What a Horrible Night for a Look Back At Castlevania II: Simon's Quest 35 Years Later

What a Horrible Night for a Look Back At Castlevania II: Simon's Quest 35 Years Later

October 1. 2022

By Ryan Porzl

In 1986, the world was introduced to Castlevania which told the story of vampire hunter Simon Belmont as he ventured into Castlevania in order to slay Count Dracula. With it's critical and commerical success, a sequel was bound to happen and fans wouldn't have to wait. In 1987, the world was introduced to Castlevania II: Simon's Quest which continued the adventure of Simon Belmont as he must travel through Transylvania in order to once again defeat Dracula and lift a curse. Since it's release, the game has had both it's share of support and criticism but is a memorable addition to the series. With the 25th Anniversary having come in August, we'll take a look at the continuation of Simon Belmont and his second quest. This article does contain spoilers.

Note: I don't own the graphic.

Masterpiece Symphony: A Look At Castlevania: Symphony of the Night 25 Years Later

Masterpiece Symphony: A Look At Castlevania: Symphony of the Night 25 Years Later
September 28, 2022
By Ryan Porzl

             

Like any long time series, Castlevania has had it's share of classics since the franchise debuted. However, as great as many of the best games of the series are, one game is usually considered head and shoulders above the rest and that game is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Released in 1997, the game changed the way we played Castlevania games, debuting the popular "Metroid-Vania" style while reintroducing classic characters from previous games such as Alucard, and having a different take on the Castlevania story as the concept of the vampire killing Belmont family took a back seat to a son who was determined to put an end to his vengeance obsessed father. With the 25 Anniversary having come back in March, I'll take a look at Symphony of the Night. This page does contain spoilers.

Note: I don't own the graphic.

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (NES): Bloody Tears (Extended)

Happy 35th Anniversary to the game Castlevania II: Simon's Quest.

Castlevania Symphony of the Night - Prologue

Richter Belmont Theme (Symphony Of The Night Version)

"What need for the shepherd when the wolves have gone? My time on this world has come to an end."

Not to sound morbid but I want those to be my dying words one day.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night - Dracula's Castle [Song]

Happy 25th Anniversary to one of the greatest video games of all time Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Super Castlevania 4 OST☆ Ending

Super Castlevania 4 OST☆ Theme of Simon

Happy 30th Anniversary to Super Castlevania IV.

Tell Your Next of Kin Before You Begin: A Look At Super Castlevania IV 30 Years Later

Tell Your Next of Kin Before You Begin: A Look At Super Castlevania IV 30 Years Later
October 17, 2021

By Ryan Porzl

Just recently, I covered the first Castlevania, one of the greatest games ever created which started one of the greatest franchises of all time. With the success of Castlevania, many re-releases and remakes would come out over the years but along with those, we also saw a retelling of the original story. In 1991, Castlevania would make it's debut to the Super Nintendo via Super Castlevania IV. Though a retelling of the original, the game was more than a remake or a game with updated graphics but rather it featured new levels, new bosses, some new songs, and improved controls. Since it's release, Super Castlevania IV has been a classic that has also been considered one of the all time great games. In this article, we'll look at one of the masterpieces of the Castlevania library that started as a retelling but became a classic in it's own right as the 30th Anniversary is this Halloween (appropriate right?). I should point out because this is a retelling, some of this article will have similarities to my Castlevania article but hopefully there's enough difference to justify this article since I love this game and wanted to do an article on it.

Castlevania (NES): Heart of Fire (Extended)

Castlevania (NES): Vampire Killer (Extended)

Happy 35th Anniversary to Castlevania.

Vampire Killer: A Look At Castlevania 35 Years Later

Vampire Killer: A Look At Castlevania 35 Years Later
September 25, 2021
By Ryan Porzl

If you haven't guessed already by my video game articles from this year, 1986 was a big year for the video game industry with one legendary franchise after another debuting. We've already talked about some of Nintendo's franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Metroid but they weren't the only company churning out a game that kickstarted a legendary franchise as 1986 saw the video game company Konami debut Castlevania. Taking place in the late 17th century, Castlevania tells the story of Simon Belmont, the latest in a long line of vampire hunters as he ventures into Castlevania to be the latest in his family to slay Count Dracula. Castlevania would launch a franchise and become one of the greatest platforming/side-scrolling games ever created. With the 35th anniversary on September 26th, let's look back at the game that started it all. 

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood OST

Happy 25th Anniversary to Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. A classic in the series.

Castlevania Order of Ecclesia OST FULL

Happy 10th Anniversary to Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia.

Castlevania Lament of Innocence OST FULL

Happy 15th Anniversary to Castlevania: Lament of Innocence.

Bloodlines: The 25th Anniversary of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

Akumajo Dracula X: Chi No Rondo or Rondo of Blood's cover

Bloodlines: The 25th Anniversary of Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
October 17, 2018
By Ryan Porzl


Castlevania: Rondo of Blood is a unique chapter in Castlevania's history. Originally released in 1993, it was only originally released in Japan and by the time it was released internationally in 1995, it became different enough to the point where it was almost unrecognizable and it's own game. Then in 1997, it opened the door for Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Strangely enough, the game whose sequel has been lauded as the greatest Castlevania game of all time was still out of reach for most of the world and would remain that way till the 21st Century when it finally started seeing re-releases. It was, in a way, like Konami's version of Mother (Earthbound Beginnings) or Street Fighter 1 in that people played the masterpiece sequel while the game that came before was almost a forgotten footnote. With the 25th Anniversary approaching on October 29th, I figure it be best to have a look at a true gem in the Castlevania series and one that in a way is one of the most important in the series' history. This article contain spoilers so don't read if you don't want to be spoiled.

The Origin of The Hunt: The 15th Anniversary of Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

The Origin of The Hunt: The 15th Anniversary of Castlevania: Lament of Innocence 
October 5, 2018
By Ryan Porzl

North American Cover

European Cover

Japanese Cover

Every story and every legend has a beginning and even a franchise like Castlevania is no exception. For nearly two decades, fans enjoyed the neverending adventure between the Belmont family & Count Dracula with various members of the Belmont family taking up the vampire killer whip to slay Dracula whenever he was resurrected over the centuries. However, many must have asked how and when did this rivalry start? Did Dracula have a connection with a Belmont? Where did Dracula come from? How did the Belmonts get the vampire killer? Where did such a powerful whip come from? Why did the Belmonts decide to become vampire hunters? How MANY centuries has this been going on? In 2003, Konami would finally answer all those questions with the release of Castlevania: Lament of Innocence and in celebration of it's 15th anniversary, we'll take a look at how it all began. Keep in mind, there will be spoilers so don't read on if you don't want to be spoiled.