Which Castlevania Game To Start With?

Which Castlevania Game to Start With: A Beginner’s Guide

So, you’re curious about the world of Castlevania? Great! It’s a fantastic series full of vampires, spooky castles, and some really fun action. But with so many games, it can feel like jumping into a giant bat cave without a map. Don’t worry! We’re here to help you figure out the perfect starting point. Choosing the right game first will make your whole Castlevania adventure much smoother and more enjoyable. Think of it like picking the right training sword before facing a real monster – you want something that’s manageable but still gives you a taste of the awesomeness to come.

Understanding the Castlevania Landscape

Before we dive into specific games, let’s get a quick overview. Castlevania games have been around for a long time, and they’ve changed quite a bit over the years. You’ll mainly find two types: classic, linear games and Metroidvania style games. It is important to know the basic difference, so that you have a better idea of what to expect from the games.

Classic Linear Castlevania Games

These are the games that started it all. Think of them as going from point A to point B, fighting enemies along the way. You move through a level, reach the end, and face a boss. These games are known for being pretty challenging, they want you to learn the patterns and time your jumps and attacks very precisely. They usually focus on more straightforward action and difficult platforming. They also tend to have a clear level structure where each level is separate and unique. These titles are very much the classic experience and many fans still enjoy them to this day.

Metroidvania Style Castlevania Games

These games are a bit different. Instead of going level by level, you explore one giant connected castle or world. You get new abilities or items that allow you to reach new places you couldn’t before. There is much more backtracking, exploration and finding secrets. This style is more open and allows for more freedom. These games tend to be less difficult than the classic style games, but make up for it by being larger and having many hidden things to find.

Knowing the difference will help you choose a starting point that fits your style. Some people enjoy the challenge of the classic games, while others prefer the exploration and discovery of the Metroidvanias.

Top Recommendations for New Players

Okay, now for the important part. Let’s talk about the best games for a beginner. We’ll break it down by what you might be looking for in your first Castlevania game.

For Classic Castlevania Action Lovers:

If you are someone who likes a straightforward, level-based action game and don’t mind a bit of a challenge, you might want to consider these:

Castlevania IV (Super Castlevania IV)

Many believe this game on the Super Nintendo is one of the best classic Castlevania games and a good starting point. It has beautiful graphics, excellent music, and smoother controls than earlier games. The difficulty is still there, but it is fairer and it has been generally considered to be a good representation of classic Castlevania gameplay.

• Pros: Great graphics, fantastic music, smoother controls, considered a good introduction to the series.
• Cons: Still fairly challenging, some may find it dated compared to more modern games.

Castlevania (NES – The First Game)

The original game. While it’s known for being very difficult, it is also a very good place to start, as it lets you see where this whole series began. It is the original Castlevania, so it establishes a lot of the gameplay tropes and story that you will see repeated throughout the series. It’s good to see how it all began.

• Pros: A true classic, gives a sense of the history, has simple but enjoyable action.
• Cons: Can be very difficult, especially for newcomers, very unforgiving.

Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth

This game, while not being very popular, is still a good entry point for those who want to enjoy the classic style of Castlevania games. This was a download only game released on the Nintendo Wii. It has simple but very satisfying gameplay that is similar to the original Castlevania games. It can be a fun and easy introduction to these kinds of titles.

• Pros: Smooth controls, simpler gameplay, good graphics.
• Cons: Not as widely available, may not be as memorable for some.

For Metroidvania Exploration Fans:

If you are someone who enjoys exploring large worlds, collecting items, and gaining new skills, you might want to try out a Metroidvania Castlevania. Here are the recommended starting points.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

This game is widely considered the best Castlevania game of all time. It is also widely considered as one of the best Metroidvania style games ever made. It has fantastic music, beautiful graphics, a huge castle to explore, and tons of enemies and items. Many consider this game to be an excellent and essential entry into the series. While it is a bit harder than other games of this type, this game is considered an excellent start to a Metroidvania style Castlevania experience.

• Pros: Beautiful graphics, amazing music, huge castle to explore, lots of items and abilities.
• Cons: Can be a bit complex at first, it might be slightly harder than others.

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

This is a very highly praised game in the Castlevania franchise, and it is considered by many to be an excellent place to start your experience. The game features amazing gameplay, interesting locations and enemies, and a great storyline. It is also considered one of the easier Metroidvania style Castlevania games, making it a very appealing place to start. The Game Boy Advance game is highly recommended, and many praise the game as a high-quality title.

• Pros: Amazing gameplay, great story, considered to be on the easier side of Castlevania.
• Cons: May not be as impressive graphically as some other games in the series.

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

This game is a direct sequel to the Aria of Sorrow and is very similar in style. While it’s not recommended that you play this game without first playing Aria, it can serve as a good entry point to the series if you have already played the previous title. This game has very similar gameplay and features, and can serve as a very good start to your experience if you are used to the style.

• Pros: Same great style as Aria of Sorrow, very fun gameplay.
• Cons: Not recommended to play without first playing Aria of Sorrow.

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

This game was released for the Game Boy Advance and is considered to be one of the earlier and very well received games in the Metroidvania style of Castlevania. It has a lot of similar gameplay and features to Symphony of the Night. The game is considered a good entry point for those wanting to get a taste of this kind of gameplay, although it is considered to be more difficult than Aria of Sorrow and can be a bit more unforgiving.

• Pros: Classic exploration based Metroidvania gameplay, gives a good idea of what these kinds of games have to offer.
• Cons: Can be more difficult and frustrating compared to other titles.

A Quick Comparison

Here’s a table to help you see the differences more clearly:

Things to Consider

Now that we’ve looked at some specific titles, here are some more things to keep in mind when choosing a game:

• Your Comfort Level with Difficulty: Some Castlevania games are very hard. If you aren’t used to difficult games, start with an easier title. You might want to try out games like Aria of Sorrow first, and go to games like Symphony of the Night. If you want even easier start, try out Dawn of Sorrow.
• Your Preference for Gameplay: Do you prefer straightforward, level-based action, or open exploration? If you enjoy simple, action based gameplay, classic Castlevania is perfect for you. If you like to explore and find items, Metroidvania style is what you should go for.
• The Era of the Game: Older games will have different controls and graphics compared to newer ones. Some people enjoy these older style titles, while others prefer more modern graphics and smooth controls.
• Availability: Some games are easier to get than others. You might have an easier time playing some titles because they are more widely available. Older games can be a bit harder to get, unless you are playing on an emulator.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

The great thing about Castlevania is that there’s no right or wrong way to start. You may find that the games that were recommended to you are not your style, and that’s okay. Feel free to try out multiple games if you find that the first one isn’t quite what you were hoping for. Ultimately, the best game to start with is the one you enjoy the most.

And remember, this is just the beginning! Once you’ve finished your starting game, there are many other titles in this franchise that you can check out. Each game offers something different, and there is always something to discover in each of the games.

Start your journey, explore the castles, and have fun battling vampires! Happy gaming!