Best Handheld Castlevania Games That Still Hold Up

Key Takeaways

Konami continues to release Castlevania collections for fans, with a 3D collection possibly in the works.
Portable Castlevania games like Kid Dracula, Circle of the Moon, and Aria of Sorrow offer unique and nostalgic gameplay experiences.
Harmony of Dissonance and Dawn of Sorrow bring back the Belmonts and Soma, offering upgraded gameplay and fresh ideas in the series.

As a devoted fan of the Castlevania series, I must say that my journey through these timeless games has been nothing short of thrilling. Each entry offers a unique blend of horror, action, and exploration that keeps me coming back for more.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen numerous compilations of the popular series, “Castlevania”. This is fantastic news for fans! First came the “Castlevania Anniversary Collection”, then followed by “Castlevania Advance Collection”. The latest addition to this collection is the recently released “Castlevania Dominus Collection”.

Konami might not be developing fresh Castlevania titles, but they’re ensuring the classics remain accessible for fans. A 3D collection is likely a priority on their wishlist next. These collections are fantastic because they offer portable versions of games originally designed for non-portable platforms like the NES original trilogy. Some games age better than others, so let’s discuss the portable entries from Castlevania Dominus Collection that have stood the test of time best.

7 Kid Dracula (Game Boy)

Alucard Goes On A Whimsical Adventure

Platform: Game Boy
Released: March 1993 (NA)
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami

The game Kid Dracula is a follow-up or updated version for the NES, based on the original title. In this game, the protagonist is Alucard, Dracula’s son, portrayed as a playful child, rather than the mature character from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

This game is a 2D action platformer where the character Alucard can naturally hurl fireballs at enemies. While it may not be as complex as some other portable Castlevania adventures, it’s still an enjoyable experience due to its upbeat music, charming graphics, and responsive controls.

6 Castlevania: Circle Of The Moon

The GBA’s First Metroidvania

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reminisce about my journey with “Castlevania: Circle of the Moon,” the 2D Metroidvania that served as a spiritual successor to the iconic “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.” After an arduous wait from 1997 until 2001, I finally got my hands on this marvel. Unlike Alucard, I took on the role of Nathan, who inherited the whip-wielding prowess of the esteemed Belmont lineage.

In games similar to “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night”, players could continue to advance levels and outfit Nathan with equipment, unlike Alucard who had a wider array of weapons. However, Nathan’s arsenal was limited to just his whip. By defeating monsters, players could gather cards that could then be imbued into the whip. For instance, the whip might acquire thorns in “Castlevania: Circle of the Moon”. Initially, Nathan moves slowly, but after acquiring boots, he can move more freely, making the game more enjoyable to play.

5 Castlevania: Harmony Of Dissonance

The Belmonts Are Back In Style

As a die-hard fan, I’m thrilled to be back in the world of Castlevania, this time following Juste Belmont’s journey in “Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance.” Similar to Nathan, Juste isn’t your average Belmont; he can imbue his whip with skills borrowed from monsters. From unleashing fiery powers to spinning the whip around for defense, players will find numerous ways to harness this versatile weapon.

Improvements in gameplay, such as level progression and equipment collection, were back in full swing, giving Juste a swiftness and rhythm similar to Alucard from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. This was a significant improvement over Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, with players often finding the game too dark on the GBA screen at the time. While Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance may have tried to correct this issue too aggressively, making parts of the game excessively bright and eye-catching, it still stands out for being visually distinctive.

4 Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow

A Futuristic Setting Taking On Old Horrors

The game titled “Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow” served as the last installment in the series on the Game Boy Advance. Distinctive from its predecessors, it was set in the future, making it unique within the series. In this story, a student named Soma stumbles upon Dracula’s Castle reemerging in Japan and is subsequently challenged to unravel its enigmas.

In Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, players were granted the opportunity to arm themselves once more, similar to Alucard in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, with an assortment of weapons ranging from swords to spears. Additionally, the protagonist, Soma, had the unique ability to absorb skills from monsters for follow-up attacks such as hurling bones from a skeleton. This game was such a success on the Game Boy Advance that it led directly to a sequel.

3 Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow

A Rare Direct Sequel

As a devoted fan, I must say that it’s not common in the Castlevania series for games to follow directly after each other, much like how The Legend of Zelda franchise often hops between timelines. However, among these time-traveling tales, there is an exception: Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow serves as a sequel to Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, with the enigmatic character Soma making his comeback.

In the DS’s debut, we found a rehash of concepts from the prior game as its initial offering. Soma could once more gather weapons and monster powers, with an intriguing twist: enhancing equipment using monster souls. The game also incorporated touch controls at times to open doors or contain bosses, such as sealing them away. These two Soma games consistently rank among the finest for enthusiasts when played back-to-back.

2 Castlevania: Portrait Of Ruin

Two Vampire Hunters Are Better Than One

In the DS version, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin was the second game in its series, introducing intriguing concepts. Instead of a single protagonist, players took command of two – Jonathan and Charlotte. These characters could be quickly switched or summoned to fight together.

Alternatively, players might instruct one character to remain stationary as another takes action to unravel a mystery. In this scenario, Jonathan employs a whip and secondary weapons like throwing knives, whereas Charlotte uses books and magical spells to summon monsters. Players can navigate between levels by jumping on wall paintings, with the levels often receiving new color schemes due to frequent repainting.

1 Castlevania: Order Of Ecclesia

The Last True 2D Metroidvania In The Series

In this game, the protagonist is Shanoa, a skilled warrior who battles numerous evil forces. She has the unique ability to absorb Glyphs from creatures, which grant her various powers such as the capability to be propelled by a magnetic field, flinging herself through the air. Primarily, Glyphs serve as a means for players to acquire weapons, and this edition lets players wield two weapons simultaneously to create quick combos. Notably, some weapons work better together than others.

In the era of Konami’s producer Koji Igarashi, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia was the final 2D game in the Castlevania series that he oversaw. The term “Igavania” is often linked with these handheld games and shares a similar concept as Metroidvania. Following this, Igarashi launched a Kickstarter campaign for the sequel series, Bloodstained.

2024-09-20 18:33