Castlevania: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Video game series}}

:''This article is for the entire '''Castlevania''' series. For the first game in the series, see [[Castlevania (video game)]]''.

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}{{about|the franchise|the first video game|Castlevania (1986 video game){{!}}''Castlevania'' (1986 video game)||Castlevania (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox video game series

|title = Castlevania

|image = Castlevania logo.png

|caption = Logo of the ''Castlevania'' series, introduced with 2003's ''[[Castlevania: Lament of Innocence|Lament of Innocence]]''

|developer =

{{ubl|[[Konami]]|[[Eighting]] (2008)|[[M2 (game developer)|M2]] (2009–2024)|[[MercurySteam]] (2010–2014)|[[Kojima Productions]] (2010)}}

|publisher = Konami

|platforms = {{collapsible list|

* [[Amiga]]

* [[Android (operating system)|Android]]

* [[Arcade game|Arcade]]

* [[Commodore 64]]

* [[DOS]]

* [[Game Boy]]

* [[Game Boy Color]]

* [[Game Boy Advance]]

* [[iOS]]

* [[Microsoft Windows]]

* [[MSX2]]

* [[Nintendo 3DS]]

* [[Nintendo 64]]

* [[Nintendo DS]]

* [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]

* [[Nintendo Switch]]

* [[Nintendo Switch 2]]

* [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]

* [[PlayStation 2]]

* [[PlayStation 3]]

* [[PlayStation 4]]

* [[PlayStation 5]]

* [[PlayStation Portable]]

* [[PlayStation Vita]]

* [[Sega Genesis]]

* [[Sega Saturn]]

* [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]]

* [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine]]

* [[Wii]]

* [[Wii U]]

* [[X68000]]

* [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]

* [[Xbox 360]]

* [[Xbox One]]

* [[Xbox Series X/S]]}}

|genre = {{Unbulleted list

| [[Platformer|Platform]]

| [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]]

| [[Action role-playing game|Action role-playing]]

| [[Hack and slash]]

}}

|first release version = ''[[Castlevania (1986 video game)|Castlevania]]''

|first release date = {{Start date|1986|9|26}}

|latest release version = ''Castlevania Dominus Collection''

|latest release date = {{Start date|2024|8|27}}

|spinoffs =

|creator = Hitoshi Akamatsu<ref name="AkamatsuDevCommentary"/>

}}

'''''Castlevania''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|æ|s|əl|ˈ|v|eɪ|n|i|ə}}), known in Japan as {{nihongo foot|'''''Akumajō Dracula''''',|悪魔城ドラキュラ|Akumajō Dorakyura|"''Demon Castle Dracula''"|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}<ref name="translation">{{cite video game |title=Castlevania: Harmony of Despair |developer=[[Konami]] |publisher=Konami|date=August 4, 2010|quote='''Japanese:''' 歴代の「悪魔城ドラキュラ」シリーズから選ばれた登場キャラクターを操作して、仲間たちと悪魔城に乗り込み、宿敵ドラキュラ伯爵に立ち向かおう。 '''English translation:''' Take control of past protagonists from the Castlevania series to brave the Demon Castle alongside friends and defeat the ancient enemy Count Dracula.}}</ref> is a [[gothic horror]] [[action-adventure]] [[video game series]] and [[media franchise]] created by [[Konami]]. The series is largely set in the castle of [[Dracula (Castlevania)|Count Dracula]], the arch-enemy of [[List of Castlevania characters|the Belmont clan]] of vampire hunters.<ref name="DenOfGeek"/>

[[Image:Castlevania.gif|right|Newer Castlevania Logo]] '''''Castlevania''''' (キャッスルヴァニア) is a [[video game]] [[video game series|series]], created and developed by [[Konami]]. The series debuted in [[Japan]] with the release of ''Demon Castle Dracula'' (悪魔城ドラキュラ ''Akumajō Dracula'') for the [[Famicom Disk System]] (FDS) and [[MSX|MSX 2]] platforms in [[1986]]. Even though the MSX 2 port (which was localized in [[Europe]] and [[Brazil]] under the title of ''[[Vampire Killer]]'') was released first outside of Japan, the series did not receive wide attention outside of Japan until the FDS version was [[Porting|ported]] to [[Cartridge (electronics)|cartridge]] format for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[Software localization|localized]] for [[North America]]n and European release under the title of ''Castlevania'' in [[1987]]. The series was landmark as it was among the earliest video games to feature a [[gothic horror]] storyline while at the same time abandoning the campy elements of similar games of the time, such as ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins]]''.

Debuting with the [[Castlevania (1986 video game)|1986 video game]] on [[Nintendo]]'s [[Famicom Disk System]],<ref name=MobyGames>{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/nes/castlevania/release-info |title=Castlevania (1986) NES release dates |work=[[MobyGames]] |access-date=November 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112142831/http://www.mobygames.com/game/nes/castlevania/release-info |archive-date=November 12, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> the first entry and the majority of its sequels are [[side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[action platformer]]s. The 1997 game, ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'', originally released for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], returned to the [[nonlinear gameplay]] first seen in ''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]],'' which also introduced [[role-playing video game|role-playing]] elements and exploration.<ref name="USGamerInterview">{{cite web | url = https://www.usgamer.net/articles/castlevania-symphony-of-the-night-wouldnt-have-happened-without-castlevania-2-simons-quest | title = Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Wouldn't Have Happened Without Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest | first = Nadia | last = Oxford | date = September 7, 2018 | access-date = September 7, 2018 | work = [[USGamer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181001030938/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/castlevania-symphony-of-the-night-wouldnt-have-happened-without-castlevania-2-simons-quest | archive-date = October 1, 2018 | url-status = live }}</ref> Several installments later adopted ''Symphony of the Night''{{'}}s gameplay, which along with ''[[Super Metroid]]'', have popularized the [[Metroidvania]] genre.<ref name=":5">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/castlevania-creator-koji-igarashi-im-not-a-big-deal-w452193|title='Castlevania' Creator Koji Igarashi: 'I Don't Feel That I'm a Big Deal'|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=May 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525134257/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/castlevania-creator-koji-igarashi-im-not-a-big-deal-w452193|archive-date=May 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> 2010 saw the release of ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]'', a 3D [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] game developed by [[MercurySteam]] and [[Kojima Productions]] that served as a [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]] of the series.<ref name="GamePro" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/kojima-taking-on-castlevania-with-lords-of-shadow-5274898|title=Kojima Taking On Castlevania With Lords Of Shadow|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=June 1, 2009|website=Kotaku}}</ref>

The ''Castlevania'' series is one of Konami's most famous franchises, and has seen titles released for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], the [[Sega Genesis]], the [[PC Engine]], the [[Sony PlayStation]], the [[Sega Saturn]], the [[Nintendo 64]], the [[PlayStation 2]] and the [[Microsoft Xbox]] [[video game console]]s. Several franchise titles have been released for [[handheld game console]]s, including the [[Game Boy]], the [[Game Boy Advance]], and the [[Nintendo DS]], and for various [[personal computer]] platforms, including the MSX 2, the [[Commodore 64]], the [[Sharp X68000]], the [[Commodore Amiga]], [[MS-DOS]], and [[Microsoft Windows]]. At the moment, the next Castlevania game to be released will be ''[[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin]]'' for the Nintendo DS.

The ''Castlevania'' series has been released on various platforms; from early systems to modern consoles, as well as handheld devices such as mobile phones.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=27053|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804042623/http://classic.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=27053|archive-date=August 4, 2008 |title=Windows Mobile – PocketGear.com: Mobile Apps, Software & Games for Windows Mobile, Symbian, Blackberry, Android, Palm and Java devices! |publisher=Classic.pocketgear.com |access-date=August 11, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.konamimobile.com/gamedetail.aspx?rkw=castle|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603080736/http://www.konamimobile.com/gamedetail.aspx?rkw=castle|archive-date=June 3, 2008 |title=Konami Mobile |publisher=Konami Mobile |access-date=August 11, 2010}}</ref> The franchise has since expanded into several spin-off video games and [[List of Castlevania media|other media]]; including [[comic books]]<ref name="IDWComic">{{cite web|url=http://castlevaniadungeon.net/Features/cvcomic.html|title=Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy|work=The Castlevania Dungeon|access-date=August 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611220926/http://castlevaniadungeon.net/features/cvcomic.html|archive-date=June 11, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> and a critically-acclaimed [[Castlevania (TV series)|animated television series]].<ref name="IGNRetrospective">{{cite web|author=Mark Bozon|date=January 18, 2007|url=http://ie.ign.com/articles/2007/01/19/castlevania-the-retrospective?page=1|title=Castlevania: The Retrospective|page=5|website=IGN|access-date=July 12, 2008}}</ref><ref name="CVASMeta">{{Cite news |title=2018 Fall TV Premiere Calendar |url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/tv-premiere-dates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011190043/https://www.metacritic.com/feature/tv-premiere-dates |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |access-date=October 12, 2018 |work=Metacritic |language=en}}</ref>

==Overview==

The ''Castlevania'' series is about a war between the enchanted family bloodline of the [[Castlevania characters#The Belmont Clan|Belmonts]] and [[Dracula (Castlevania)|Drakyura]]. Almost every hundred years, Dracula is resurrected and it is up to the Belmonts to defeat him before he invokes his wrath on the entire world.

Spanning almost four decades, ''Castlevania'' is one of Konami's [[best-selling video game franchises|most successful and prominent franchises]];<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/project-51-to-explore-castlevania-storyline/69268/?biz=1 | title=Project 51 to Explore Castlevania Storyline | access-date=March 21, 2009 | date=August 4, 2006 |first=Chris |last=Marlowe | website=GameDaily | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116022409/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/project-51-to-explore-castlevania-storyline/69268/?biz=1 | archive-date=January 16, 2009 | url-status=live }}</ref> several of its entries are ranked among the [[List of video games considered the best|best video games ever made]].<ref name="Top25">{{cite web| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617164708/http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html|archive-date=June 17, 2012|url= http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html|title=The Top 25 Videogame Franchises|work=IGN|date=July 7, 2010 | url-status=dead|access-date=February 2, 2013}}</ref> Retrospectives have attributed the series's success to its unique blend of action, adventure, and horror elements;<ref name="IGNHistory"/> and it has been praised for its challenging gameplay mechanics, atmospheric settings, and iconic music.<ref name="Top25"/>

[[Image:Castlevania original logo.gif|right|Original NES Castlevania Logo]]The most notable Belmont is perhaps [[Simon Belmont]], star of the first several ''Castlevania'' games. However, the games feature many other characters, including Belmonts, relatives and other people that the player can control. Included among the usable characters is Adrian Fahrenheit Tepes, also known as [[Alucard Tepes|Alucard]], the son of Dracula himself. Also, several female characters star in some of the later games. See [[Castlevania characters]] for more information about the characters of ''Castlevania''.

==Games==

The series is loosely based on the mythology of [[Bram Stoker]]'s novel ''[[Dracula]]''. In fact, the novel is included in the official timeline of the series, with ''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines]]'' taking place shortly afterwards. The connection even goes as far as to claim that Quincy Morris, a character from the novel who lands the final blow against Dracula at the cost of his own life, is in fact a Belmont descendant. Morris is also said to have a son, [[John Morris (Castlevania)#John Morris (1917)|John]] and grandson, [[Jonathan Morris (Castlevania)|Johnathan]], who star in ''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines|Bloodlines]]'' and ''[[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin|Portrait of Ruin]]'', respectively. The series also incorporates a variety of other [[monster]]s from classic [[horror fiction]], [[horror film|films]], [[fantasy]], and [[mythology]]. These monsters serve to obstruct the path to Dracula but are rarely tied to the game's plot.

{{See also|List of Castlevania media#Video games}}

{{Timeline of release years

For a complete timeline of the events of the ''Castlevania'' series, see ''[[Castlevania Timeline]]''.

| subtitle = Original series in green<br />''Lords of Shadow'' series in yellow

| range1 = 1986 – 2009

| range1_color = #0BDA51 Black

| range2 = 2010 – 2014

| range2_color = #FFD700 Black

| range3 = 2024

| range3_color = #0BDA51 Black

| compressempty = 2015 - 2023

| 1986a = ''[[Castlevania (1986 video game)|Castlevania]]''

| 1986b = ''[[Vampire Killer]]''

| 1987 = ''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]]''

| 1988 = ''[[Haunted Castle (video game)|Haunted Castle]]''

| 1989a = ''[[Castlevania: The Adventure]]''

| 1989b = ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]''

| 1991a = ''[[Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge]]''

| 1991b = ''[[Super Castlevania IV]]''

| 1993b = ''[[Castlevania Chronicles|Akumajō Dracula]]''

| 1993c = ''[[Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]]''

| 1994 = ''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines]]''

| 1995 = ''[[Castlevania: Dracula X]]''

| 1997a = ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]''

| 1997b = ''[[Castlevania Legends]]''

| 1999a = [[Castlevania (1999 video game)|''Castlevania'' (Nintendo 64)]]

| 1999b = ''[[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness]]''

| 2001 = ''[[Castlevania: Circle of the Moon]]''

| 2001b = ''[[Castlevania Chronicles]]''

| 2002 = ''[[Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance]]''

| 2003a = ''[[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow]]''

| 2003b = ''[[Castlevania: Lament of Innocence]]''

| 2005a = ''[[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow]]''

| 2005b = ''[[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness]]''

| 2006 = ''[[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin]]''

| 2007b = ''[[Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles]]''

| 2008a = ''[[Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia]]''

| 2009 = ''[[Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth]]''<!--2009 is CORRECT, the game is release in December, 2009 in Japan, do NOT change this to 2010 just because the NA version released later than the original version-->

| 2010b = ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]''

| 2013 = ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate]]''

| 2014 = ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2]]''

| 2024 = ''[[Haunted Castle (video game)|Haunted Castle Revisited]]''

}}

<!--Timeline for main series only, do not include spin-offs or re-releases. I.e Judgment, Castlevania Grimoire of Souls or Castlevania Requiem-->

Most ''Castlevania'' titles have been released in Japan, North America, Europe and Australia on various [[video game consoles]], [[personal computers]] (PC) and [[mobile phones]], with additional [[Video game remake|remakes]] and re-releases.<ref name=CVHistory>{{cite web | url=https://www.konami.com/games/castlevania/us/en-us/history#menu-top | title=HISTORY Castlevania web portal | access-date=January 10, 2018 | date=January 10, 2018 | publisher=Konami | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002064844/https://www.konami.com/games/castlevania/us/en-us/history#menu-top | archive-date=October 2, 2018 | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Regional variations and localization ==

[[Image:Japanese Castlevania Famicom Logo.gif|left|Japanese Castlevania Famicom Logo]]In Japan, the series is most commonly known as '''''Demon Castle Dracula''''' (''Akumajō Dorakyura''). However, not every installment of the franchise has borne that title. For example, the first two installments for the [[Nintendo]] [[Game Boy]] were released under the title ''The Legend of Dracula'' (ドラキュラ伝説 ''Dorakyura Densetsu'') and the game known in North America as ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]'' was originally released in Japan as ''The Legend of the Demon Castle'' (悪魔城伝説 ''Akumajō Densetsu''). Starting with the release of ''[[Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance]]'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]], the Japanese games adopted the "Castlevania" name for a brief period. According to series producer [[Koji Igarashi]] (or IGA, as he is commonly known), the developers chose to adopt the ''Castlevania'' moniker as a way to involve scenarios that do not solely revolve around Dracula himself. Later bowing to overwhelming fan demand, Konami returned to the "Demon Castle Dracula" branding for the Japanese release of ''[[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow]]'' (悪魔城ドラキュラ 蒼月の十字架 ''Akumajō Dorakyura Sōgetsu no Jūjika'', lit. ''Demon Castle Dracula: Latin Cross of the Blue Moon'').

