Best Introduction to Castlevania?

[andymol21]

Everyone raves about Castlevania and I have never been into it at all. So I have decided to give it a go and need recommendations on the best game to begin with. Do I try the original Nes game (although I've heard thats really hard, which puts me off)? Or jump in later i.e Playstation/Saturn. I'd prefer it if it was released on one of the consoles I own so I dont have to emulate it. Sort of ruins the experience!

[ott0bot]

I'm thinking the first one for NES or IV for the SNES. they are both tough...but you need to expect that unless you are playing one of the GBA or DS titles. They seem to have a bit lower difficulty level.


EDIT:
DOH! didn't see that you don't own a nes or snes. Try Circle of the Moon or Aria of Sorrowfor GBA, if you like those you'll love SOTN for PS1.

[Ack]

Personally I liked Lament of Innocence. I realize there's a hesitation with 3D Castlevania games, mainly due to the two N64 titles, but I really enjoyed it. It was a good mix of the whip-wielding early versions, as well as the RPG-esque later Castlevania titles.

[Gamerforlife]

Well, if it's just a Playstation and Saturn you own you're in luck. Most people agree that the best games in the entire franchise are Dracula X:Rhondo of Blood and Castlevania:Syphony of the Night. Symphony of the Night is available on the both the Saturn and the Playstation. It's debatable which version is better, but the Playstation one was released domestically and is in english so I'd go with that. It's the version most people are familiar with. If you're a collector, go for the original release rather than the re-release(the re-release has the Playstation best green border on it)

For Rhondo of Blood I think you need a PC Engine or you could just buy the remake on the PSP, which includes the original version as well AND Symphony of the Night(with a few changes and extras not found in other versions). If you have a PSP, that's probably the best place to start your journey into the Castlevania franchise. You get the two best games in the series in one package with enhancements.

Lament of Innocence is not bad if you have a PS 2, but not quite the best game in the franchise to start off with. It's more of a game for hardcore fans.

If you ever change your mind about emulation, Super Castlevania on the S-NES is classic and still impressive. Bloodlines on the Genesis is also great and a bit underrated. The three NES games are classics, but might not impress you given how far the franchise has gone since then, both in gameplay as well as graphics and sound. As a purist, I tend to like to do things in order but I understand not everyone can go back and enjoy stuff that's in 8-bit.

I haven't played any of the portable Castlevanias but I hear some of them are good.

I think the simplest choice for you would simply be to pick up a copy of Symphony of the Night for the Playstation, or just download it if you have a 360

[latenitevacancy]

yeah i'm kind of in the same boat. i just recently got into the series. i started with super castlevania 4 for the snes, and just picked up bloodlines on the genesis. i'm enjoying both a lot. i plan on getting the original trilogy when i get a fully functional nes.

[andymol21]

Well I just got the Playstation Castlevania, but I cant find my memory card! Ah well, tomorrow

[executioner]

Well I just got the Playstation Castlevania, but I cant find my memory card! Ah well, tomorrow

Think SOTN should be the better experience, if you can also try the psp remake version of Rondo.

[cloudrat7]

castlevania 4 for snes is awesome for an old school game, mode 7 baby! lol, oh and the music is phenominal. i play it just for the music.
castlevania for the nes is very good, but damn hard at times. I love them both.

[Haoie]

Good for you.

Symphony is a total classic, and pretty much set the scene for all the following games in the entire series.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

also for on the go i recomend portrait of ruin for DS.