Title: Dracula X Released: Unreleased Genre: Platformer Developer: Konami Publisher: None % Complete: Unknown

Konami's Dracula X was one of the most anticipated of all the announced 32x titles and its cancellation marked a turning point in the console's short life. Based on the now-classic (and mighty expensive) PC Engine CD game of the same name, Dracula X was to correct the mistakes made on the slow-moving and graphically underwhelming Super Nintendo port. Dracula X for the 32x is NOT a version of the later Castlevania: Symphony of the Night which appeared on the Playstation, or the import Saturn's Dracula X, which was nearly identical to the Playstation game.
 
 
 

Vampire Killer appeared in 1986 for the Japanese MSX computer. Although the name "Castlevania" did not appear anywhere in the game, it was the first title to introduce the characters and play mechanics that became the foundation for future games.

1997's Castlevania marked the official American debut of the series on the Nintendo Entertainment System. The games fast action gameplay captivated gamers, setting the stage for future sequels.

Konami began to exploit the possibilities of the NES with the release of Castlevania: Simon's Quest in 1988. More of an action/RPG than a straight action title, Simon's Quest introduced the nonlinear levels that would appear in later Castlevania titles.

Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (released in 1990) was the last Castlevania game for the NES, returning the series to its action roots. Alternate paths were implemented.

Castlevania Adventure marked the series first appearance on Nintendo's original black and white Gameboy. Released in 1989, the game is considered to be short, difficult, and rather mediocre.

The much improved Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge was released in 1991 and allowed you to choose the order in which you wanted to play the first four stages.

Castlevania Legends appeared in 1998 and was the final Castlevania game for the original Gameboy, though its plot took place before the events of the previous 2 Gameboy titles.

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon was a launch title for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance in 2001 and still stands as one of the handheld's finest game, though the dark graphics can occasionally hinder the action. Circle of the Moon duplicates the nonlinear gameplay aspect of Symphony of the Night and features graphics that fall somewhere between the Super Nintendo and Playstation/Saturn games.

The PC-Engine CD enjoyed enormous popularity in Japan and provided the perfect platform for one of the best games in the Castlevania series. Dracula X: Rondo of Blood features incredible (for 1993) graphics, flawless control, and a stunning CD soundtrack. It was also the first Castlevania title to employ anime-style graphics, a change that  proved so popular that the practice was continued ever after. Unfortunately, the PC-Engine's American counterpart, the Turbo Grafx-16/CD/TurboDuo, failed to make a dent in the market and the game never saw a U.S. release.

1991 saw the release of the Super Nintendo and Castlevania IV. Basically a 16-bit version of the original NES Castlevania, the update added much improved graphics and sound, plus tighter control and Mode-7 visual effects. It's considered to be one of the top games in the series.

The 1995 Super Nintendo port of the PC-Engine's Dracula X wasn't nearly as well-received as the original, probably because it didn't look as nice or play as well as Castlevania IV, released four years earlier. The 32x version was supposed to correct the deficiencies of the SNES game.

The MSX wasn't the only Japanese computer to receive a Castlevania game... the obscure Sharpe X68000 system got a version as well. Like Castlevania IV for the SNES, Dracula X68000 was another remake of the original Castlevaniawith similar graphics and gameplay. Good luck finding this one.

The Genesis, so long devoid of a Castlevania game, finally got one in 1994 with the release of Castlevania: Bloodlines. It wasn't as well-received as its other 16-bit counterparts, mostly due to the game's later time setting (the early 1900's) and the sound from the primitive Genesis sound chip. Otherwise, Bloodlines rates as a fine addition to the Castlevania saga.

Konami's 1997 Playstation release Castlevania: Symphony of the Night took the series to new heights but proved to be a sales disappointment. The 2-D graphics were beautiful, the soundtrack was one of the finest ever experienced, and the deep gameplay was divine, but the game buying public was 3-D crazy. Arguably the best game in the series.

Castlevania Chronicles was released for the Playstation in late 2001 and had a very limited production run (plus an extremely reasonable asking price of $19.99.) It includes the original Sharpe X68000 Castlevania game plus a new enhanced remix with Playstation visuals. The graphics are decidedly old school, but the gameplay is as fresh as ever.

The Saturn was the second Sega system to receive a Castlevania game with the release of 1997's Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight. Basically an enhanced port of the Playstation game, Dracula X features additional levels and playable characters, but no graphical improvements (odd, considering the Saturn's inherent 2-D processing abilities.)

The relatively poor sales of Konami's 2-D Playstation effort led to a 3-D Castlevania in 1999, the first of two games for the Nintendo 64. Fans of the original games felt betrayed with the move to the third dimension, but the series gained new admirers with its playability and beautiful graphics.

Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness was the second 3-D game for the Nintendo 64, also released in 1999. It's basically a remix of the original N64 Castlevania, with a few extras and a couple of additional levels. Not really worth getting if you have the first one, but the one to get if you have neither.

The Dreamcast was scheduled to get its own 3-D Castlevania game, modeled after the Nintendo 64 titles. It was cancelled when the gameplay didn't live up to expectations.