Honestly i discovered that I think the music has a huge impact on how much I like the game. Every time the intro music comes on I get goosebumps. And this version of Bloody Tears….wow.
Castlevania Chronicles and Rebirth was always so intriguing since they were both reimagined versions of their source material. Such neat offerings to the series!
Amazing.. I remember picking up this disc for the PS1 near the end of its life. It also had some interviews with the creators on the disc.. Another fab review 👍🏻
I originally played this one on the PlayStation and loved it, but recently starting to get into Sharp X68000 emulation once I found out I could use my old Roland synths with it and man it takes the music to a whole new level, having both a MT-100 (basically the second version of the MT-32) and a SC-55 and live the fact this game has instrument arrangements for both, yes I know you can select both on the PSX version but to me it doesn't sound the same
@@VideoGameEsoterica Definitely, it's literally a "game changer" , Final Fight on the Sharp has the MT-32 sound track and it has quickly become my favorite version music wise, plus learning how to use the synths with DOSBox and SCUMMVM and not having to deal with soundcard compatibility like I do with my Win98 pc has been a blessing, heck with my games on GOG I change a couple of settings and I'm good to go,which is the only way to play games like Rise of the Dragon and the Adventures of Willy Beamish among countless others ( I still get goosebumps when I fire up Rise of the Triad)
Bought the PS1 version the day it released. Still have my physical copy of it, but my last play through was on my MiSTer. This really is an excellent re-imagining of the NES game.
@@VideoGameEsoterica Not the actual X68000 version, just the port on the Chronicles PS1 disk. And of course the modified version on the disk with red haired Simon. I also still own my physical copies of pretty much every Castlevania game that released in North America with the exception of Bloodlines. Love me some Castlevania! I suppose I could try the X68000 version on my MiSTer, but I've never been able to figure out that core.
After practicing casually for a few years, I just cleared the japanese version of this through on my CRT for the first time, and it is my favorite castlevania game, I like it way more than Rondo of Blood. I wrote a full review, I'll put abridged reasons why I prefer Dracula X68000 over Dracula X: I miss whipping down, much tighter controls than any other castlevania game including rondo of blood. The cd audio loop is very awkward, compared to x68000 seamless audio loops. The stages in rondo are all over the place and there is no map. You’ll go through three stages of castle, to then wind up on a boat for no reason. No matter which path you take, the boat is always the penultimate stage. There’s still decent geographical consistency at times, like seeing the bridge from the other side, or the castle in the distance. X68000 is very consistent with the castle and expands on it in the coolest ways. frankenstein was cooler in X68000 It's as much a precursor to Symphony of the Night as Dracula X and Super 4 was.
Dude, you're on freekin' point with everything ! I'm agree 1000% with you, I share the evact same point of view as you. I'd like to mention 2 things : - the X68000 version display a higher resolution than the PSX one : 256 x 256 pixels(doubled... yeah it's a graphical mode on the X68000, so 512 x512) That's why the HUD is transparent on the PSX version. - there is a bug in the game... sometimes items fall and get "stuck" on the floor. Great video ! 👍
I played this on my modded PSOne back in the day. It isn't my favorite but it is pretty sweet, especially the new layouts. Super Castlevania IV / Rondo are my favorites of the pre-metroidvania era. Aria of Sorrow is my favorite of the new era games.
I’ve only played the first stage of this game. You say it’s better than Rondo of Blood, then that’s all the confirmation I need to let me know I need to play through this game
The bread and butter of the X68000 were arcade conversions. I believe we owe the existence of Akumajo Dracula X68K to the fact that Haunted Castle (arcade) is simply terrible. 🙃
I know I'm in the minority here, but I prefer my Castlevania in a non metroidvania style. The 1st and 3rd NES games were always my jams. I had this one on PS3 when they released it digitally, loved it!
One of my favorite games and the best Castlevania. I got to the 8th loop. But the X68000 version is the one that counts, since it's vertically cropped on the PS1.
