Review - Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (NES)

[jawsjunkie73]

Used to own Castlevania 3 and I thought it was the most difficult in the series. The game's difficulty was so extreme I gave up on it. This one made the original look easy. When Konami released Super Castlevania IV they got the gameplay balance just right. Castlevania IV wasn't too hard, but it wasn't too easy and it is my favorite in the series.

[logalogalog]

This game is one of the few that does not work on a clone system. It unfortunately will only work on a Nintendo manufactured NES. I'm out of luck on playing it until I can get one...

[ComicFreak1980]

@ComicFreak1980 shit i meant Symphony of the Night sorry im doing this on my Iphone.

[ComicFreak1980]

This is my 2nd favorite Castlevania game the 1st is Symphony of the Time.I wish they would remake the Castlevania NES Trilogy for the PSvita like they remade RoB & SotN & call it Castlevania anthology & do the same stuff they did with DXC like voice acting & 3D cutscenes(not the pop at ya 3D) but still have the side scrolling touch thumbs up if you agree.

[MindinViolet]

Great review! Engaging, informative, thorough, concise, and objective.

[Jegudiel29ZX]

I want to do a playthrough of this game but it's hard as hell.

[Joelomite]

I got CV3 as a gift back when it came out. It is truly one of the top 10 NES gems. Graphics, music and added depth made it truly original. I was VERY DISAPPOINTED with CV2 and how they didn't capture the same gameplay. I beat it in a week...

But CV3 was amazing in every way. I LOVE how they kept the feel of CV1, but expanded upon it. Classic in every sense of the word.

[carnavis619]

could you save in this game?

[Loogaroo1]

@carnavis619 You got a password that was linked to the name you entered. Of course, Virtual Console lets you add a checkpoint.

[cartman414]

The original Japanese version is even better. A more forgiving enemy damage structure, and an even better soundtrack thanks to the special chip used.

[Luigi84289]

Symphony of the Night is really really easy. The lack of challenge in this case keeps it from rising to the ranks of C or CIII. Even though the plot and overall mood were phenomenal the level of ease with which one accomplishes the game with doesn't give one a sense of accomplishment and excitement. I've never been killed in it.

[StickPeopleAndPuff]

i have this for famicom

[naptu1]

bravo, I know you have a SNES, soooo, super castlevania IV?

[Loogaroo1]

@naptu1 Don't have this game. My SNES collection is actually kinda limited - I sold off about 2/3 of my NES and SNES collection around 2004.

[AquariusProductions1]

@Loogaroo1 use an emulator to play it then do a review :)

[Loogaroo1]

@AquariusProductions1 Against policy. I don't review a game that I've never played on its original console. Emulators don't always do perfect translations of the game.

[screwattackfan]

@Loogaroo1 virtual console will save your limited collection.

[ShawnD1]

Castlevania games for the NES were horrible. They had a great concept but it's totally ruined by bad controls and the way every single thing in the game kills you in 1 hit due to the backward fall bullshit.

[anupsanju]

I don't think you should grade games based on play control. RPGs would get a free 10.

[Loogaroo1]

@anupsanju There is no such thing as a "free 10" in my ratings.

In any case, there are plenty of things RPGs can do to make controls innovative and good - like Sabin's Blitzes in FF6 - and plenty of ways they can screw them up - like Dragon Warrior's tedious key system. Besides, Play Control is just as influential to a game's a playability as anything else - if the controls are bad, the game will suffer for it.

[anupsanju]

@Loogaroo1 I'm just saying, like in games like Chrono Trigger, the control is technically fantastic, but doesn't play much of a role in the games. But it's your reviews, not mine :)

[shrodu]

Spot on, man! I showed this to a friend of mine who is new to CV

[Thujone21]

Excellent review for a great game. I own this and the first one. Second one I wasn't to fond of. I tried to get into it, but the puzzles were just to hard.

[NeoSonicStrike]

Castlevania 3 is better than Akumajou Densetsu.

Mostly because it has a MUCH MUCH better soundtrack.

[alastairjohnjack]

nice review for a fantastic game

[TFinn04]

I want one of those PWNED! shirts.

[Loogaroo1]

Sadly, they're out of print.

[PrinceJedimaster]

I liked the original metroid better than Castlevainia 3.

[Nickrj3]

lol on the live bit about the ps2 game.

[UsaSatsui]

You don't understand. Every time Castlevania comes up in discussion, Symphony is mentioned. Then Tim says he's never played it. Then the lynch mob shows up, and he has to explain this is why he can't.

Darned if we can figure it out. My PS2 plays it fine.

[Loogaroo1]

Bear in mind, my copy's all scratched to hell. it can barely play the choir during the "select a file" screen.

[GameShowManOne]

I still remember reading about this game in Nintendo Power and absolutely drooling over it.  It is still one of my all-time favorite NES games.

Excellent review, Tim.

[sigmafan]

Tim, this is a great video. a nicely balanced review that's sorely missing from other reviewers on youtube *cough*IrateGamer*cough*.

BTW, it's nice to actually see the reviewer. In short, Kudos.