Castlevania in Smash!! A Complete Guide for People Interested in Castlevania

[Alaskalana]

Hello, there!

Welcome! This is my first thread. As both a longtime Smash Bros. fan and fan of the Castlevania series, I figured it'd be cool if I made a little guide to those who are now interested in the games. Simon and Richter have finally joined the fray and I am beyond ecstatic about their inclusion. Anywho... Let's get started.

So, when looking at the franchise you'll see a little divide in gameplay styles. Some games contain a more linear style of 2D platforming gameplay and others are considered more open-ended 2D action games with light RPG elements.

Classic/vintagevania (Linear):
1. Castlevania
2. Castlevania The Adventure
3. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
4. Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge (GB)
5. Super Castlevania IV
6. Castlevania Bloodlines/New Generation
7. Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
8. Castlevania: Dracula X
9. Castlevania Chronicles
10. Castlevania The Adventure Rebirth

*Not counting Haunted Castle. Although you can purchase it on PS4 now.

Metroidvania (Open-Ended):
1. Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (NES)
2. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
3. Castlevania Legends (kinda)
4. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
5. Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
6. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
7. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
8. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
9. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

*Not counting Harmony of Despair. This game was a multiplayer venture and is only fun (imo) with other friends who are willing to play.
*Also not counting Vampire Killer. Never played it, honestly.

So, the question now is... What kind of game do you want to play? Do you like hard as nails yet linear adventures? Play the classicvanias. Do you like action RPGs? Do you like leveling your protagonist up to the point that they destroy through everything in their path? Play the metroidvanias.

Now, as for starter recommendations? I'd say that if you're interested in the classic style...play Rondo of Blood. It comes out next week on the PS4. If you don't have a PS4, get Dracula X Chronicles on PSP/Vita. The only other way to play this game is by importing a japanese copy and getting yourself a TurboGrafx-16/CD Duo, blah blah blah. Rondo of Blood is essentially my favorite game. Not only Castlevania, but period. It's as flawless as a 2D Castlevania gets. Richter is THE best protagonist. Beyond that, though, I'd recommend Super Castlevania IV if you want an easier and more accessible adventure. It's basically a remake of the first game and it's available on Wii U, New 3DS, SNES. The first game and Dracula's Curse are great to start with too, but they are tough as nails. These are available on 3DS, NES, Wii U (I think?), etc.

As for the Metroidvanias? Symphony of the Night. All day long. This is Alucard's game and it is a great starting point for not only Castlevania, but the metroidvania genre as a whole. It gets very easy if you know what you're doing. Alucard can be broken very easily. This game is available on PS1, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4 (next week), etc. So, yeah. Beyond that play Aria and Dawn of Sorrow. These are available on GBA and DS respectively.

Games that Simon is on:
1. Castlevania
2. Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
3. Super Castlevania IV
4. Castlevania Chronicles

Games that Richter is on:
1. Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
2. Castlevania: Dracula X
3. Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles
4. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (unlockable)
5. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (unlockable)

Do not start with Dracula X or Simon's Quest.

Anywho, I hope this helps! The name is Jess and I am pleased to meet you all be part of the Smash community!

 

[Sabertooth]

Castlevania is great. I've played the first and Super IV, but I really want to try Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night. Hopefully they bring that collection over to the Switch.

 

[Alaskalana]

Castlevania is great. I've played the first and Super IV, but I really want to try Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night. Hopefully they bring that collection over to the Switch.

It seems unlikely since Castlevania Requiem is being co-developed by Sony. But who knows? I really want Konami to bring the Konami Rebirth collection to Switch since there's no other way to play Adventure Rebirth anymore.

Also, Rondo of Blood would be great on the Switch even on its own.

 

[Good Guy Giygas]

I think Aria of Sorrow is a great one to start with for new players looking to get into the metroidvania style games. It's probably one of the easier entries, plus it has the fun Soul collecting mechanic. I know most would probably recommend SoTN, but I think Aria of Sorrow might ease in players more, allowing them to see if they like the style first. As for the classic style games, I definitely agree with starting on Rondo of Blood or Super Castlevania IV. Both are immensely fun and probably the best ones in this style.

I hope we get a Castlevania collection or some of the games on the Switch online virtual console at some point.

 

[Gothitelle]

*Not counting Haunted Castle. Although you can purchase it on PS4 now.

For what it's worth, you can get it on the Japanese PS2 as well:


It's been on my to-get list forever.

 

[Eternal phoenix Fire]

needs more HYDRO STORM!!

 

[Alaskalana]

For what it's worth, you can get it on the Japanese PS2 as well:


It's been on my to-get list forever.

I'm going to play it eventually. It just looks super hard for all the wrong reasons. Then again, it was an arcade machine. Lol

 

[Alaskalana]

I think Aria of Sorrow is a great one to start with for new players looking to get into the metroidvania style games. It's probably one of the easier entries, plus it has the fun Soul collecting mechanic. I know most would probably recommend SoTN, but I think Aria of Sorrow might ease in players more, allowing them to see if they like the style first. As for the classic style games, I definitely agree with starting on Rondo of Blood or Super Castlevania IV. Both are immensely fun and probably the best ones in this style.

I hope we get a Castlevania collection or some of the games on the Switch online virtual console at some point.

Yes! Both SoTN and Aria are perfect starting points in the metroidvania style. The only reason I picked Symphony is because of how easily breakable the game is. Lol Like, shield rod + alucard shield = goodbye second half of the game.

