====== Castlevania ======
A series of monster-movie themed videogames, made by [[company:Konami]], which can be classified into two broad groups split before //Symphony of the Night//; [[people:koji_igarashi|IGA]], and pre-IGA.

The graphics of //**Castlevania**// is the best game [[..sb:titlescreen|SB]] ever played, the blood on this game is like the same amount as real life pretty much. The bad guys are very awsome, the bosses of the level is the best part of the game.

===== Identifying Elements =====
==== Characters ====
  * [[character:Dracula#in_castlevania|Dracula]]

==== Mechanics ====
  * [[pattern:double_jump]]
  * [[pattern:Hateful Stairs]]

==== Key Staff ====
  * [[people:Ayami Kojima]] - current series illustrator
  * [[people:iga|Koji Igarashi]] - current series producer
  * [[people:Michiru Yamane]] - current series composer

===== Games =====
FIXME - out of date
==== Series Order ====

=== Current "canon" ===
  * 1094: //[[game:castlevania_lament_of_innocence|Castlevania: Lament of Innocence]]//
  * 1476: //[[game:castlevania_iii|Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]//
    * 1479: //[[game:castlevania:curse_of_darknessCastlevania: Curse of Darkness]]//
  * 1576: //[[game:The Castlevania Adventure]]//
    * 1591: //[[game:castlevania_belmonts_revenge|Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge]]//
  * 1691: //[[game:Castlevania]]//
    * 1698: //[[game:castlevania_ii_simons_quest|Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]]//
      * 1748: //[[game:castlevania_harmony_of_dissonance|Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance]]//
  * 1792: //[[game:castlevania_x_rondo_of_blood|Akumajou Dracula X: Rondo of Blood]]//
    * 1797: //[[game:castlevania_symphony_of_the_night|Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]//
  * 1896: //[[wp>Dracula]]//, by 'Bram' Stoker
    * 1914: //[[game:castlevania_bloodlines|Castlevania: Bloodlines]]//
    * 19??: //[[game:castlevania_portrait_of_ruin|Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin]]//
  * 1999: final defeat of Dracula
    * 2035: //[[game:castlevania_aria_of_sorrow|Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow]]//
    * 2036: //[[game:castlevania_dawn_of_sorrow|Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow]]//

=== Apocrypha ===
  * ?: //[[game:Kid Dracula|Akumajou Dracula Special - Boku Dracula-kun]]//
  * ?: //[[game:castlevania_Kid Dracula]]//
  * 1450: //[[game:Castlevania Legends]]//
  * 1666: //[[game:Castlevania Resurrection]]// (cancelled)
  * 1830: //[[game:castlevania_circle_of_the_moon|Castlevania: Circle of the Moon]]//
  * 1844: //[[game:castlevania_Castlevania 64]]//
  * 1852: //[[game:castlevania_64#legacy_of_darkness|Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness]]//

=== Remakes/Alternates ===
  * 1691: //[[game:Vampire Killer]]// 
  * 1691: //[[game:Haunted Castle]]// 
  * 1691: //[[game:Super Castlevania]]// 
  * 1691: //[[game:Castlevania Chronicles]]// 
  * 1792: //[[game:castlevania_dracula_x|Castlevania: Dracula X]]// 

