Castlevania

The Good
"Castlevania" for the N64 is difficult to like - as much as one may want to. The setting, Dracula's Castle, is always interesting, and the ability to explore it in 3-D is fun. The few characters that populate the game should delight fans of vampire movies. In particular the Great Vampire Killer of the film "Fright Night" makes an appearance. Some of the boss battles are interesting and the day/night cycling works adequately. The final battle with Dracula is actually quite rewarding.

The Bad
Here is a very fast bullet list: The color palette is droll, the controls are inaccurate and frustrating, level design is linear and uninteresting, and the music,(I would argue), is below "Castlevania" standards. The title feels rushed and unpolished and at the time of release the public was not aware that a more complete version of the game was soon to follow. (entitled: "Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness"),

The Bottom Line
The beloved series of "Castlevania" did not fare well on the N64. As much as anyone will try to love, (or even like), this game, they will probably pause and sigh. The beginnings of a 3-D "Castlevania" game were mired in a multitude of delays and an eventual cancellation. There was originally a "Castlevania" game planed for release on the Dreamcast, but that project was scrapped, (or was it?), and an N64 game was pursued.

Kouji Iga, the current director of the "Castlevania" series, had very little, (if nothing), to do with the N64 "Castlevania's". His presence was sorely missed on this game, and as a result the game missed hitting its intended mark on nearly everyone of its goals.