zero1328, Closedmouth, SmackBot, DuoDeathscyther 02, Geoff B, Sephiroth BCR, CardinalFangZERO, Fallen Re-
ality, Syferus, 041744, Eridani, Judgesurreal777, Arrowned, Ike-bana, JAF1970, Headbomb, X201, Silver Edge, Kariteh, Mokgamen,
Jotamide, Calamity-Ace, A Nobody, Rgamed~enwiki, Varnent, VolkovBot, Davehi1, Victory93, Unused000702, Rob.bastholm, Buul-
sit, GEM036, TX55, DragonZero, JohnnyMrNinja, WikipedianMarlith, Onikiri, MrKIA11, Alexbot, Super Shy Guy Bros., Holothurion,
HeaveTheClay, Muro Bot, Versus22, DumZiBoT, Addbot, MisterMario92, STARTCH, Megata Sanshiro, 2 15 19 gd, Piggy831, NeXi-
gram, ProtoBuster, AnomieBOT, RaphaelGR, AnelZukic, Lastofthe13kings, Fatsticks0, Hypermagus, StephenYap3, RjwilmsiBot, Cake-
walkScragFunds, BlueAsian, Hounder4, CadgerSackfulSwank, EdoBot, Jack Greenmaven, Wario-Man, Monkbot, Papyrus-winged ninja
Akil and Anonymous: 116
• Castlevania Judgment Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania_Judgment?oldid=717810083 Contributors: William Avery,
Misterkillboy, Chowbok, Oknazevad, Evice, Workster, Gary, Tsuba~enwiki, New Age Retro Hippie, Euchrid, Koavf, Stormwatch,
Jonny2x4, Hibana, Melodia, Falcon9x5, Thegreyanomaly, Alpha 4615, VAgentZero, El cid the hero, SmackBot, DuoDeathscyther 02,
Parrothead1983, Sharp962, JzG, Shadowlynk, Judgesurreal777, JForget, CmdrObot, Mika1h, SKS2K6, Jeriaska, Arrowned, Headbomb,
James086, X201, Silver Edge, Kung Fu Man, JaGa, Richiekim, Castef, Jamesontai, Varnent, VolkovBot, ChromeWulf ZX, Bovineboy2008,
6.2. IMAGES 139

Beem2, Ripepette, RaseaC, Unused000702, RetroPacmanStyle, Xythen, RJaguar3, Avanzare, Oda Mari, GEM036, TX55, Geoff Plourde,
ClueBot, The White Duke, WebJiCi, Jdhenry, Thor231, Peter.C, Holothurion, MystBot, Kbdankbot, RubedoFF, Addbot, MisterMario92,
Megata Sanshiro, CarsracBot, DuncanMills, BloodRedFox, Yobot, II MusLiM HyBRiD II, InuYoshi, DarthMarth312, GamerPro64, Mr
T (Based), Cposkitt, Rapunzel-bellflower, USAJAP1, AnomieBOT, IRP, Piano non troppo, Imagepictures, Law, Rtyq2, Nilzy, Berz-
erker099990, BetterGalvan, RedBot, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, TheREALCableGuy, Gabriel Yuji, StealthMantis, Un-
realMate and Anonymous: 207
• Castlevania: The Arcade Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_The_Arcade?oldid=622989656 Contributors: Jtalledo,
Rjwilmsi, Hibana, Melodia, Gaius Cornelius, N. Harmonik, GVnayR, Mika1h, Headbomb, X201, Varnent, Unused000702, TX55, Ost316,
Addbot, Dawynn, Megata Sanshiro, MuZemike, BlueMario1016, Luckas-bot, Yobot, DrilBot, ArronMunroe, Lightlowemon, John of Read-
ing, MWOAP(AWB), CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, Despatche and Anonymous: 22
• Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_The_Adventure_ReBirth?oldid=
719885588 Contributors: Misterkillboy, Tsuba~enwiki, New Age Retro Hippie, Koavf, Jonny2x4, Hibana, Melodia, RussBot, Powerlord,
N. Harmonik, SmackBot, DuoDeathscyther 02, TPIRFanSteve, TJ Spyke, Mika1h, Blastoise-shellshocker, Headbomb, X201, Salavat, Es-
carbot, Jotamide, Victory93, Unused000702, Xythen, Fratrep, MrKIA11, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, Jhuhn, Luckas-bot, AnomieBOT,
