GBA Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (USA) GBA

[revck]

Hack 1: AutoDash v1.0 https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/6230/ Dash (running) is enabled by default at start but on manual mode. You need to do →→ to activate dash until you stop. Hack 2: PermaDash v1.0 https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/6230/ Dash (running) is enabled by default at start. You don't need to do anything, the main char will always run. Hack 3: Definitive Edition v1.0 https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/9010/ Main Features All DSS Cards drop on 1st enemy kill. All Card effects are shown on DSS subscreen as soon as you obtain the card. Original Japanese difficulty, and experience tables. Magician, Fighter, Shooter, and Thief mode unlocked at start of game. […]

Download from Repo​

• Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (USA) GBA
• -

 

[@kuma:0]

Hi, thanks for sharing, what does it do and what's the plan? You may let people know and it may even get some help going on! good stuff keep us posted!

The plan is to bring the whole game to the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis). But in addition I would like to add some unique "Extras" if possible. In particular I would like to add Hugh Baldwin as a playable character (for the full game) with his own abilities / attacks / special moves etc.
Actually that was the initial idea of the gamer designer, but in the end (as we all know) it didn't get in the final game.

There are two main challenges with doing it on the Sega Mega Drive:
I tried first to use the original assets from the GBA game (did found them on sprite-resources.com etc. and also did export quite a lot by my own out of the GBA Rom using debug features of GBA emulators), but they are just way too small on the higher screen resolution of the Mega Drive (320x240).
The 256 mode of the MD doesn't help too.
Then I tried to double the size of all assets, and that works perfectly - but was "too" big. So I found out that a scaling by 1.5x times the size is about right; But It distorts the original pixel art too much, so there is manual editing required or even redrawing from scratch.

Unfortunately I am no artist and I am not good at editing and/or redrawing the sprites.
And also I need people who can do the soundtrack (Awake is already in as mentioned before).

Another big issue is the color limitation of the MD (only 4 palettes available of 16 colors each).
I will need to use up one whole palette for background, one for enemies, one for foreground (if there is a scrollable foreground, not every area / level map has one), that leaves only 1 or maybe 1 and a half palette/s for the whole rest (main character, HUD, candles/torches, special effects, level up text, enemy name tags, damage number display etc...)

But I am really serious about this project, and Circle of the Moon has been my very first "metroidvania" esque Castlevania game (and my 2nd game on the GBA I got) back in 2001 - and It has since then a special meaning to Me.

 

[revck]

They do look nice, but their incredible size makes the entire page look gaudy.
They really should be 50-75% smaller.
This is just my opinion, the size distracts from what they are supposed to showcase... which is the rom.
cool cover, work on your scaling <3

One Q, are you referring to the repo banners (outside of this rom), or to the banners inside the rom description? Thank you!

Post automatically merged: Oct 9, 2025

New Hacks:
- Card Mode
- Card Mode + PermaDash
- Card Mode + DashBoots
- Card Mode + Def Edition
- Card Mode + PermaDash + Def Edition
- Card Mode + DashBoots + Def Edition

What is Card Mode?
Circle of the Moon was a great Castlevania game, but the card system left something to be desired. Cards being dropped solely from enemies was less than desirable, since it meant that the main gimmick of the game was locked behind a game of dice. This mod makes the cards more accessible by placing them in specific locations around the world. Enemies who did drop cards now instead drop meat, as a nod to the classic style Castlevanias. Cards are generally placed in an ascending order of power; you won’t get big bone powers by searching the early areas.
Updated on 14/01/2020
Changelog:
Moved pointers to be compatible with COTM translation mods.
Gave Devil in the Observatory Shinning Armor as a rare drop, made Mirror Mail a common drop.

New Notes:
- PermanentDash Mod: Can you collect the boots? yes, pretty soon, inside Catacombs, but they will have no use, because the protagonists has permanent running enabled.
- DefinitiveEdition: You can skip movies wtih Start.

i would also like the card mode hack with the dash hack

Enjoy!