The first console title, ''[[Castlevania (1986 video game)|Castlevania]]'', was released on the [[Famicom Disk System]] in 1986 and in North America in 1987 on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES).<ref name=MobyGames/> A [[2D computer graphics|2D]] sidescrolling action game where the player progresses through six [[Level (video games)|stages]], many principal features of the ''Castlevania'' series originated with it.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/at-30-castlevania-may-be-dead-but-its-influence-lingers-beyond-the-grave | title=At 30, Castlevania May be Dead, But Its Influence Lingers Beyond The Grave | access-date=September 27, 2016 | date=September 27, 2016 | author=Jeremy Parish | publisher=USGamer | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929062528/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/at-30-castlevania-may-be-dead-but-its-influence-lingers-beyond-the-grave | archive-date=September 29, 2016 | url-status=live }}</ref> It has been ported to many platforms, such as the [[NES Classic Edition]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Gary|title=NES Classic Edition: The final 30 games list revealed as Nintendo talk mini N64|url=http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/690813/NES-classic-Edition-games-confirmed-Nintendo-N64|access-date=August 9, 2016|date=July 19, 2016}}</ref> Also released in 1986 was ''[[Vampire Killer]]'' for the [[MSX]] home computer, which played significantly differently from the original ''Castlevania'', where players had to search for the exit before they could proceed to the next stage.<ref>Jeremy Parish, [http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8827111&publicUserId=5379721 Famicom 25th, Part 17: Live from The Nippon edition] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120629230850/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8827111&publicUserId=5379721 |date=June 29, 2012 }}, [[1UP.com]], August 1, 2008</ref> Following that year, in 1987, ''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]]'' further departed from the standard platforming genre of the first ''Castlevania'' for a game more similar to the nonlinear gameplay of ''[[Metroid]]'', with several role-playing elements such as a world map which the player is free to explore and revisit.<ref name=1UP-Parish>Jeremy Parish, [https://web.archive.org/web/20110629034651/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=7212636 Metroidvania Chronicles II: Simon's Quest], [[1UP.com]], June 28, 2006</ref><ref>Kurt Kalata and William Cain, [http://castlevaniadungeon.net/games/cv2.html Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest (1988)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723035624/http://castlevaniadungeon.net/games/cv2.html |date=July 23, 2011 }}, Castlevania Dungeon, accessed February 27, 2011</ref>

The series is also known for the differences between the Japanese and [[English language]] versions. Particularly in earlier installments, the [[Software localization|localization]] process usually removes a heavy share of [[violence|violent]] and [[religion|religious]] imagery and references.

''[[Haunted Castle (video game)|Haunted Castle]]'' (1988), the franchise's first arcade title, returned to the linear platforming gameplay of the original.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/haunted-castle |title=Haunted Castle for Arcade |work=[[MobyGames]] |access-date=November 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016151536/http://www.mobygames.com/game/haunted-castle |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> This continued with the first handheld [[Game Boy]] entry, ''[[Castlevania: The Adventure]]''<ref>{{cite web|date=January 1, 1999 |url=http://castlevaniadungeon.net/games/cva.html|title=Castlevania: The Adventure (1989) |publisher=[[GameSpy]]|access-date=January 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109100414/http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/Games/cva.html|archive-date=January 9, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> and the NES sequel, ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]'', both released in 1989. ''Dracula's Curse'' added features to the original gameplay, including [[Nonlinear gameplay#Branching storylines|alternate stages]] and multiple [[player character|playable character]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hidden Gems |page=2 |first=Jeremy |last=Parish|date=October 26, 2005|website=[[1UP.com]]|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3145017|access-date=April 14, 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018171804/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3145017|archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> ''The Adventure'' saw a Game Boy sequel, ''[[Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge]]'', in 1992 and a remake, ''[[Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth]]'', developed by [[M2 (game developer)|M2]] for the [[WiiWare]] service in 2009.<ref name=CVHistory/>

In addition, the English localizations have frequently been plagued by a number of omissions, errors and deliberate alterations from their original Japanese counterparts. Notable examples include the mistranslated character names ([[Solieyu Belmont]] from ''[[Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge]]'' is a mistranslation of "Soleil," [[French language|French]] for "sun," and the name of the protagonist of ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]'' was changed from "Ralph C. Belmont" to "[[Trevor Belmont]]" for the English version).

The franchise's first 16-bit home console game, ''[[Super Castlevania IV]]'', was released for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES) in 1991.<ref name=IGNRetrospective/> A ''Castlevania'' title for the [[Sharp X68000]] [[home computer]] was released in Japan in 1993 and would not be available in English until ''[[Castlevania Chronicles]]'' (2001) for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]].<ref name=IGNHistory/> During the same year, ''[[Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]]'' was released for the [[PC Engine]] and was not localized in English until it was included with ''[[Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles]]'' (2007) for the [[PlayStation Portable]].<ref name=CVHistory/> The first ''Castlevania'' produced for a [[CD-ROM]], ''Rondo of Blood'' featured [[Red Book audio]] and fully voiced dialogue.<ref name="Gamespot History">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/history_castlevania/p7_02.html|title=The History of Castlevania – Page 7|author1=Whalen, Mike|author2=Giancarlo Varanini|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=September 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617102518/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/history_castlevania/p7_02.html|archive-date=June 17, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> The game's content would be reused in ''[[Castlevania: Dracula X]]'', a game for the SNES in 1995.<ref name=IGNHistory/> ''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines]]'' (1994) was the first ''Castlevania'' entry produced for a [[Sega]] console, the [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]]. It would not be re-released until 2019 as part of the ''[[Castlevania Anniversary Collection]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |title=Castlevania: Bloodlines, forsaken by Konami, is a masterpiece worth replaying |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=March 18, 2018 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/18/17131344/castlevania-bloodlines-sega-genesis-reissue-konami |access-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318155542/https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/18/17131344/castlevania-bloodlines-sega-genesis-reissue-konami |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=CVCollectionLineUp>{{cite web |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/castlevania-anniversary-collection-screenshots-price-point/ |title=Castlevania Anniversary Collection screenshots, price point |publisher=Nintendo Everything |date=April 21, 2019}}</ref>

Note: The name "Belmont" itself is Romanized as "Berumonto" in Romaji which means romanized Japanese form translated by Hebon, but Japanese language doesn't have a specific sound of "r" or "l" and a vowel must follow with "b,(c),d,f,g,h,j,k,(l),m,n,(q),r,s,t,(v),w,(x),y,and z." *Letters in () are not used in Romaji and aren't contained in Japanese.

In 1997, ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'' and ''[[Castlevania Legends]]'' were launched for the PlayStation and Game Boy, respectively.<ref name=CVHistory/> ''Symphony of the Night'' introduced a major change to the gameplay, incorporating role-playing elements and a nonlinear map that the player could freely explore, which was previously seen in ''Simon's Quest'' and Nintendo's ''[[Metroid]]'' series.<ref name=1UP-Parish/><ref>{{cite web| year=2006| title=The Top 25 Videogame Franchises| url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617164708/http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html| archive-date=June 17, 2012}}</ref> Elements of ''Symphony of the Night'' would influence the gameplay of future titles, beginning with the [[Game Boy Advance]] entries ''[[Circle of the Moon]]'', ''[[Harmony of Dissonance]]'', and ''[[Aria of Sorrow]]'', which were released from 2001 to 2003.<ref name=CVHistory/> ''Aria of Sorrow'' received a 2005 sequel, [[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow|Dawn of Sorrow]] for the [[Nintendo DS]], which was followed by ''[[Portrait of Ruin]]'' (2006) and ''[[Order of Ecclesia]]'' (2008).<ref name=CVHistory/>

== Rarity ==

Several games in the series have been produced in very limited quantities, in North America and Europe at least, and have thus greatly fallen short of demand. Most recently, ''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance'' and ''[[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow]]'' have been sold on [[eBay]] for two to three times their original selling price, prompting the release of an officially-released "double pack" of both games in early 2006. ''[[Demon Castle Dracula X: Rondo of Blood]]'', considered by many ''Castlevania'' fans to be the "Holy Grail" of the series due to having been released solely on the Japanese [[PC Engine]] CD console, still easily sells for over a hundred dollars, as does the original Japanese version of the MSX installment, ''Vampire Killer''. Other rare editions include the original Sharp X68000 (a Japanese home computer) remake of the first title in the series, which was later re-released on the original Playstation under the moniker Castlevania Chronicles. Castlevania Chronicles itself has also has been sold for well over it's retail price. Recently, ''Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow'' has been found to be in short supply.

Under the development of [[Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe|Konami's Kobe branch]], the first game in the series to employ [[3D computer graphics|3D graphics]] was ''[[Castlevania (Nintendo 64)|Castlevania]]'' for [[Nintendo 64]] in 1999, and it received an expansion called ''[[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness]]'' later that year.<ref name="Gamespot History"/> In 2003, the next 3D ''Castlevania'' title, ''[[Lament of Innocence]]'' debuted for the [[PlayStation 2]] with combat-oriented [[hack and slash]] gameplay that drew comparisons to ''[[Devil May Cry (video game)|Devil May Cry]]'' and retroactively, ''[[God of War (2005 video game)|God of War]]''.<ref>Kurt Kalata and William Cain, [http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/games/loi.html ''Castlevania: Lament of Innocence'' (2003)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520011729/http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/games/loi.html |date=May 20, 2012 }}, Castlevania Dungeon, accessed February 27, 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.1up.com/previews/god-of-war_8 God of War (PS2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629034701/http://www.1up.com/previews/god-of-war_8 |date=June 29, 2011 }}, [[1UP.com]], accessed February 27, 2011</ref> It was followed two years later by ''[[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness]]''.<ref name=CVHistory/>

==Evolution of the games==

The gameplay mechanics are fairly consistent among most of the earlier titles. These are typical [[platform game]]s in which the player takes the role of a whip-wielding warrior from the Belmont family as he ventures inside Castlevania (Count Dracula's castle) and fights a variety of supernatural beasts on his way to defeat Dracula. The whip used by the Belmont clan is a relic named the [[Vampire Killer#Other meanings|Vampire Killer]], which was blessed with the power to destroy vampires and other creatures of the night. The games also feature secondary weapons that are powered by hearts, all of which can be found by destroying candles. Common secondary weapons are the straight-flying [[dagger]], the overhead-thrown [[axe]], the ground-burning vial of [[holy water]], a [[holy book]] that flies in a circular motion around the screen, and the [[cross]], which is wielded like a [[boomerang]].

A [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]] of the franchise launched with ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]'' in 2010, a [[multi-platform]] 3D action title developed by [[MercurySteam]] and co-produced by [[Hideo Kojima]].<ref name=GamePro/> It was followed by two sequels, ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate|Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate]]'' for [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2013, and ''[[Lords of Shadow 2]]'' in 2014.<ref name=CVHistory/> ''Lords of Shadow 2'' was the last mainline game in the franchise to date, due to Konami shifting focus to [[mobile games]] and [[gambling]] in the 2010s.<ref>Crecente, Brian. [https://www.polygon.com/2015/5/14/8605313/konami-interview-mobile-is-where-the-future-of-gaming-lies Konami CEO: 'Mobile is where the future of gaming lies'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601185511/https://www.polygon.com/2015/5/14/8605313/konami-interview-mobile-is-where-the-future-of-gaming-lies |date=1 June 2023 }}. [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]. Retrieved on February 11, 2018. Hideki Hayakawa: "Gaming has spread to many platforms, but at the end of the day, the platform that is always closest to us, is mobile. Mobile is where the future of gaming lies...with multiplatform games, there's no point in dividing the market into categories anymore. Mobiles will take on the new role of linking the general public to the gaming world."([https://web.archive.org/web/20180220094858/http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/column/20150424/1064004 Original interview in Japanese])</ref>

The general appearance of the characters in the games has also changed since the first installments. In the earlier games, the main characters were usually warriors sporting leather armour or similar garb. As new ''Castlevania'' games were released, the heroes' outfits evolved into more elegant, fancy vests. The "modern look" adopted by Castlevania games borrows heavily from [[bishounen]]-style art, and was originally introduced to the series by artist [[Ayami Kojima]] during the production of ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]''.

Rumors began circulating in 2021 that, following internal restructuring at Konami to refocus on PC and console games, a "reimagining" of the series was in development.<ref name=VGC>{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/konami-is-set-to-revive-metal-gear-castlevania-and-silent-hill/ |title=Konami is set to revive Metal Gear, Castlevania and Silent Hill|publisher=Video Games Chronicle|date=October 1, 2021}}</ref><ref>[https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/04/konamis-return-to-games-continues-with-new-studio-opening Konami's Return to Games Continues with New Studio Opening]</ref> In 2024, a remake of ''[[Haunted Castle (video game)|Haunted Castle]]'' was included in the compilation ''Castlevania Dominus Collection''. Titled ''Haunted Castle Revisited'', it was developed by M2, who previously worked on ''The Adventure ReBirth''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.konami.com/games/eu/en/topics/18113/ |title=The Castlevania Dominus Collection Brings Three Castlevania series titles to Modern Platforms! |access-date=2024-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827215919/https://www.konami.com/games/eu/en/topics/18113/ |archive-date=2024-08-27 }}</ref>

A major turning point in the series was the ground-breaking ''Castlevania: Symphony of the Night''. ''Symphony'' adopted what is sometimes called a [[Metroidvania]] style of gameplay due to its many similarities to the ''[[Metroid series|Metroid]]'' series (primarily ''[[Super Metroid]]''), and combines this with the [[Computer role-playing game|console RPG]] concepts of [[experience level]]s, [[hit points]], and equipment. Subsequent Castlevania games have followed this new style, with the replacement of the secondary weapons by complex magic systems in which spell components are collected from enemies or found in the castle. These systems use hearts to replenish MP and often include most of the classic secondary weapons among the much larger variety of spells and attacks.

