Castlevania (video game)
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| Castlevania | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Konami |
| Publisher(s) | Konami Nintendo (GBA) |
| Release date(s) | September 26, 1986 (JP) See release details section. |
| Genre(s) | Platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone PEGI: 3+ CERO: All ages |
| Platform(s) | Famicom Disk System, Nintendo Entertainment System, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, DOS, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance, AT&T Wireless mMode Network, Wii Virtual Console. |
| Media | 1-megabit cartridge (NES) |
Castlevania (悪魔城ドラキュラ Akumajō Dorakyura?, lit. "Demon Castle Dracula") is a console video game developed and published by Konami for the Famicom Disk System in Japan in 1986. A year later, it was ported to cartridge format and released in North America for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) followed by a European release in 1988. It is the first game in the Castlevania franchise, but the seventh chronological installment of the franchise, based on Koji Igarashi's ideal timeline.
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[edit] Releases
Castlevania has been ported to a variety of different video game consoles, handheld game consoles, home computer systems, and mobile phones. The NES release of the game was adapted for video arcades both as a part of Nintendo's Play Choice 10 series and (with the addition of a two-player competitive play mode) the Nintendo Vs. Series.
In 1990, versions of the title were released for the IBM PC Compatible, the Commodore 64 (both developed by Unlimited Software), and the Commodore Amiga (developed by Novotrade). In 2002, Konami released the first three Castlevania games for Microsoft Windows as the Castlevania and Contra: Konami Collector's Series.
In 2004, Castlevania was released for the Game Boy Advance as part of the Classic NES Series.
[edit] Mobile phone
Also in 2002, Konami Mobile released a mobile phone version of the game for Motorola phones (developed by Upstart Games). That version was upgraded in 2004 with improved graphics, and was subsequently released in Europe for the Samsung A600 and the Sanyo 8100, and for AT&T Wireless's mMode network in North America. A third mobile phone version was produced in late 2004, with even better graphics, but has only been released in Japan as of early 2005.
[edit] Enhanced remakes
The game has been adapted or remade for a number of different platforms, including the Super NES (as Super Castlevania IV), the MSX (as Vampire Killer), and the Sharp X68000 (which was later ported to the PlayStation and released as Castlevania Chronicles), as well an arcade game remake called Haunted Castle. While all of these adaptations share a variety of elements with the original game, including title (in the original Japanese, all were simply called Demon Castle Dracula), basic storyline, main character, and monsters, several major elements have been added or altered, and because of this they should be considered as distinct entries in the series.
[edit] Story
It is the year 1691...The land of Transylvania has been at peace for 100 years now, and the peasants and villagers have begun to purge their minds of the memories of the times when the lands were dominated by chaos and shadows, and when the undead walked the earth...However, there are those that remember that the evil Count Dracula returns every 100 years to plague the land, bringing with him the forces of Hell...Thus, one evening, the Prince of Darkness rises and returns to Castlevania, his ancestral home, calling forth his minions to purge the world of human flesh.
The people cry out for a hero — someone to defend them from the evil desires of the count. Thankfully, they don't have to look very far, for within the land of Transylvania the Belmont line still lives, as Simon Belmont, great-grandson of Christopher Belmont, takes up the legendary whip called the Vampire Killer, and sets forth on his journey through the darkened countryside to the dark lord's castle...
Upon arrival, the young man fights his way through legions of zombies, gigantic bats, and even faces Death himself, but in the end, he makes it to the Count and in a battle to end all battles, he comes out the victor...
The price? The evil master places a curse of death upon Simon, which will lead him into a long and dangerous journey in the very near future...
[edit] Gameplay
Castlevania is a typical platform game of the 8-bit era: the game is comprised of six levels, which are played through in a strictly linear progression. The player controls Simon Belmont, whose primary mode of attack is via his whip, which can be upgraded by obtaining special items throughout the course of the game which extend its length. In addition, various "sub-weapons" can be obtained which provide different means of attack. By breaking candelabra and certain other items located throughout the castle, Simon collects hearts, which can then be used to activate whatever sub-weapon he possesses at that point. Simon can only carry one sub-weapon at a time.
Many modern gamers have criticized Castlevania for certain control-related problems: Simon cannot change direction in mid-jump, and neither can he jump on or off of staircases. However, older gamers see this as an added challenge that is missing from newer games and that the gameplay only contributes to the game's reputation as one of the more notoriously difficult games for the NES.
Each of Castlevania's six levels conclude with a boss fight: these bosses are generally taken from horror literature or legend, and include Frankenstein's Monster, Medusa, and the Grim Reaper.
[edit] Release details
| Platform | Release date | Region | Developer | Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Famicom Disk System | September 26, 1986 | Japan | Konami | Floppy disk |
| MSX2 | October 30, 1986 | Japan/Europe | Konami | Cartridge |
| NES/Famicom | May 1, 1987 | North America | Konami | Cartridge |
| December 19, 1988 | Europe | |||
| February 5, 1993 | Japan | |||
| Commodore 64 | 1990 | North America | Unlimited Software | Floppy disk |
| DOS | 1990 | |||
| Microsoft Windows | November 16, 2002 | North America | Konami | CD-ROM |
| AT&T Wireless mMode | July 7, 2004 | North America | Upstart Games | Download |
| Game Boy Advance (Classic NES Series) |
August 10, 2004 | Japan | Konami | Cartridge |
| October 25, 2004 | North America | |||
| January 7, 2005 | Europe |
| Platform | System requirements |
|---|---|
| DOS | Intel 8088 or higher, DOS 3.0 to 3.3, 384KB RAM |
| Microsoft Windows | Intel Pentium, Windows 95, 16MB RAM, 10MB free hard drive space, 2X CD-ROM drive, DirectX 8.0 |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- MobyGames's entry for Castlevania
- The Castlevania Dungeon (Castlevania entry)
- MrP's CastleVania Realm (Castlevania entry)
Categories: Articles lacking sources from September 2006 | All articles lacking sources | 1986 computer and video games | 1987 computer and video games | 1988 computer and video games | 1990 computer and video games | 1993 computer and video games | 2002 computer and video games | 2004 computer and video games | 2005 computer and video games | Amiga games | Castlevania games | Commodore 64 games | DOS games | Famicom Disk System games | Mobile phone games | Nintendo Entertainment System games | Nintendo Vs. Series games | PlayChoice-10 games | Windows games
