Category:Castlevania: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Category:Castlevania (edit)

Revision as of 02:04, 27 October 2021

6,226 bytes added ,  27 October 2021
cleanup
(cleanup)
 
(46 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Castlevania logo.jpg|right|190px]]
{{Series
'''''Castlevania''''' is one of [[:Category:Konami|Konami]]'s longest running series, with games from the [[:Category:NES|NES]] to the [[:Category:PlayStation 2|PS2]]. The series (normally) revolves around the Belmont family and their eternal mission of defeating Dracula whenever he reappears, with occasional help from the Belnades clan and Alucard, the son of Dracula.
|name=Castlevania
|image=Castlevania logo.jpg
|developer=[[Konami]]
|publisher=[[Konami]]
|year=1986
|genre=[[Action]], [[Metroidvania]]
}}
'''''Castlevania''''' is one of {{c|Konami}}'s longest running series, with games from the {{c|NES}} to the [[PS2]]. The series (normally) revolves around the Belmont family and their eternal mission of defeating Dracula whenever he reappears, with occasional help from the Belnades clan and Alucard, the son of Dracula.
There are two types of Castlevania games: the traditional level-by-level action games and the newer, so-called, "Metroidvanias", which involves more exploration, item/key collecting, and going through areas multiple times. There is an official chronology that was created several years ago, and involved [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retcon retconning] several plotlines from games, as well as removing four games from the official timeline. Games are not released in chronological order, and several games are direct sequels to previous ones. Most games take place decades or even centuries after the previous entry, but some (''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest|Simon's Quest]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness|Curse of Darkness]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow|Dawn of Sorrow]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night|Symphony of the Night]]'', and ''[[Castlevania 64]]'') take place a few years later and involve the same characters.
{{-}}
== Games ==
{| {{prettytable|float=right|text center=1}}
! Kanji !! Romaji !! English
|-
| 悪魔 || Akuma || Devil
|-
| 城 || Jō || Castle
|-
| ド <br> ラ <br> キュ <br> ラ
| Do <br> ra/la <br> kyu <br> ra/la
| D <br> ra <br> cu <br> la
|}
 
The original title of the series is '''''Akumajou Dracula''''', where ''Akumajou'' is Japanese for ''Devil Castle''.
{{-}}
''Castlevania'' games can be roughly divided into two main groups: linear and mazes. '''Linear games''' consist of a series of stages that must be cleared in order; '''maze games''' usually consist of a single, huge labyrinth with areas that can be accessed only after the character found specific items.


There are two types of Castlevania games: the traditional level-by-level action games and the newer, so-called, "Metroidvanias", which involves more exploration, item/key collecting, and going through areas multiple times. There is an official chronology that was created several years ago, and involved [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retcon retconning] several plotlines from games, as well as removing four games from the official timeline. Games are not released in chronological order, and several games are direct sequels to previous ones. Most games take place decades or even centuries after the previous entry, but some (''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest|Simon's Quest]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness|Curse of Darkness]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow|Dawn of Sorrow]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night|Symphony of the Night]]'', and ''[[Castlevania 64]]'') take place a few years later and involve the same characters.
{{Castlevania-genres}}
 
Terminology:
* '''Metroidvania''' is a term referring to 2D video games where the exploration is non-linear; its earliest famous example is the [[Metroid]] series, hence the name ''Metroidvania''.
* '''Alternate universe:''' four titles were removed from the official continuity because later titles openly contradicted their plot:
** ''Castlevania Legends'' (1997) was replaced by ''Lament of Innocence'' (2003);
** ''Castlevania 64'' (1999), ''Legacy of Darkness'' (1999) and ''Circle of the Moon'' (2001) were replaced by ''Order of Ecclesia'' (2008).
After 2010, the Castlevania series was rebooted. The games are then titled {{c|Lords of Shadow|Castlevania: Lords of Shadow}} (plus number or subtitle) in both the original and localized versions.
{{-}}
{{-}}
== Castlevania games ==
=== Linear action games ===
{{wikipedia|Castlevania}}
Action games are based on quick reflexes, adventure games require some deep thought.
*'''''Akumajou Dracula''''' is the Japanese name for the ''[[Castlevania]]'' video game series, as it is known as outside Japan. Several games, in Japan, within the series share the ''Akumajou Dracula'' name:
 
