A True Classic.
One of the biggest things about this game, was the ways that you could use your whip. You can not only whip in 8 different directions, but you can use your whip in a kind of "free style" mode, and just swing it any which way. Which can actually be handy, in terms of getting rid of smaller enemies like frogs.
The music in this game...ok, this game is going to be 20 years old before too long. And the music is STILL great. The soundtrack totally pushes this game, and stays memorable up until the very end, when you fight Dracula. Heck, when I first played this game in 1992, I really played it just to listen to the rockin tunes...and then I figured out just how good the game is.
The environments in the game are top notch. You get a huge variety. You explore marshes, spooky castles, caves, graveyards, a huge waterfall area...heck, you even explore a Greek-themed Atlantis style level....all before you even reach Castlevania! The beginning levels are really just a warm up for the big Castle itself, but they are more than memorable in themselves. If you play the current Castlevania games, you'll definitely recognize some of the bosses, and you can see where they got their start. As for the storyline...pfft. Simon Belmont doesn't need a storyline. The beginning screen tells all you need to know. Simon arrives outside some freaky looking gates of a castle, unleashes his whip, and he's ready to kick some serious a**. Everything about Simon screams "Attitude." And yes, with a capital "A," He doesn't run through levels, He swaggers through them, like the man he is. He even has a manly grunt when he gets hit by an enemy. He powers up his whip to be a massive morning star. And this is the weapon you use throughout the game. This game is all about killing stuff, and moving on. A true gamer's game.
If you play the current Castlevania games, you owe it to yourself to check this out. Whether you play the handheld or the next gen Castlevania's. This game will give you a sense of where certain enemies came from. You'll definitely notice some familar monsters here and there, if you are a Castlevania veteran. And for the most part, they got their start in this game. And they did it with a bang. I am biased towards this game, but it deserves its high score. It's a true platforming classic, and while an experienced gamer can probably tear through this game in a day or two, it's worth it. Pick this up at your game store, or get it on your Wii if you can.