GamesAreEvil: "Castlevania Chronicles, up until now, had yet to be released in America. So does this PlayStation original come state side too little too late, or does this whip-wielding adventure still pack enough action to keep you interested? The underlying question is: Have we been spoiled by Symphony of the Night?
Players assume control of Simon Belmont, a vampire hunter and Castlevania series mainstay. Simon's abilities are very basic and to some point constraining, making the controls feel clunky and awkward. With the basic jump, crouch, walk and whip, it is your typical Castlevania gameplay. However, considering the previous iterations of the game had spot on controls and slightly more freedom of movement, it's a shame they couldn't recapture that with Chronicles."
Carl Williams writes, "Retro gaming fans that were gaming on the Nintendo Entertainment System surely remember the first Castlevania game. Konami was in rare form with this release and gamers showed their appreciation with each new release by buying the sequels and giving free word of mouth advertising. In 2001 Konami brought over to North American Playstation owners a little title called Castlevania Chronicles. This was originally a Sharp X68000 release (see our second issue for more information on this gaming computer). What was Castlevania Chronicles anyhow?"
Eurogamer:
"Castlevania is a series with heritage. Since its introduction in 1986 it's rarely skipped a year, with 40 released titles spanning consoles, PC's and arcades. Over nearly 30 years, the backbone remains the same. The plot is an eternal repetition of the need for the Belmont clan (and occasional affiliates) to destroy Dracula who, against all odds, keeps getting resurrected in all manner of bizarre circumstances. Features and details may change, or occasionally be absent, but they're indelible parts of the series, always remembered, always returning.
Perhaps Castlevania's most polished and revered trait is its music. Stylistically phenomenal from the very beginning, nearly every title in the 28 year history is an aural delight. When Konami released an 18 CD soundtrack set in 2010, it didn't even have room for every great piece that's graced the series. Behind these iconic tracks is the work of some talented composers. "
1UP - Twenty-five years ago, on September 26, 1986, Konami launched a brand new game in Japan that would go on to become one of the longest continuously running franchises in the medium's history. Akumajou Dracula -- roughly translating to "Demon Castle Dracula," which became "Castlevania" in the West in accordance with Konami's weird obsession with pun-laden localization in the '80s -- was actually two different games on two different platforms.
This is old school gaming right here.. if you aren't a fan you probably wont dig this
It is shame that the game can't live up to the classics