Debuting in 1986 on the NES, Konami’s game Castlevania is one of the oldest and most famous video game franchises. Featuring hordes of ghastly ghouls and monsters ranging from classic horror beings to fantastical scares, all led by the evil Count Dracula, the Castlevania The series has spanned many consoles over the decades. This gave gamers of all types a chance to take on Dracula and his nefarious allies, regardless of their preferred console.

THE Castlevania the series has over 30 entries to its credit. While many titles are classic side-scrolling action platformers, many have incorporated RPG elements and other unique gameplay mechanics into the formula, or even made the jump to 3D, to retain THE fresh and exciting series. With such a stacked library of entries, some Castlevania the tracks have become superior to others among fans and remain their favorites.

Updated November 1, 2024 by Jeremy Devoe: With a notable trilogy of Castlevania games on Nintendo DS and classic arcade game Castlevania ported to all current-gen consoles and PC via Castlevania Dominus Collection, the series continues to attract new fans and allows players to discover new entries that they might have missed. As such, we wanted to update this article with five additional games among the best in the Castlevania series.

15 Castlevania: Lament for Innocence

Explore the origins of the centuries-spanning feud between the Belmonts and Dracula

Castlevania: Lament for Innocence was the Castlevania first 3D title in the series for the sixth generation of video game consoles. Establishing itself as the first chronological entry in the series, Complaint of innocence introduced fans to the first vampire hunter, Leon Belmont. It follows Leon’s quest to kill the vampire Walter Bernhard, who kidnapped Leon’s fiancée Sara Trantoul, leading Leon to storm Walter’s castle in the Forest of Eternal Night.

Complaint of innocence allowed players to explore several haunting sections of Walter’s Castle Metroidvania-style, experiment with combinations of secondary weapons and orbs, modify game mechanics with powerful relics, and engage in passionate combat driven by combos. A 3D experience much more realized than the N64 entries, Complaint of innocence is still arguably the best 3D Castlevania title and a wonderful journey into the narrative origins of the series. While Castlevania Fully 3D games are not among the most popular, Complaint of innocence stands out as the best 3D projection, but remains the lowest ranked among the best Castlevania games.

14 Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge

Belmont’s Revenge Delivers a Classic Portable Castlevania Experience

Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge is the second Castlevania title on the original Nintendo Game Boy and a direct sequel to the 1989 one Castlevania: The Adventure. Christopher Belmont is tasked with saving his son, Soleil, from the clutches of Count Dracula before his soul is corrupted forever. With five castles serving as levels, including Dracula’s, Belmont’s Revenge allows players to choose the order of stages they will tackle before heading to Dracula’s Castlewhich itself consists of two parts.

Featuring classic weapons and items from the series, namely the addition of the Ax and Holy Water sub-weapons, Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge also has some of the best staples the Game Boy had to offer with its memorable but relatively limited sound font. Along with other positive gameplay tweaks, Belmont’s Revenge improves its predecessor, The adventure, and ranks among the best Castlevania games even as a first portable title.

13 Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Harmony of Dissonance continues Castlevania’s Metroidvania formula

With Circle of the Moon, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance was part of the series’ initial foray on Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance and one of his first entries to deepen the formula that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night had established. It follows Juste Bellmont’s adventure after his childhood friend, Maxim Kischine, reveals that their mutual friend, Lydie Erlanger, has been kidnapped and is in a castle which, of course, turns out to be Dracula’s castle .

Although viewed a little less favorably in hindsight, Harmony of dissonance received generally positive reception upon release (with many critical reviews even in the 80s or 8-9/10). Its most commonly accepted strengths are Juste’s smooth motion controls and other similarities to Symphony of the night. His incarnation of Dracula’s Castle is split into two “layers” that can influence each other and use the same layout, with varying placement of enemies, items, and other features being the main differences. Overall, this is still one of the best titles in the GBA, and among the best. Castlevania games.

12 Castlevania

Castlevania Still Explains Why It Launched Such a Massive Series

When Castlevania First released for the NES in 1987, it was considered a notable title for the console and gaming at the time. However, I took a few more Castlevania inspired entries and games to make video game fans realize just how influential and awesome the original was. Since then, the series has become one of the biggest video game series, and CastlvenéeThe status of has become legendary.

Even though it is the simplest entry in the series, Castlevania The side-scrolling vampire and monster action stands out from other contemporary action platformers. with its gothic themes, unique weapon choice, and engaging but somewhat harsh learning curve. This kept players coming back for more until they could finally defeat Dracula. This would also introduce players to the Belmont lineage, starting with Simon Belmont and the iconic Vampire Killer whip, setting the stage for a rivalry featuring the Belmonts against Dracula and other denizens of the night that would span the ages.

11 Castlevania Chronicles

Castlevania Chronicles elevates the original without sacrificing any charm

Originally released in 1993 for the Japanese Sharp X68000 home computer systemCastlevania Chronicles is a PlayStation 1 port of a remake of the original Castlevania title. While featuring similar levels, enemies, and music, this is an updated and excellent version of the original and titular entry that created the Castlevania series with some new elements. That said, the plot stays true to the original game with Simon Belmont storming Dracula’s castle to eliminate the resurrected Count after the events of Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge.

