by Bruce Bostwick

Created on: April 12, 2008   Last Updated: June 09, 2011

Castlevania is a game that was created for the Nintendo Entertainment System.  It is the start of perhaps one of the most popular franchises that is still around to this day.  It would later see it part of the NES Classics and even would later get a Virtual Console release.  Originally starting off in the platform genre, it would be the start of what would be a never-ending conflict between the Belmont clan and Dracula himself.

The story in this one is that Dracula has been resurrected and is out to try to terrorize the world. It is up to Simon Belmont to take him down. The people were scared and they had to find a vampire hunter, they finally called for Simon to save the day. There isn’t much else to add about the story and just something simple. Keep in mind that at that particular time, Nintendo didn’t have a lot of story-based games with complex plots and for that matter games didn’t have that many whatsoever.

The graphics for the game are what you would expect from an NES game. It did what it could and it did just fine. There isn’t much else that could have been done at that particular time. Keep in mind that it was a different time and there isn’t much else to say. It is what it is and there isn’t anything wrong with it whatsoever but that’s just one opinion on the matter.

The game play is that it is extremely challenging. It is one of those games that would be difficult and you had to continue to get to the end. If turned off, it would mean starting all over again. It has to be considered challenging. As you progress, the enemies will take more energy making it easier to die in the game. The most that can be lost in the later levels would be four pieces of energy lost at the same time. The boss battles are challenging and they get harder as you progress. Death is one that would have to be one of the hardest if not sure of a good strategy. Dracula can be challenging no matter which form.

Music for the game has become legendary.  The first theme is especially noteworthy as it has been remixed and used in some games like Castlevania 3, Super Castlevania 4, and there is a theme in listening songs in Castlevania: Bloodlines but that’s just naming a few.  It is also is considered to have what would be considered probably a solid track and really has nothing truly to complain about.

Overall, Castlevania is an enjoyable game and would be highly recommended for anyone who is either a die hard fan or just one that may consider getting started.  All that can be added is that it is likely to be available on the Virtual Console and for those who have the Wii; it is one that would be worth pursuing in that regard.  It’s a fun game and albeit challenging but that’s the way NES games are in that regard.

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