** '''[[Castlevania]]''', the first game in the series for the [[NES]]. It was originally released on the [[Famicom Disk System]], and was also ported to the [[Commodore 64]] and [[Commodore Amiga]].
==== Action platformers ====
** '''[[Vampire Killer]]''', a game in the series for the [[MSX|MSX2]].
The core of the ''Castlevania'' series.
** '''[[Haunted Castle]]''' a game in the series for the [[Arcade]].
 
** '''[[Super Castlevania IV]]''', a game in the series for the [[SNES]].
In these games, the player has to navigate through a fixed number of stages. Some titles allow forks in the path, but the total number of areas is usually constant, or it varies by one at most.
** '''[[Castlevania Chronicles]]''', a game in the series originally released for the [[Sharp X68000]]. The original Sharp X68000 version is also officially called ''Akumajou Dracula X68000''.
 
* '''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]]''' aka '''Dracula II: Noroi no Fuuin''' for the [[:Category:NES|NES]].
The player controls one member of the Belmont family (the Morris are related), armed with the whip called "Vampire Killer". The characters are very similar to each other from game to game: they can jump, swing the whip, and use some other skills. The number and characteristics of said skills depend mostly on the capabilities of the platform (e.g. the Belmont in the [[Castlevania: The Adventure|first ''Castlevania'' for GameBoy]] has just one sub-weapon, whereas the Belmont in the [[Castlevania: Dracula X|last SNES title]] can use ten different special attacks).
* '''[[Castlevania: The Adventure]]''' aka '''Legend of Dracula''' for the [[:Category:Game Boy|Game Boy]].
 
* '''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]''' aka '''Demon Castle Legends''' for the [[:Category:NES|NES]].
The handheld line incrorporates some gameplay elements that are reminiscent of the ''{{c|Mega Man}}'' series. In particular, ''[[Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge]]'' has a stage selection screen; the hero in ''[[Castlevania Legends]]'' obtains new skills whevever a boss is defeated; the stages in ''[[Castlevania: Order of Shadows]]'' can be revisited to access new areas using new skills.
* '''[[Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge]]''' aka '''Legend of Dracula 2''' for the [[:Category:Game Boy|Game Boy]].
 
