Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

aka: Akumajou Densetsu
Moby ID: 7415

Trivia

Japanese version

The Japanese version of Castlevania III has a few differences from the U.S. version, but here's the biggest one...

The Japanese version was built around a special mapper chip Konami created, called the VRC6. (In Japan, most third-party Famicom developers used to create their own custom memory mapping chips to enhance the power of the Famicom/NES.) The VRC6 had one special power to it: it allowed the system to play digital instrument samples during music playback, and Konami made major use of it for the Japanese version's music. In short, the Japanese version's soundtrack is better sounding.

Also changed between the two versions were the Hunchbacks (they were frog-like monsters in the Japanese version), some nudity, and the damage system (in the Japanese version, the amount of damage you took depended on what hit you). Trevor's name was "Ralph Belmondo". The zombies, mudmen, leviathan and mummies had more animation to them with slightly different sprites. Instead of having his regular stabbing dagger, Grant uses throwing daggers as his regular weapon (because of this, Grant can only collect the axe and stopwatch as his alternate weapons). Also, the Japanese version is easier than the North American version.

Awards

  • Electronic Gaming Monthly
    • December 1989 (Issue 5) - Best Sequel (Forecasting the 1990 Award Winners) (tied with Super Mario Bros. 3 and Phantasy Star II)
    • October 1990 (Issue 15) - Best Nintendo Game of the Year (NES version)
    • February 2006 - #119 out of 200 of the "Greatest Games of Their Time"
    • November 1997 (Issue 100) - ranked #57 (Best 100 Games of All Time)

Information also contributed by Big John WV and CaptainCanuck

edit trivia · view history


Know of any trivia we're missing? Contribute.

Trivia contributed by Satoshi Kunsai, Alaka, Patrick Bregger.