Tag Archives: atmospheric

Celebration, Konami, Lists

Castlevania Special

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Konami‘s classic Castlevania series is a well-known and much-loved collection of horror-themed games that spans from 1986 to the present day, although some may feel that the series has been neglected in recent times.

Castlevania began its existence in the form of the Famicom Disk System game, Akumajō Dracula, and has undergone many iterations, across almost all video game systems, including in the arcades, on handhelds, and on home computers and consoles.

Here’s a list of all the official Castlevania games ever made. Plus a selection of some of the best fan-made games and hacks.

In celebration of a landmark video game series!

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Homebrew, Konami, PlayStation

Castlevania: Rondo of the Night, PlayStation

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Castlevania: Rondo of the Night is a ROM hack of the PlayStation classic, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and it was first released in June 2024. The aim of the hack is to change the gameplay, so that the player can do quicker and more athletic moves, and to surprise the player with a seemingly never-ending string of good ideas.

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Konami, M2, Wii

Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth, Nintendo Wii

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It’s a remake of Castlevania: The Adventure – originally released for the black and white Game Boy – except this time it’s been changed to look and play like something of a cross between an X68000 and a Super Nintendo Castlevania game. It could also be mistaken for a Castlevania arcade game. But it isn’t any of those.

Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth is a WiiWare game for the Nintendo Wii. It was released only through the WiiWare service for a number of years. At the time of writing, I don’t think it’s currently available to buy and play anywhere legally, which is a pity because it’s superb.

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Eighting, Konami, Wii

Castlevania Judgment, Nintendo Wii

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Released for the Nintendo Wii by Konami in 2008, Castlevania Judgment is a 3D fighting game developed by Eighting. It was the first beat ’em up in the Castlevania series, and it remains the last one, too (at the time of writing).

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Konami, PlayStation 2

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, PlayStation 2

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Castlevania: Curse of Darkness was the second game released for the PlayStation 2 by Konami, initially coming out in 2005. Much like its predecessor (Lament of Innocence), this game is also a hack and slash 3D action game, with horror and RPG elements.

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Konami, PlayStation 2

Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, PlayStation 2

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Coming out in 2003, Castlevania: Lament of Innocence was the first Castlevania game released for the PlayStation 2. The story is set in 1094 – making this, chronologically, the first Castlevania game in the series’ timeline – and it focuses on the origins of the Belmont clan and Dracula.

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Konami, MSX

Akumajō Dracula, MSX

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The MSX and Famicom Disk System versions of Konami‘s original Akumajō Dracula (aka “Vampire Killer“), were being worked-on simultaneously by developers inside Konami, in 1985 and ‘86.

The Famicom Disk System version was released one month before the MSX version. Although they are essentially the same game, there are some significant differences between them.

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EA Los Angeles, Electronic Arts, GameCube

GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, GameCube

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Developed by EA Los Angeles and published by EA Games for GameCube, PlayStation 2 and XBox in 2004, GoldenEye: Rogue Agent is an ‘anomaly’ in the James Bond video game franchise. Described as “non-canon“, and more of a “what if…” kind of video game experiment, Rogue Agent unfortunately doesn’t have any connection between it and the classic 1997 N64 game called “GoldenEye“. This did actually lead to players calling out Electronic Arts for deceptive use of the “GoldenEye” name.

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EA Black Box, Electronic Arts, GameCube

Need For Speed: Carbon, GameCube

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Need For Speed: Carbon is the fourth and final Need For Speed game released for the GameCube (after Underground, Underground 2, and Most Wanted). It was again developed by “EA Black Box” and published by Electronic Arts. This time in 2006.

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EA Black Box, EA Canada, Electronic Arts, GameCube

Need For Speed: Most Wanted, GameCube

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Need For Speed: Most Wanted is the third Need For Speed game released for the GameCube. It was developed in collaboration between EA Black Box and EA Canada, and was first published by EA Games in 2005.

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