* '''Dracula X'''.
{| {{prettytable|sortable=1}}
** '''[[Dracula X: Rondo of Blood]]''' for the [[:Category:TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine]] (Japan only).
! Original title !! Localized title !! Year !!width=80| Systems !! Setting & hero
** '''[[Castlevania: Dracula X]]''' aka ''' [[Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss]]''' for the [[:Category:SNES|SNES]].
|-
* '''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines]]''' aka '''[[Castlevania: The New Generation]]''' for the [[:Category:Sega Genesis|Sega Genesis]].
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ <br>''Devil Castle Dracula ''|| [[Castlevania]] || 1986 || {{icon|globe}} [[NES]], [[C64]], [[Amiga]] || 1691 - Simon Belmont
* '''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]''' aka '''[[Castlevania: Nocturne in the Moonlight]]''' for the [[:Category:PlayStation|PS1]] and [[:Category:Sega Saturn|Saturn]] (Japan only).
|-
* '''[[Castlevania Legends]]''' for the [[:Category:Game Boy|Game Boy]].
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ <br>''Devil Castle Dracula ''|| [[Haunted Castle]] || 1988 || {{icon|globe}} [[Arcade]] || 1691 - Simon Belmont
* '''[[Castlevania 64]]''' for the [[:Category:Nintendo 64|Nintendo 64]].
|-
* '''[[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness]]''' aka '''[[Castlevania: The Legend of Cornell]]''' for the [[:Category:Nintendo 64|Nintendo 64]].
| 悪魔城伝説 <br>''Devil Castle Legend ''|| [[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]] || 1989 || {{icon|globe}} NES || 1476 - Trevor Belmont
* '''[[Castlevania Chronicles]]''' for the [[:Category:PlayStation|PS1]].
|-
* '''[[Castlevania: Circle of the Moon]]''' for the [[:Category:Game Boy Advance|GBA]].
| ドラキュラ伝説 <br>''Dracula Legend 1 ''|| [[Castlevania: The Adventure]] || 1989 || {{icon|jp}} [[GB]], [[Super GB|SGB]] <br>{{icon|us}} [[GB]] <br>{{icon|eu}} [[GB]], [[GBC]] || 1576 - Christopher Belmont
* '''[[Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance]]''' aka '''[[Castlevania: Concerto of the Midnight Sun]]''' for the [[:Category:Game Boy Advance|GBA]].
|-
* '''[[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow]]''' aka '''[[Castlevania: Minuet of Dawn]]''' for the [[:Category:Game Boy Advance|GBA]].
| ドラキュラ伝説II <br>''Dracula Legend 2 ''|| [[Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge]] || 1991 || {{icon|jp}} GB, SGB <br>{{icon|us}} GB <br>{{icon|eu}} GB, GBC || 1591 - Christopher Belmont
* '''[[Castlevania: Lament of Innocence]]''' for the [[:Category:PlayStation 2|PS2]].
|-
* '''[[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow]]''' aka '''[[Castlevania: Crucifix of the Blue Moon]]''' for the [[:Category:Nintendo DS|Nintendo DS]].
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ <br>''Devil Castle Dracula ''|| [[Super Castlevania IV]] || 1991 || {{icon|globe}} [[SNES]] || 1691 - Simon Belmont
* '''[[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness]]''' for the [[:Category:PlayStation 2|PS2]] and [[:Category:Xbox|Xbox]].
|-
* '''[[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin]]''' for the [[:Category:Nintendo DS|Nintendo DS]].
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ <br>''Devil Castle Dracula ''|| [[Castlevania Chronicles]] || 1993 || {{icon|jp}} [[X68000]] <br>{{icon|globe}} [[PS1]] || 1691 - Simon Belmont
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラX 血の輪廻 <br>''Devil Castle Dracula X: Reincarnation of Blood ''|| [[Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]] || 1993 || {{icon|jp}} [[TurboGrafx-16|TG-16]] || 1792 - Richter Belmont
|-
| '''Vampire Killer '''|| [[Castlevania: Bloodlines]] (NA) <br>Castlevania: The New Generation (EU) || 1994 || {{icon|globe}} [[SMD]] || 1917 - J. Morris
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ XX <br>''Devil Castle Dracula XX ''|| [[Castlevania: Dracula X]] (NA) <br>Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss (EU) || 1995 || {{icon|globe}} SNES || 1792 - Richter Belmont
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ 漆黒たる前奏曲 <br>''Devil Castle Dracula: Dark Prelude ''|| [[Castlevania Legends]] || 1997 || {{icon|globe}} GB, SGB || 1450 - Sonia Belmont
|-
| {{n/a|-}} || [[Castlevania: Order of Shadows]] || 2007 || {{icon|us}} Phones || 1600's - Desmond Belmont
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ Xクロニクル <br>''Devil Castle Dracula X Chronicle ''|| [[Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles]] || 2007 || {{icon|globe}} [[PSP]] || 1792 - Richter Belmont
|-
| ドラキュラ伝説 ReBirth <br>''Dracula Legend: ReBirth ''|| [[Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth]] || 2009 || {{icon|globe}} [[Wii]] || 1576 - Christopher Belmont
|}
 
==== Three-dimensional action ====
With the advent of 64-bit consolles, the ''Castlevania'' series upgraded its gameplay. These titles feature three-dimensional environment and a third person point of view (i.e. the player sees the game world as if he or she was just behind the character).
 
Apart from the change in graphics, everything said for the [[#Action platformers]] still applies to these games.
 
