Top 10 Castlevania Games

We’re starting this list off with a very strong entry, with one of three Metroidvania style games that were released on the DS. Here you take on the role of Shanoa, who has the ability to absorb magical glyphs, which she can use as weapons or skills for puzzle solving. Venturing to various locations around the outskirts of Dracula’s castle, this game is a solid entry and a great game for any Nintendo DS owner.

3D Castlevania games have often struggled to have a standout identity compared to 2D Entries, but Lords of Shadow has shown that it can be done. While some may disregard this as a God of War and Shadow of the Colossus clone, what they miss out on is a challenging and strikingly beautiful game with top notch voice work by Robert Carlyle and Patrick Stewart.

Here it is, the game that started it all, not to be confused with Vampire Killer on the MSX2. This game on the NES proved to be a classic for the system. Whipping his way through skeletons ghouls and those freaking Medusa Heads, Simon Belmont introduced us to the Belmont clan in their endless quest to defeat Dracula. Those looking to give this a shot should know its still as difficult as was back in the day.

Known as Castlevania: The New Generation in Europe, this game was the Sega Genesis’s sole offering of the Castlevania series. Split between 2 protagonists, with John Morris who brings the traditional Vampire Killer whip, and Eric Lecarde who’s armed with a spear, the two heroes travel all over World War 1 era Europe with scenery that pushed the Genesis to its limits.

The 2nd DS Metroidvania title to make this list, Portrait of Ruin’s plot directly follows up from Bloodlines, with John’s son Jonathan taking up the whip alongside his childhood friend and mage Charlotte. With Dracula’s castle now being used to house magical paintings that contain worlds of their own, the 2 characters can be switched on the fly, or can be used together to solve puzzles and cast screen filling spells.

After the disappointment of Simon’s Quest, Dracula’s Curse took the series back to its original gameplay and added some changes for the better to make it one of the best NES games. And it still holds up really well today. Notable introductions include a new Belmont in the form of Trevor, as well as other characters like Grant, a wall climbing hunchback, and one of the series most iconic characters: Alucard.

While Japan enjoyed the epic action that this Turbografix exclusive offered, Western fans had to deal with the lousy Dracula X on the SNES. Rondo of Blood has players taking on the role of Richtor Belmont with the help of dove throwing Maria, as they have to save 3 other maidens including Richtor’s girlfriend in this prequel to Symphony of the Night. The PSP remake Dracula X Chronicles, wasn’t as good as the original … but it did contain the original for western fans, so that’s nice.

We’re not sure if this is a reboot or a follow up to the first Castlevania game, but whatever it is the game is fantastic. It’s the only entry in the franchise aside from Mirror of Fate that allows you to whip in multiple directions, and it utilizes the SNES’s Mode 7 ability for some crazy level design. Fan often argue between this and Rondo of Blood over which is the better classic action game, but we’re going with #4 since it took way too long for Rondo to get in our hands.

With the prior Castlevania games taking place in the past, this one takes place in the year 2035 and focuses on Soma Cruz, an exchange student in Japan who has the ability to absorb the souls random fiends, which, just like Shanoa, allows use these souls for weapons or abilities. We listed this game as the #1 Gameboy Advance game, and it shows seeing as it got a direct sequel in Dawn of Sorrow. Which was good but this was still better.

Before we get to the top spot lets look at some honorable mentions.

Hardcore Castlevania fans won’t be surprised by this choice, after all it was this game that pretty much modernized the Metroidvania genre. By using Super Metroid’s level design style and giving it an RPG skill set for unique pacing, you get this masterfully crafted … err Symphony. Alucard from Dracula’s Curse returns to lead this quest through not one but 2 Castles through a unique non-linear adventure that keeps you coming back for more.

Do you agree with our list? Which Castlevania adventure made you want to become a vampire killer? For more Top 10’s whipped up everyday, be sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com