Video games have truly become the kind of entertainment that reaches across generations. It’s incredible to look back at the 1980s when home game consoles became more and more accessible. So much has changed, and the game industry has learned so much from games of that time. Some of the oldest series are still lucky enough to be alive and well. To name only a few, there’sSuper Mario,there’sThe Legend of Zelda,and there’sCastlevania.Castlevaniais so famous and influential that it’s partially responsible for the Metroidvania, a whole genre that indie games likeHollow Knightsconstantly expand on and celebrate.
Castlevania,though, hasn’t been celebrated quite as much as some of its peers and cousins lately. 2014 was the last time Konami released aCastlevania,which is a very long time in the game industry. Considering how many modern consoles don’t haveCastlevaniatitles on them, it seems like it’s about time that the franchise makes a comeback. Specifically, there’sa short series of Nintendo DSCastlevaniagamesthat deserve a comeback. These games are some of the sharpest titles in recentCastlevaniahistory, but they remain restricted to the DS. It’d be great to see these games brought up to date, potentially as a means to revive entire theCastlevaniafranchise.
RELATED:The Best Studios to Handle New Castlevania Games
New Faces of Castlevania
The Nintendo DSCastlevaniagames are no joke.Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow,the first of three, may be a sequel to a Game Boy Advance game, but it stands very strongly on its own right. Critics comparedDawn of SorrowtoCastlevania: Symphony of the Nightpretty often, which is a big deal. Many critics and fans agree thatSymphony of the Nightis perhapsCastlevania’s best game, and a crucial piece of video game history.Dawn of Sorrow’s combination of RPG and platforming elements traditional to the franchise with unique mechanics like the Magic Seal system make it a wonderful candidate for a remaster,bringing much ofCastlevania’s history together.
Admittedly, remasteringDawn of Sorrowalone would be somewhat difficult since it’s a sequel. Thankfully, the otherCastlevaniaDS games stand on their own two feet, and could helpDawn of Sorrowstand up if all three were remastered together.Castlevania: Portrait of Ruinis interesting for its new protagonists and portrait exploration, but it’s especially worth honoring as the firstCastlevaniagame with co-op multiplayer.Castlevania: Order of Ecclesiaalso further expands onnew RPG and online elements forCastlevania,and its protagonist Shanoa is remarkable for not wielding the Vampire Killer whip, a major break from franchise tradition.
RELATED:History of Metroidvania Games
Rising from the Grave
Now is a great time forCastlevaniato make a comeback. Sony and Microsoft are battling for next-gen console supremacy, and would each be glad to have a big name likeCastlevaniaunder its belt. Similarly, Nintendo would be happy to addCastlevaniaremakes to the Switch, especially since DS games would probably adapt well to another Nintendo console.Castlevaniamay not have had a new game in a while, but it got a lot of publicity when Simon Belmont and Richter Belmont were announced forSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.Their appearance has surely made someSmashfans consider getting intoCastlevania.
TheCastlevaniafranchise also has to do some searching for its identity right now. TheCastlevania: Lords of Shadowseries from the early 2010s didn’t take off the way Konami hoped, which may be the reason the series has gone quiet. Revisiting the Nintendo DS games might be a great way for Konami to look back on successful combinations of tradition and experimentations. These games could hold the kind of content that inspires Konami to make something that leads to a bigCastlevaniacomeback.WhateverCastlevania’s future looks like, its stint on the Nintendo DS is worth celebrating. Hopefully these games return someday.
MORE:What to Expect from Konami at E3 2021