==== Release Order ====
  - 1986 - //[[game:Vampire Killer]]// (MSX)
  - 1987 - //[[game:Castlevania]]// (NES)
  - 1988 - //[[game:Haunted Castle]]// (Arcade)
  - 1988 - //[[game:castlevania_ii_simons_quest|Castlevania II: Simon's Quest]]// (NES)
  - 1989 - //[[game:The Castlevania Adventure]]// (GB)
  - 1990 - //[[game:castlevania_castlevania_iii|Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]// (NES)
  - 1991 - //[[game:castlevania_ii_belmonts_revenge|Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge]]// (GB)
  - 1991 - //[[game:Super Castlevania]]// (SNES)
  - 1991 - //[[game:Kid Dracula|Akumajou Dracula Special - Boku Dracula-kun]]// (NES)
  - 1993 - //[[game:Kid Dracula]]// (GB)
  - 1993 - //[[game:castlevania_dracula_x_rondo_of_blood|Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo]]// (PC-Engine)
  - 1993 - //[[game:Castlevania Chronicles| Akumajou Dracula X68000]]// (X68000)
  - 1994 - //[[game:castlevania_bloodlines|Castlevania: Bloodlines]]// (Genesis)
  - 1995 - //[[game:castlevania_dracula_x|Castlevania: Dracula X]]// (SNES)
  - 1997 - //[[game:castlevania_symphony_of_the_night|Castlevania: Symphony of the Night]]// (PSOne)
  - 1998 - //[[game:Castlevania Legends]]// (GB)
  - 1999 - //[[game:Castlevania 64]]// (N64)
  - 1999 - //[[game:castlevania_64#legacy_of_darkness|Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness]]// (N64)
  - 1999 - //[[game:Castlevania Resurrection]]// (Dreamcast) (cancelled)
  - 2001 - //[[game:castlevania_circle_of_the_moon|Castlevania: Circle of the Moon]]// (GBA)
  - 2001 - //[[game:Castlevania Chronicles]]// (PSOne)
  - 2002 - //[[game:castlevania_harmony_of_dissonance|Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance]]// (GBA)
  - 2003 - //[[game:castlevania_aria_of_sorrow|Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow]]// (GBA)
  - 2003 - //[[game:castlevania_lament_of_innocence|Castlevania: Lament of Innocence]]// (PS2)
  - 2005 - //[[game:castlevania_dawn_of_sorrow|Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow]]// (DS)
  - 2005 - //[[game:castlevania_curse_of_darkness|Castlevania: Curse of Darkness]]// (PS2)
  - 2006 - //[[game:castlevania_portrait_of_ruin|Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin]]// (DS)
  - 2007 - //[[game:castlevania_order_of_shadows|Castlevania: Order of Shadows]]// (mobile)
  - 2008 - //[[game:castlevania_order_of_ecclesia|Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia]]// (DS)
  - 2009 - //[[game:castlevania_the_adventure_rebirth|Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth]]// (Wii)
  - 2010 - //[[game:castlevania_harmony_of_dispair|Castlevania: Harmony of Dispair]]// (360)
  - 2010 - //[[game:castlevania_lords_of_shadow|Castlevania: Lors of Shadow]]// {360/PS3)

=====Igavania=====
Term used to refer to games of the //Castlevania// series created by [[people:iga|Koji Igarashi]] (IGA), who updated the classic //Castlevania// formula, avoiding the level structure in favor of a more open, exploration driven approach, like the //[[game:metroid_series|Metroid]]// series. They are also sometimes referred to as [[genre:metroidvania]] for this reason. Rather than use //Metroid's// strictly rationed upgrade system, Igavanias require players to gather up experience points and level in the usual Japanese RPG fashion, creating new gameplay issues like grinding and power levelling (as well as inherent issues with boss design) which are alien to the //Metroid formula//. An obscure term for a specific series of Action Adventure titles.

“Igavania” can also be used to refer to the conceptual overhaul Igarashi has imposed on the series during his tenure, rather than to any particular game design; //[[wp>Bishounen]]//, neo-gothicism, a focus on overall series continuity, trying to rebrand the series as “Castlevania” in Japan and fanboy easter eggs relating to the NES trilogy. Is it a case of close, fussy, obsessive caretaking or merely fanboy construct? IGA has claimed plot comes after concept and initial design, and the stereotypical //bishounen// leads are a hallmark of the departed series artist [[people:Ayami Kojima]]. The series looks set for annual instalments on [[hardware:ds]], so only time will tell.

They come in pairs; //[[game:castlevania_harmony_of_dissonance|Harmony of Dissonance]]// tries too hard to be like //[[game:castlevania_symphony_of_the_night|Symphony of the Night]]//, //[[game:castlevania_lament_of_innocence|Lament of Innocence]]// and //[[castlevania_curse_of_darkness|Curse of Darkness]]// are both 3D titles that suffer from performance anxiety and the //Sorrow// titles share the same hero and gameplay hooks. Anything else in the list is included for it's historical and/or design connections.

=====Staircase Glitch=====
The staircase glitch appears in the [[hardware:nes#Famicom Disk System]] version of //Castlevania//, at the top of the stairs leading to Dracula's chamber. Since then references to it have been included in //Rondo of Blood//, and //Symphony of the Night//.

  * [[http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2012/03/random-bit-of-castlevania-lore.html|Random Bit of Castlevania Lore - The Staircase Glitch in Dracula's Chambers]] - HG101 blog post.

=====Legacy=====
====Homages====
  ***//[[game:Necropolis]]//** - A Belmont-like character named [[character:Vicks Velmont]] is a recurring enemy of the undead player character.