===Spin-offs===

The first games in the series to employ [[3D computer graphics|3D graphics]] were released to mixed reactions in critical and public venues. These include [[Castlevania 64]] and [[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness]] for the [[Nintendo 64]].

''Castlevania'' has spawned numerous spin-offs, the first being the 1990 platformer, ''[[Kid Dracula (1990 video game)|Kid Dracula]]'' for the [[Famicom]], a parody which stars the eponymous character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/akumajou-special-boku-dracula-kun/ |title=Akumajou Special: Boku Dracula-kun |work=Gamespot |access-date=February 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520155246/http://www.gamespot.com/akumajou-special-boku-dracula-kun/ |archive-date=May 20, 2015 }}</ref> It was released for the first time in English for the ''[[Castlevania Anniversary Collection]]'' (2019).<ref name=CVCollectionLineUp/> The game received a sequel for the Game Boy, also titled ''[[Kid Dracula (1993 video game)|Kid Dracula]]''.<ref name=IGNRetrospective/>

A mobile game, ''[[Castlevania: Order of Shadows]]'' was released in 2007. ''Castlevania''{{'}}s first [[fighting game]], ''[[Castlevania Judgment]]'' debuted for the Wii in 2008 and was developed by [[Eighting]].<ref name=CVHistory/> ''[[Castlevania: Harmony of Despair]]'', released in 2010, was an online, multiplayer title in-which players could play as past ''Castlevania'' characters and explore stages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5567240/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-hands-on|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Despair Hands-on From E3 2010|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=June 19, 2010|work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|access-date=August 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903011315/http://kotaku.com/5567240/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-hands-on|archive-date=September 3, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> A mobile game called ''[[Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls]]'' was released on September 19, 2019 for [[iOS]] through [[Apple Arcade]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/castlevania-grimoire-of-souls-announced-for-ios-devices-498995.phtml |title=Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls announced for iOS devices |website=Destructoid |date=April 17, 2018}}</ref>

==Game list==

{| class="wikitable"

Arcade and [[slot machines]] based on the series have been produced. ''[[Castlevania: The Arcade]]'' (2009), a light gun shooter utilizing an LED remote, has been released in Japan and Europe.<ref>{{cite web | author=Ashcroft, Brian | date=July 23, 2008 | title=Castlevania Japanese Arcade Game Hands-On | url=http://kotaku.com/5028044/castlevania-japanese-arcade-game-hands+on | work=Kotaku.com | access-date=August 3, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502125258/http://kotaku.com/5028044/castlevania-japanese-arcade-game-hands+on | archive-date=May 2, 2009 | url-status=live }}</ref> The Japanese-exclusive ''[[Pachislot Akumajō Dracula]]'' series is a line of [[pachislot]] titles released between 2009 and 2017.<ref name=Pachislot>{{cite web|url= http://777.nifty.com/cs/catalog/777_777/catalog_akumajyodracula2_1.htm|title= Castlevania II(KPE)|language= ja|publisher= 777@nifty|access-date= June 23, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130529035608/http://777.nifty.com/cs/catalog/777_777/catalog_akumajyodracula2_1.htm|archive-date= May 29, 2013|url-status= dead}}</ref> The first three are based on the video game ''Dracula's Curse'', while a fourth game based on the ''Lords of Shadow'' reboot, ''Pachislot Akumajō Dracula: Lords of Shadow'', was made available in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://777.nifty.com/pachislot/akumajyodraculalos/6S1716/|title= 悪魔城ドラキュラ Lords of Shadow(KPE)|language= ja|publisher= 777@nifty|access-date= June 23, 2013|archive-date= July 8, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170708092654/https://777.nifty.com/pachislot/akumajyodraculalos/6S1716/|url-status= dead}}</ref>

''Castlevania'' characters and elements have appeared in crossovers and other titles such as the ''[[Konami Wai Wai World]]'' series, ''[[Contra: Hard Corps]]'', ''[[DreamMix TV World Fighters]]'', ''[[Bomberman R]],'' ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |title=Castlevania's Simon Belmont and Richter Belmont join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/8/17663906/super-smash-bros-ultimate-simon-belmont-richter-castlevania-nintendo-direct-switch |website=Polygon |date=August 8, 2018 |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=August 8, 2018 |ref=137 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808181206/https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/8/17663906/super-smash-bros-ultimate-simon-belmont-richter-castlevania-nintendo-direct-switch |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Dead Cells]]'', and ''[[Vampire Survivors]]''.

==Common elements==

===Gameplay===

[[File:Castlevania nes 03.png|thumb|right|Gameplay of ''Castlevania'' on the NES. The player-character Simon Belmont attacks an enemy with the whip, which can be increased in length by collecting upgrades.]]

''Castlevania'', released for the NES in 1986, is a platform game in which the player takes the role of the character Simon Belmont, navigating through six levels of Dracula's castle. Each level is divided into six blocks of three stages each.<ref name="chron4"/><ref name="CVNESIGN">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/21/revisiting-castlevania-on-the-nes |title=Revisiting Castlevania on the NES |work=IGN |date=21 September 2011 |access-date=September 22, 2011 }}</ref> He can navigate the castle's terrain by jumping across platforms and walking up staircases, enabling him to progress to new stages.<ref name="CV1Manual">{{cite book| title=Castlevania instruction manual| year=1987| publisher=Konami| id=NES-CV-USA}}</ref> Simon has a health meter, which decreases upon contact with enemies or hazards. Loss of all health, falling off-screen, or running out of time results in losing a life, with the game ending when all lives are depleted, though players can continue from the last checkpoint.<ref name="CV1Manual"/><ref name="CVNESIGN"/> Collecting points throughout the levels can increase the player's score and earn them additional lives. Each level culminates in a boss battle against one of Dracula's monsters, each with their own life meter that needs to be depleted using Simon's attacks.<ref name="CV1Manual"/> Simon wields the Vampire Killer whip, which can be improved by collecting upgrades hidden in candles. These upgrades extend the whip's length and power, allowing Simon to attack enemies from a greater distance with increased damage.<ref name="CVNESIGN"/> Alongside the whip, Simon can use secondary weapons like throwing knives, holy water, and the boomerang-like cross, which consume hearts collected throughout the levels.<ref name="chron4"/><ref name="CV1Manual"/>

[[File:CPoR-BattleScreen.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Screenshot of ''[[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin]]'', which features [[Metroidvania]] gameplay. In the top screen is the map, which records the player's progress as they explore the castle.]]

While ''Castlevania'''s gameplay set the standard for most titles, ''Castlevania II: Simon's Quest'' in 1987 briefly introduced role-playing elements, a departure from the strict platforming format of its predecessor.<ref name="chron4"/><ref name="CV2Manual"/> Unlike the linear progression of the first game, ''Simon's Quest'' allows players to explore a freely accessible world map, revisit areas, and engage with a dynamic environment that includes day and night cycles affecting enemy strength and the availability of non-playable characters.<ref name="CV2Manual">{{cite book| title=Castlevania II: Simon's Quest instruction manual| year=1988| publisher=Konami| id=NES-QU-USA}}</ref> Players can interact with villagers who provide hints and visit merchants to buy items using hearts collected from defeated enemies.<ref name="CVNESIGN"/> This installment also introduces [[experience points]] where Simon can increase his level and health capacity by gathering hearts.<ref name="chron4"/><ref name="CVNESIGN"/> 1997's ''Castlevania: Symphony of the Night'' significantly expanded upon the gameplay introduced in ''Simon's Quest'', setting a new formula for the series and influencing subsequent [[Metroidvania]] titles.<ref name="ignpsxreview">{{cite web | title=Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | author=Julian Rignall | url=http://uk.psx.ign.com/articles/150/150336p1.html | website=IGN | date=1997-10-02 | access-date=2007-11-07 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109224829/http://uk.psx.ign.com/articles/150/150336p1.html | archive-date=2008-01-09 }}</ref> ''Symphony of the Night'' also features non-linear exploration, requiring players to gather specific items and abilities to access different areas of Dracula’s castle.<ref name="ignpsxreview"/><ref name="chron4"/> This installment expanded the role-playing elements by including a more complex attribute and leveling system where the protagonist, Alucard, increases his in-game statistics by gaining experience points from defeated enemies.<ref name="chron4"/> Alucard's ability to transform into a bat, wolf, or mist also allows him to explore previously inaccessible areas, and he can also use a wider range of equipment.<ref name="ignpsxreview"/>

The first 3D installment in the franchise, ''[[Castlevania (1999 video game)|Castlevania]]'' (1999) on the Nintendo 64 adopted gameplay elements distinctly different from its 2D predecessors.<ref name="Gamespot History"/><ref name="chron4"/> Unlike earlier titles, this version implemented a basic targeting and lock-on system for combat for the two playable characters, Reinhardt and Carrie.<ref name="Gamespot History"/> The new environment itself played a crucial role in the gameplay, with challenges based on precision in jumping across 3D platforms and navigating through hazardous areas, some of which included rotating and crumbling platforms.<ref name="chron4"/> ''Castlevania'' for the Nintendo 64 also incorporated elements of survival horror, such as a sequence where the player must run from a pursuing enemy in a hedge maze.<ref name="CV64Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/castlevania-64 |title=Castlevania 64 Review |publisher=Gamerevolution.com |accessdate=2014-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116121408/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/castlevania-64 |archive-date=2014-01-16 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike the earlier 3D installment which involved navigating through various levels with a degree of platforming challenge, 2003's ''Lament of Innocence'' focused on a central hub system. This hub allowed access to five main areas from the start, with progress tied to defeating bosses to unlock the final area.<ref name="LOIIGN"/> The combat system also allows the player to execute a series of fluid and dynamic combos using the primary weapon, the Whip of Alchemy.<ref name="LOIIGN"/><ref name="chron4"/> This system enables players to chain attacks into continuous strikes, enhancing combat engagement and effectiveness against enemies.<ref name="LOIIGN">{{cite web|author=Dunham, Jeremy|date=2003-10-20|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/455/455583p1.html|title=Castlevania: Lament of Innocence|work=ign.com|publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=2008-02-08|pages=1–4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517201404/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/455/455583p1.html|archive-date=2008-05-17|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2010 reboot, ''Lords of Shadow'' introduced a more diverse range of up to forty unlockable combos with the game's whip, the Combat Cross, integrating both direct and area attacks.<ref name="LOSGameplay"/> Additionally, it functions as a tool for exploration, aiding in scaling walls, rappelling, and swinging across gaps, which deepens the platforming elements central to the franchise.<ref name=LOSGameplay>{{cite web|author=Arthur Gies|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/09/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-eyes-on|title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Eyes-On|publisher=IGN|date=April 9, 2010|access-date=January 25, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801215535/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/108/1082798p1.html|archive-date=August 1, 2010}}</ref> Moreover, ''Lords of Shadow'' features massive boss battles against titans, where players must use the Combat Cross to navigate and disable them.<ref name=LOSGameplay/>

===Plot and setting===

{{See also|List of Castlevania characters}}

<div style="float:right; border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; color: black; background-color: #f8f9fa; padding:0.3em; max-width:22em; margin-left:0.5em;">

<div class="center"><big>'''''Castlevania'' series fictional chronology'''</big></div>

<div class="center">Original series</div>

{{plainlist|1=

*'''1094''': ''[[Castlevania: Lament of Innocence|Lament of Innocence]]''

*'''1450''': ''[[Castlevania: Legends|Legends]]'' ✝

*'''1476''': ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse|Dracula's Curse]]''

*'''1479''': ''[[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness|Curse of Darkness]]''

*'''1576''': ''[[Castlevania: The Adventure|The Adventure]]''

*'''1591''': ''[[Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge|Belmont's Revenge]]''

*'''1691''': ''[[Castlevania (1986 video game)|Castlevania]]''

*'''1698''': ''[[Castlevania II: Simon's Quest|Simon's Quest]]''

*'''1748''': ''[[Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance|Harmony of Dissonance]]''

*'''1792''': ''[[Castlevania: Rondo of Blood|Rondo of Blood]]''

*'''1797''': ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night|Symphony of the Night]]''

*'''1800s''': ''[[Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia|Order of Ecclesia]]''

*'''1830''': ''[[Castlevania: Circle of the Moon|Circle of the Moon]]'' ✝

*'''1844''': ''[[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness|Legacy of Darkness]]'' ✝

*'''1852''': ''[[Castlevania (1999 video game)|Castlevania]]'' (Nintendo 64) ✝

*'''1917''': ''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines|Bloodlines]]''

*'''1944''': ''[[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin|Portrait of Ruin]]''

*'''2035''': ''[[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow|Aria of Sorrow]]''

*'''2036''': ''[[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow|Dawn of Sorrow]]''

}}

<div class="center">''Lords of Shadow'' series</div>

{{plainlist|1=

*'''1047''': ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow|Lords of Shadow]]''

*'''1073–1101''': ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate|Mirror of Fate]]''

*'''1102–2057''': ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2|Lords of Shadow 2]]''

}}

----

✝ Retconned<br/>

Sources:<ref name="chron1" /><ref name="timeline"/><ref name="chron3" /><ref name="chron4" /><ref name="chron5" /><ref name="chron6" /><ref name="chron7" /><ref name="chron8" />