 

[Good Guy Giygas]

Yes! Both SoTN and Aria are perfect starting points in the metroidvania style. The only reason I picked Symphony is because of how easily breakable the game is. Lol Like, shield rod + alucard shield = goodbye second half of the game.

Haha yea that last part is so true. I actually just beat SoTN for the first time about a month or two ago (somehow missed out on playing it before despite how iconic it is) and it is funny how much easier it gets once you get items like that. Like I somehow got the Chrissaegrim to drop on my first try and the game became a hilarious cakewalk after that haha Still really enjoyed it, and I think it's definitely one of my favorites now.

 

[Deleted member]

I love Castlevania! One of my favorite gaming series ever created.

I've only played Super Castlevania IV for the linear Castlevania titles, but I am looking to play Rondo Of Blood.

As for Metroidvania titles, this is how I would rank the ones I've played;
#1. Aria of Sorrow
#2. Symphony of The Night
#3. Portriat of Ruin
#4. Order of Ecclisia
#5. Dawn of Sorrow
EDIT: Added SOTN. Knew I was forgetting something lol!

 

[TheYungLink]

Your intentional exclusion of the Lords of Shadow games earns my respect.

 

[staindgrey]

I love Castlevania! One of my favorite gaming series ever created.

I've only played Super Castlevania IV for the linear Castlevania titles, but I am looking to play Rondo Of Blood.

As for Metroidvania titles, this is how I would rank the ones I've played;
#1. Aria of Sorrow
#2. Symphony of The Night
#3. Portriat of Ruin
#4. Order of Ecclisia
#5. Dawn of Sorrow
EDIT: Added SOTN. Knew I was forgetting something lol!

Aria of Sorrow #1?

I knew I liked you.



Also, where the hell is Castlevania 64, OP?

 

[CardiganBoy]

My advice to newcomers, play:

• Aria of Sorrow
• Dawn of Sorrow
• Rondo of Blood
• Symphony of the Night
• Portrait of Ruin
• Order of Ecclesia

 

[Uffe]

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is still the greatest. But I thought Portrait of Ruin came very close to it. Both games have Richter Belmont as unlockable characters. I don't think Simon's Quest is bad, but I would suggest anybody wanting to play a game with Simon Belmont in it not start there. It's got a lot of issues, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I had anticipated. Start with Super Castlevania IV. Great music, great visuals, new whip feature, at least for its time.

 

[Alaskalana]

Your intentional exclusion of the Lords of Shadow games earns my respect.

Oh lord. I only tried the demo for the second and I could not stand it. I'm a huge fan of 3D beat 'em ups like Bayonetta/2 and Metal Gear Rising, but this was dreadful. Super repetitive gameplay, the look of it feels very...non-vania? Like, everything looks so dark and edgy. Not that vania isn't dark and edgy, it just always had a bit of ham to it, y'know? That campy horror vibe is gone. Idk, I try to stay away from the 3D games, but 64 looks kind of up my ally tbh!

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is still the greatest. But I thought Portrait of Ruin came very close to it. Both games have Richter Belmont as unlockable characters. I don't think Simon's Quest is bad, but I would suggest anybody wanting to play a game with Simon Belmont in it not start there. It's got a lot of issues, but I enjoyed it a lot more than I had anticipated. Start with Super Castlevania IV. Great music, great visuals, new whip feature, at least for its time.

I agree with everything you said. I still think Rondo of Blood is better than Symphony, but that and Portrait are masterpieces. And yes, start with Castlevania IV if you wish to play as Simon. Castlevania 1 and 2 are not very beginner friendly, especially the latter. 3 is where you play as Trevor and the rest of the Castlevania Netflix crew, for anyone who's curious. Great show, by the way! 3 is probably the hardest in the original line-up of games. Amazing game, but the hardest NES title.

My advice to newcomers, play:

• Aria of Sorrow
• Dawn of Sorrow
• Rondo of Blood
• Symphony of the Night
• Portrait of Ruin
• Order of Ecclesia

Very nice way to go, as well.

I love Castlevania! One of my favorite gaming series ever created.

I've only played Super Castlevania IV for the linear Castlevania titles, but I am looking to play Rondo Of Blood.

As for Metroidvania titles, this is how I would rank the ones I've played;
#1. Aria of Sorrow
#2. Symphony of The Night
#3. Portriat of Ruin
#4. Order of Ecclisia
#5. Dawn of Sorrow
EDIT: Added SOTN. Knew I was forgetting something lol!

This is a very good ranking! As for me I'd rank Symphony over Aria but the rest stays the same.

 

[CardiganBoy]

Very nice way to go, as well.

Thanks, you can see i'm a big fan of the Metroidvanias, but i love how they went out their way to make extra modes reminiscent of the classics like (Julius or Richter modes) and speaking of, to balance the classics i also recommend Super Castlevania IV, Castlevania Bloodlines, and the Dracula X Chronicles remake of Rondo.

 

[Alaskalana]

Thanks, you can see i'm a big fan of the Metroidvanias, but i love how they went out their way to make extra modes reminiscent of the classics like (Julius or Richter modes) and speaking of, to balance the classics i also recommend Super Castlevania IV, Castlevania Bloodlines, and the Dracula X Chronicles remake of Rondo.

Bloodlines is tough but amazing! I love the Metroidvanias but the Classicvanias are my all-time faves.