 

[minimug]

Nice touch, the new colored signs for hacks, translation, etc

They do look nice, but their incredible size makes the entire page look gaudy.
They really should be 50-75% smaller.
This is just my opinion, the size distracts from what they are supposed to showcase... which is the rom.
cool cover, work on your scaling <3

 

[revck]

I have to absolutely and by 100% agree with you on this one. This is far from beeing a definitive hack or edition, it should be called ,, easy peasy mod ,, if you ask me. I would go even so far as to say that discovering the different effects of the cards plays a huge part in this game and gaining some of the more rare variants had it´s legitimate reason. With this hack I feel the player is overpowered way to quick imho. . . The same thing with the arena. You have to rely solely on your skill in this special place and were rewarded with a nice item besides gaining XP.

Again, agree with you.

To be frank I'd agree - I'm unsure if this can be deemed completely definitive, in the sense that different players expect different play styles.
I am with you especially on the fact that gaining cards is now been automated and thus removed as a game mechanic, and so forth.
Overall though, a pleasant improvement and wish that even more alternative configs will be released, thanks to the authors, great stuff and can't wait to see more from them! I am of the idea that perfection is ideal and this is an amazing step that was unexpected, so hoping they would keep them coming!

Post automatically merged: Oct 8, 2025

Hi All,

not sure if self advertising is allowed here, but I would like to share my Castlevania Circle of the Moon Mega Drive / Genesis project, I am working at since some Months.
I am still at very early implementation phase, but I have pretty much the "core" gameplay already implemented.

The biggest challenge, and where I still looking for one (or preferable more than one) person/s to help Me with editing and/or redrawing the existing assets in a 1.5x times scaled version, as the original assets are way too small for the higher screen resolution of the MD.

If anyone is interested let me know. Same goes for the soundtrack. If someone is able to do MD / Genesis (YM2612) cover, this is something I need help with too :)
I have already one track implemented (the best track of the whole game IMO) which is Awake. It's an absolutely awesome cover made by the japanese user Ajipo. I have his approval to use it in my project, but sadly he doesn't have time to cover more tracks of CotM.

Here is a small showcase of my current Circle of the Moon Sega Mega Drive / Genesis Project:
The Video capture doesn't have the best quality though...

Hi, thanks for sharing, what does it do and what's the plan? You may let people know and it may even get some help going on! good stuff keep us posted!

 

[@kuma:0]

Hi All,

not sure if self advertising is allowed here, but I would like to share my Castlevania Circle of the Moon Mega Drive / Genesis project, I am working at since some Months.
I am still at very early implementation phase, but I have pretty much the "core" gameplay already implemented.

The biggest challenge, and where I still looking for one (or preferable more than one) person/s to help Me with editing and/or redrawing the existing assets in a 1.5x times scaled version, as the original assets are way too small for the higher screen resolution of the MD.

If anyone is interested let me know. Same goes for the soundtrack. If someone is able to do MD / Genesis (YM2612) cover, this is something I need help with too :)
I have already one track implemented (the best track of the whole game IMO) which is Awake. It's an absolutely awesome cover made by the japanese user Ajipo. I have his approval to use it in my project, but sadly he doesn't have time to cover more tracks of CotM.

Here is a small showcase of my current Circle of the Moon Sega Mega Drive / Genesis Project:
The Video capture doesn't have the best quality though...

 

[GrEg_StAr_3000]

I said it before and I say it again, a 'Definitive Edition' for a hack is as nonsensical as the 'Game of the Year Edition' for modern games.
Changing so much stuff surely makes it different, and for some, more enjoyable to play, but I wouldn't call it "Definitive".

Gaining the DSS card on the first kill sure is a choice...
And being able to use the cards in the arena sure is a deep cut at how things should work at this place.
I mean, they were disabled for a reason.

It might be a fine hack that smoothes things out, but ugh... 'Definitive Edition' ...

I have to absolutely and by 100% agree with you on this one. This is far from beeing a definitive hack or edition, it should be called ,, easy peasy mod ,, if you ask me. I would go even so far as to say that discovering the different effects of the cards plays a huge part in this game and gaining some of the more rare variants had it´s legitimate reason. With this hack I feel the player is overpowered way to quick imho. . . The same thing with the arena. You have to rely solely on your skill in this special place and were rewarded with a nice item besides gaining XP.