</div>

The ''Castlevania'' franchise heavily references the horror films produced by [[Universal Classic Monsters|Universal Pictures]] and [[Hammer Film Productions]].<ref name="DenOfGeek">{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/castlevania/258652/castlevania-a-dracula-masterpiece-90-years-in-the-making |title=Castlevania: A Dracula Masterpiece 90 Years in the Making |work=Den of Geek! |access-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926200259/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/castlevania/258652/castlevania-a-dracula-masterpiece-90-years-in-the-making |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Creator of the series, Hitoshi Akamatsu, wanted players to feel like they were in a classic horror film.<ref name="MicomInterview">{{cite magazine |date=August 1993 |title=WE ASKED THE DEVELOPERS "What is the charm of Dracula?" |url=https://thearkhound.tumblr.com/post/183537621473/1993-castlevania-commentary-from-micom-basic |magazine=Micom BASIC |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref> [[Zombies]], [[werewolves]], [[Frankenstein's monster]], and [[Count Dracula]] make recurring appearances.<ref name="DenOfGeek"/> [[Alucard (Castlevania)|Alucard]], introduced in ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]'', is a reference to the character of the same name from the 1943 film, ''[[Son of Dracula (1943 film)|Son of Dracula]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.looper.com/76144/untold-truth-castlevania/ |title=The truth about Castlevania |first=Christopher |last=Gates |date=August 27, 2017 |access-date=May 19, 2019 |website=Looper}}</ref> The games include [[folklore]] and [[mythology|mythological]] monsters such as [[Medusa]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/story/neflix-castlevania-review |title=Netflix's Castlevania, Reviewed: Yet Another Botched Video Game Adaptation |author= Scott Meslow and Joshua Rivera|date=October 10, 2017 |access-date=May 19, 2019 |website=GQ}}</ref> as well as direct references to [[horror fiction|literary horror]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/10/09/virtually-overlooked-castlevania-bloodlines-genesis |title=Virtually Overlooked: Castlevania Bloodlines (Genesis) |first=JC |last=Fletcher |date=October 9, 2008 |access-date=May 19, 2019 |website=Endgadget}}</ref> ''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines]]'' explicitly incorporates the events of [[Bram Stoker]]'s ''[[Dracula (novel)|Dracula]]'' into the series,<ref name="CVStory">{{cite web | title=Castlevania Storyline | url=http://castlevaniadungeon.net/storyline.html | work=The Castlevania Dungeon | access-date=August 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718050007/http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/storyline.html | archive-date=July 18, 2009 | url-status=live }}</ref> and the recurring character [[Carmilla (Castlevania)|Carmilla]] is based on the 1872 novel ''[[Carmilla]]'' by [[Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/castlevania-netflix-season-2-ending-explained/2/ |title=Castlevania Season 2's Ending Explained |first=Kayleigh |last=Donaldson |date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=May 19, 2019 |website=Screen Rant}}</ref>

''Castlevania'' mainly takes place in the castle of [[Dracula (Castlevania)|Count Dracula]],<ref name="DenOfGeek"/> who resurrects every hundred years to take over the world.<ref>{{cite book| title=Castlevania Chronicles instruction manual| year=2001| publisher=Konami| id=SLUS-01384 | pages=4–5}}</ref> With the exception of some games, the players assume the role of the [[List of Castlevania characters|Belmonts]], a clan of vampire hunters who have defeated Dracula for centuries with the Vampire Killer.<ref name="IGNHistory"/> The Vampire Killer is a legendary whip that is passed down to their successors and can only be used by them.<ref name="IGNHistory">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/24/ign-presents-the-history-of-castlevania |title=IGN Presents the History of Castlevania |last=Ciolek |first=Todd |date=February 25, 2014 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 9, 2025 }}</ref> In ''Castlevania: Bloodlines'', the whip has been inherited by John Morris, the son of [[Quincey Morris]], who is a distant descendant of the Belmonts.<ref name="CVStory"/> Other recurring characters throughout the series include the [[dhampir]] Alucard, who sides with Trevor Belmont against his father Dracula in ''Dracula's Curse''.<ref name="GameSpotCastlevaniaHistoryP5">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/history_castlevania/p5_01.html |title=The History of Castlevania – Page 5 |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Whalen, Mike |author2=Varanici, Giancarlo |date=September 10, 1998 |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705064549/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/history_castlevania/p5_01.html |archive-date=July 5, 2008 }}</ref> Trevor is joined by [[Sypha Belnades]], a vampire hunter who fights using magic and marries Trevor by the end of the game.<ref>{{cite book| title=Castlevania Judgment instruction booklet| year=2008| publisher=Konami| pages=21–22}}</ref> Descendants of the Belnades clan, such as [[Carrie Fernandez]]<ref>{{cite book| title=Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku instruction manual| year=1999| publisher=Konami| id=NUS-ND3J-JPN | pages=28–29}}</ref> and [[Yoko Belnades]], would make appearances as playable characters in later titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/castlevania-aria-of-sorrow/5542p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041216040309/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/castlevania-aria-of-sorrow/5542p1.html| title=GameSpy: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Preview|author=Nutt, Christian|publisher=[[GameSpy]]|date=January 18, 2003|archive-date=December 16, 2004}}</ref>

''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]'' is a [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]] of the franchise, with its first game set in Southern Europe during the Middle Ages.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/konami-sheds-light-on-lords-of-shadow-5039382 |title=Konami Sheds Light On Lords Of Shadow |work=Kotaku |date=20 August 2008 |access-date=September 26, 2018 }}</ref> The main character, Gabriel Belmont, is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who defend people from supernatural creatures.<ref>{{cite web| title = Castlevania: Lords of Shadow| url = http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/e3_2009/castlevania/| publisher = [[Konami]]| access-date = January 25, 2013| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161204131913/http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/e3_2009/castlevania/| archive-date = December 4, 2016| df = mdy-all}}</ref> With a retractable chain whip called the Combat Cross, Gabriel fights a malevolent force known as the Lords of Shadow in order to obtain the God Mask, which he believes can bring back his deceased wife.<ref name="GamePro">{{cite web|last=Tennant |first=Dan |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/210643/konami-announces-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-at-e3-press-conference |title=Konami announces Castlevania: Lords of Shadow at E3 press conference |publisher=Gamepro.com |access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607072215/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/210643/konami-announces-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-at-e3-press-conference|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> In ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate]]'', Gabriel stars as Dracula, the main antagonist of Simon and Trevor Belmont.<ref name="Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate Announced For Nintendo 3DS">{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-fate-announced-for-nintendo-3ds/ |date=May 29, 2012 |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate Announced For Nintendo 3DS |publisher=Siliconera |url-status=live |access-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024135/https://www.siliconera.com/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-fate-announced-for-nintendo-3ds/ |archive-date=November 12, 2020 }}</ref> The sequel, ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2]]'' is set during modern times, where Dracula is looking for a way to put an end to his immortality.<ref name="Castlevania: Mirror of Fate Confirmed for 3DS-IGN">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/29/castevania-mirror-of-fate-confirmed-for-3ds |title=Castlevania: Mirror of Fate Confirmed for 3DS – |website=IGN.com |date=May 29, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416025418/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/29/castevania-mirror-of-fate-confirmed-for-3ds |archive-date=April 16, 2013 }}</ref>

In 2002, the games ''[[Castlevania Legends|Legends]]'', ''[[Castlevania: Circle of the Moon|Circle of the Moon]]'', ''[[Castlevania (1999 video game)|Castlevania]]'' (1999), and ''[[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness|Legacy of Darkness]]'' were retconned from the official chronology by [[Koji Igarashi]], a move which had been met with some criticism by fans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://games.ign.com/top-100-game-creators/55.html |title=55. Koji Igarashi |publisher=[[IGN Entertainment]] |work=[[IGN]] |access-date=February 25, 2010 |author=Staff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305072618/http://games.ign.com/top-100-game-creators/55.html |archive-date=March 5, 2009 }}</ref> Igarashi noted that ''Legends'' conflicted with the plotline of the series, and that the reason for ''Circle of the Moon''{{'}}s removal was not due to his non-involvement with the game, but instead the intention of the game's development team for ''Circle of the Moon'' to be a stand-alone title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152109|title=Tales from The Crypt: Castlevania's 20th Anniversary Blow-Out (Web Archive)|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|date=July 26, 2006|website=[[1UP.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604120530/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152109|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=May 19, 2007}}</ref> The American 20th Anniversary Pre-order Bundle for ''[[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin|Portrait of Ruin]]'' in 2006 featured a poster with a timeline that re-included the games other than ''Legends''.<ref name="timeline">{{Cite book| title = Castlevania The Timeline| publisher = [[Konami]] Digital Entertainment Co. Ltd.| series = 20th Anniversary Pre-Order Bundle|date=December 2006}}</ref> In 2007, Konami still excluded them from the canon on the official Japanese website.<ref name="chron1"/> Igarashi has said that he considered the titles a "subseries".<ref name="Nintendo Power, July 2008">Nintendo Power, July 2008</ref>

==Development==

{{Quote box|width=20%|

|quote =

Being aware of the horror movies from long ago (long before the slasher flicks), I wanted the players to feel like they were in a classic horror movie.|source=—Hitoshi Akamatsu, 1993<ref name="MicomInterview"/>}}

''[[Castlevania (1986 video game)|Castlevania]]'' was directed and programmed by Hitoshi Akamatsu for the [[Family Computer Disk System]] in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,100574/|title=Hitoshi Akamatsu Video Game Credits and Biography|publisher=MobyGames|access-date=August 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312125542/http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,100574/|archive-date=March 12, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AkamatsuDevCommentary"/> The game's staff roll features names taken from horror film icons, with Akamatsu being credited as 'Trans Fishers', a reference to film director [[Terence Fisher]].<ref name="GTPopFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4_T0NYGhK4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/P4_T0NYGhK4| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Who Created Castlevania?|website=GameTrailers| date=27 October 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> This is possibly because Konami did not allow the use of real names at the time in order to prevent other companies from hiring people who worked for them.<ref name="GTPopFacts"/><ref name="UenoInterview">{{Citation|title=The Making Of: Super Castlevania IV|journal=Retro Gamer|issue=119|date=August 15, 2013|pages=30–35|postscript=.}}</ref> An admirer of cinema, Akamatsu approached projects with a "film director's eye", and said the visuals and music for ''Castlevania'' were "made by people who consciously wanted to do something cinematic."<ref name="AkamatsuDevCommentary">{{Cite web |url=http://shmuplations.com/castlevania/ |title=Castlevania – Developer Commentary |publisher=Shmupulations|access-date=May 10, 2019 }}</ref> The protagonist Simon Belmont uses a whip because Akamatsu liked the mechanics of a weapon able to repel enemies, and also because Akamatsu was a fan of ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]''.<ref name="AkamatsuDevCommentary"/> After the success of ''Castlevania'', it was released in cartridge format for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) as one of its first major platform games.<ref name="IGNRetrospective"/> The international title ''Castlevania'' was the result of Konami of America senior vice president Emil Heidkamp's discomfort with ''Akumajō Dracula'', which he believed translated as "Dracula Satanic Castle".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Harris|first1=Blake|title=[[Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation]]|date=2014|publisher=HarperCollins|___location=New York, NY|isbn=9780062276698|pages=200–201|edition=First}}</ref> Because of Nintendo of America's censorship policies at the time, most instances of blood, nudity and religious imagery were removed or edited in early ''Castlevania'' games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=3313|title= Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse regional comparison|publisher= Movie-Censorship.com|date= November 29, 2011|access-date= December 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/26/gdc-09-confronting-censorship-in-videogames|title= GDC 09: Confronting Censorship in Videogames|author= Michael Thomsen|website= IGN|date= March 25, 2009|access-date= December 7, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131030011819/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/26/gdc-09-confronting-censorship-in-videogames|archive-date= October 30, 2013|url-status= live}}</ref>

Akamatsu directed ''Castlevania II: Simon's Quest'' in 1987, which adopted gameplay similar to Nintendo's ''Metroid''. When asked if ''Metroid'' had any inspiration, Akamatsu instead cited ''[[Maze of Galious]]'', another Konami title which featured exploration and puzzle solving.<ref name="AkamatsuDevCommentary"/> His last game in the series, ''Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse'' (1989), returned to the standard platforming genre of ''Castlevania''.<ref name="IGNRetrospective"/> Since Konami's ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' games sold many copies, their development was prioritized above other titles, leading the developers for ''Dracula's Curse'' to make a game that would outdo them.<ref name="AkamatsuDevCommentary"/> ''Simon's Quest'' and ''Dracula's Curse'' were not a commercial success, and Akamatsu was demoted to working in one of Konami's game centers before he chose to resign.<ref name="AkamatsuDevCommentary"/>

In 1993, three ''Castlevania'' games were in parallel development, which included ''[[Castlevania Chronicles|Akumajō Dracula]]'', ''[[Rondo of Blood]]'', and ''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines|Bloodlines]]''.<ref name="DraculaXGuidebook">{{cite book|title=Akumajou Dracula X Rondo of Blood Official Guidebook|date=1993|publisher=Shogakukan|isbn=978-4091024619|pages=106–110}}</ref> Directed and produced by Toru Hagihara,<ref name="DraculaXGuidebook"/> ''Rondo of Blood'' was the first installment made for a CD-ROM and the first to be fully voiced.<ref name="IGNHistory"/> Hagihara would go on to direct a sequel, ''Symphony of the Night'' (1997) for the PlayStation, with Koji Igarashi joining him as the assistant director and story writer.<ref name="Retrogamer">{{cite journal |date=April 2007 |title=The Making of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night |journal=[[Retro Gamer]] |issue=36 |access-date=August 30, 2013 |url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2012/09/feature_the_making_of_castlevania_symphony_of_the_night |first=Damien |last=McFerran |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201232101/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2012/09/feature_the_making_of_castlevania_symphony_of_the_night |archive-date=February 1, 2013 }}</ref> Joining the staff was artist Ayami Kojima, who was hired to introduce a new look for ''Castlevania''. She would be the character designer for several future ''Castlevania'' titles.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://shmuplations.com/symphony/ |title=Symphony of the Night – 1997 Developer Interview |publisher=Shmupulations |access-date=May 10, 2019 }}</ref> Igarashi said it began development as "something of a side story series". From the outset, the game was supposed to take the franchise in a new direction.<ref name="Nintendo Power, July 2008"/> The gameplay took a departure from the original platforming entries, instead adopting nonlinear exploration and role-playing game elements, which were last seen in ''Simon's Quest''. The critical reaction to ''Simon's Quest'' and its gameplay allowed them to pitch ''Symphony of the Night'' to Konami.<ref name="USGamerInterview"/> Igarashi was eventually asked to finish the game as the assistant director after Hagihara was promoted to head of the division.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Igarashi |first=Koji |subject-link=Koji Igarashi |interviewer=James Mielke |title='Castlevania' Producer Koji Igarashi: "I Honestly Don't Feel That I'm a Big Deal At All" |date=September 20, 2016 |publisher=Glixel |url=http://www.glixel.com/interviews/koji-igarashi-i-honestly-dont-feel-that-im-a-big-deal-w452181 |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517100514/http://www.glixel.com/interviews/koji-igarashi-i-honestly-dont-feel-that-im-a-big-deal-w452181 |archive-date=May 17, 2017 }}</ref> On release, ''Symphony of the Night'' was well-received and became a sleeper hit, but its commercial performance was mediocre, particularly in the United States where it was meagerly publicized.<ref name="Gamespot History"/>

[[File:GrimoireofSoulscast.png|thumb|right|300px|Artwork of characters from ''Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls'' (2019) by [[Ayami Kojima]]. Kojima was hired in 1997 to introduce a new art style to the series and has since contributed to several of its titles.]]

