Main Game of Akumajou Dracula
Arcade · Family Computer Disk System · Nintendo 3DS · Nintendo Entertainment System · Wii · Wii U
3.61 from 1359 ratings
2748 members have it in their collection · 71 playing now · 488 backlogged · 269 wish listed
How long? Main story 3h · with extras 2h · 100% 2h (from 24 logged playthroughs)
Status Etrail Oct 1, 2024
Spooktober 2024 Game #1 Complete!
Starting off the month with a game that's more on the "spooky" side than horror. It's really funny how the first four levels make you think this game might be beatable without save states, but I enjoyed it for what it was.
Status internpepper Oct 25, 2023
This was my first Castlevania game, and while I've loved the music for a long time, this was the first time I sat down and played one of the games. Absolutely loved this experience - I would have played the crap out of this as a kid. The difficulty spike at the end is pretty mean, but what an amazing …
Read moreThis was my first Castlevania game, and while I've loved the music for a long time, this was the first time I sat down and played one of the games. Absolutely loved this experience - I would have played the crap out of this as a kid. The difficulty spike at the end is pretty mean, but what an amazing game.
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Status TheBeautifulEric Aug 5, 2023 Completed
Finally got around to playing this game for the first time via the Anniversary Collection. I've played other Castlevania games, but I've never played this one. Not sure if this version changes anything from the NES original in its core gameplay, so if I say something that doesn't match the NES version, that might be why. This game wasn't nearly …
Finally got around to playing this game for the first time via the Anniversary Collection. I've played other Castlevania games, but I've never played this one. Not sure if this version changes anything from the NES original in its core gameplay, so if I say something that doesn't match the NES version, that might be why. This game wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting it to be tbh, I was expecting it be super cheap. It did have its moments, but nothing as bad as Ninja Gaiden. Movement feels clunky and the startup and recovery frames feel ridiculous, but I just took it as part of the game's charm. If the game lacked unlimited continues and checkpoints, then I'd probably never touch it, but for what it is, it's a pretty fun platformer. Is it one of my favorite NES games? Nope, probably not even in the top 10, but it was interesting to finally play a game that I've heard about for forever.
Edit: I’m curious what this game would look like if it were made in 2023. Would you be able to switch between any of the sub-weapons at will? Would they add better movement and reduce recovery and startup frames? I wonder if this was a new game in 2023, would people tolerate the game as it is?
Status Chovus Nov 27, 2022
I decided to play through this right after Chronicles to see how they compare. I can't remember if I played this back in the day but it was definitely too hard to have gotten far. Many sections were recreated near exactly, while many of the most annoying and difficult parts of Chronicles were not even in this game. The first …
I decided to play through this right after Chronicles to see how they compare. I can't remember if I played this back in the day but it was definitely too hard to have gotten far. Many sections were recreated near exactly, while many of the most annoying and difficult parts of Chronicles were not even in this game. The first time I had to do some hardcore save state scumming was just before the Frankenstein boss with those bone necks in tight quarters, and even more at the boss. It took many attempts to find a sweet spot where I could throw axes while hitting the boss and the projectiles the little flying shit was shooting. Death was another tough boss but not as difficult as in Chronicles. I found his projectiles easier to deal with and there was no damn gravity well attack. I got him with a mix of axe and whip. I found the combat and platforming to be overall easier in this game. It seemed easier to react to the enemies, there were often fewer of them, and there were no obnoxious jumps. A few parts were extremely difficult though, with the worst offender being the clock tower with the infinite birds dropping those annoying flea men. Dracula was very similar but it was more difficult to get the timing right without the visual light clue in chronicles. The bastard also often appeared right on top of me. The second form was brutal and I can imagine the sheer amount of repeated attempts that would be needed to beat this without save states. I chucked crosses at his face and whipped it in between. The most difficult part was not smacking into him while jump attacking.
This was a classic with some of the best music from the NES era. The theme for the first level is one of the best songs ever, even with the limited sound range. Still the game was too difficult, so that hurts its rating. I wish the game had the same suggestions I had for Chronicles; hearts restoring health, carry all weapons with select to swap, and each pickup giving ammo.
7.5/10
Status XanderCat Sep 30, 2021
Beat this game for a second time since I re-bought the Castlevania Anniversary collection for PC. Still just as hard and frustrating as the first time! Save states were a must, I can't imagine beating this game authentically. (I've watched videos of it being done and I see some of you have accomplished this amazing task, but I know I …
Beat this game for a second time since I re-bought the Castlevania Anniversary collection for PC. Still just as hard and frustrating as the first time! Save states were a must, I can't imagine beating this game authentically. (I've watched videos of it being done and I see some of you have accomplished this amazing task, but I know I just don't have it in me. I'm not even sure I have the right controller for it! I'm using an Xbox 360 controller.)
The art and music is great, and the gameplay can be fun. Movement feels stiff, jumping is tricky. The bosses are kind of cool, but everything is just super hard. Still, I was happy to play it again.
Status Trying_Island May 9, 2021
In anticipation of the final season of Castlevania i went and finished the original!
Status garnavis Apr 21, 2021
Took some time away from this one to focus on Street Fighter, but it feels good to be back. I had left off on the fifth and hardest boss, the grim reaper. Thankfully I finally managed to beat him today and hopefully soon I'll be whipping Dracula in his stupid face
Status AlfredoSalza Feb 2, 2021
Completed on emulator, no savestates/rewind. A painfully slow experience with horrible controls, but at least the music is good and the game gives you unlimited continues.
Status LordKyuubey Jan 12, 2021
Can't get past Death on a regular playthrough... I'm getting old.
Status 2StepInMidair Sep 2, 2019
After binging the Netflix series, I want to finally play through the games. Starting with the first one doesn't seem like a bad idea, either, but I know that chronological order isn't exactly the right order.
Status TheMelodicPunk Jun 27, 2019
Beaten on the Castlevania Anniversary Collection. Used save states for easier achievement hunting (I know I suck).