Castlevania Chronicles give the original Castlevania well-deserved touch-ups, featuring relatively striking visuals and brand-new scenes, like the Caverns and the Dolls’ Tower. It’s quite difficult Castlevania game, even for veteran players. However, Castlevania Chronicles also includes an Arrangement mode with new cutscenes, sprites, music and options to adapt the difficulty in various ways to adjust accessibility.

10 Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

Circle of the Moon is a standalone Castlevania tale

One of the longest and most difficult of relatively modern projects. Castlevania titles, Circle of the Moon was first on Game Boy Advance and offers a mix between classic whip and secondary weapon gameplay and Symphony of the night Metroidvania exploration and RPG statistics. Players control Nathan Graves, following him after surviving a fall (along with fellow apprentice Hugh Baldwin) that sends him into the lower reaches of Dracula’s castle, separating the two from their teacher and master vampire hunter, Morris Baldwin ( Hugh’s father).

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon allows players to explore different sections of Dracula’s castle like in Symphony of the nightbut bosses are the main sources of progression compared to others. Nathan’s stats can be modified with different pieces of equipment, and players can use the unique dual setup system to create spells for Nathan to use alongside his whip. While Circle of the Moon has no alternate characters, it contains codes that unlock various playthroughs after the first (each must be completed one after the other), changing Nathan’s stats while upgrading and disabling certain mechanics to mix things up . However, there are still games that rank higher among the best. Castlevania games, before Circle of the Moon.

9 Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

Dawn of Sorrow is a solid title and a continuation of the Soma Cruz story

Capitalize on the success of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and its well-received tactical soul system from the original, Dawn of Sorrow resumes the journey of Soma Cruz. This follows his attempts to fight a cult that wishes to kill him to revive Dracula from the dark powers wielded by Soma. Rather than hiding and waiting for the sect to come to him, Soma fights against them first against his allies’ suggestions.

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow takes place in a cult-built castle meant to resemble Dracula’s castle, and features many of the usual Metroidvania elements from similar games. Castlevania exploration and gameplay titles (alongside the return of the Tactical Soul System). However, Dawn of Sorrow also makes more involved use of the Nintendo DS touch screen; its main function in the game is to draw magic seals to finish off bosses. This must be done quickly and accurately, lest they return for another round of combat with some of their health restored.

8 Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Portrait of Ruin is a fresh and engaging Castlevania portable title

The underrated Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin is the second DS title for the Castlevania series and a continuation of the story of Castlevania: Bloodlinesa Sega Genesis entry from 1994. Portrait of ruin follows heroes Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin as they enter Dracula’s Castle to stop the vampire lord Brauner, who has revived Dracula’s Castle to personally wipe out humanity. Allowing players to switch between Jonathan and Charlotte on the fly gave Portrait of ruin a unique approach to Castlevania RPG-influenced side-scrolling Metroidvania action.

Portrait of ruin also used the attractive framing of various portraits hung around Dracula’s castle to function as portals to varied locations and provided his own vision Castlevania secondary weapon mechanics. The game being praised for smoothly executing the mechanics of Jonathan and Charlotte trading mid-fight and delivering another exceptional game. Castlevania soundtrack, Portrait of ruin established himself as another notable actor Castlevania title among portable entries in the series and in the series in general.

7 Castlevania: Bloodlines

Bloodlines brings a realistic yet enjoyable version of Castlevania

Castlevania: Bloodlines was one of the few major 16-bit releases for the Castlevania series and, for the first time, players controlled heroes who weren’t members of the Belmont clan. Instead, they were given a choice between John Morris, father of Portrait of Ruin’s Johnathan Morris, and Eric Lecarde, another fighter against the evil forces of the night, as they battled Elizabeth Bartley in the early 20th century. century. John provided the quintessential classic Castlevania experience with a whip and secondary weapons. Meanwhile, Eric brought a unique twist to the formula with the Alucard spear that could attack from various directions.

Being on the Genesis, Bloodlines was allowed to show more mature content than Nintendo’s Castlevania discharges, like red blood and bloody bodies. Bloodlines is also the first Castlevania to directly reference Bram Stoker’s seminal novel Dracula stating that John Morris was a descendant of Quincey Morris. Although it seems to be overlooked in general, fans are keen Bloodlines highly regarded for its challenge, its particular style of classic game mechanics and for being another of the series’ peaks in terms of visuals and musical score.

6 Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Order of Ecclesia features a gripping story and unique Metroidvania gameplay

From the trilogy of Castlevania games originally released for Nintendo DSCastlevania: Order of Ecclesia is arguably the one that stands out, although the margins are indeed close among fans. One of its most touted elements is its particularly invested story, putting players in the shoes of Shanoa, a woman believed to be the vessel of “Dominus”, a trio of magical glyphs that grant their host the power to contrast with Dracula and other related characters. forces of the night. Order of Ecclesia is similar to other Metroidvania style games Castlevania games in some ways but has a unique approach to his combat and stage progression.

