12th February 2003, 10:57 AM
Super Castlevania IV Review
By Derek Miller
I was never a big fan of the original Castlevania for NES. While I liked the game, it was never one of my favorites. Super Castlevania IV, however, was easily one of my five favorite games for the SNES. The game was tough, maybe not as tough as the original, but tough nonetheless. Also, the graphics were spectacular for an early SNES game. The music was also great. There was little that I could complain about regarding this game and it ate up a lot of my time when I first got it. Let us journey with Simon Belmonte and help him on his quest to save the land from the evil Count Dracula.
Graphics
Super Castlevania was one of the best looking games on the SNES, if not the best looking game, when it was released. It even looks good when compared to later games on the SNES. Everything looks spectacular in Super Castlevania and there are many great effects that were previously never used on the SNES. Moving backgrounds appear for the first time in a SNES game and they look great. The only problem in this department would be the occasional major slowdown. All slowdown can be suffered through, however, and it only comes up in certain locations. It is the only thing keeping the game from getting a perfect score in this department.
9.5
Sound
The music in Super Castlevania is amongst the best on the SNES. All of the tracks are gloomy and spooky and provide a good backdrop for the creepy levels. This is one of the few early games where the tracks don't sound annoying when listened to outside of the game. The sound effects aren't anything special, though. Simon's whip makes a cracking sound when it hits enemies and there are various other effects but most of the resources are devoted to the music and graphics.
8.5
Gameplay
If you've played the original Castlevania then you can play Super Castlevania. The gameplay is nearly identical with only a few slight tweaks. Simon can now whip his whip in all directions, allowing him to hit enemies below him as well as enemies at angles. This change makes it hard to go back to the original Castlevania and is akin to the change in Super Metroid that allowed Samus to fire diagonally. The game is fun and is also extremely hard. Some of the bosses are nearly impossible to beat but it's gratifying to finally defeat them. The only problem is the lack of an on-cart save system. Instead a password system is used which is mildly annoying. Nothing else to complain about, really. You've probably played Castlevania at some point in your life so chances are you know what the game is like.
8.0
Modern Appeal
The game looks good so chances are the graphics won't turn you off. It's a fun game no matter how old it is but chances are, after you beat it, you won't play it as much. A quick game every once in a while is probably as much as you'll play it after you have it mastered.
7.5
Purchase Price
This game is in fairly high demand so expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $20. You shouldn't have much trouble finding it, though. Just check eBay or your local used game store.
Total (not an average) : 9.0
By Derek Miller
I was never a big fan of the original Castlevania for NES. While I liked the game, it was never one of my favorites. Super Castlevania IV, however, was easily one of my five favorite games for the SNES. The game was tough, maybe not as tough as the original, but tough nonetheless. Also, the graphics were spectacular for an early SNES game. The music was also great. There was little that I could complain about regarding this game and it ate up a lot of my time when I first got it. Let us journey with Simon Belmonte and help him on his quest to save the land from the evil Count Dracula.
Graphics
Super Castlevania was one of the best looking games on the SNES, if not the best looking game, when it was released. It even looks good when compared to later games on the SNES. Everything looks spectacular in Super Castlevania and there are many great effects that were previously never used on the SNES. Moving backgrounds appear for the first time in a SNES game and they look great. The only problem in this department would be the occasional major slowdown. All slowdown can be suffered through, however, and it only comes up in certain locations. It is the only thing keeping the game from getting a perfect score in this department.
9.5
Sound
The music in Super Castlevania is amongst the best on the SNES. All of the tracks are gloomy and spooky and provide a good backdrop for the creepy levels. This is one of the few early games where the tracks don't sound annoying when listened to outside of the game. The sound effects aren't anything special, though. Simon's whip makes a cracking sound when it hits enemies and there are various other effects but most of the resources are devoted to the music and graphics.
8.5
Gameplay
If you've played the original Castlevania then you can play Super Castlevania. The gameplay is nearly identical with only a few slight tweaks. Simon can now whip his whip in all directions, allowing him to hit enemies below him as well as enemies at angles. This change makes it hard to go back to the original Castlevania and is akin to the change in Super Metroid that allowed Samus to fire diagonally. The game is fun and is also extremely hard. Some of the bosses are nearly impossible to beat but it's gratifying to finally defeat them. The only problem is the lack of an on-cart save system. Instead a password system is used which is mildly annoying. Nothing else to complain about, really. You've probably played Castlevania at some point in your life so chances are you know what the game is like.
8.0
Modern Appeal
The game looks good so chances are the graphics won't turn you off. It's a fun game no matter how old it is but chances are, after you beat it, you won't play it as much. A quick game every once in a while is probably as much as you'll play it after you have it mastered.
7.5
Purchase Price
This game is in fairly high demand so expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $20. You shouldn't have much trouble finding it, though. Just check eBay or your local used game store.
Total (not an average) : 9.0