So, uh... this was a thing apparently. Some time after Castlevania II, they made an arcade game for the series, which was NOT called Castlevania, because that would only make too much sense.
It was only thanks to the Arcade Archive of this game on the PS4 that I was able to play this game after 36 years, and after finally doing that... yeah, no, this game sucks. Sure, the attempt to make a Castlevania game for the arcades is appreciated, and it isn't flat out terrible, but this could have been done SO much better.
The story is basically a mix between Castlevania and Ghosts n' Goblins, because apparently Simon needed a wife, the graphics look pretty good for a Castlevania arcade game, the music is alright, but doesn't really have anything noteworthy, and it is short enough to where it doesn't waste your time.
As you would expect, everything falls apart when it comes to the gameplay. The control is pretty awkward, and does take getting used to if you are very familiar with other Castlevania games, the movement is SO FUCKING SLOW, Simon's sprite is way too big, and, the biggest problem, there are enemies and obstacles EVERYWHERE. As an arcade game, it is meant to eat up your money, so it does so by throwing as many enemies and obstacles at you at once without seeming like it is unfair, and you will take damage A LOT, most of it not being your fault. It works out for arcades, but when you play it at home, it makes me wanna throw my controller.
At some point in the game, I just decided to run through the stages while taking the least amount of damage as possible, and that ended up working out more times than not. If I have to resort to that in order to beat your game, then you know you have fucked up. With all that being said though, I think I have found a more hilariously bad cover art then the Mega Man 1 box art. Seriously, that is so bad, it is priceless.
Overall, while I don't think it is completely awful, it is a pretty bad attempt at a Castlevania arcade game, and I wouldn't recommend seeking it out to try to play it.
Game #23
It was only thanks to the Arcade Archive of this game on the PS4 that I was able to play this game after 36 years, and after finally doing that... yeah, no, this game sucks. Sure, the attempt to make a Castlevania game for the arcades is appreciated, and it isn't flat out terrible, but this could have been done SO much better.
The story is basically a mix between Castlevania and Ghosts n' Goblins, because apparently Simon needed a wife, the graphics look pretty good for a Castlevania arcade game, the music is alright, but doesn't really have anything noteworthy, and it is short enough to where it doesn't waste your time.
As you would expect, everything falls apart when it comes to the gameplay. The control is pretty awkward, and does take getting used to if you are very familiar with other Castlevania games, the movement is SO FUCKING SLOW, Simon's sprite is way too big, and, the biggest problem, there are enemies and obstacles EVERYWHERE. As an arcade game, it is meant to eat up your money, so it does so by throwing as many enemies and obstacles at you at once without seeming like it is unfair, and you will take damage A LOT, most of it not being your fault. It works out for arcades, but when you play it at home, it makes me wanna throw my controller.
At some point in the game, I just decided to run through the stages while taking the least amount of damage as possible, and that ended up working out more times than not. If I have to resort to that in order to beat your game, then you know you have fucked up. With all that being said though, I think I have found a more hilariously bad cover art then the Mega Man 1 box art. Seriously, that is so bad, it is priceless.
Overall, while I don't think it is completely awful, it is a pretty bad attempt at a Castlevania arcade game, and I wouldn't recommend seeking it out to try to play it.
Game #23