@@VideoGameEsoterica Difficulty curve is smooth on the X68K version. Until the 8th loop... In the 8th loop you have turbo zombies on the first stage. I think it's the game's way of saying "ok, enough, this has become an obsession, go play something else".
@@VideoGameEsoterica I updated last week, maybe cause I'm doing video mode on a 15khz CRT? The big I deal with is no graphic when hitting a target. Looks like target is immune
PS1 port is terrible. It is not a port but a recreation made from sprite rips. Hit-boxes are off, resolution is halved and game runs too fast (X68000 runs at 55htz). Back when this was released it was a decent curiosity, but these days everyone should just emulate the original. (Unless you really like the wacky arranged redbook music.)
@@VideoGameEsoterica PS1 is also missing the GM music option, but without real MIDI cable support it would be useless anyways. It's worth noting that there is an unofficial doujin patch that adds 3D Stereoscopic support to the X68k ver. It is really well done, but of course only really usable if you have a real machine and CRT.
@@VideoGameEsoterica Like everything else, prices have gone nuts. My XVI was only about 30,000yen (10 years or so ago). Prices have more than tripled since then. XD
Honestly i discovered that I think the music has a huge impact on how much I like the game. Every time the intro music comes on I get goosebumps. And this version of Bloody Tears….wow.
Right? You hear that music start to build up in the main menu and you know you are in for a good time
Castlevania Chronicles and Rebirth was always so intriguing since they were both reimagined versions of their source material. Such neat offerings to the series!
Yes it’s funny how Konami did this…then Rebirth. Two sides of the same coin
Amazing..
I remember picking up this disc for the PS1 near the end of its life.
It also had some interviews with the creators on the disc..
Another fab review 👍🏻
Glad you enjoyed it :) another fun Castlevania game to talk about
Looks like a good remake, didn't even know this existed
My rule when people say that is assign the game as homework and ask you to report back with thoughts haha
I originally played this one on the PlayStation and loved it, but recently starting to get into Sharp X68000 emulation once I found out I could use my old Roland synths with it and man it takes the music to a whole new level, having both a MT-100 (basically the second version of the MT-32) and a SC-55 and live the fact this game has instrument arrangements for both, yes I know you can select both on the PSX version but to me it doesn't sound the same
No I get it. That real midi sound will always win out
@@VideoGameEsoterica Definitely, it's literally a "game changer" , Final Fight on the Sharp has the MT-32 sound track and it has quickly become my favorite version music wise, plus learning how to use the synths with DOSBox and SCUMMVM and not having to deal with soundcard compatibility like I do with my Win98 pc has been a blessing, heck with my games on GOG I change a couple of settings and I'm good to go,which is the only way to play games like Rise of the Dragon and the Adventures of Willy Beamish among countless others ( I still get goosebumps when I fire up Rise of the Triad)
Fun you can do it on the GOG releases
Bought the PS1 version the day it released. Still have my physical copy of it, but my last play through was on my MiSTer. This really is an excellent re-imagining of the NES game.
Another owner! I don’t think many people have physical copies due to it not being a large print run. Ever play the X68000 version?
@@VideoGameEsoterica Not the actual X68000 version, just the port on the Chronicles PS1 disk. And of course the modified version on the disk with red haired Simon. I also still own my physical copies of pretty much every Castlevania game that released in North America with the exception of Bloodlines. Love me some Castlevania! I suppose I could try the X68000 version on my MiSTer, but I've never been able to figure out that core.
Funny I also don’t own Bloodlines. Odd coincidence
I think the first use of actual Bloody Tears was in haunted castle. One of the stages had paintings crying blood in the background.
I will have to look into that
That's correct, and honestly, it also has one of the best renditions of Bloody Tears song!
Probably forgot because I try to forget Haunted Castle exists 😂
After practicing casually for a few years, I just cleared the japanese version of this through on my CRT for the first time, and it is my favorite castlevania game, I like it way more than Rondo of Blood. I wrote a full review, I'll put abridged reasons why I prefer Dracula X68000 over Dracula X:
I miss whipping down, much tighter controls than any other castlevania game including rondo of blood.
