Highlights
- Castlevania 2: Belmont's Revenge is the standout title among the Game Boy entries, offering a fun and compact Castlevania experience.
- Castlevania Chronicles on the PlayStation is an underrated classic, featuring labyrinthine stages and a detailed remake of the original NES game.
- Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles on the PSP offers a brilliant remake of Rondo of Blood, with updated visuals, animated cutscenes, and unlockable original games.
Selling over 20 million copies worldwide, the Castlevania series has proven one of Konami’s most successful. Since Castlevania's debut in 1986, the travails of the Belmonts and their eternal beef with the iconic Count Dracula have proven success across generations of consoles and video gamers. Whipping through hordes of gothic horror enemies and jumping around Dracula’s castle has brought hits from the 3rd generation to the 7th generation, from 8-bit to 1080p.
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Many games in the series are regarded among the best video games of all time and are beloved entries on their respective consoles. However, some don’t hold the prestige of many of the series classics. Below are 7 of the most underrated games in the Castlevania series well worth attention.
7 Castlevania 2: Belmont’s Revenge
Castlevania received three Game Boy entries and Castlevania 2: Belmont’s Revenge is the stand-out title. Unfortunately for all the promise of bringing the tight platforming monster whipping franchise to handheld, the Game Boy entries were generally best by limitations of game speed and clunky controls. Belmont’s Revenge however is the best of the bunch. Sub-weapons are usable in this entry, the graphical presentation is clean and the element-based stages are well-designed and befitting the franchise winning formula.
This handheld entry would be critiqued for a lack of length and slow speed, but a fun, compact Castlevania can be enjoyed here. The game would receive a full colorized port in the Konami GB Collection Vol. 3 for the Game Boy Color and retrospective ROM hacks have even adjusted the game speed.
6 Castlevania Chronicles
One of the more obscure releases in the franchise, Castlevania Chronicles on the PlayStation is the most fully realized version of the original Castlevania ever made. Originally arriving on the Sharp X68000 home computer in Japan, this game would reach Western audiences through its PlayStation release. Featuring labyrinthine, expanded stages, and enemies dripping from every pore of the screen, classic Castlevania fans owe it to themselves to experience this love letter to the original NES game.
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This game is regarded as unforgivingly difficult, though the ‘Arrange mode’ does reduce the difficulty somewhat, providing a more palatable experience. A brilliant soundtrack and remarkably detailed stages make this remake an underrated classic for the franchise.
5 Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
Released on the PSP in 2007, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is one of the finest titles in the franchise left untouched by many due to the platform it was released on. Rondo of Blood is considered by many the pinnacle of the original 2D Castlevania formula before it transitions to the genre-birthing Symphony of Night. In this PSP release, Rondo of Blood is given a full 2.5D remake with updated crisp visuals, animated cutscenes with voice acting, and a superb remastered soundtrack to boot. The branching paths and deceptive depth of the original title are all here in crisp 2.5D glory.
While the platform has likely kept this brilliant title out of the hands of many, it's one worth seeking. Not only do you get a brilliant remake, but the original games of Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night are unlockable and playable in this game.
4 Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness
The first 3D outing of Castlevania was met with tepid response with Castlevania 64 in 1999. However, Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness was released in the same year and was essentially a considered effort to correct the flaws of the first game. In this prequel and expanded version of the first N64 title, the player is put in the role of Cornell, a man-beast out to save his sister from becoming a sacrifice to bring Count Dracula back to life. While not flawless in its gameplay, the game is predominantly platform-based bringing many of the franchise's famous locales to life in 3D.
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Most reviewers would state that this was the 3D Castlevania most were hoping for with the first N64 outing. However, frame rate and camera issues still do hinder this game, ultimately it's purely a curiosity for franchise fans.
3 Castlevania: Lament of Innocence
If one crossed the Devil May Cry franchise with the Castlevania series, the result would resemble Castlevania: Lament of Innocence. The debut of the franchise on the PlayStation 2 had the unenviable task of continuing the unenthusiastically received 3D outings for the franchise. Setting the game before any entry previous, this origin's story has the player taking the role of Leon Belmont attempting to save his kidnapped wife from a vampire’s castle. Taking a near isometric and 2.5D perspective at times, the game's main allure is the chance to explore castle locations like never before.
Akin to the Devil May Cry and God of War series, the gameplay is rooted in light and heavy attack combos, and mastering the mechanic adds profound depth to the series. Well reviewed at the time as a welcome 3D outing for Castlevania, those looking for an outstanding 3D outing should be sure to check this one out.
2 Kid Dracula
A charming spin-off for the franchise, Kid Dracula is a parody of the Castlevania games released on the Famicom in 1990 and Game Boy in 1993. The player takes the role of Kid Dracula who must stop Galamoth a demon threatening his throne and steal his father's cape. Presented with cuddly and colorful animation and pleasant use of cartoon sprites, underneath is a solid and remarkably fun platform game playfully riffing on Castlevania mechanics.
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The Famicom title would be re-released as part of the 2019 Castlevania Anniversary Collection and is well worth a look. Don’t let its cute demeanor fool you, there are some tricky and finicky platforming sections throughout making this well worth a franchise fan’s time.
1 Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth
One of the jewels in the WiiWare crown, Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth is one of the most inspired titles in the franchise. A full-fledged remake of the original Game Boy title Castlevania: The Adventure, the game takes all the promise of the Game Boy game and breathes new life into it with superior pacing and vibrant graphics. Featuring a soundtrack full of previous title remixes, the player takes the role of Christopher Belmont, hunting a Dracula a century before the events of the original NES title.
Giving the feels of both Super Castlevania and Castlevania Chronicles across 6 stages of inspired art design, The Adventure ReBirth is one of the better titles in the franchise but sadly locked behind WiiWare indefinitely.