Castlevania Japanese Packaging / Box Art Translations (1986-1993)

Castlevania (9.26.86) 

Castlevania II: The Cursed Seal (8.28.87)

Being Famicom Disk System games, there was no translatable marketing material on the back.

Castlevania / Evil Demon Castle Dracula (MSX2) (10.30.86)

This little known MSX2 version of the original Castlevania features more RPG elements and differing graphics from the NES, such as the striking portrait of Dracula in the background of the final battle. This version of Castlevania is considered highly flawed, but fascinating nonetheless. I first found out about the game from Jeremy Parish's excellent report on the Retronaughts podcast. 

(Images taken from Gamefaqs)

The Demon King, Dracula, resurrects!

The thrilling and suspenseful RPG Adventure will have you unable to sleep.

The Demon King, Dracula, resurrects! At an ancient castle in the small, medieval European country of Translvania, the darkness is suddenly torn apart by lightning, marking the revival of evil beings. Followers of a heretical religion begin their 'Black Mass'. A young warrior named Simon shares the blood of the great hero Christopher Belmont. Because of the approaching crisis with the resurrection of the Demon King Dracula, Simon stands up to protect his tiny country. Inheriting his father's secret whip, containing a mysterious power, he alone has headed off towards the Evil Demon Castle. 

Castlevania: The Adventure / Dracula Legend (10.27.89)

While the Japanese version has a neat,warped and dripping font, I prefer the American cover with it's artwork dominating more of the box. The marketing on the back is also much more enticing. Cool as it looks, this is widely considered one of the poorest Castlevania entries.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by users “hydao” and “Velheim")

All of the fights...begin from here.

Dracula Legend

The demon's curse has persisted since ancient times. The Devil King, transformed into Dracula, spreads his terror throughout the town. In order to defeat the Devil King...a single man has now risen up.

(Left caption) One evil being after another appears!

(Center caption) Various traps are within the castles.

(Right caption) Game includes the continue ability.

Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse / Evil Demon Castle Legend (12.22.89)

All four playable characters are showcased as death lurks in the far background. The pastel pink fits so smoothly that it's hard to immediately notice.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs (contributed by users “Velheim” and “hydao")

The gothic horror action of 'Devil's Castle Dracula" continues.

Ralph C. Belmont and his fellow vampire hunters head off to challenge Count Dracula. An adventure full of fear and horror begins.

♠ Thanks to the 3 megabit rom and VRC6 chip, you'll see some wonderful visuals.

♠ Implemented for the first time, 'high quality sound' compels the player.

♠ A clock tower with turning gears, a city submerged in the water and more...stages full of danger open up!

♠ All of the familiar 'classic horror characters' make an appearance.

Kid Dracula / Akumajo Special: Boku Dracula-Kun (10.19.90)

Playing more like Mega Man than Castlevania, this spin-off series gets some delightful, colorful packaging. I played this a bit in the Castlevania Anniversary Collection A neat game, and I've heard the Game Boy version is even better.

Images taken from Gamefaqs (contributed user “hydao”)

For family action, this is the decisive version of Dracula!

The cute Kid Dracula makes a splash in this huge, comical adventure. From beginners to the hardcore, everyone can enjoy the action.

(Top right caption) It's me!
(Bottom right caption) Alright! I'm off!

*One amazing trick after another pops up in his first game for the Famicom.
*Kid Dracula undergoes huge, full-fledged transformations.
*The enemy characters are more than a little odd!

Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge / Castlevania Legend II (7.12.91)

Considered a much improved sequel over the awkward initial Game Boy attempt. I haven't played this yet, but checked out the soundtrack which is one of the best among the Game Boy's library. 

You don't have a way...to escape this curse.

Count Dracula is alive. The Prince of Darkness, utilizing the power of the Belmont clan, has once again sent the world into fear, and an abyss of hopelessness. Already to the rescue, Christopher Belmond sets off alone.

* Even beginners can be at ease thanks to unlimited continues and a password system.

* Full of the series trademarks such as big traps and hidden items.

* Among a total of 7 stages, you're able to freely select between 4 of them.

* Powered up even more, amazing horror sounds and visuals.

Super Castlevania IV / Akumajo Dracula (Super Nintendo / SNES / Super Famicom) (10.31.91)

A reimagining of the original Castlevania for the Super Famicom. While the Tom Dubois artwork featured in the North American version is arguably better, I really dug the stained glass art on the back of the Super Famicom box.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by user Odino.)

"To you powerless people, away with you!"

The frightful demon king, possessing a number of blood soaked legends to his name, "The Vampire Dracula," has been resurrected.

Starved for blood, Dracula has come to Transylvania and somehow completely warped it into a demonic world.

With the fate of humanity now at stake, Simon Belmont rises up. 

Using a high-capacity 8 megabit cartridge, the curtain has opened up to the greatest "Gothic Horror Action" in history.

Castlevania / Evil Demon Castle Dracula (Famicom) (2.5.93)

An insanely buff Simon Belmont on the front, and far more boyish version on the back. Similar to the Legend of Zelda Famicom cart release, the marketing material acknowledges the sequels but encourages gamers to still buy the first game if they didn't get a chance to own the Disk System.

(Images taken from GameFaqs.)

The prelude to the nightmare and the curse.

The ancient evil emperor Dracula has been resurrected on ROM cassette. Filled with madness, the hunter from darkness dances...to the melody of fear. This is the origin of the super popular gothic horror series.

* Blood curdling traps...

* Horrific, mysterious enemies appearing one after another.

* Listen to the birth cry of the 'Dracula Sound'!

Devil Castle Dracula / Castlevania (Sharp X68000)(7.23.93)

Released exclusive in Japan for the X68000, this arrangement of the NES' Castlevania was eventually ported to the PlayStation as Castlevania Chronicles.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs.)

The second coming of the Prince of Darkness.

The cracking of the whip, scattering bones of the skeletons, the flames of hatred which dance in the night...

The morbid surges forth, as an unprecedent terror takes on the form of 'Gothic Horror,' which now rests in your hands. Before you're even aware, you find yourself amongst a cursed banquet for those obsessed with feasting on blood...

The famous [Devil Castle Dracula] finally arrived on the X68000 series of computers! The Dracula series' greatest depiction of hell is displayed here, in detail. MIDI compatible. The high quality sound offers a sense of immersion, capable of sending chills down the player's back!

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood / Akumajo Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (10.29.93)

Considered by many to be the pinnacle of the classic-style Castlevania series, this game was outrageously unavailable in the US until the Wii Virtual Console release in 2010. The cover art was reused in the American release of Castlevania: Dracula X for the SNES.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contribued by "odino" and "RFH")

Spinecard:

With a wondrous 'visual shock,' this is the series' "powerful horror" at it's greatest!

Back:

The latest hero of the Belmont Clan, Richter Belmont, challenges the dungeon of death. The climax to the unrelenting legend. 

I shall sever the ties in the blood ties!

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Castlevania Series