The cd audio loop is very awkward, compared to x68000 seamless audio loops.
The stages in rondo are all over the place and there is no map. You’ll go through three stages of castle, to then wind up on a boat for no reason. No matter which path you take, the boat is always the penultimate stage. There’s still decent geographical consistency at times, like seeing the bridge from the other side, or the castle in the distance. X68000 is very consistent with the castle and expands on it in the coolest ways.
frankenstein was cooler in X68000
It's as much a precursor to Symphony of the Night as Dracula X and Super 4 was.
Way more than Rondo? Wow that is some real love for the game. I can’t say the same but it’s a V close second to me personally
Dude, you're on freekin' point with everything !
I'm agree 1000% with you, I share the evact same point of view as you.
I'd like to mention 2 things :
- the X68000 version display a higher resolution than the PSX one : 256 x 256 pixels(doubled... yeah it's a graphical mode on the X68000, so 512 x512)
That's why the HUD is transparent on the PSX version.
- there is a bug in the game... sometimes items fall and get "stuck" on the floor.
Great video ! 👍
There is another weird glitch where sometimes you can take random damage on the map screen
I played this on my modded PSOne back in the day. It isn't my favorite but it is pretty sweet, especially the new layouts. Super Castlevania IV / Rondo are my favorites of the pre-metroidvania era. Aria of Sorrow is my favorite of the new era games.
This is one of my favs but I may be an outlier. Rondo is still my number 1 non-Metroidvania though
Awesome! My favorite.
It’s a great game for sure
I have *even more* favorites.
That’s fair :)
Anything with Castlevania is perfect with me VGE. Always in the mood to listen on what you have to say bro. 8^)
Anthony...
Appreciate it!
ah yes i did try this game on the x68000 emulator on pc with munt synth ... its insane it sound so good
it sounds AMAZING. So good
Did you review haunted castle arcade yet? I can't seem to find it.
I did on unported. It was not a kind review lol
Japanese copies of this on PS1 is around $80 now worth it just for the cover art. I used to have a US copy. That Water section was my ceiling.
I paid like $30 for my US copies years ago. It’s gone up in value a tiny bit lol
It see saws in value. It got a very low print run. I think I paid about the same maybe a little more. Got more for it than I paid
I want a copy of the X68000 version and I don’t even own an X68000 😂
My Holy Grail is an X680000. There's that mini coming but I doubt I'll be able to get it.
First MISTer core I download
When is the Mini supposed to be here anyway?
I love this one, especially on PS1 if you tweak the Roland Sound options
Its odd they basically hid the sound options on PS1
This is true, but man oh man did it make a difference. I loved the Roland Sound options so much I have multiple tracks in some of my music playlists.
Huge difference. I just dont get why they spent the time to implement the feature then hid it from everyone!
I want my Sharp X68000 mini !!!
I think a LOT of people do :)
It's really hard to choose between MT-32 or SC-55 ost, the former have richer sound but the compositions is banger in the latter.
Easy...just play it twice! haha
I’ve only played the first stage of this game. You say it’s better than Rondo of Blood, then that’s all the confirmation I need to let me know I need to play through this game
I don’t think I said better. As good maybe?
@@VideoGameEsoterica Still have to run through it
Man I need to get that PS1 core running so I can play this.
Yeah you do!
Do you prefer MIDI over chip-specific chip tunes?
In this instance I prefer MIDI
Dude, I literally just fired this up last night on MISTER. I would consider myself a castlevania super fan but never got the chance to play this one.
haha good timing...hope you are enjoying it!
It's definately worth getting an mt 32pi on the mister x68000 for the audio on this game.
100%. Hell…1000%
The bread and butter of the X68000 were arcade conversions. I believe we owe the existence of Akumajo Dracula X68K to the fact that Haunted Castle (arcade) is simply terrible. 🙃
Haunted Castle is about as bad as an arcade version of a popular console franchise possibly gets
I know I'm in the minority here, but I prefer my Castlevania in a non metroidvania style. The 1st and 3rd NES games were always my jams. I had this one on PS3 when they released it digitally, loved it!
