Castlevania: Dracula X

The Good
This game is what Castlevania is all about, I mean, this feels like playing the old Castlevania games all over again. One thing that I really enjoyed was the different levels you could go to, you can either go the straight path to Dracula, or you can go past that path, and play through the many secret levels. Another great thing about this Castlevania, just like all the others, is the excellent soundtrack. As you go through the levels, you will hear such remixes of older Castlevania songs such as Vampire Killer, Bloody Tears, and Opening from Castlevania 3. Besides the great old school Castlevania action, there is also great boss fights. The first few bosses in this game may seem somewhat easy, but when you get to later levels, these bosses get very tough. All in all, Castlevania Dracula X is one of the best games in the series, and one of my personal favorites. I suggest to anyone who can find this game to buy it, because it is a great investment, and you won't regret it!

The Bad
There isn't much to not like about this game, but there is one problem that I have with it. I really like the fact that this is like the old Castlevania games, but why did they have to bring the bounce back when you get hit by an enemy back, it especially makes the final fight with Dracula extremely frustrating. Even though I don't have any major complaints with the game, the bounce back can make for some very undeserving deaths.

The Bottom Line
This is a great game for all Castlevania fans, and for ones who may not have ever played the famous series.

The Good
The graphics looks very nice, and so do the cut scenes. The levels are quite unique, each one looks different and has its own atmosphere. There are different endings and different ways to go through the game, which increases the replayability. The music is good... kind of. I'll come back to that later.

The Bad
The controls suck: Once you jump, you loose all control over your character. You can't upgrade your whip. You can't swing it in different directions. You have to use a two-button combination to you your secondary weapon. I guess the eight buttons on the SNES controller weren't enough. The music tracks themself are great, but they don't fit in. You feel like being on a 16-bit rock concert. Nothing is left of the eerie atmosphere the music of Castlevania I or IV created. The difficulty is hard to insane. Some levels clearly have not been playtested enough. There are certain situations where you are bound to get hurt, which never should be the case in a platformer.

The Bottom Line
Apart from the graphics (and maybe the music), everything or worse than in Castelvania IV. Why did they take out all the good stuff that made Castlevania IV a little bit better than the NES tiles? I recommend Castlevania I, III and IV over this one. Castlevania Bloodlines too. And especially Rondo of Blood, whose retarded brother this game is.

The Good
Back in the day not everybody could afford import prices let alone a system AND an expensive peripheral. So what did those of us with only a SNES get when Konami dropped Drac X on American shores? Well Konami's SNES-tified version of Chi No Rondo is its own game entirely. Is it bereft of some of the special things that made Chi No Rondo an amazing game? Sure...but Konami streamlined the massive CD based adventure for a standard 16mbit cart and the outcome is just phenomenal.

The production quality of this game is quite good. The menus and corresponding sound effects are all excellent...and then the game begins! Gone are some of the more labyrinthine levels and in their place we received some good ole' fashioned platforming, familiar enemies, and that classic Castlevania love-it-or-hate-it challenge.

Let me be the first to say it this game is difficult. I found the precious little cart at a place in Mass. and since then its been at home in my SNES. Level 1 will get you familiarized with the basic controls (no more 8 directional whipping) and rhythm of the game. Level 2 will take a run through or two to beat (the spear guards are annoying...and there is a dearth of them). Level 3 is unique in that if you fall during the pillar-jump you get sent to an alternate level 4'...but if you pass the pillars safely you are met with a rather simply boss fight and you get access to the regular Level 4. Both of which are difficult the latter has two mid bosses and then you fight Shaft...the former has you duking it out with a minotaur...and from there the game gets dicey.

If you're playing it on an actual SNES (shame on you if you're not) have fun because Konami isn't exactly generous...you only get 2 lives at the outset of your adventure. Hidden within the walls are roasts, extra lives, hearts and sweet power-ups! The power-ups in this game are awesome and the ability to item-crash is pretty badass. With the push of a button let loose a barrage of crosses or a phalanx of axes...or slow time and beat the snot out of annoying bosses like Death. Drac X on SNES is certainly a challenge and a fun one at that.

The Bad
Well what did you expect to see here....Of course I will take this time to bitch about the lack of jump control and yeah...maybe it is annoying that Red Skulls make it a pain in the ass sometimes...

The Bottom Line
This game is tremendous on the SNES. It is nothing like the PC-Engine SuperCD game...minor superficial resemblances aside. Konami brought us a heaping plate of kick-ass with this game. It is challenging and boasts a difficult learning curve...but didn't Castlevania or Castlevania III? This game wasn't appreciated when it came out but that is what makes it an excellent find for any collector or enthusiast. It could cost you upwards of $60 bucks...but if you're a fan do yourself a favor and snag it. (Hey at least it doesn't cost $150....cough you PC-Engine masochists!).

The Good
It was a while before we had a sequel made for Super Castlevania IV. On SNES, anyways. The special effects are pretty neat, and music is really, really good. Crank it up, if you can. I found passwords on the 'Net for this game, so that's also good to use as a way to just listen to the music. Also, a nice, anime-influenced opening is done (though no animation, just slides and fades).

The Bad
No play control, really cheap hits, no Maria, low-res graphics, boring, too hard, and Dracula is beyond hard! This is not the way to translate a game. Also, most of the game is chopped, never to played again!

The Bottom Line
Oh, sorry Konami! For bugging you to make a translation of this game for the American gamers who don't have PC Engines! We didn't know you hated us and decided to punish us for asking for a real Castlevania game!

Anyways, stay away and ignore this game. I cranked out my PC Engine version just to wipe the taste away (okay, I found both games in the same box, but still . . .). This game is that bad. Get the Castlevanias on GBA if you want a real game, but not Symphony of the Night.