What are your favorite Classic-style Castlevania games?

[Darklink]

I think my top three picks have to go to Castlevania 1 on NES, Rondo of Blood on PC-Engine, and Bloodlines/The New Generation on Genesis/Mega Drive.

CV1 is just such a pure experience. The level design is shockingly good for an NES game, and imo blows most other similar games, like Ninja Gaiden, on the NES out of the water. The music is iconic, enough said.

Rondo has a ton of cool stuff to it, like optional secrets and puzzles, while also having great level design. Not a fan of the Shaft boss rush, but it is cute for referencing the CV1 bosses. The visuals are so great that Konami kept using them as the basis for most CV games afterward.

The Bloodlines I think is just solid all around. Good level design yet again, unique level settings for the franchise too. Music is super cool with the Genesis's sound chip.

For an honorary mention, I really loved Inti-Creates Bloodstained Curse of the Moon 1. I still need to play the second one.

 

[Yousef Yousef]

1, Simon’s Quest is great imo, Dracula’s Curse is a masterpiece but my favorite might be SC4
I adore classicvanias! Glad there’s a thread for em. I love castlevania adventure too! It’s my favorite Gameboy game haha. Simon’s revenge is fun too!

 

[Darklink]

I really like Castlevania 3, but it's edged out by Bloodlines. I think CV3 is just not as well balanced in difficulty as I'd like. Still, it gave us multiple playable characters, and especially Alucard.

Honestly the only Classic ones I don't really like are Castlevania Adventure, the first Gameboy game, and Castlevania Legends, the third Gameboy game. The second Gameboy game, Belmont's Revenge, I actually really like. I do think people should play the Japanese version, since the US/Western version got rid of the cross for some reason.

Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth is cool, just in that it's a cool remake of a game that I personally didn't think worked well. But as an actual Classicvania, I think it's just kinda middle of the road.

 

[DunkeyKong]

I don't know if it counts but Aria of Sorrow, still is one of the best Metroidvania (good for newcomers too)

If that doesn't count, I guess it's Castlevania IV and Chronicles because both are great at reimagining the classic

And yeah can't forget Bloodlines, if not the best then one of the best games for the Genesis. I even added it in my RGT-Tan comic, it's just that good

 

[Darklink]

Yeah, I was very specific by using "Classic style" so the Metroidvania ones wouldn't count. Aria of Sorrow is probably my favorite of the MV Castlevanias though.

 

[DunkeyKong]

Yeah, I was very specific by using "Classic style" so the Metroidvania ones wouldn't count. Aria of Sorrow is probably my favorite of the MV Castlevanias though.

True that, Dawn of Sorrow too (and it's a sequel lol)

 

[Karnik]

Strangely, no one has mentioned it yet; well, yours truly will do it. Dracula X Chronicles for PSP, which contains Rondo of Blood and Symphony of Night as bonus, both in english. Memorable! For connoisseurs, to be played only on real hardware. ?

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

 

[STARS_Nightmare]

Rondo and SoTN are amazin' imo ?

 

[Yousef Yousef]

Some people seem to be confused so I’ll probably reiterate what OP said and say this thread is asking about NON-Metroidvanias hahaha.

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

I have never met a Castlevania I didn't like. Full Stop. Yes even that one.

 

[Yousef Yousef]

I suppose Metroidvanias will keep getting mentioned anyways hahaha

 

[ouyrtuy]

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

 

[ouyrtuy]

Amazing soundtrack !

 

[Yousef Yousef]

View attachment 8004

The goat!!!!
The remake of the arcade version of CV1 is really underrated too

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

 

[ouyrtuy]

The goat!!!!
The remake of the arcade version of CV1 is really underrated too

I don't like this one that much.

 

[Karnik]

this thread is asking about NON-Metroidvanias

Hmm..... But....... Lad, what the heck are those, the love children of Metroid and Castlevania? ??‍

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

Hmm..... But....... Lad, what the heck are those, the love children of Metroid and Castlevania? ??‍

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest is a metroidvania. Probably the first actual metroidvania after Metroid. It even has RPG elements.

 

[Yousef Yousef]

I don't like this one that much.

I’m sorry, what? Oh, sorry, I may have confused you. I meant this game! It’s a new game from Konami (basically a remake). Sorry for the confusion!

 

[ouyrtuy]

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest is a metroidvania. Probably the first actual metroidvania after Metroid. It even has RPG elements.

 

[SkunkyBeaumont]

 

[ouyrtuy]

I’m sorry, what? Oh, sorry, I may have confused you. I meant this game! It’s a new game from Konami (basically a remake). Sorry for the confusion!

I don't like these sprites that much. Was this released on PS1?

Post automatically merged: Jan 2, 2025

The disc system does sound cool too!

 

[Karnik]

Nobody knows this, I'm afraid: Order of Shadows, for series 40 keypad phones.
Only for refined palates.