The first ''Castlevania'' game to feature 3D computer graphics began development in 1997 on the [[Nintendo 64]] by [[Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe]] (KCEK) as ''Dracula 3D''.<ref name=d64>{{cite web|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/061/061303p1.html|title=Dracula 64 Out for Blood|access-date=May 24, 2007|author=IGN Staff|date=September 24, 1997|website=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017171539/http://ign64.ign.com/articles/061/061303p1.html|archive-date=October 17, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Like most of its predecessors, it was an action-adventure and platforming game. It was eventually released as ''[[Castlevania (1999 video game)|Castlevania]]'' in 1999 and received an expanded version titled ''[[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness]]'' during the same year.<ref name="Gamespot History"/> KCEK's last ''Castlevania'' game was the acclaimed ''[[Castlevania: Circle of the Moon|Circle of the Moon]]'',<ref name="COTMMetaCritic"/> released as a launch title for the [[Game Boy Advance]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/adventure/castlevaniacircleofthemoon/news/2631160/tgs-2000castlevania-circle-of-the-moon-hands-on?mode=previews|title=TGS 2000 Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Hands-On|author=Staff|date=September 22, 2000|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher= CBS Interactive Inc.|access-date=August 23, 2011}}</ref> ''Circle of the Moon'' was the first entry to feature [[Metroidvania]] gameplay since ''Symphony of the Night''.<ref name="Gamespot History"/> Igarashi, who was not involved with the game, was critical of ''Circle of the Moon''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=77052 |title=Konami's vampire Harmony |access-date=February 25, 2010 |date=July 18, 2002 |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |author=Minkley, Johnny |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402012951/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=77052 |archive-date=April 2, 2009 }}</ref> In 2002, he retconned ''Castlevania Legends'' (1997) and the games developed by KCEK from the series' chronology due to story conflicts, which was met with some resistance from fans.<ref name="IGNIGA"/> After KCEK was dissolved during 2002, the Game Boy Advance received a second installment, ''[[Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance]]'', now produced by Igarashi and developed by [[Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo]] (KCET).<ref>{{cite web|author=GameSpot staff|date=September 19, 2002|title=TGS 2002: Castlevania Q&A|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tgs-2002-castlevania-qanda/1100-2880807/|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=April 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409171429/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tgs-2002-castlevania-qanda/1100-2880807/|archive-date=April 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Starting with ''Harmony of Dissonance'', the Japanese games adopted ''Castlevania'' as the title for a brief period. According to Igarashi, the developers did this since Count Dracula is not always the main antagonist.<ref>{{cite web | year=2002 | title=New 3D Castlevania on GameCube? | url=http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=3627 | work=GamesAreFun | access-date=June 13, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211103124/http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=3627 | archive-date=December 11, 2008 }}</ref> This continued with ''[[Castlevania: Lament of Innocence]]'' (2003), a 3D title developed as a new starting point for the series.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311061512/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/october03/castlevania/index.shtml|archive-date=March 11, 2005|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/october03/castlevania/index.shtml|date=October 2003|title=Igarashi & Yamane on Lament of Innocence|author=Nutt, Christian|work=[[GameSpy]]|pages=1–2|publisher=[[IGN Entertainment]]|access-date=September 29, 2013}}</ref> Konami eventually returned to the title ''Akumajō Dracula'' with the Japanese release of 2005's ''[[Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow]]'' for the [[Nintendo DS]]. ''Dawn of Sorrow'' and ''[[Portrait of Ruin]]'' (2006) introduced a new art style in hopes of broadening the player demographic and preventing younger Nintendo DS owners from being put off by Ayami Kojima's art. This discontinued with ''[[Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia]]'' in 2008.<ref>{{cite web| year=2005| title=Whip Smart: Konami's Koji Igarashi On Mastering Castlevania| url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2372/whip_smart_konamis_koji_igarashi_.php| access-date=December 6, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019074852/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2372/whip_smart_konamis_koji_igarashi_.php| archive-date=October 19, 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref>

Due to concern over the poor sales of the recent ''Castlevania'' games,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/a-look-back-at-over-a-decade-of-koji-igarashi-interviews|title=A look back at over a decade of Koji Igarashi interviews|first=Christian |last=Nutt|website=Gamesutra|date=8 May 2015 }}</ref> a number of prototypes in development competed to become the next ''Castlevania'' installment, which included a game by Igarashi announced at [[Tokyo Game Show]] 2008 and ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]'' by Spanish studio [[MercurySteam]].<ref name="IGAInterview">{{Cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/mine-yoshizaki-and-koji-igarashi-on-creating-otomedius-excellent/ |title=Mine Yoshizaki And Koji Igarashi On Creating Otomedius Excellent |date=October 31, 2011 |website=Siliconera |access-date=May 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317015916/https://www.siliconera.com/mine-yoshizaki-and-koji-igarashi-on-creating-otomedius-excellent/ |archive-date=March 17, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> Konami told MercurySteam the game would be an original [[intellectual property]] (IP) when it was first greenlit as a ''Castlevania'' title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ripten.com/2010/09/03/hands-on-with-the-final-version-of-lords-of-shadow-and-producer-david-cox-getsome |title=Everything You Need to Know About Lords of Shadow {{pipe}} Ripten Video Game Blog |publisher=Ripten |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509141829/http://www.ripten.com/2010/09/03/hands-on-with-the-final-version-of-lords-of-shadow-and-producer-david-cox-getsome/ |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Konami eventually asked them to cease work on ''Lords of Shadow'' while it was still in its early stages, until producer David Cox showed the Japanese senior management the game and was offered help by video game designer [[Hideo Kojima]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/08/26/the-story-of-how-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-was-canceled-then-resurrected-dracula-style |title=The Story Of How 'Castlevania: Lords of Shadow' Was Canceled, Then Resurrected, Dracula-Style » MTV Multiplayer |publisher=Multiplayerblog.mtv.com |date=August 26, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930234331/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/08/26/the-story-of-how-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-was-canceled-then-resurrected-dracula-style/ |archive-date=September 30, 2012 }}</ref> According to Igarashi, development on his project had not been going smoothly, and Konami had canceled it and chose ''Lords of Shadow'' as the pitch for the next ''Castlevania'' entry.<ref name="IGAInterview"/> Produced by Dave Cox and [[Hideo Kojima]], ''Lords of Shadow'' was a multi-platform 3D action-adventure reboot of the series.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Randy |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-began-as-remake-of-nes-original |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow began as remake of NES original |publisher=Joystiq |date=April 9, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013192626/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-began-as-remake-of-nes-original |archive-date=October 13, 2012 }}</ref> Kojima offered his input on the project and also oversaw the game's localization in Japan.<ref>{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Laura |url=http://gamespot.com/pages/news/story.php?sid=6273399&skipmc=1 |title=Kojima teases weekend announcement – News at GameSpot |website=GameSpot |date=August 12, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |archive-date=October 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003081804/http://www.gamespot.com/news/kojima-teases-weekend-announcement-6273399 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was the first ''Castlevania'' to feature celebrity voice talent, starring [[Robert Carlyle]] in the lead role and [[Patrick Stewart]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Laura |url=http://www.vg247.com/2010/09/23/castlevanias-gabriel-started-off-as-a-barbarian-says-cox/ |title=Castlevania's Gabriel started off as a barbarian, says Cox |website=VG247 |date=September 23, 2010 |access-date=July 1, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506101420/http://www.vg247.com/2010/09/23/castlevanias-gabriel-started-off-as-a-barbarian-says-cox/ |archive-date=May 6, 2012 }}</ref> The art style departed from the previous games in favor of one inspired by [[Guillermo del Toro]]'s work.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2013/11/top-10-secret-facts-about-castlevania-lords-of-shadow/ |title=Top 10 Secret Facts About Castlevania: Lords of Shadow |publisher=Capsule Computers |date=November 21, 2013 |access-date=June 24, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/lords_of_shadow/review-3.html |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Review for Xbox 360 |publisher=VideoGamer.com |date=September 28, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406115545/http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/lords_of_shadow/review-3.html |archive-date=April 6, 2012 }}</ref> ''Lords of Shadow'' was met with positive reception in 2010 and a commercial success, becoming the best selling ''Castlevania'' game to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-20-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mercury-steams-mission-to-be-the-next-naughty-dog|title=Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Mercury Steam's mission to be the next Naughty Dog|website=Eurogamer|date=February 20, 2013|access-date=May 24, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529121255/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-20-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mercury-steams-mission-to-be-the-next-naughty-dog|archive-date=May 29, 2013}}</ref> It was followed by two sequels, ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate|Mirror of Fate]]'' (2013) and ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2]]'' (2014). ''Lords of Shadow 2'' was not as well received as its predecessor.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Cox |first=Dave |last2=Álvarez |first2=Enric |interviewer=Wesley Yin-Poole |title=We got caught in a s***storm |date=September 20, 2016 |publisher=Eurogamer |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-09-20-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mercurysteam-konami |access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912053512/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-09-20-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mercurysteam-konami |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following its release, an anonymous source claiming to be employees from MercurySteam alleged that development on the game had been troubled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/02/28/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2-dev-discusses-troubled-development-blames-director-for-mediocre-game/|title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 dev discusses troubled development, blames director for 'mediocre' game|author=Dave Cook|work=[[VG24/7]]|date=February 28, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304045258/http://www.vg247.com/2014/02/28/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2-dev-discusses-troubled-development-blames-director-for-mediocre-game/|archive-date=March 4, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

After having been moved to Konami's social division in 2011, Igarashi felt he was unable to release any new games when Konami shifted its focus towards mobile game development.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/05/koji-igarashi-bloodstained-kickstarter/|title=Castlevania's Producer Emerges From the Wreckage of Konami {{!}} WIRED|magazine=Wired|access-date=May 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717100454/https://www.wired.com/2015/05/koji-igarashi-bloodstained-kickstarter/|archive-date=July 17, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He left in March 2014 to independently create ''[[Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night]]'', a spiritual successor to ''Castlevania''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-17-castlevania-developer-koji-igarashi-leaves-konami |title=Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi leaves Konami |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=March 17, 2014 |publisher=Gamer Network |work=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=March 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318031816/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-17-castlevania-developer-koji-igarashi-leaves-konami |archive-date=March 18, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Dave Cox followed Igarashi's resignation a few months later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/castlevania-producer-quits-konami-after-17-years/1100-6421987/|title=Castlevania Producer Quits Konami After 17 Years|first=Eddie |last=Makuch|website=GameSpot}}</ref> Recent ''Castlevania'' titles released under Konami's recent business model include pachinko and slot machines based on the IP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.konami.com/corporate/en/business/casino.html|title=Gaming & Systems Business|website=Konami}}</ref><ref name="Pachislot"/>

===Audio===

''Castlevania'''s music features a wide range of compositions, with themes reused throughout the series. It has been critically acclaimed<ref name="gamasutra2"/><ref>{{cite web| last1 = Twells| first1 = John| url = https://www.factmag.com/2016/08/01/castlevania-mondo-reissue/| title = Castlevania series gets deluxe five-album reissue on Mondo|work = Fact Mag| date = August 2016|access-date = 2023-07-11}}</ref> and released on many albums, initially under the [[King Records (Japan)|King Records]] label.<ref name="CVDiscography">{{cite web| url = https://www.squareenixmusic.com/series/dracula/discography.shtml| title = Castlevania Series :: Discography|work = Square Enix Music Online|access-date = 2013-02-02}}</ref> In addition to original soundtracks, it has also inspired remix albums, which include orchestra, rap and heavy metal arrangements.<ref name="CVDiscography"/> In 2010, ''Castlevania – The Concert'' was performed in [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]] by longtime ''Castlevania'' composer, [[Michiru Yamane]], and the Stockholm Youth Symphonic Orchestra.<ref name="CastlevaniaConcert">{{cite web| url = http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/reports/castlevaniaconcert.shtml| title = Game Music:: Castlevania: The Concert :: Report by Kevin Sánchez|work = Square Enix Music Online|access-date = 2013-02-02}}</ref>

The music for the first installment, ''[[Castlevania (1986 video game)|Castlevania]]'', was composed by [[Kinuyo Yamashita]] and Satoe Terashima.<ref>Personal site of Kinuyo Yamashita, [http://yamako.ciao.jp/html/work_e.html Work] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175142/http://yamako.ciao.jp/html/work_e.html |date=March 3, 2016 }}</ref><ref>Personal site of Kinuyo Yamashita, [http://cocoa.candybox.to/yamako1/mkakikomitai/mkakikomitai.cgi Message Board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325084157/http://cocoa.candybox.to/yamako1/mkakikomitai/mkakikomitai.cgi |date=March 25, 2009 }}</ref> The game's staff roll featured pseudonyms, with Yamashita credited as James Banana.<ref>Castlevania Realm, [http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/NewCV/cvlib-credits.htm#cv1 Credits List] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704024932/http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/NewCV/cvlib-credits.htm#cv1 |date=July 4, 2007 }}</ref> Yamashita said she did not know anything about video games at the time and composed for ''Castlevania'' shortly after graduating from college. Under strict hardware constraints,<ref>{{cite news | title = Nintendo is music to the Minibosses | author = Anthony Broadman | page = F | newspaper = [[Arizona Daily Star]] | date = April 16, 2004 }}</ref> she would first write the scores before entering it as data into a computer.<ref name="YamashitaAboutCV">Personal site of Kinuyo Yamashita: About Castlevania [http://yamako.ciao.jp/html/main_e.html#QA About Castlevania] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306005331/http://yamako.ciao.jp/html/main_e.html#QA |date=March 6, 2016}}</ref> The hardware for the first 16-bit title, ''[[Super Castlevania IV]]'', allowed for a more atmospheric environment in the game, and was composed by Masanori Adachi and [[Taro Kudo]].<ref name="UenoInterview"/>