====Fangames====
  ***//Barbarians and the Necromancer's Tower//** - [[http://rpgmaker.net/games/4217/|Play]]
  ***//Blood Moon//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snDI4TXZ-Uc|video]]
  ***//Castlevania 10//** - [[http://blueberrysoft.ryliejamesthomas.com/games/Castlevania 10/|Official website]]
  ***//Castlevania: The Bolo of Chocolate//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnCNyQw3dbY|video]]
  ***//Castlevania: Dance Before Dawn//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJlnVu0L9yU|video]]
  ***//Castlevania: Descendants//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlKgRoO0PVg|video]]
  ***//CASTLEVANIA fight !//**
  ***//CASTLEVANIA fight AGAIN//**
  ***//CASTLEVANIA MILLENIUM//**
  ***//Castlevania NKN//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDV-TDuYXPk|video]]
  ***//Castlevania Remix//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBozF66qiVQ|video]]
  ***//CastlevaniaRL//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKt5erbhxCk|video]]
  ***//CASTLEVANIA Xtacy//** - A [[genre:breakanoids|breakanoid]].
  ***//Demonic Hunter//**
  ***//Dracula Fight//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sdwWeyhtAk|video]]
  ***//Haunted Castle II//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf2Otl37_sg|video]]
  ***//Haunted Castle III//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0bFk9JxO6M|video]]
  ***//Overflow Darkness//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8hl1d8n2KM|video]]
  ***//Simon's Quest II: Revamped//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhDN_9rztic|video]]
  ***//The Soul of Dracula//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPnrkbak6v8|video]]
  ***//[[game:vampire]]//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYXMCT6GCtI|video]]
  ***//Vampire Hunters//** - [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X49jZM8_GGY|video]]
===See also===
  * [[http://castlevaniafan.wikia.com/wiki/Fan_Games|Fan Games]] on the Castlevania Fan Wiki.
  * [[http://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/mirrors/www.geocities.com/ace3001zza/Xtacy.htm|CASTLEVANIA Xyacy =RONDO of GAMEz=]] - //Castlevania// fan games by [[people:Xyacy]].
  * [[http://pacman00.newgrounds.com/favorites/games|PacMan00's Favourite Games]] - This favourites list also serves as a list of every //Castlevania// fan game on Newgrounds.

=====Related Games / Series=====
  ***//[[8 Eyes]]//**
  ***//[[brave_earth_prologue|Brave Earth:Prologue]]//**
  ***//[[Curse of Issyos]]//**
  ***//[[souls_series|Dark/Demon's Souls]]//**
  ***//[[Getsu Fuuma Den]]//**
  ***//[[Kenseiden]]//**
  ***//[[Majuu Ou]]//**
  ***//[[Master of Darkness]]//**
  ***[[metroid_series|Metroid series]]**
  ***//[[Return of Egypt]]//**
  ***//[[Rusty]]//**

=====Related Media=====
  * **//Captain N//**\\ Television show where [[character:Simon Belmont]] appears as a vain, arrogant, main character. 
  * **//Worlds of Power: Castlevania II//** - [[http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/features/book.html|Castlevania Dungeon article]]\\ Part of the //[[wp>Worlds of Power]]// series of books.

=====See Also=====
  * [[http://forums.selectbutton.net/viewtopic.php?t=28051|Ecclesia, Symphony, and My Castlevania]] - SB forum thread.
  * [[http://forums.selectbutton.net/viewtopic.php?t=1471|What is a fan? A miserable pile of secrets!]] - SB forum thread.
  * [[http://forums.selectbutton.net/viewtopic.php?t=2233|[FKW'07]Good things about the N64 Castlevanias]] - SB forum thread.
  * [[http://forums.selectbutton.net/viewtopic.php?t=34681|castlevania]] - SB forum thread.
  * [[http://castlevaniadungeon.net/|The Castlevania Dungeon]] - Kurt Kalata and William Cain's excellent webshrine.
  * [[http://castlevania.wikia.com/wiki/Castlevania_Wiki|Castlevania Wiki]]
  * [[http://nfggames.com/games/castlevaniasprites/|A Castlevania Sprite History]] - Article by Lawrence Wright.
  * [[http://brikbybrik.blogspot.com/|B R I C K B Y B R I C K]] - Painstaking //[[game:castlevania_series|Castlevania]]// analysis, by Ario Barzan.