Ranking the Series: Castlevania (Part II)

Blogger’s Note: While the Part I of this ranking focused on handheld titles, Part II will focus exclusively on console titles. Please note that compilations are not included here as I want to focus solely on each original title. Also, you may notice that Harmony of Despair is absent on this list. I never played Harmony of Despair, so I didn’t feel that it would be appropriate to include it here. Sadly, nothing about the game appealed to me, so I skipped it.

17. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

The third title in the rebooted Castlevania series, this game sees you playing as Gabriel, now Dracula, in an open world setting with some new tricks and powers. While I enjoyed Lords of Shadow, I’ve just never found this game very appealing. It probably doesn’t help that I disliked the direction of the story that started in the Lords of Shadow DLC.

16. Castlevania Chronicles

A remake of the original Castlevania released on the PlayStation, this is a very attractive game to look at, but has always felt stiff (which is saying something when you consider the original NES title). This isn’t a bad title by any means, but it’s missing something that the original had. Anytime I play this, it only makes me want to play another of the previous entries instead.

15. Castlevania Judgment

Released on the Wii, Judgment is a fighting game featuring characters from throughout the Castlevania timeline. Upon its announcement and release this game left most in the gaming community scratching their heads. But, I can’t lie to you guys. I genuinely like this game. Now, I can see it’s multiple flaws, and can’t in good conscience rank it higher, but I have had a lot of fun with this title. The story, while not deep, is still interesting, and the roster has enough variety to keep the game fresh after multiple playthroughs. I know I’m in the minority, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a Castlevania Judgment 2.

14. Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness

The second Castlevania title on the Nintendo 64, Legacy was a 3-D adventure like its predecessor. Oddly enough, Legacy essentially included most levels from the original title with some minor tweaks (along with new levels, of course). Upon completing the game, you also unlocked new modes, including a story mode featuring the protagonists from the original game. I do like this game more than most, but it has not aged well (I’m very critical of 3-D games from this generation as a rule), and the fact that it’s almost like DLC for the original title doesn’t help its case.

13. Castlevania (64)

The first Castlevania on the Nintendo 64, and the first 3-D Castlevania title. This title, as stated above, has not aged well, but is not the abomination many make it out to be. While it admittedly has its faults, it also has some very good ideas. The garden maze chase is every bit as tense as anything in a Dead Space or Resident Evil. And the transportation of the nitro down multiple floors in which you can’t be hit or jump (lest the nitro explode) is as tense as any moment in any game I remember. It’ll never happen, but a remaster of this game (along with Legacy of Darkness) would be a very welcome development.

12. Castlevania: Dracula X

Dracula X for the Super NES is an odd title. While at first glance it seems to be a port of Rondo of Blood (it shares some levels and plot points), it actually includes fewer levels than Rondo, but does add some levels that are new to Dracula X. While an enjoyable title, I’ve never felt that the controls were as tight as they could have been, and some of the level design left me cold. Still, this is a traditional, level based Castlevania title, and it does play as such, even with a few shortcomings. If you’re a fan of the earlier, level based titles and haven’t visited this game, it is well worth your time to give it a chance.

11. Castlevania (NES)

The OG Castlevania game. This title set the standard for Castlevania games that would be used for the next twenty plus years. The Vampire Killer whip? Holy Water? Cross Boomerang? Death? They all started right here. I actually wish I could rank this higher on the list, but what this title started, many games after it made better, and as much as I do love the original, there are others (apparently ten) that I love more. Still, this ranking is not a knock on this game, which still holds up well, but is a testament to the high quality the Castlevania franchise has maintained.

10. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

A reboot of the Castlevania franchise, I was very skeptical when this launched. Utilizing 3-D gameplay within a level format, Lords of Shadow surprised me by being a very good game with excellent controls, impressive visuals, interesting gameplay, and a deep story with roots in Christianity (and featuring none other than Satan as a character). While Lords of Shadow doesn’t always “feel” like a Castlevania title, it does stay close enough to not alienate long time fans of the franchise (speaking for myself, anyway), and may have attracted new players that had not yet experienced the Castlevania franchise.

9. Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth

A remake of The Castlevania Adenture for the Gameboy, this title was part of Konami’s ReBirth series released on the Wii via WiiWare. Adventure ReBirth feels every bit like a Castlevania title that existed on the Super NES, and I mean this statement to be a compliment. Returning to the level format of earlier Castlevania titles, ReBirth is a beautiful title that is tough, but fair. The controls are spot on, and the branching paths offer variety. As an aside, this title is one of the reasons I prefer physical media over digital. With the closure of the Wii’s eShop, this title is now unavailable for purchase in any way, which is practically a crime given how strong this game is.

8. Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

Rondo is an interesting title as it was exclusive to Hudson Soft’s TurboGrafx-16 system, and only in Japan, until 2007 when it was released on the PSP. An English home console release wouldn’t happen until 2018 when it was released as part of Castlevania Requiem (along with Symphony of the Night). Rondo is also unique in that the game offered multiple secret paths in certain stages, differing bosses, as well as a second playable character (though Castlevania III included this aspect). Rondo is a very well made title with excellent level design and character design. It’s only a shame that it took so long for the world outside of Japan to get to experience this title.

7. Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

The Castlevania series is so tied to the platforming genre, that it’s difficult to make a 3-D title feel like a Castlevania title, but Lament of Innocence does its best, and succeeds most of the time. Chronologically, Lament is the first title in the series and sees the creation of the Vampire Killer Whip. It is a bit linear, but this is hardly strange for a Castlevania title. The main knock against this title is the use of a fixed camera, and while it isn’t terrible, it also could have been much better. Still, as evidenced by its ranking here, Lament, in spite of some of its shortcomings, is still very enjoyable and a strong entry in the Castlevania series.

6. Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest

I think I just have a soft spot for oddball sequels. Simon’s Quest is often considered the black sheep of the franchise, yet I can’t help but enjoy it. Eschewing the level based design of the original, Simon’s Quest instead allows for a side-scrolling open world style that allows you to progress as you please, though the strength of enemies will indicate when you may not be ready for a particular area. Simon’s Quest most glaring weakness is poor translation, as many of the tips you receive, and must rely on to determine how to progress, are vague to the point of being almost useless. I’m curious if I’d love this game as much as I do had I not had the NES Atlas growing up to assist me.

5. Castlevania: Curse of Darkness

The last 3-D Castlevania prior to Lords of Shadow (Judgment doesn’t count), Curse of Darkness almost perfectly nailed 3-D Castlevania. The story takes place shortly after Castlevania III and even features Trevor Belmont quite prominently (you can play as Trevor in a new game plus), but you play as Hector, a former subordinate of Dracula that has betrayed him. The world is more open than Lament of Innocence, abandoning a Hub level for a complete map. A primary selling point for Curse is the Innocent Devil system, in which you can level up and evolve familiars into fierce creatures that will assist you in both puzzles and battle. Curse of Darkness is a must play for Castlevania fans.

4. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

It’s almost impossible to overstate the impact Symphony of the Night had on Castlevania. A direct sequel to Rondo of Blood, Symphony put you in the shoes of Dracula’s son, Alucard. Instead of progressing through stages, you were presented with an entire map that limited you only in your current abilities, almost exactly as Super Metroid (hence the Metroidvania genre that originated here). Symphony also removed the whip as the primary weapon, instead allowing you to equip progressively stronger weapons that allowed you to craft your playstyle. Symphony was critically acclaimed upon release (rightfully so) and would shape the Castlevania for years to come.

3. Castlevania: Bloodlines

Bloodlines was the only Castlevania game to grace the Sega Genesis system. Released in 1994, it played much like its predecessors. You complete levels, utilize sub-weapons, and fight enemies and bosses. Personally, I find Bloodlines to be a beautiful game, probably the best of series through at least the 16-bit era (I think it looks better than Symphony, but that may be just me). Bloodlines is unique in that you can pick one of two characters to play the game with, John Morris, using a whip, and Eric Lecarde, who uses a spear. In some levels, the characters will take different paths as Eric can perform a high jump while John can swing across gaps using his whip. This further elevates Bloodlines as the characters could have just been pallet swaps, but were not. Bloodlines is truly a fantastic title.

2. Super Castlevania IV

While Bloodlines is a prettier game, I do believe this to be the overall superior title. The controls feel a bit tighter, and the level design is just a bit more interesting. A remake of the original Castlevania, IV is simply a great game. The visuals are fantastic, the platforming is challenging, but fair, and the level design is very varied, including some impressive 3-D effects in one particular level, as well as an auto-scrolling vertical level that will certainly keep you on your toes. An aspect I haven’t noted in this ranking is music, and IV does not disappoint in this regard. There are numerous tracks that I can still hum from memory, as well as my personal favorite version of Bloody Tears.

1. Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

Castlevania III has been my favorite Castlevania title since the first time I played it. It perfects what the original title did, while improving the visuals and level design. It also offers up branching paths, meaning you can play through the game multiple times and never experience the exact same set of levels. Also included are three partners that you, as Trevor Belmont, can befriend (though only one at a time). Grant Danasty, a pirate that can climb walls, Sypha Belnades, a sorceress that can use a range of spells, and Dracula’s own son, Alucard (in his first appearance in Castlevania), who shoots fireballs and can transform into a bat. Using the right partner can make some levels much more manageable, while the opposite can also be true. Castlevania III, in my opinion, is simply the perfect Castlevania game, and therefore the only choice for number one on this ranking.