I pcked Castlevania IV and Dracula X today for the SNES. I was wondering if anybody has an opinion about which is better? I'd rather save the better one to play later.
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SNES Castlevania
Started by JerseyDevil, Nov 15 2003 1:11 PM
8 replies to this topic
#2 OFFLINE
Ferris
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Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003 1:39 PM
Castlevania is a definate must for the SNES, at least in my opinion.
#3 OFFLINE
JerseyDevil
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Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003 1:53 PM
Which Castelvania do you think is better? Castelvania IV or Dracula X?
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MegaManFan
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Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003 3:36 PM
They're both so good it's hard to say, but on a strictly monetary basis Dracula X has a lower print run and costs a lot more to acquire (I spent $30 for it loose).
#5 OFFLINE
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Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003 3:39 PM
Yeah, though I thought IV was fun, it's fairly common. Never played Dracula X but Nintendo Power covered it at one point so it has to have some redeeming quality. While it supposedly falls short of being a psuedo-sequel/remake to Rondo of Blood you'd probably be better off keeping Drac X, and getting Castlevania IV again later.
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JerseyDevil
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Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003 4:27 PM
MegaManFan said:
They're both so good it's hard to say, but on a strictly monetary basis Dracula X has a lower print run and costs a lot more to acquire (I spent $30 for it loose).
I knew Dracula X was harder to find. I paid $10 for the pair. MMF, you hafta send me your wantlist, I have a great source for games.
#7 OFFLINE
Xot
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Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003 6:37 PM
MegaManFan said:
They're both so good it's hard to say, but on a strictly monetary basis Dracula X has a lower print run and costs a lot more to acquire (I spent $30 for it loose).
I knew this one was rare but I didn't think it was THAT rare. I got mine for $10 boxed when a video store closed. 
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Posted Sat Nov 15, 2003 9:06 PM
jerseydevil said:
I knew Dracula X was harder to find. I paid $10 for the pair. MMF, you hafta send me your wantlist, I have a great source for games.
I need to put together a good SNES want list. I've spent too long working on NES and I need a change of pace espec. if I can get a bunch of SNES stuff cheap. Otherwise the want list on plain ol NES games is always on my trades page. Need to update those this weekend (tradebait's out of date).
#9 OFFLINE
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Posted Sun Nov 16, 2003 9:24 AM
IMO Castlevania IV is better than Dracula X. While the graphics in X are better, the controls are not as good. Dracula X's difficulty is very unbalanced, the frustration level is a lot higher in this game than in Cvania IV. SNES version Dracula X had some features taken out to fit in a cart. The Saturn version of Dracula X is the best one.
In contrast, Cvania IV was a system showcaser for the SNES. It was developed by a Treasure team. It implemented the diagonal use of the wip (to be fair, Dracula X had the drop last item feature). The game doesn't have the increased color-palette Dracula X has but it creatively used the SNES's mode 7 and scaling capabilities. The music is great in both, but IMO Castlevania IV's is better.
Taken from a faq:
In contrast, Cvania IV was a system showcaser for the SNES. It was developed by a Treasure team. It implemented the diagonal use of the wip (to be fair, Dracula X had the drop last item feature). The game doesn't have the increased color-palette Dracula X has but it creatively used the SNES's mode 7 and scaling capabilities. The music is great in both, but IMO Castlevania IV's is better.
Taken from a faq:
Quote
3) How the SNES Drac X relates to past Castlevania games:
This game is NOT a sequel to the SNES version of Super Castlevania IV. This
game is loosely based on the PC Engine version of Dracula X. However, there
are some changes in this version:
- The levels in the game were completely changed.
- The player can no longer assume the role of the little girl, Maria.
- The Holy Book/Bible is a special weapon no longer available.
- Cut scenes, such as those featured in the game introduction, ending, and
rescue of Maria have been removed due to limited cartridge space.
- CD quality music scores are no longer possible due to the cartridge format.
Some of the impressive voices of the boss monsters were omitted.
- Background graphics were enhanced with added color.
- The U.S. SNES Dracula X was censored. The bloody death scene of Richter has
been altered as well as those of the bosses (i.e. Grim Reaper). References to
religious symbols have been removed (crosses and etc.).
- The final battle with Dracula is completely different from the SCD version.
The SNES battle is noticeably more difficult.
The actual game itself: I would say this game, in terms of structure, is
most reminiscent of the 8-bit versions of Castlevania. All of the levels are
straight forward in terms of action. No impressive background effects with
Mode 7 are here to break away from the basic structure. Play control has
also been significantly simplified from CV4.