Known primarily for her work on the ''Castlevania'' series, [[Michiru Yamane]] first composed music for the [[Sega Genesis]] game, ''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines]]''. Yamane was under pressure at the time because the series was already popular and known for its music.<ref name="gamasutra2">{{cite web|last=''Game Developer'' magazine|date=December 26, 2013|title=A classic interview with Castlevania composer Michiru Yamane|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/a-classic-interview-with-i-castlevania-i-composer-michiru-yamane|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208062929/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207767/A_classic_interview_with_Castlevania_composer_Michiru_Yamane.php|archive-date=December 8, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2018|website=Gamasutra|language=en}}</ref> She felt there was a link with the game's vampiric themes and the classical music she had grown up with, having studied [[Johann Sebastian Bach]] in university, and worked to integrate her style with the rock themes of the previous games.<ref name="Yamane1">{{Cite web|date=February 2010|title=Interview with Michiru Yamane (February 2010)|url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/michiruyamane.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917112905/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/michiruyamane.shtml|archive-date=September 17, 2011|access-date=December 10, 2018|website=Square Enix Music Online}}</ref> Since ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]'', Yamane became involved with the development of the series with its former producer, [[Koji Igarashi]].<ref name="Yamane2">{{Cite book|title=PlayStation Anthology|last1=Manent|first1=Mathieu|last2=Mellado|first2=Fabien|last3=Latour|first3=Franck|last4=Clerc-Renaud|first4=Antoine|publisher=Geeks Line|year=2014|isbn=9791093752327|___location=United States|pages=178–183|chapter=Michiru Yamane}}</ref> ''Symphony of the Night'''s art director, Osamu Kasai, requested Yamane to join the team,<ref name="Yamane1"/> and she would draw inspiration from [[Ayami Kojima]]'s concept artwork.<ref name="Yamane2"/> Unlike the FM synthesis that ''Bloodlines'' used, Yamane felt she had more freedom with ''Symphony of the Night'' as it was produced for a [[CD-ROM]], which made it capable of much higher quality music and sound.<ref name="Yamane1"/> She continued to compose for the series, including the [[Game Boy Advance]] and [[Nintendo DS]] games, which had note limitations like older home consoles, and also collaborated with other composers such as [[Yuzo Koshiro]].<ref name="Yamane1"/> Before becoming a freelance composer, the last ''Castlevania'' game she scored was ''[[Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia]]'' in 2008, which she worked on with Yasuhiro Ichihashi.<ref name="Yamane1"/>

For the 2010 reboot, ''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]'', the game was scored by Óscar Araujo using a 120-piece orchestra.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lords of Shadow Was a Castlevania Game All Along|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175699|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605030318/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175699|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 5, 2011|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|first=Sam|last=Kennedy|date=August 21, 2009|access-date=January 25, 2013}}</ref> His work on ''Lords of Shadow'' earned him a nomination for breakout composer of the year by the [[International Film Music Critics Association]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://moviecitynews.com/2011/02/international-film-music-critics-association-2011-nomineess|title=International Film Music Critics Association 2011 Nomineess Movie City News|publisher=Movie City News|date=February 12, 2011|access-date=January 25, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729144947/http://moviecitynews.com/2011/02/international-film-music-critics-association-2011-nomineess/|archive-date=July 29, 2012}}</ref> and he won "Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media."<ref>[http://filmmusiccritics.org/2011/02/ifmca-announces-its-2010-winners-for-scoring-excellence IFMCA announces its 2010 Winners for scoring excellence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301004356/http://filmmusiccritics.org/2011/02/ifmca-announces-its-2010-winners-for-scoring-excellence/ |date=March 1, 2011 }}</ref> Araujo went on to compose the sequels, ''Mirror of Fate'' and ''Lords of Shadow 2''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Oscar Araujo |url=https://www.mobygames.com/person/66299/oscar-araujo/|publisher=MobyGames|first=|last=|date=July 26, 2023|access-date=July 26, 2023}}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==

<!--Template for main series only, do not include spin-offs or re-releases. I.e Judgment, Castlevania Double Pack or Castlevania Requiem-->

<div style="font-size:100%;float:right;border-right:1em solid white;margin-left:1em;">

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" id="softwarelist"

|+'''Aggregate review scores'''

!Game

![[GameRankings]]

![[Metacritic]]

|-

|''[[Castlevania (1986 video game)|Castlevania]]''

!North American/European title

|{{center|70.92% (GBA)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/921924-classic-nes-series-castlevania/index.html |title=Castlevania for Game Boy Advance |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003193357/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/921924-classic-nes-series-castlevania/index.html |archive-date=October 3, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

!Japanese title

|{{center|—}}

!System

!Year

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: (videoThe game)Adventure|CastlevaniaThe Adventure]]'''''

|{{center|55.07%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585660-castlevania-the-adventure/index.html |title=Castlevania: The Adventure for Game Boy |work=GameRankings |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721124143/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585660-castlevania-the-adventure/index.html |archive-date=July 21, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラ ''Akumajō Dorakyura'')

|{{center|—}}

|[[Famicom Disk System]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], [[Game Boy Advance]]

|[[1986]]

|-

|''[[Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge|Belmont's Revenge]]''

|''[[Vampire Killer]]'' (Europe and Brazil only)

|{{center|83.50%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585659-castlevania-ii-belmonts-revenge/index.html |title=Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge for Game Boy |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817110203/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/585659-castlevania-ii-belmonts-revenge/index.html |archive-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula''

|{{center|—}}

|[[MSX]]

|[[1986]]

|-

|'''''[[Super Castlevania II: Simon's QuestIV]]'''''

|{{center|82.06%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588726-super-castlevania-iv/index.html |title=Super Castlevania IV for SNES |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828153033/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588726-super-castlevania-iv/index.html |archive-date=August 28, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Dracula II: The Accursed Seal''<br />(ドラキュラII 呪いの封印 ''Dorakyura II Noroi no Fūin'')

|{{center|—}}

|[[Famicom Disk System]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]

|[[1987]]

|-

|''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines|Bloodlines]]''

|'''''[[Haunted Castle (video game)|Haunted Castle]]'''''

|{{center|83.50%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563315-castlevania-bloodlines/index.html |title=Castlevania Bloodlines for Genesis |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=March 17, 1994 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618154832/http://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/563315-castlevania-bloodlines/index.html |archive-date=June 18, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula''

|{{center|—}}

|[[Video arcade]]s

|[[1988]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: TheDracula AdventureX|Dracula X]]'''''

|{{center|71%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/563534-castlevania-dracula-x/index.html |title=Castlevania Dracula X for SNES |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828101155/http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/563534-castlevania-dracula-x/index.html |archive-date=August 28, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''The Legend of Dracula''<br />(ドラキュラ伝説 ''Dorakyura Densetsu'')

|{{center|—}}

|[[Game Boy line|Game Boy]]

|[[1989]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania III: Dracula'sSymphony of the Night|Symphony of the CurseNight]]'''''

|{{center|93.03%<ref name="SOTNGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196885-castlevania-symphony-of-the-night/index.html |title=Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for PS |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=October 2, 1997 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228191000/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/196885-castlevania-symphony-of-the-night/index.html |archive-date=December 28, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''The Legend of the Demon Castle''<br />(悪魔城伝説 ''Akumajō Densetsu'')

|{{center|93 <ref name="SOTNMC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-symphony-of-the-night/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation|title=Castlevania: Symphony of the Night reviews on Metacritic|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|date=September 30, 1997|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218200432/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/castlevania-symphony-of-the-night|archive-date=December 18, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|[[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]

|[[1990]]

|-

|'''''[[Super Castlevania IVLegends|Legends]]'''''

|{{center|52.88%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/564357-castlevania-legends/index.html |title=Castlevania Legends for Game Boy |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=March 11, 1998 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902180601/http://www.gamerankings.com/gameboy/564357-castlevania-legends/index.html |archive-date=September 2, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラ ''Akumajō Dorakyura'')

|{{center|—}}

|[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]]

|[[1991]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania II:(1999 Belmont'svideo Revenge]]'game)|''Castlevania'']] (1999)

|{{center|72.71%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/196882-castlevania/index.html |title=Castlevania for N64 |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=December 31, 1998 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828052334/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/196882-castlevania/index.html |archive-date=August 28, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''The Legend of Dracula II''<br />(ドラキュラ伝説II ''Dorakyura Densetsu II'')

|{{center|78 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-64|title=Castlevania (n64: 1999|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|date=January 26, 1999|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231014101/http://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-64/castlevania|archive-date=December 31, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|[[Game Boy line|Game Boy]]

|[[1991]]

|-

|''[[Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness|Legacy of Darkness]]''

|'''''[[Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo]]'''''<br />(Not released in North America/Europe)

|{{center|63.80%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/196883-castlevania-legacy-of-darkness/index.html |title=Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness for N64 |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=November 30, 1999 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100828101135/http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/196883-castlevania-legacy-of-darkness/index.html |archive-date=August 28, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula X: Rondo of Blood''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラＸ血の輪ロンド''Akumajō Dorakyura X Chi no Rondo'')

|{{center|—}}

|[[PC Engine]]

|[[1993]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: ChroniclesCircle of the Moon|CastlevaniaCircle of X68000the Moon]]'''''<br />(Not released in North America/Europe)

|{{center|88.32%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/449471-castlevania-circle-of-the-moon/index.html |title=Castlevania: Circle of the Moon for GBA |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=June 10, 2001 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428012020/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/449471-castlevania-circle-of-the-moon/index.html |archive-date=April 28, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラ ''Akumajō Dorakyura'')

|{{center|91 <ref name="COTMMetaCritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-circle-of-the-moon/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance|title=Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (gba: 2001|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|date=June 11, 2001|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306085827/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/castlevania-circle-of-the-moon|archive-date=March 6, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|[[Sharp X68000]]

|[[1993]]

|-

|''[[Castlevania Chronicles|Chronicles]]''

|'''''[[Castlevania: Bloodlines]]'''''<br />'''''Castlevania: The New Generation''''' (Europe)

|{{center|73.53%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/468729-castlevania-chronicles/index.html |title=Castlevania Chronicles for PS |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=October 8, 2001 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806080435/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps/468729-castlevania-chronicles/index.html |archive-date=August 6, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Vampire Killer'' (バンパイアキラー ''Banpaia Kira)

|{{center|69 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-chronicles/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation|title=Castlevania Chronicles (ps: 2001|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|date=October 9, 2001|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126071055/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/castlevania-chronicles|archive-date=November 26, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|[[Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis]]

|[[1994]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: DraculaHarmony X]]'''''<brof />'''''Castlevania:Dissonance|Harmony Vampire'sof KissDissonance]]''''' (Europe)

|{{center|85.12%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/554981-castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance/index.html |title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance for GBA |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=September 16, 2002 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720193006/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/554981-castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance/index.html |archive-date=July 20, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula XX''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラＸＸ ''Akumajō Dorakyura XX'')

|{{center|87 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (gba: 2002|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|date=September 17, 2002|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123210127/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/castlevania-harmony-of-dissonance|archive-date=November 23, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]]

|[[1995]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: SymphonyAria of theSorrow|Aria Nightof Sorrow]]'''''

|{{center|87.86%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/589456-castlevania-aria-of-sorrow/index.html|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|title=Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow for GBA|work=[[GameRankings]]|date=May 6, 2003|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731043816/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/589456-castlevania-aria-of-sorrow/index.html|archive-date=July 31, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラＸ月下の夜想曲 ''Akumajō Dorakyura X Gekka no Yasōkyoku'')

|{{center|91 <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-aria-of-sorrow/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance|title=Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (gba: 2003|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|date=May 6, 2003|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119054423/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/castlevania-aria-of-sorrow|archive-date=November 19, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|[[PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn]]

|[[1997]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: LegendsLament of Innocence|Lament of Innocence]]'''''

|{{center|78.72%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/589680-castlevania-lament-of-innocence/index.html |title=Castlevania: Lament of Innocence for PS2 |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=October 21, 2003 |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180311183640/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/589680-castlevania-lament-of-innocence/index.html |archive-date=March 11, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula: Dark Night Prelude''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラ漆黒たる前奏曲 ''Akumajō Dorakyura Shikkoku Taru Zensōkyoku'')

|{{center|79 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lament-of-innocence/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Castlevania: Lament of Innocence(ps2: 2003 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=October 21, 2003 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819120825/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/castlevania-lament-of-innocence |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|[[Game Boy line|Game Boy]]

|[[1998]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: 64|Castlevania]]'''''<brDawn />(alsoof knownSorrow|Dawn asof Sorrow]]''Castlevania 64'')

|{{center|90.35%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/922145-castlevania-dawn-of-sorrow/index.html |title=Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow for DS |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=October 4, 2005 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729154956/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/922145-castlevania-dawn-of-sorrow/index.html |archive-date=July 29, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula Apocalypse''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラ黙示録 ''Akumajō Dorakyura Mokushiroku'')

|{{center|89 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-dawn-of-sorrow/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (ds: 2005 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=October 4, 2005 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817172954/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/castlevania-dawn-of-sorrow |archive-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|[[Nintendo 64]]

|[[1999]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: LegacyCurse of Darkness|Curse of Darkness]]'''''

|{{center|70.37% (PS2)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925894-castlevania-curse-of-darkness/index.html |title=Castlevania: Curse of Darkness for PS2 |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=November 1, 2005 |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110062417/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/925894-castlevania-curse-of-darkness/index.html |archive-date=January 10, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula Apocalypse Side-Story: Legend of Cornell''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラ黙示録外伝 ''Akumajō Dorakyura Mokushiroku Gaiden'')

|{{center|70 (PS2)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-curse-of-darkness/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |title=Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (ps2: 2005 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=November 1, 2005 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819120820/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/castlevania-curse-of-darkness |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|[[Nintendo 64]]

|[[1999]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: ChroniclesPortrait of Ruin|Portrait of Ruin]]'''''<br />(port of Castlevania X68000)

|{{center|84.98%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/930294-castlevania-portrait-of-ruin/index.html |title=Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin for DS |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=December 5, 2006 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727034148/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/930294-castlevania-portrait-of-ruin/index.html |archive-date=July 27, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Castlevania Chronicle: Demon Castle Dracula''<br />(悪魔城年代記　悪魔城ドラキュラ ''Akumajō Nendaiki: Akumajō Dorakyura'')

|{{center|85 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-portrait-of-ruin/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (ds: 2006 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=December 5, 2006 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817191211/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/castlevania-portrait-of-ruin |archive-date=August 17, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|[[PlayStation]]

|[[2001]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: CircleOrder of theEcclesia|Order Moonof Ecclesia]]'''''