Again, agree with you.

 

[Paintboxer]

Good patch, PermaDash version feels great to play!

 

[raiden_dj]

i would also like the card mode hack with the dash hack

 

[Vehxness]

I said it before and I say it again, a 'Definitive Edition' for a hack is as nonsensical as the 'Game of the Year Edition' for modern games.
Changing so much stuff surely makes it different, and for some, more enjoyable to play, but I wouldn't call it "Definitive".

Gaining the DSS card on the first kill sure is a choice...
And being able to use the cards in the arena sure is a deep cut at how things should work at this place.
I mean, they were disabled for a reason.

It might be a fine hack that smoothes things out, but ugh... 'Definitive Edition' ...

 

[isummontheleftarm]

Loving the new banner tags on everything! Also thanks for the upload.

 

[fRikimaru]

Nice touch, the new colored signs for hacks, translation, etc

 

[roundtree]

personal thought: maybe if it had a 25% chance or 10% chance of dropping would be less frustrating but still maintain the semi-grinding aspect which is part of the "collecting" and "levellingup" habit?

Yeah even that would not be so bad. I just remember one time I had to grind for about 45 minutes against a werejaguar. I think they have a low drop rate on the cards.

 

[revck]

I went through the entire thing just the definitive edition without the dashing. Because there are some places dashing will kill you. I love this hack because you can use magic in the arena. Finally you can get all the cards. It made me realize that I've now gone all the way through several castlevania games without beating the end boss. I think the journey itself is a lot more fun than the ending. Once you get the summoning you can defeat Camilla in a few seconds. I love how you can be great at the other metroidvania games and this game will just whip your ass repeatedly. And Venus + Mandragora is your best friend. I almost forgot to say I love how cards drop right away and you don't have to spend 45 minutes grinding away on one enemy.

personal thought: maybe if it had a 25% chance or 10% chance of dropping would be less frustrating but still maintain the semi-grinding aspect which is part of the "collecting" and "levellingup" habit?

 

[roundtree]

I went through the entire thing just the definitive edition without the dashing. Because there are some places dashing will kill you. I love this hack because you can use magic in the arena. Finally you can get all the cards. It made me realize that I've now gone all the way through several castlevania games without beating the end boss. I think the journey itself is a lot more fun than the ending. Once you get the summoning you can defeat Camilla in a few seconds. I love how you can be great at the other metroidvania games and this game will just whip your ass repeatedly. And Venus + Mandragora is your best friend. I almost forgot to say I love how cards drop right away and you don't have to spend 45 minutes grinding away on one enemy.

 

[revck]

Are the boots still collectable though? For this to work without coming across as a cheapish hack, they need to be removed from the game all together.

Not sure as not mentioned unfortunately

 

[Erik Óptero]

Permadiarrheash! :'d¡ Run, run! _x'd/<3

 

[Angry Goy]

Are the boots still collectable though? For this to work without coming across as a cheapish hack, they need to be removed from the game all together.

 

[revck]

What-If Castlevania Circle of the Moon Unlocked Baldwin and Spanish Translation

Can definitely look into it, however I can't find a spanish translation, only a PT one: https://www.romhacking.net/translations/5179/ - am I missing something?

 

[Darkbluesex25]

What-If Castlevania Circle of the Moon Unlocked Baldwin and Spanish Translation

 

[JPZ]

Looks like Number 5 is the best version for me.

I actually finished this game on the original GBA, the last boss was tough!

 

[revck]

That cover is sick as absolute fuck if i saw it in a walmart in 2005 it'd be an instabuy

Thanks I'm reallly glad you like it! Put some effort

 

[Goodnightmoon]

Fuck yeah, here we go

 

[Official Hulk Hogan]

That cover is sick as absolute fuck if i saw it in a walmart in 2005 it'd be an instabuy

 

[Dancaster247]

I just finished the game a little while ago and well... it's time to do another Run.

 

[Raindrop]

This is a great game, with the Definitive edition almost makes it perfect. Getting those DSS cards is hair pulling and figuring it out sucks as well. Great idea's to improve the game.