{| {{prettytable|sortable=1}}
! Original title !! Localized title !! Year !!width=80| Systems !! Setting & hero
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ 黙示録 <br>''Devil Castle Dracula Apocalypse ''|| [[Castlevania 64]] || 1998|| {{icon|globe}} [[N64]] || Alternate universe
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ 黙示録外伝 <br>&nbsp;&nbsp; 〜LEGEND OF CORNELL〜 <br>''Devil Castle Dracula Apocalypse Spin-off: <br>&nbsp;&nbsp; Legend of Cornell ''|| [[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness]] || 1999 || {{icon|globe}} N64 || Alternate universe
|-
| キャッスルヴァニア <br>''Castlevania ''|| [[Castlevania: Lament of Innocence]] || 2003 || {{icon|globe}} [[PS2]] || 1094 - Leon Belmont
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ 闇の呪印 <br>''Devil Castle Dracula: Curse of Darkness ''|| [[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness]] || 2005 || {{icon|globe}} PS2, [[Xbox]] || 1479 - Trevor Belmont
|}
 
==== Other action games ====
Technically, fighting games and light gun games are two sub-sets of action games.
{| {{prettytable|sortable=1}}
! Original title !! Localized title !! Year !!width=80| Systems !! Setting & hero
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ ジャッジメント <br>'' Devil Castle Dracula: Judgement ''|| [[Castlevania Judgment]] || 2008 || {{icon|globe}} [[Wii]] || Fighting
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ THE ARCADE <br>'' Devil Castle Dracula: The Arcade ''|| [[Castlevania: The Arcade]] || 2009 || {{icon|jp}} Arcade || Light gun
|}
 
=== Labyrinth games ===
==== Early non-linear games ====
''[[Vampire Killer]]'' is a different version of the [[Castlevania|first ''Castlevania'']]. Each stage is a labyrinth where the player has to find the necessary items to progress to the next one.
 
''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]]'' is the only <u>true</u> role-playing game in the series. In fact, it features all three main characteristics of the genre: text-rich, freedom of exploration, permanent character upgrades.
 
Put together the maze-like stages of ''[[Vampire Killer]]'' with the freedom of exploration and the level-up system of ''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]]'', and you get a good approximation of a Metroidvania.
{| {{prettytable|sortable=1}}
! Original title !! Localized title !! Year !!width=80| Systems !! Setting & hero
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ <br>''Devil Castle Dracula ''|| [[Vampire Killer]] || 1986 || {{icon|globe}} [[MSX2]] || 1691 - Simon Belmont
|-
| ドラキュラII 呪いの封印 <br>''Dracula II: The Seal of the Curse ''|| [[Castlevania II|Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest]] || 1987 || {{icon|globe}} NES || 1698 - Simon Belmont
|}
 
==== Metroidvanias ====
When it was released, ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'' was a revolution in the series.
 
A Metroidvania game consists of a huge two-dimensional, platform labyrinth, where certain areas can only be accessed after the character found specific items or abilities.
 
Still, it would be a stretch to include them in the definition of "role-playing game". They do include freedom of exploration and permanent character upgrades, but they are completely lacking when it comes to active dialogue and plot development.
 
{| {{prettytable|sortable=1}}
! Original title !! Localized title !! Year !!width=80| Systems !! Setting & hero
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラX 月下の夜想曲 <br>'' Devil Castle Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight ''|| [[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]] || 1997 || {{icon|jp}} [[Sega Saturn]] <br>{{icon|globe}} [[PS1]], PSP || 1797 - Alucard
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ Circle of the Moon <br>'' Devil Castle Dracula: Cirle of the Moon ''|| [[Castlevania: Circle of the Moon]] || 2001 || {{icon|globe}} [[GBA]] || 1830 - Nathan Graves
|-
| キャッスルヴァニア 白夜の協奏曲 <br>'' Castlevania: Concert of Midnight Sun ''|| [[Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance]] || 2002 || {{icon|globe}} GBA || 1748 - Julius Belmont
|-
| キャッスルヴァニア ～暁月の円舞曲～ <br>'' Castlevania: Minuet of Dawn ''|| [[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow]] || 2003 || {{icon|globe}} GBA || 2035 - Soma Cruz
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ 蒼月の十字架 <br>'' Devil Castle Dracula: Cross of the Blue Moon ''|| [[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow]] || 2005 || {{icon|globe}} [[NDS]] || 2036 - Soma Cruz
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ ギャラリー・オブ・ラビリンス <br>'' Devil Castle Dracula: Gallery of Labyrinth ''|| [[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin]] || 2006 || {{icon|globe}} NDS || 1944 - J. Morris
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ 奪われた刻印 <br>'' Devil Castle Dracula: The Stolen Seal ''|| [[Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia]] || 2008 || {{icon|globe}} NDS || 1830's - Shanoa
|}
 