|{{center|85.67%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/945837-castlevania-order-of-ecclesia/index.html |title=Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia for DS |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=October 21, 2008 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825042136/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/945837-castlevania-order-of-ecclesia/index.html |archive-date=August 25, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula: Circle of the Moon''

|{{center|85 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-order-of-ecclesia/critic-reviews/?platform=ds |title=Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (ds: 2008 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=October 21, 2008 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818082458/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/castlevania-order-of-ecclesia |archive-date=August 18, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|[[Game Boy Advance]]

|[[2001]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: HarmonyThe ofAdventure DissonanceReBirth|The Adventure ReBirth]]'''''

|{{center|81.10%<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/973241-castlevania-the-adventure-rebirth/index.html|title=Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth for WiiWare|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817155001/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii/973241-castlevania-the-adventure-rebirth/index.html|archive-date=August 17, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|''Castlevania: Concerto of the Midnight Sun''<br />(キャッスルヴァニア白夜の協奏曲 ''Kyassuruvania Byakuya no Concerto(Kōsōkyoku)'')

|{{center|82 <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-the-adventure-rebirth/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth (wii) |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=December 28, 2009 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819124157/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/castlevania-the-adventure-rebirth |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|[[Game Boy Advance]]

|[[2002]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: AriaLords of SorrowShadow|Lords of Shadow]]'''''

|{{center|82.70% (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/952493-castlevania-lords-of-shadow/index.html |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow for Xbox 360 |publisher=GameRankings |date=October 5, 2010 |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424162923/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/952493-castlevania-lords-of-shadow/index.html |archive-date=April 24, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> <br /> 83.33% (PS3)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/952494-castlevania-lords-of-shadow/index.html |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow for PlayStation 3 |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |date=October 5, 2010 |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604025019/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/952494-castlevania-lords-of-shadow/index.html |archive-date=June 4, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> <br /> 77.40% (PC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/718143-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-ultimate-edition/index.html|title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow for PC|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|access-date=December 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212023631/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/718143-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-ultimate-edition/index.html|archive-date=December 12, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|''Castlevania: Minuet of Dawn''<br />(キャッスルヴァニア暁月の円舞曲 ''Kyassuruvania Akatsuki no Minuet(Enbukyoku)'')

|{{center|85 (PS3)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lords-of-shadow/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow for PlayStation 3 Reviews on Metacritic |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429165934/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/castlevania-lords-of-shadow |archive-date=April 29, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> <br /> 83 (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lords-of-shadow/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow for Xbox 360 Reviews on Metacritic |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604193031/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/castlevania-lords-of-shadow |archive-date=June 4, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> <br /> 81 (PC)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-ultimate-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow for PC Reviews on Metacritic |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731134416/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-ultimate-edition |archive-date=July 31, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

|[[Game Boy Advance]]

|[[2003]]

|-

|''[[Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate|Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate]]''

|'''''[[Castlevania: Lament of Innocence]]'''''<br />'''''Castlevania''''' (Europe)

|{{center|71.81% (3DS)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/672440-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate/index.html|title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate for 3DS|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|date=March 5, 2013|access-date=July 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530132031/http://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/672440-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate/index.html|archive-date=May 30, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> <br /> 74.00% (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/727962-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate-hd/index.html|title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate for Xbox 360|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|access-date=December 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203235142/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/727962-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate-hd/index.html|archive-date=December 3, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> <br /> 63.75% (PS3)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/727961-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate-hd/index.html|title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate for PS3|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|access-date=December 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206005931/http://www.gamerankings.com/ps3/727961-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate-hd/index.html|archive-date=December 6, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|''Castlevania'' (キャッスルヴァニア ''Kyassuruvania'')

|{{center|72 (3DS) <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate (3ds: 2013 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=July 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501013326/http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/castlevania-lords-of-shadow---mirror-of-fate |archive-date=May 1, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> <br /> 73 (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate (Xbox 360: 2013 |work=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Corporation]] |access-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030065508/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/castlevania-lords-of-shadow---mirror-of-fate-hd |archive-date=October 30, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> <br /> 70 (PS3)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-of-fate/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate (PS3: 2013|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Corporation]]|access-date=December 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221040331/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/castlevania-lords-of-shadow---mirror-of-fate-hd|archive-date=December 21, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

|[[PlayStation 2]]

|[[2003]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: DawnLords of SorrowShadow 2|Lords of Shadow 2]]'''''

|{{center|71.00% (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/672717-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2/index.html|title= Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 for Xbox 360|work= [[GameRankings]]|publisher= [[CBS Corporation]]|access-date= March 6, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140218070502/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/672717-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2/index.html|archive-date= February 18, 2014|url-status= live}}</ref> <br /> 63.12% (PS3) <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/672717-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2/index.html|title= Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 for PS3|work= [[GameRankings]]|publisher= [[CBS Corporation]]|access-date= March 6, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140218070502/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/672717-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2/index.html|archive-date= February 18, 2014|url-status= live}}</ref> <br /> 58.10% (PC)<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/680451-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2/index.html|title= Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 for PC|work= [[GameRankings]]|publisher= [[CBS Corporation]]|access-date= March 6, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140317083429/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/680451-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2/index.html|archive-date= March 17, 2014|url-status= live}}</ref>}}

|''Demon Castle Dracula: Cross of the Blue Moon''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラ 蒼月の十字架 ''Akumajō Dorakyura Sōgetsu no Jūjika'')

|{{center|70 (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title= Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 for Xbox 360|work= [[Metacritic]]|publisher= [[CBS Corporation]]|access-date= March 6, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140228121238/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2|archive-date= February 28, 2014|url-status= live}}</ref> <br /> 63 (PS3)<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|title= Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 for PS3|work= [[Metacritic]]|publisher= [[CBS Corporation]]|access-date= March 6, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140307124739/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2|archive-date= March 7, 2014|url-status= live}}</ref> <br /> 60 (PC)<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title= Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 for PC|work= [[Metacritic]]|publisher= [[CBS Corporation]]|access-date= March 6, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140306125333/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2|archive-date= March 6, 2014|url-status= live}}</ref>}}

|[[Nintendo DS]]

|[[2005]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness]]'''''

|''Demon Castle Dracula: Curse of Darkness''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラ 闇の呪印 ''Akumajō Dorakyura Yami no Juin'')

|[[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox]]

|[[2005]]

|-

|'''''[[Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin]]'''''

|''Demon Castle Dracula: Gallery of Labirinth''<br />(悪魔城ドラキュラ　ギャラリー・オブ・ラビリンス ''Akumajō Dorakyura Gyarari obu Rabirinsu'')

|[[Nintendo DS]]

|[[2006]]

|}

</div>

The ''Castlevania'' franchise had sold over 20&nbsp;million copies worldwide {{as of|2006|lc=y}};<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marlowe|first=Chris|date=August 4, 2006|title=Project 51 to Explore Castlevania Storyline|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/project-51-to-explore-castlevania-storyline/69268/?biz=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211122814/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/project-51-to-explore-castlevania-storyline/69268/?biz=1|archive-date=December 11, 2007|access-date=December 26, 2018|website=[[GameDaily]]}}</ref> it had previously sold over {{nowrap|3.7 million}} units by 1993.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Castlevania Blood Spills on Genesis |magazine=[[Electronic Games]] |date=August 24, 1993 |volume=1 |issue=12 (September 1993) |page=15 |url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1993-09/page/n14}}</ref> The franchise has received mostly positive reviews, with the most acclaimed game being ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night|Symphony of the Night]]'' for the [[PlayStation]]<ref name="SOTNMC"/><ref name="SOTNGR"/> and the most panned being ''[[Castlevania Judgment|Judgment]]'', with aggregate scores of 93 and 49, respectively, on [[Metacritic]] and 93.38% and 52.71%, respectively, on [[GameRankings]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=2008-12-11 |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/castlevaniajudgment |title=Castlevania Judgment |publisher=Metacritic |archive-date=2008-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211022119/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/castlevaniajudgment |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2008 |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/950179-castlevania-judgment/index.html|title=Castlevania Judgment |publisher=Game Rankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505131145/https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/950179-castlevania-judgment/index.html |archive-date=2019-05-05 }}</ref>

===Related titles===

There are also six parody games created by Konami that have ''Castlevania''-related elements or characters. These, according to [http://www.classicgaming.com/castlevania/ Castlevania Dungeon], are:

Many of the games have appeared on lists of video games considered to be the best. ''Symphony of the Night'' appeared at #16 on ''[[IGN]]'' "Top 100 games" and was one of the first to be introduced on the ''[[GameSpot]]'' "The Greatest Games of All Time". Both acclaimed the game to successfully making a game in 2D while the industry was moving to 3D.<ref name="IGNIGA">{{cite web |url=http://top100.ign.com/2005/011-020.html |title=IGN's Top 100 Games |publisher=Top100.ign.com |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419044513/http://top100.ign.com/2005/011-020.html |archive-date=April 19, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-3.html |title=The Greatest Games of All Time |publisher=Gamespot.com |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716113432/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-3.html |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]'' was named the 9th best 8-bit game by ''[[GameTrailers]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-ten-gt-countdown/19102 |title=GT Countdown Video Game, Top Ten 8-bit Games {{pipe}} Game Trailers & Videos |publisher=GameTrailers.com |date=May 3, 2007 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224113614/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-ten-gt-countdown/19102 |archive-date=February 24, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Super Castlevania IV]]'' was named the 11th best game of the SNES by ''[[ScrewAttack]]'' on their "[[ScrewAttack's Top 10|Top 20 SNES Games]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-20-screwattack/31740 |title=ScrewAttack Video Game, Top 20 SNES Games (20–11) {{pipe}} Game Trailers & Videos |series=''[[ScrewAttack's Top 10]]'' |publisher=GameTrailers.com |date=March 11, 2008 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010225950/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-20-screwattack/31740 |archive-date=October 10, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The series as a whole was named the 4th best franchise in games ever by ''IGN'', behind only ''[[Final Fantasy]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' and ''[[Mario]]'', and citing ''Super Castlevania IV'' and ''Symphony of the Night'' as highlights.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html |title=The Top 25 Videogame Franchises – PC Feature at IGN |publisher=Pc.ign.com |date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617164708/http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html |archive-date=June 17, 2012 }}</ref> ''Aria of Sorrow'' was named the 2nd best game on the [[Game Boy Advance]] and one of the must buys for the system, according to the same website.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/772/772284p5.html |title=Top 25 Game Boy Advance Games of All Time – GBA Feature at IGN |publisher=Gameboy.ign.com |date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804210902/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/772/772284p5.html |archive-date=August 4, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/390/390646p1.html |title=15 Must-Have GBA Games – GBA Feature at IGN |publisher=Gameboy.ign.com |date=July 2, 2003 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808153040/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/390/390646p1.html |archive-date=August 8, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Castlevania (1986 video game)|Castlevania]]'', ''[[Super Castlevania IV]]'', and ''[[Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow|Aria of Sorrow]]'' appeared on ''Nintendo Power''{{'}}s "Top 200 Games" list.<ref>{{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=January 2006 |title=Nintendo Power Issue 199 |url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-199-january-2006/page/42/mode/2up?view=theater |magazine=Nintendo Power |___location= |publisher=Nintendo of America |access-date=December 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=February 2006 |title=Nintendo Power Issue 200 |url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-200-february-2006/page/n61/mode/2up |magazine=Nintendo Power |___location= |publisher=Nintendo of America |access-date=December 22, 2022}}</ref> Trivia about the series has been mentioned in the ''[[Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition|Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamespot.com/articles/spot-on-iguinness-world-records-gamers-edition-i/1100-6185294/|title= Spot On: Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition|author= Emma Boyes|work= [[GameSpot]]|publisher= [[CBS Corporation]]|date= January 30, 2008|access-date= August 11, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141221191854/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/spot-on-iguinness-world-records-gamers-edition-i/1100-6185294/|archive-date= December 21, 2014|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://newsok.com/guinness-brings-gaming-records-to-the-masses/article/3237058/?page=1|title= Guinness brings gaming records to the masses|author= Matthew Price|work= NewsOK|publisher= OPUBCO Communications Group|date= April 30, 2008|access-date= August 11, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141104061856/http://newsok.com/guinness-brings-gaming-records-to-the-masses/article/3237058/?page=1|archive-date= November 4, 2014|url-status= live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"

|-

!Game title

!Console/Platform

!Year

!Notes

|-

|''[[Konami Wai Wai World]]''

|[[Family Computer]]

|[[1988]]

|Released only in Japan, [[fan translation|unofficial English translation]] by [http://www.demiforce.com/ Demiforce]

|-

|''[[Wai Wai World 2|Wai Wai World 2: SOS From Parsley Castle!!]]''

|[[Family Computer]]

|[[1991]]

|Released only in Japan, unofficial English translation by [http://vice.parodius.com/ Kitsune Sniper]

|-

|''[[Akumajō Special: Boku Dracula-kun]]''

|[[Family Computer]]

|[[1991]]

|Released only in Japan, unofficial English translation by [http://vice.parodius.com/ Kitsune Sniper]

|-

|''[[Kid Dracula]]''

|[[Game Boy line|Game Boy]]

|[[1993]]

|Released as ''Akumajō Special: Boku Dracula-kun'' in [[Japan]]

|-

|''[[Sexy Parodius]]''

|[[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[PlayStation]], [[Sega Saturn]]

|[[1996]]

|Released only in Japan

|-

|''[[Konami Krazy Racers]]''

|[[Game Boy Advance]]

|[[2001]]

|Released as ''Wai Wai Racing'' in [[Japan]]. In this game, Dracula is a playable character.

|}

==ChronologyIn other media==

:''See{{Further|List mainof article: '''[[Castlevania timeline]]'''media}}

Prior to the release of ''Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance'', every game in the series was accepted as [[canon (fiction)|canon]], with the original versions of certain games (such as the original ''Castlevania'' and ''Dracula X'') usually accepted as the canonical interpretation of certain events. This was assumed even though there was no official unified direction to the series's storyline (other than conflicts against Dracula). However, when [[Koji Igarashi]] took over as producer for the series (starting with ''Castlevania Chronicles''), he revised the timeline and removed the following games from it: ''Castlevania Legends'', ''Castlevania 64'', ''Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness'' and ''Castlevania: Circle of the Moon''.