Shanoa receives his abilities from magic glyphs which can be acquired from enemies or fixed locations at different levels; she can have three glyphs equipped at once, allowing her to use abilities similar to how Alucard could use dual equip, and unlike many others. Castlevania protagonists, even in Metroidvania titles. Shanoa also uses Wygol Village as a central level to return to while gradually whittling down villagers, completing quests, and mapping out further stages before advancing toward Dracula’s Castle.

5 Castlevania III: The Curse of Dracula

Dracula’s Curse Demonstrates Classic Castlevania Gameplay

Castlevania III: The Curses of DraculaWe brought the series back into form after the more experimental version Simon’s Quest. Dracula’s curse is often considered the best of the original NES Castlevania trilogy, and for good reason: It took all the classic elements of the series at the time and expanded them considerably while increasing the degree of overall challenge posed to the player. Rather than just playing as Trevor Belmont alone, players can recruit three new characters; Grant Danasty, Sypha Belnades and Alucard, each with their own playstyle.

Considering only one of these additional characters could join Trevor at a time and each was tied to a different branching path, Dracula’s curse gave players reasons to go through it multiple times by default. With another brilliantly composed soundtrack that helped make each series Dracula’s curse as pleasant to listen to as it is engaging to conquer, the game delivered a peak from the start Castlevania experiences. That said, four more games remain Dracula’s curse in fifth place among the best Castlevania games.

4 Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Aria of Sorrow streamlines the Metroidvania experience

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is considered the definitive GBA Castlevania title. It introduced upheavals into the usual configuration of a Castlevania game, like being the first Castlevania set in modern Japan and the identity of its protagonist, Soma Cruz, a reincarnation of Dracula. That said, Soma and his childhood friend, Mina Hakuba, still find themselves trapped in Dracula’s castle during a solar eclipse, although the castle itself has also changed once again.

As an incarnation of Dracula, Soma can absorb the souls of monsters and use them as special weapons and skills, an extension of Dracula’s ability to command the monsters of the night. Air of sorrow is a sprawling Metroidvania RPG experience which, with invigorating music, catchy sprites and colorful yet gothic settings, earned rave comparisons to Symphony of the night.

3 Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

Rondo of Blood follows Richter Belmont’s strong debut against Dracula

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood is the pinnacle of Castlevania arcade style titles. Then-newcomer and now fan favorite Richter Belmont faces off against Dracula, his servant, Shaft, Death and more after Shaft lures Belmont to Dracula’s castle with the kidnapping of Richter’s girlfriend Anette. Along the way, Richter is able to rescue other kidnapped women, including Maria Renard, a distant relative of his and Anette’s friend who joins Richter for the rest of his journey as a playable character herself.

While Rondo of blood has since been ported and re-released to other consoles, it was the power of the PC-Engine (TurboGrafx-16) that gave it some of the best possible 16-bit visuals for the time and CD quality sound and music exceptional, with another stellar soundtrack that fans remember fondly. Rondo of blood packed with plenty of hidden paths, alternate routes, secret boss fights, and multiple endingsbringing together some of the classic title’s cleanest side-scrolling gameplay to stand out Castlevania title.

2 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Symphony of the Night laid the foundation for the future of Castlevania

Despite his age, the revered Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is considered one of the best video games of all time, and it is constantly fighting for the top spot among fan favorite Castlevania games. With a story that constitutes a direct sequel to Rondo of blood, Symphony of the night Alucard stars (from Dracula’s curse fame) as he launches an assault on Dracula’s castle to destroy it. Along the way, he defeats Dracula and his minions, while finding Richter Belmont, who has disappeared there.

The progenitor of the popularity of the “Metroidvania” game subgenre, Symphony of at night introduces RPG elements such as leveling, robust selection of items and equipment, and a non-linear free-roaming map. This approach created a longer and more engaging gaming experience. The experience is completed by some of CastlevaniaThe best sprites and backgrounds, great soundtrack, and alternate playable characters for repeat playthroughs. The new formula also allowed players to achieve Symphony of the night as difficult or easy as they wanted. This was done intentionally to make the game more accessible than its side-scrolling predecessors, which were notorious for their difficulty.

1 Super Castlevania IV

Super Castlevania IV is part remake, part homage to the original NES Castlevaniaand it has etched its place in the series as arguably the definitive classic Castlevania experience. With improvements to the original layout, new areas and meticulously detailed 2D graphics, Simon Belmont once again travels to the cursed lands of Transylvania to storm Dracula’s castle and defeat the Count himself.

Six-way attack, crouch walk, whip grab, improved stair mechanics and much more. Super Castlevania IV one of the most extensive gameplay THE Castlevania proposed series before shifting gears towards Metroidvania and action-character style entries. It is also significantly larger than many classics Castlevania titles, with the fictional rendition of Transylvania being just as much a part of the game’s stages as Dracula’s Castle. While effectively doubling the length of the original Castlevania thus, in addition to its new functionalities and presentation, Super Castlevania IV is the best Castlevania game and one of the best games of its generation.