==== Multiplayer ====
A multiplayer game requires each player to have a different approach than in a single-player game.
{| {{prettytable|sortable=1}}
! Original title !! Localized title !! Year !!width=80| Systems !! Setting & hero
|-
| 悪魔城ドラキュラ ハーモニー オブ ディスペアー <br>'' Devil Castle Dracula: Harmony of Despair ''|| [[Castlevania: Harmony of Despair]] || 2010 || {{icon|globe}} [[PS3]], [[Xbox 360|X360]] || Multiplayer
|-
| {{n/a|-}} || [[Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls]] || 2019 || {{icon|us}} Phones || Multiplayer
|}


=== Cancelled games ===
=== Cancelled games ===
* '''Castlevania: The Bloodletting''' for the [[:Category:Sega 32X|32X]]
* '''Castlevania: The Bloodletting''' for the [[Sega 32X]]
* '''Castlevania Resurrection''' for the [[:Category:Sega Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]
* '''Castlevania Resurrection''' for the [[Dreamcast]]
* '''Castlevania: Symphony of the Night''' for the [[:Category:Tiger Game.com|Game.com]]
* '''Castlevania: Symphony of the Night''' for the [[Game.com]]


===Spin offs===
===Spin offs===
* '''[[Kid Dracula]]''' for the [[:Category:NES|NES]], [[:Category:Mobile|Mobile]] (Japan only) [[:Category:Game Boy|Game Boy]]
* '''[[Kid Dracula]]''' for the {{c|NES}} (Japan only) and {{c|Game Boy}}
 
==Chronological order==
* '''1094''' - ''[[Castlevania: Lament of Innocence|Lament of Innocence]]''
* '''1450''' - ''[[Castlevania Legends|Legends]]'' (removed from official chronology)
* '''1476''' - ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse|Dracula's Curse]]''
* '''1479''' - ''[[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness|Curse of Darkness]]''
* '''1576''' - ''[[Castlevania: The Adventure|The Adventure]]''
* '''1591''' - ''[[Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge|Belmont's Revenge]]''
* '''1691''' - ''[[Castlevania]]''/''[[Castlevania Chronicles]]''/''[[Super Castlevania IV|Super Castlevania]]''/''[[Vampire Killer]]''
* '''1698''' - ''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest|Simon's Quest]]''
* '''1748''' - ''[[Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance|Harmony of Dissonance]]''
* '''1792''' - ''[[Dracula X: Rondo of Blood|Rondo of Blood]]''/''[[Castlevania: Dracula X|Dracula X]]''
* '''1797''' - ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night|Symphony of the Night]]''
* '''1800s''' - ''[[Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia|Order of Ecclesia]]''
* '''1830''' - ''[[Castlevania: Circle of the Moon|Circle of the Moon]]'' (removed from official chronology)
* '''1844''' - ''[[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness|Legacy of Darkness]]'' (removed from official chronology)
* '''1852''' - ''[[Castlevania 64]]'' (removed from official chronology)
* '''1917''' - ''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines|Bloodlines]]''
* '''1944''' - ''[[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin|Portrait of Ruin]]''
* '''2035''' - ''[[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow|Aria of Sorrow]]''
* '''2036''' - ''[[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow|Dawn of Sorrow]]''


{{Castlevania}}
{{Castlevania}}
[[Category:Series]]
[[Category:Konami| ]]
Retrieved from "https://strategywiki.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/653471...927780"

Navigation menu