Thats fair. Everyone gets their pick. I love both equally
I'm with you. I can't stand the metroidvania games.
And that’s fair. Everyone gets the opinion :)
One of my favorite games and the best Castlevania. I got to the 8th loop. But the X68000 version is the one that counts, since it's vertically cropped on the PS1.
8th Loop...damn
@@VideoGameEsoterica the game has unlimited continues and can save between stages, so 8th loop is possible
still...thats a LOT of loops
@@VideoGameEsoterica Difficulty curve is smooth on the X68K version. Until the 8th loop... In the 8th loop you have turbo zombies on the first stage. I think it's the game's way of saying "ok, enough, this has become an obsession, go play something else".
haha we all need that gentle nudge that tells us "ok time to stop playing"
X68000 for the win🎉
Def wins if you talk about cost to own!
@@VideoGameEsoterica powerball win will get me there
Genius plan. Hope that works out for you!
@@VideoGameEsoterica it will. I just need to start playing 😂
I hear that helps!
Your intro is terrifying. In a good way, but extremely haunting. 😊😅
Haha thanks. That was the goal
I get so many graphic glitches on mister with this game
Everything updated? There are a few but I wouldn’t say a ton
@@VideoGameEsoterica I updated last week, maybe cause I'm doing video mode on a 15khz CRT? The big I deal with is no graphic when hitting a target. Looks like target is immune
I’m sure the 15khz doesn’t help since X68000 was 24khz
I think I prefer this over the original and IV.
I might tend to agree
@@VideoGameEsoterica Because of the graphics, Simon’s modern design, and the awesome music. I seriously feel like partying to Vampire Killer.
Yes the graphics really bring the design alive more than the 8 bit era
@@VideoGameEsoterica Indeed. And the soundtrack?
MIDI is king. 8 bit music was good but the extra sound processing power made a big diff here
When is yoshivania 64?
is there anything you cant fit Yoshi into?
@@VideoGameEsoterica NOPE
I appreciate your commitment to the joke
@@VideoGameEsoterica that’s what I’m here for!
apparently...
Never played the Sharp version. Worth it?
100%. Different enough that its worth it!
@@VideoGameEsoterica I’ll have to check it out then
that's the spirit and you DEF wont be disappointed
I think I like FM soundtrack a little more than the midi but no matter what soundtrack I pick, I always fail at this game. Lol
That’s fair. Both are legit amazing soundtracks and you can’t go wrong with either
Top 5 Castlevania game for me but man, I can’t stand the way Simon moves in the this game.
He just has to use the bathroom. There aren’t many in the castle!
Bold claims, “almost as good as Rondo”
I SAID WHAT I SAID DORFUS
@@VideoGameEsoterica eep
You will get your Rondo soon!
@@VideoGameEsoterica Not if your thumbnail team goes on strike!
I will hire a hairless ape to fill your spot
PS1 port is terrible. It is not a port but a recreation made from sprite rips. Hit-boxes are off, resolution is halved and game runs too fast (X68000 runs at 55htz). Back when this was released it was a decent curiosity, but these days everyone should just emulate the original. (Unless you really like the wacky arranged redbook music.)
It’s fun to have both. That’s why I talked about both. Plus it’s a retrospective of games so I can’t really ignore the PS1 entry
@@VideoGameEsoterica PS1 is also missing the GM music option, but without real MIDI cable support it would be useless anyways. It's worth noting that there is an unofficial doujin patch that adds 3D Stereoscopic support to the X68k ver. It is really well done, but of course only really usable if you have a real machine and CRT.
I wish I had a real X68000. But honestly I can’t justify the price
@@VideoGameEsoterica Like everything else, prices have gone nuts. My XVI was only about 30,000yen (10 years or so ago). Prices have more than tripled since then. XD
Maybe one day if I have a few too many drinks and lose track of my senses I’ll get one