Castlevaniais an incredible Konami classic on the same level asBombermanor theMetal Gear Solidfranchise. Originally releasing back in the 1980s, a lot of things have changed ever since Simon Belmont first walked the gaming scene. Over the years, new elements like 3D and different protagonists have helped really enrich theCastlevanialore. However, while there have been many great games, the series has also produced a lot of titles that didn’t quite hit the mark. As such here are the 10 worstCastlevaniagames based on their Metacritic scores.
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To keep this fair, there will beno portsof a particular game like the originalCastlevania. However, enhancements or remakes will be considered. What’s more, the ratings will be using the best version of the game.
10Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (PSP) (80%)
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chroniclesis a remake of theRondo Of Bloodentry ofCastlevania. Players control Richter Belmont, a descendant of Simon Belmont who ventures off tokill Draculain order to save his beloved along with several other maidens.
The game is quite a faithful representation of the original Japanese release, with new artwork by Ayami Kojima as well as voice acting. However,Castlevania: The Dracula X Chroniclesalso includes a version of the originalRondo Of Bloodfor fans to play and try out.
9Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (PS2) (79%)
Next on the list isCastlevania: Lament Of Innocence. This is also the very firstCastlevaniagame from a chronological standpoint as it follows Leon Belmont on his quest to save his beloved from a vampire.
Showcasing the origins of the Belmont whip as well as the bloodline, this game offered hack and slash gameplay while also maintaining the RPG elements from games likeSymphony of the Night.
8Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth (Wii) (78%)
Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirthis a remake of theoriginal GameboyCastlevaniagame. Utilizing the stronger power of the Nintendo Wii, players take control of Christopher Belmont as he is on his way tokill Draculajust like his ancestors before him.
Throughout the game, Christopher Belmont has to go through six areas with a boss at the end of each level. All of this harkens back to the originalCastlevaniatitles which were fairly simple in terms of their stories.
7Castlevania (N64) (78%)
The next game on the list is one of the firstCastlevaniagames to ever come out in 3D. The N64Castlevaniagame is pretty interesting as it is the first in the series to include a lock-on feature to the game.
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Castlevaniaalso offers players the opportunity to play as different characters: Reinhardt and Carrie. The new 3-Dimensional environments help to give the game a more cinematic aesthetic while also making the puzzles more complex.
6Castlevania: Curse Of Darkness (Xbox) (74%)
AlongsideCastlevania: Lament Of Innocence, Castlevania: Curse Of Darknessis another game that’s within the same generation. Although instead of a Belmont,Curse Of Darknessfocuses on a former soldier of Dracula named Hector.
Taking place sometime afterCastlevania III, players are treated to a game that acts as a decent sequel to the NES classic while also playing it in a gameplay style similar toLament Of Innocence.
5Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate HD (73%) (Xbox 360)
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fatewas originally a title for the 3DS but it later got an HD updated version for seventh-generation consoles. The sequel follows the descendants of Gabriel Belmont, now Dracula, as they stop him for the very first time.
Following a more 2.5 Dimensional plane, it served as a fun in-between of the twoCastlevania: Lords Of Shadowgames. Players get a chance to control Simon Belmont, Trevor Belmont, and Alucard.
4Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2 (70%) (Xbox 360)
FollowingCastlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of FateisCastlevania: Lords Of Shadow 2. Taking place in the modern-day, players once again control the character of Gabriel Belmont.
With the full power of Dracula at their disposal, players get to control the vampire lord as he tries to stop the return of Satan from the previous game. An interesting interpretation of theCastlevanialore to say the least.
3Castlevania Chronicles (69%) (PS1)
A remake of the originalCastlevaniagame,Castlevania Chronicleswas released on the PS1. Just like the original game, players get to control Simon Belmont as he seeks to take out Dracula.
Of course,Castlevaniais a game that has been remade and ported many times, but the interesting element of this release is that players can actually play two versions. One featured the red-haired Simon Belmont while the other was a port of the Sharp X68000 home computer’sCastlevaniagame.
2Castlevania: Harmony Of Despair (68%) (PS3)
Castlevania: Harmony Of Despairis not necessarily a mainlineCastlevaniagame. The action-platformer allows users to play with their friends, whether it’s online or through local multiplayer.
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The game acts as a boss-rush mode and doesn’t exactly have a proper story to tell. Players can play as their favorites, including Simon Belmont, Alucard, and Soma Cruz. A decent time for anyCastlevaniafan.
1Castlevania Judgement (Wii) (49%)
Finally, the lowest-ratedCastlevaniagame of them all isCastlevania Judgement. Unlike the other games within the series,Castlevania Judgementis actually afighting game. Ayami Kojima’s art style is noticeably absent this time around, favoring Takeshi Obata’s art style instead.
That being said, players get to control a whole cast of their favorite characters, as they beat each other up before finally defeating the final boss in the arcade mode. Nonetheless, it didn’t seem to resonate with everyone as it has the lowest rating on Metacritic.
NEXT:Metroidvania: 5 Things Metroid Does Better Than Castlevania (& 5 That Castlevania Is Superior At)
