Castlevania Japanese Packaging / Box Art Translations (1994-2003)

Castlevania: Bloodlines / Vampire Killer (3.17.94)

One of the shining examples of the radical differences between many SNES and Genesis games featuring the same IP, rather than a simple Super Castlevania IV port, Bloodlines reimaged the series with faster gameplay expected of Genesis titles and advanced the timeline all the way to post-World War I.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contribute by users RFH, BlueberryButtface, and Guard_Master.)

Terror covers the entirety of Europe...

A terror obsessed with limitless...fresh blood.

The prayers of 'Elizabeth'...have opened up a tragedy!

In pursuit of a released evil spirit, begin a journey in the grand battle that is 'Vampire Killer'.

The series at it's largest scale, designed specifically for the Mega Drive, a shuddering depiction of horror action.

Castlevania: Dracula X / Akumajou Dracula XX (7.21.95)

This reworked port of the PC Engine's Rondo of Blood was met with a lukewarm reception, but certainly featured some excellent box art. Available in the Castlevania Advance Collection.

(Images borrowed from: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/touffu)

Devil Castle Dracula XX

The final battle of blood and fate.

Richter Belmont goes against Count Dracula.

From the labyrinth of death, one hears the melody of horror....

Seeking revenge against the Belmont family, the resurrected Dracula's ambitions are instantly realized with his trap that is the 'Devil's Castle.' With the "divine whip" in hand, Richter Belmont takes on the challenge, in a climax of destiny.

Castlevania Legends / Akumajō Dracula: Dark Night Prelude (1.27.97)

Revived on the Game Boy to coincide with the N64 and PS1 releases, the oldest game in the timeline was met with poor reviews and even removed the the story canon by Koji Igarashi.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by RFH and XeroxClone1334.)

The history of Dracula, now begins here.

The series' latest, and also earliest game in the Dracula (chronology) appears on the Game Boy Advance. Now, go on and paint history red...

* Your main character is the 17 year old young woman, Sonia Belmont.

* Original to the Game Boy version, the [Burning Mode] and [Soul Weapon] systems are used.

* Now, the distant past of the Dracula Legend is revealed...

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night / Akumajo Dracula X: Gekka no Yasokyoku (PlayStation) (3.20.97)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest games of the 90s, the Japanese edition received a classic piece of cover art featuring Alucard, which blew away the forgettable lightning-lit castle from the American cover.

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

Front:
Devil's Castle Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight

Back:
Once again, the souls of fate gather at Dracula's Castle...

The graphics and action have been reborn, with a grand soundtrack suitable for "Gothic Romance". For the first time, the 'true form' of Dracula's castle appears before us.

The legendary horror action has finally been resurrected, on the series' grandest scale yet!!

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night / Akumajō Dracula X: Gekka no Yasōkyoku (Saturn) (6.25.98)

Arriving over a year after the PS1 version, the Saturn version was astonishingly graphically inferior, but did boast some substantial additional content. Maybe one day we'll get a new release the combines the best of both worlds? 

(Scans borrowed from http://andydecarli.com/)

Floating in the darkness of night, only the moon knows the truth...

On the Sega Saturn’s Dracula, everything is here.

The Dracula you know, is he the TRUE Dracula?...

* The new playable character ‘Maria’ has been added.

* New items as well as areas to explore are added, further enriching the game.

* The famous music of previous games has been arranged and added to the new stages.

Castlevania 64 / Akumajo Densetsu Dracula Apocalypse (3.11.99)

After years of hype, Castlevania's first 3D iteration was met with mixed reception. While not considered a bad game on its own merits, Konami generally had a rough time with transitioning their 2D titles to 3D. The difficult, precision based platforming of Castlevania proved no exception.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by odino.)

The blood of fate, the fight of destiny.

In mid-19th century Transylvania...

In this land, the pitch-black darkness was to arrive once again.