The graphics are good, though at times they are well below Konami standards.
In fact, at times this game reminds me of Bloodlines for the Genesis. CV4,
despite being released in the U.S. over four years ago, has significantly
better character graphics that are larger and more detailed. The music is
well done, with many rescored music tracks taken from previous Castlevanias.
The sound effects are effective though not nearly as dramatic as I hoped from
a 16 megabit CV game (especially when considering the 8 meg CV4's outstanding
effects).
While sounding negative, this version of CV is definitely worth a look; if
not for novalty's sake. The CV gameplay IS there and the challenging levels
should make this worth at least a rental if not a purchase for a die-hard CV
fan such as myself. And yes, there are some interesting twists that make it
stand apart from the other U.S. CV games:
- There are different endings depending on what path is taken and who is
rescued. Although not significantly different from one another, three
endings do exist.
- The goal is more than defeating Dracula. Both Annet and Maria must be
saved to truly win the game. They are both hidden in two levels of the game.
However, these areas are not immediately apparent and a key must be found.
- By sacrificing several heart points, Richter can perform an "item crash"
with the special weapon that is currently being utilized. This powerful
attack can effect more than one enemy and can be helpful in tight situations.
- There are alternative stages.
- The player can perform a backwards leap that can get Richter out of
dangerous situations very quickly.
- There is no time limit in the game.
- The whip is always at its maximum strength and doesn't have to be
lengthened like in past CV games. For some, this could be seen as a
shortcoming.
- When a new special weapon is acquired, the old one stays on the screen for
a short time to be reclaimed if the player chooses so. This is especially
nice if the player accidentally receives a new special weapon that he/she
didn't want in the first place.
This game is NOT a sequel to the SNES version of Super Castlevania IV. This
game is loosely based on the PC Engine version of Dracula X. However, there
are some changes in this version:
- The levels in the game were completely changed.
- The player can no longer assume the role of the little girl, Maria.
- The Holy Book/Bible is a special weapon no longer available.
- Cut scenes, such as those featured in the game introduction, ending, and
rescue of Maria have been removed due to limited cartridge space.
- CD quality music scores are no longer possible due to the cartridge format.
Some of the impressive voices of the boss monsters were omitted.
- Background graphics were enhanced with added color.
- The U.S. SNES Dracula X was censored. The bloody death scene of Richter has
been altered as well as those of the bosses (i.e. Grim Reaper). References to
religious symbols have been removed (crosses and etc.).
- The final battle with Dracula is completely different from the SCD version.
The SNES battle is noticeably more difficult.
The actual game itself: I would say this game, in terms of structure, is
most reminiscent of the 8-bit versions of Castlevania. All of the levels are
straight forward in terms of action. No impressive background effects with
Mode 7 are here to break away from the basic structure. Play control has
also been significantly simplified from CV4.
The graphics are good, though at times they are well below Konami standards.
In fact, at times this game reminds me of Bloodlines for the Genesis. CV4,
despite being released in the U.S. over four years ago, has significantly
better character graphics that are larger and more detailed. The music is
well done, with many rescored music tracks taken from previous Castlevanias.
The sound effects are effective though not nearly as dramatic as I hoped from
a 16 megabit CV game (especially when considering the 8 meg CV4's outstanding
effects).
While sounding negative, this version of CV is definitely worth a look; if
not for novalty's sake. The CV gameplay IS there and the challenging levels
should make this worth at least a rental if not a purchase for a die-hard CV
fan such as myself. And yes, there are some interesting twists that make it
stand apart from the other U.S. CV games:
- There are different endings depending on what path is taken and who is
rescued. Although not significantly different from one another, three
endings do exist.
- The goal is more than defeating Dracula. Both Annet and Maria must be
saved to truly win the game. They are both hidden in two levels of the game.
However, these areas are not immediately apparent and a key must be found.
- By sacrificing several heart points, Richter can perform an "item crash"
with the special weapon that is currently being utilized. This powerful
attack can effect more than one enemy and can be helpful in tight situations.
- There are alternative stages.
- The player can perform a backwards leap that can get Richter out of
dangerous situations very quickly.
- There is no time limit in the game.
- The whip is always at its maximum strength and doesn't have to be
lengthened like in past CV games. For some, this could be seen as a
shortcoming.
- When a new special weapon is acquired, the old one stays on the screen for
a short time to be reclaimed if the player chooses so. This is especially
nice if the player accidentally receives a new special weapon that he/she
didn't want in the first place.
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