Simon Belmont was one of the stars in the animated series ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cnn.captainn.net/tev_char_simon.html|title=Captain N – Television Series – Characters – Simon Belmont|work=Captain N Network|access-date=August 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814031538/http://cnn.captainn.net/tev_char_simon.html|archive-date=August 14, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Simon is portrayed as egotistical on the show and his physical appearance differs from his design in the video game series.<ref name=":CaptainN">{{Cite web|date=2018-08-22|title=Simon Belmont: 19 Things Castlevania Fans Forget (And 1 They Wish They Could)|url=https://www.cbr.com/castlevania-simon-belmont-revelations/|access-date=2020-07-26|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724191147/https://www.cbr.com/castlevania-simon-belmont-revelations/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was a member of the N-Team, a group of mostly video game characters who defended Videoland against the antagonist Mother Brain from ''[[Metroid]]''.<ref name=":CaptainN"/> Dracula, referred to only as "the Count", appeared as a villain in ''Captain N''. Alucard also appeared in one episode, though he was portrayed as a rebellious skateboarding teenager.<ref name=":CaptainN"/>

==Other media==

* [[Simon Belmont]] was one of the stars in the animated series ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]''. He was a member of the N-Team, a group of mostly video game characters who defended Video Land against the evils of Mother Brain and others. He does not appear in the comic book form of Captain N. Dracula was also one of the villains in Captain N. Alucard also appeared in one episode as a skateboarding teenager.

Several novels and comic book adaptations have been made. ''[[Worlds of Power]]'', a 1990s series of books with stories based on Nintendo games, featured a novel about ''Simon's Quest'' written by [[Christopher Howell]], and the series was produced by [[Seth Godin]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://castlevaniadungeon.net/features/book.html|title=Castlevania 2: Worlds of Power Book|publisher=ClassicGaming.com. [[GameSpy]]|access-date=2008-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109045531/http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/features/book.html|archive-date=2010-01-09|url-status=live}}</ref> It departs from the original plot and introduces characters not seen in the game, including junior high school student Timothy Bradley, a video gamer who crosses over into the world of ''Simon's Quest'' and assists Simon Belmont.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=3&cId=3152540|title=8-Bit Lit: Behind the Worlds of Power Books based on Nintendo Entertainment System games|last=Struck|first=Shawn|author2=Scott Sharkey|date=2006-08-03|website=[[1UP.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020331/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=3&cId=3152540|archive-date=2011-06-05|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> In 2005, [[IDW Publishing]] released the graphic novel ''Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy'', based on ''[[Castlevania: The Adventure]]'', written by [[Marc Andreyko]] with art by [[E. J. Su]].<ref name="IDWComic" /> Illustrated by Kou Sasakura, a two-volume manga adaptation titled ''Castlevania: Curse of Darkness'', based on the PlayStation 2 installment, was published in Japan from 2005 to 2006.<ref name="licensing">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-12/tokyopop-adds-castlevania-curse-of-darkness-manga|title=Tokyopop Adds ''Castlevania: Curse of Darkness'' Manga|date=March 12, 2008|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 2, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925064057/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-12/tokyopop-adds-castlevania-curse-of-darkness-manga|archive-date=September 25, 2009}}</ref> It was released in English in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyopop.com/product/1824/CastlevaniaCurseofDarkness/1|title=Manga + Comics: Castlevania: Curse of Darkness|publisher=Tokyopop|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312014557/http://tokyopop.com/product/1824/CastlevaniaCurseofDarkness/1|archive-date=March 12, 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=March 7, 2009}}</ref> 2003's ''Lament of Innocence'' was adapted into a [[Mobile comic|cellphone comic book]], released exclusively in Japan from 2007–2008 for 40 episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www11.ocn.ne.jp/~ocomplex/o-cvtxt.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121219065040/http://www11.ocn.ne.jp/~ocomplex/o-cvtxt.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 19, 2012|title=はじめに|work=OCN.ne.jp|access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref>

*In November 2005, news of a ''Castlevania'' movie surfaced. Crystal Sky Pictures acquired the movie rights for ''Castlevania'' from Konami. British filmmaker [[Paul W. S. Anderson]] has been announced as director of the [[Castlevania (2007 film)|Castlevania]] film. No cast has been announced and production is expected to start in mid-2006. [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6137172.html]

The franchise has its own toy line manufactured by [[National Entertainment Collectibles Association|NECA]] which consists of six figures of Simon Belmont, Alucard, Dracula, Succubus and a Pixel Simon mini figure which was exclusively available as a promotional item at [[San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con]] 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=Contact Michael McWhertor: Comment |url=http://kotaku.com/283042/necas-castlevania-figs-that-dont-suck?tag=gamingcomiccon07 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127070554/http://kotaku.com/283042/necas-castlevania-figs-that-dont-suck?tag=gamingcomiccon07 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |title=NECA's Castlevania Figs That *Don't* Suck |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=July 26, 2007 |access-date=January 7, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.toywiz.com/neacfibco2.html |title=NECA Castlevania |publisher=Toywiz.com |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127140409/http://www.toywiz.com/neacfibco2.html |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==

* [[CastlevaniaRL]]

* [[Castlevania characters]]

* [[Castlevania recurrences]]

* [[Castlevania (2007 Movie)]]

==External=TV linksseries===

{{Main|Castlevania (TV series)|Castlevania: Nocturne}}

{{Wikiquote}}

The streaming service [[Netflix]] released an American animated series titled ''[[Castlevania (TV series)|Castlevania]]'' as part of its original programming between 2017 and 2021, consisting of four seasons and 32 episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbr.com/netflix-quietly-announces-castlevania-series-for-2017/?view=list|title=Netflix Quietly Announces Castlevania Series For 2017|last1=Hill|first1=Jacob|website=CBR.com|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=February 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003124646/http://www.cbr.com/netflix-quietly-announces-castlevania-series-for-2017/?view=list|archive-date=October 3, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The first two seasons adapt elements from ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]'' and follow [[Trevor Belmont]], [[Alucard (Castlevania)|Alucard]] and [[Sypha Belnades]] as they defend the nation of [[Wallachia]] from [[Dracula (Castlevania)|Dracula]] while later seasons include elements from other games such as ''[[Castlevania: Curse of Darkness]]'' and ''[[Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]''. The series was created by [[Warren Ellis]]; in developing the series, Ellis relied heavily on a script he had written for an animated Castlevania film from 2007 that never entered production.<ref name="bcn ellis 2007">{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Rich |date=February 9, 2017 |title=The First Time Warren Ellis Wrote A Castlevania Animation, Ten Years Ago |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/02/09/first-time-warren-ellis-wrote-castlevania-animation-ten-years-ago/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311002425/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/02/09/first-time-warren-ellis-wrote-castlevania-animation-ten-years-ago/ |archive-date=March 11, 2017 |access-date=July 11, 2017 |website=[[Bleeding Cool News]]}}</ref> The art style of the series is [[Anime-influenced animation|influenced by anime]] and the artwork of [[Ayami Kojima]], with animation provided by Frederator Studios and Powerhouse Animation Studios.<ref name="io9">{{cite news |last=Narcisse |first=Evan |date=August 2, 2017 |title=The Animation Studio That Made Castlevania Explains Why It Was a Dream Project |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-animation-studio-that-made-castlevania-explains-why-1797476526 |work=[[io9]] |agency=[[Gizmodo]]}}</ref><ref name="dtoid">{{cite web |last=Glagowski |first=Peter |date=July 10, 2017 |title=10 years of purgatory wasn't enough to keep Netflix's Castlevania down |url=https://www.destructoid.com/10-years-of-purgatory-wasn-t-enough-to-keep-netflix-s-castlevania-down-447906.phtml |access-date=July 10, 2017 |website=[[Destructoid]]}}</ref>

*[http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula/ ''Akumajō Dracula'' series] at Konami Tokyo ([[Japanese language]])

*[http://www.konami.com/gs/officialsites/castlevania/ ''Castlevania'' series] at Konami USA

*[http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/history_castlevania/ History of Castlevania] at [[GameSpot]]

===Fan websites===

*[http://flashkof.free.fr/castle/castle.htm Castlevania: The Blood Way] Fan-made flash game

*[http://www.classicgaming.com/castlevania/dungeon.html The Castlevania Dungeon]

*[http://disharmony.stalo.com Castlevania: Disharmony] A text-based Castlevania RPG

*[http://www.actiontattoos.com/castlevania/cvsaga.html The Castlevania Saga]

*[http://peltkore.net/~szdev/crl CastlevaniaRL] A roguelike game based on the Castlevania mythos

*[http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/castle.html Mr. P's Castlevania Realm]

A sequel to the original show, ''[[Castlevania: Nocturne]]'', was released on Netflix on September 28, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Llwellyn |first=Tom |date=2023-09-12 |title=Castlevania: Nocturne: release date, trailer, cast, plot and everything you need to know |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/castlevania-nocturne-release-date-trailer-134348548.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628015412/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/castlevania-nocturne-release-date-trailer-134348548.html |archive-date=2024-06-28 |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref> It focuses on Richter Belmont, a descendent of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, and Maria Renard in France during the French Revolution, 300 years after the original series. The series adapts elements from ''[[Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]]''. The second season premiered on January 16, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|last=Squires|first=John|title='Castlevania: Nocturne' Season 2 Teaser from Netflix Announces 2025 Premiere|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3831322/castlevania-nocturne-season-2-teaser-from-netflix-announces-2025-premiere/|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=September 16, 2024|access-date=September 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Massoto|first=Erik|title=Alucard & Belmont Are Trapped in a Race Against Time in 'Castlevania: Nocturne' Season 2 Trailer|url=https://collider.com/castlevania-nocturne-season-2-trailer/|website=Collider|date=December 10, 2024|access-date=December 10, 2024}}</ref> Original series creator Warren Ellis was not involved in the new series after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2020 |title=Castlevania Reportedly Moving on From Warren Ellis After Season 4 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/castlevania-reportedly-moving-on-from-warren-ellis-after-season-4/ |access-date=2020-08-01 |website=Bleeding Cool}}</ref>

{{Castlevania series}}

===Cancelled projects===

A ''Castlevania'' television series was considered in the late 1980s as part of the ''Super Mario Bros. Power Hour'', a one-hour animation block of Nintendo-focused video game adaptations. Concept art was produced for the project by [[DIC Animation City]]. Only the Mario and [[The Legend of Zelda (TV series)|''The Legend of Zelda'' segments]] for the block were ultimately produced, airing in 1989 as part of ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/8/18536769/super-mario-bros-power-hour-metroid-castlevania-cartoons-dic|title=The Super Mario Bros. Super Show people once tried to make bizarre Metroid and Castlevania cartoons|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=May 8, 2019}}</ref>

A ''Castlevania'' film was planned in the late 2000s. However, in December 2007, Rogue Pictures [[development hell|halted active development]] of ''Castlevania'' due to the writers' strike and, later, the sale of the studio to [[Relativity Media]] and possibility of a screen actors' guild strike.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2007/biz/markets-festivals/strike-stalls-two-more-features-1117977088/|title=Strike stalls two more features|author=Michael Fleming|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=December 15, 2007|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106220847/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117977088?refCatId=2821|archive-date=November 6, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 27, 2009, the ''Castlevania'' film was reported as officially canceled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2009/05/castlevania_movie_bites_the_dust|title=Castlevania Movie Bites the Dust|date=May 28, 2009|publisher=Nintendolife.com|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721222548/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2009/05/castlevania_movie_bites_the_dust|archive-date=July 21, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Notes==

{{notelist}}

==References==

{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="chron1">{{cite web|url= http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula/product/data.html|title= Konami Castlevania timeline 2007|language= ja|publisher= [[Konami]]|access-date= March 21, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130318153738/http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula/product/data.html|archive-date= March 18, 2013|url-status= live}}</ref>

<ref name="chron3">{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/ps3/lords_of_shadow/preview-1975-2.html |title=Lords of Shadow Interview for PS3 |publisher=VideoGamer.com |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324115341/http://www.videogamer.com/ps3/lords_of_shadow/preview-1975-2.html |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="chron4">{{cite web|author=Kurt Kalata|date=July 26, 2006|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152109|title=Tales from the Crypt: Castlevania's 20th Anniversary Blow-out|website=[[1UP.com]]|access-date=July 13, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215534/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152109|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="chron5">{{cite web|last=Vasconcellos|first=Eduardo|title=Castlevania: Order of Shadows Q&A|url=http://uk.wireless.ign.com/articles/814/814655p1.html|website=IGN|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507101225/http://uk.wireless.ign.com/articles/814/814655p1.html|archive-date=May 7, 2012}}</ref>

<ref name="chron6">{{cite web|last=Fletcher|first=JC|title=Castlevania's last 'Rebirth' – as a pachinko machine|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/castlevanias-last-rebirth-as-a-pachinko-machine/|publisher=Joystiq|access-date=July 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112002541/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/castlevanias-last-rebirth-as-a-pachinko-machine/|archive-date=November 12, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="chron7">{{cite web|title= Konami Parlor Entertainment's blog – February 28, 2012|url= https://www.kpenet.jp/kpe_ad/blog/old_2011.html|publisher= Konami Parlor Entertainment|access-date= June 20, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160818114424/https://www.kpenet.jp/kpe_ad/blog/old_2011.html|archive-date= August 18, 2016|url-status= dead}}</ref>

<ref name="chron8">{{cite web |title=Konami Parlor Entertainment's blog |date=February 28, 2012 |url=http://www.kpenet.jp/kpe_ad/dracula_Blog.html#blog120228 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326180747/http://www.kpenet.jp/kpe_ad/dracula_Blog.html#blog120228 |archive-date=2012-03-26 |url-status=dead}}

｢悪魔城ドラキュラ 闇の呪印｣が元となっています (Pachislot Akumajo Dracula is based on Curse of Darkness). ラルフ側から見たもうひとつの物語が､ パチスロ版の悪魔城ドラキュラI･IIのストーリーとなっています (Pachislot Akumajo Dracula I&II story is "another story" from Ralph's perspective).</ref>

}}

==External links==

{{Commons category|Castlevania}}

{{Wikiquote}}

* {{official website}}

* [https://www.konami.com/games/castlevania/jp/ja/ Official website] {{in lang|ja}}

* {{mobygames|id=-group/castlevania-akumaj-dracula-series|name=The ''Castlevania'' series}}

[[Category:{{Castlevania]]}}

{{Dracula}}

[[Category:Fictional castles and fortresses]]

[[Category:Computer and video game{{Konami franchises]]}}

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[[Category:Konami franchises]]

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[[Category:Dark fantasy video games]]

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[[Category:Video games about demons]]

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[[Category:Video games about vampires]]

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[[Category:Video games set in Europe]]

[[ja:悪魔城ドラキュラ]]

[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1986]]

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[[Category:Video games adapted into comics]]

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