Keeping the concepts of Fate and Destiny in their hearts, two warriors head out in order to seal Dracula away.

Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness / Akumajo Densetsu Dracula Apocalypse Gaiden: Legend of Cornell (12.25.99)

Confirming the troubled development of Castlevania 64, a prequel/expansion was released that very same year. While better received, throwing down another $60-$70 is about as appetizing to the average gamer as offering Dracula himself some garlic.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by odino, RFH, and Guard_Master.)

At the end of the century, the evil castle resurrects once again...

Eight years prior, Dracula's resurrection had already began... The rising of the evil castle left a tragic memory, and now is the time of it's release.

(Caption) Go back 8 years to where this story is set.

(Caption) New additions and scenes appear in the stages within this 'Director's Cut'!!

(Caption) Compatible with the 'high-res pack,' producing a game screen with a clearer, more detailed image! 

(Caption) This time, the main character possesses a morphing ability: The Beast Warrior Cornell.

Castlevania Chronicles (5.24.01)

A pleasant surprise late into the PlayStation's lifecycle, the upgraded X68000 port featured impressive redbook audio and striking box art. Purchasing a copy myself without having much exposure to the Castlevania franchise, I couldn't manage to make it past the third stage!

(Images taken from mobygames. Contributed by lasse.)

The blood has smeared, the memory resurrects...

* The X68000 version of "Demon Castle Dracula" finally arrives on the PlayStation!!

* Within the added arrange mode, illustrator Ayami Kojima has created a new Simon and Dracula which is not to be missed!

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (3.21.01)

After the series' disappointing transition to 3D, and even more disappointing cancelation of Castlevania Resurrection for the Dreamcast, fans were thrilled to see a return to the 'Metroidvania' formula that debuting in Symphony of the Night. Many would even suggest this was the real killer app to debut the Game Boy Advance.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by RFH.)

The stage of darkness [The Devil Castle], revives...

It is the year 1830. Within an ancient castle in the outskirts of Austria, the Demon King, ruling over darkness, has been resurrected...

* The legendary action game, the [Devil Castle] series, adds a new, enchanting tale to the Game Boy Advance!

* Arrange cards to change your abilities with the [Dual Set Ability System]!

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance / Concerto of Midnight (6.6.02)

Releasing a little over a year after Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance switched things up with a new sub-system, multiple endings and even an entirely new development staff.

(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by user dae.)

Within the white darkness, God and the Devil perform a concerto.

* The legendary gothic horror action [Devil Castle Dracula], is resurrected in a beautiful renewal!!

* Utilizing the new [spell fusion] system,  master dozens of various magic spells!

* Challenging the limits of the hardware, giant, fierce bosses appear one after another!

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (5.8.03)

As the first Castlevania title set in the future (2035), the final GBA game was quite well received and saw a direct sequel in 2005 on the DS.

It's a new awakening, in the rotating dance of destiny. The chosen souls have gathered for a waltz.

Long awaited by fans, this is the latest release in the [Castlevania] series! Players can incorporate the souls of enemy monsters to their own powers with the introduction of the new [Tactical Soul] system!

The first game in the series to use the (GBA's) built-in cable link ability, monster souls may be exchanged!

Of course the graphics have evolved, and the sound has received a significant 'grade-up' compared to the previous games! 

Everything is of the highest quality for a mobile game!

Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (11.27.03)

Both covers feature haunting artwork of Leon Belmont by Ayami Kojima. Set in the year 1094, this is the oldest game in the series chronologically. Translation note: On the back, you'll see the text "MUCHI ACTION GAME". Muchi translates to whip.

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

The 11th century, an era when the church had an overwhelming rule (on society).

A soul, destined to be tossed about by the waves of the age.

Within a castle ruled by the pitch black darkness, the curtains of a great legend rise...

The titles in the series have ranged from [Devil Castle Dracula] to [Castlevania]. Throughout the history of sublime fights with Dracula, this is where it all begins.

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Castlevania Series