CXCV, Gensanders, CakewalkScragFunds, CadgerSackfulSwank, Ὁ οἶστρος, SporkBot, Frietjes, NodBot, Samwalton9, Monkbot, Clas-
sicOnAStick, Omni Flames and Anonymous: 41
• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania%3A_Lords_of_Shadow?oldid=717992983 Contribu-
tors: Quoth-22, Lowellian, Oknazevad, Mattb90, Rich Farmbrough, Xezbeth, New Age Retro Hippie, Pol098, Euchrid, Rjwilmsi, Sdor-
nan, The wub, Hibana, Melodia, Powerlord, Pagrashtak, Grafen, Zero1328, 2over0, Nikkimaria, SmackBot, Jagged 85, Geoff B, Chris
the speller, Miquonranger03, Draculvania, GVnayR, TPIRFanSteve, HelloAnnyong, SkyWalker, JForget, Cyrus XIII, Mika1h, Frankly
Man, Arrowned, Soetermans, DumbBOT, JonBroxton, Ayzmo, Headbomb, Mr pand, X201, Nick Number, QuiteUnusual, Sully1311,
Null625, Tiswaser, Sujayt, Doctorhawkes, Drpryr, Magioladitis, Sarahj2107, Slimeknight, Grandia01, Calamity-Ace, Lg16spears, Beloved-
freak, Prhartcom, Mr Wesker, VolkovBot, Nemeses9, Bovineboy2008, Sjones23, Bloodios, Jean-Frédéric, Victory93, Unused000702,
Flyer22 Reborn, Gunmetal Angel, Dravecky, TX55, JohnnyMrNinja, Kashakak, ImageRemovalBot, WikipedianMarlith, Martarius, Clue-
Bot, Mod.torrentrealm, Hippo99, EoGuy, Onikiri, Tintor2, John J. Bulten, MrKIA11, Alexbot, Marc-Olivier Pagé, Arjayay, Zom-
bie433, Txtrooper, XLinkBot, PL290, Addbot, Megata Sanshiro, LaaknorBot, Nickin, Herr Gruber, Slipknot7792, Dayewalker, Byakuya
Truelight, Smeagol 17, Rider28031, Dcs78, Contributor777, BlueMario1016, Luckas-bot, Yobot, Captainrag, Angsc09, Rapunzel-
bellflower, AnomieBOT, Werehog21, Xqbot, Intelati, CoolingGibbon, Lovegames1418, Goodyer, Razdower, LucienBOT, HJ Mitchell,
J4cK0fHe4rt5, DrilBot, Schatzmiel, MastiBot, Dalbster, Salvidrim!, Fatsticks0, Banej, Lightlowemon, Dinamik-bot, Tbhotch, MrSnoot,
Purunyuu, WiiKiBoyz, Nagousta, Sverigekillen, Beren NK, John of Reading, ChaoSwordsman, CakewalkScragFunds, Djlollyb, Hounder4,
CadgerSackfulSwank, Anirudh Emani, Thecheesykid, Ryu Heishin, Alpha Quadrant, Eruul2012, Ὁ οἶστρος, Bilbo571, SporkBot,
IGeMiNix, Carpe omnia, Socialservice, Demonik187, ClueBot NG, Xerges, Validlessness, Kasirbot, Mars Cadbury, Helpful Pixie Bot,
Left4danny2, North911, Rjcripe, BattyBot, Ziggypowe, Khazar2, SNAAAAKE!!, Dexbot, Dissident93, Cerabot~enwiki, Wario-Man, Ao
Kusanagi, Mikegrahm, PeckyBeckyChan, Iseesky, Monsterlord18, Ghoul flesh and Anonymous: 365
• List of Castlevania media Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Castlevania_media?oldid=719337508 Contributors: Misterkill-
boy, Chowbok, Neko-chan, Circeus, Brainy J, Apostrophe, Alansohn, Zxcvbnm, Woohookitty, AnmaFinotera, BD2412, Euchrid, Rjwilmsi,
Jonny2x4, Hibana, Bgwhite, Melodia, Tony1, Buzda, KingKane, Nikkimaria, Th1rt3en, Katieh5584, SmackBot, DuoDeathscyther 02,
MK8, Draculvania, Sephiroth BCR, Tehw1k1, L0rdrexion, TJ Spyke, Yodin, Judgesurreal777, JoannaSerah, Mika1h, Jac16888, Guyin-
black25, Silver Sonic Shadow, Headbomb, X201, Satoryu, Kariteh, Coreydragon, Magioladitis, Jotamide, Casper10, Mr Wesker, Gimme-
Bot, Master Bigode, Victory93, Unused000702, Matthewedwards, TX55, Goodraise, TypoBot, Dabomb87, WikipedianMarlith, Sfan00
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