Castlevania is an incredible Konami classic on the same level as Bomberman or the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Originally releasing back in the 1980s, a lot of things have changed ever since Simon Belmont first walked the gaming scene. Over the years, new elements like 3D and different protagonists have helped really enrich the Castlevania lore. However, while there have been many great games, the series has also produced a lot of titles that didn't quite hit the mark. As such here are the 10 worst Castlevania games based on their Metacritic scores.
To keep this fair, there will be no ports of a particular game like the original Castlevania. However, enhancements or remakes will be considered. What's more, the ratings will be using the best version of the game.
10 Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (PSP) (80%)
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is a remake of the Rondo Of Blood entry of Castlevania. Players control Richter Belmont, a descendant of Simon Belmont who ventures off to kill Dracula in order to save his beloved along with several other maidens.
The game is quite a faithful representation of the original Japanese release, with new artwork by Ayami Kojima as well as voice acting. However, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles also includes a version of the original Rondo Of Blood for fans to play and try out.
9 Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (PS2) (79%)
Next on the list is Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence. This is also the very first Castlevania game from a chronological standpoint as it follows Leon Belmont on his quest to save his beloved from a vampire.
Showcasing the origins of the Belmont whip as well as the bloodline, this game offered hack and slash gameplay while also maintaining the RPG elements from games like Symphony of the Night.
8 Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth (Wii) (78%)
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth is a remake of the original GameboyCastlevania game. Utilizing the stronger power of the Nintendo Wii, players take control of Christopher Belmont as he is on his way to kill Dracula just like his ancestors before him.
Throughout the game, Christopher Belmont has to go through six areas with a boss at the end of each level. All of this harkens back to the original Castlevania titles which were fairly simple in terms of their stories.
7 Castlevania (N64) (78%)
The next game on the list is one of the first Castlevania games to ever come out in 3D. The N64 Castlevania game is pretty interesting as it is the first in the series to include a lock-on feature to the game.
Castlevania also offers players the opportunity to play as different characters: Reinhardt and Carrie. The new 3-Dimensional environments help to give the game a more cinematic aesthetic while also making the puzzles more complex.
6 Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness (Xbox) (74%)
Alongside Castlevania: Lament Of Innocence, Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness is another game that's within the same generation. Although instead of a Belmont, Curse Of Darkness focuses on a former soldier of Dracula named Hector.
Taking place sometime after Castlevania III, players are treated to a game that acts as a decent sequel to the NES classic while also playing it in a gameplay style similar to Lament Of Innocence.
5 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate HD (73%) (Xbox 360)
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate was originally a title for the 3DS but it later got an HD updated version for seventh-generation consoles. The sequel follows the descendants of Gabriel Belmont, now Dracula, as they stop him for the very first time.
Following a more 2.5 Dimensional plane, it served as a fun in-between of the two Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow games. Players get a chance to control Simon Belmont, Trevor Belmont, and Alucard.
4 Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2 (70%) (Xbox 360)
Following Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate is Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2. Taking place in the modern-day, players once again control the character of Gabriel Belmont.
With the full power of Dracula at their disposal, players get to control the vampire lord as he tries to stop the return of Satan from the previous game. An interesting interpretation of the Castlevania lore to say the least.
3 Castlevania Chronicles (69%) (PS1)
A remake of the original Castlevania game, Castlevania Chronicles was released on the PS1. Just like the original game, players get to control Simon Belmont as he seeks to take out Dracula.
Of course, Castlevania is a game that has been remade and ported many times, but the interesting element of this release is that players can actually play two versions. One featured the red-haired Simon Belmont while the other was a port of the Sharp X68000 home computer's Castlevania game.
2 Castlevania: Harmony Of Despair (68%) (PS3)
Castlevania: Harmony Of Despair is not necessarily a mainline Castlevania game. The action-platformer allows users to play with their friends, whether it's online or through local multiplayer.
The game acts as a boss-rush mode and doesn't exactly have a proper story to tell. Players can play as their favorites, including Simon Belmont, Alucard, and Soma Cruz. A decent time for any Castlevania fan.
1 Castlevania Judgement (Wii) (49%)
Finally, the lowest-rated Castlevania game of them all is Castlevania Judgement. Unlike the other games within the series, Castlevania Judgement is actually a fighting game. Ayami Kojima's art style is noticeably absent this time around, favoring Takeshi Obata's art style instead.
That being said, players get to control a whole cast of their favorite characters, as they beat each other up before finally defeating the final boss in the arcade mode. Nonetheless, it didn't seem to resonate with everyone as it has the lowest rating on Metacritic.