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[Castlevania References] [Borrowed Elements]

 

DMTV: World Fighters

Date Released
Systems For
CD Size
2004
GameCube & PS2
Unknown
Main Heroes
Box Cover Scan
Manual Scan
Konami Mascots
Playable Castlevania Hero: Simon Belmont

Dream Mix TV: World Fighters is another in a long line of Konami's mascot-themed games. However, World Fighters is different in that it's a collaboration between Konami and three other companies (Hudson Soft, Takara and Red Entertainment) for a marriage of convenience: They've pooled together their sources to create a fighting game very much in the vein of Nintendo's mega-hits Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee. The development of the title fell directly on Hudson Soft, and it was the company's mission to find a way to collect and amalgamate several distinct elements into one convincing package. Unfortunately, while it seems ripe for big sales, its status is that of a Japan-only title. (Note: Click on screenshots for larger versions.)

          

The rules aren't so simple: One-four players battle it out on a battlefield made up of several platforms. At the bottom of the screen is a meter that all players share, and each of their icons is slowly moving toward the meter's left side; your objective is to collect hearts and keep your character's icon to the right. If your icon falls all the way to the left, your character is disqualified, ineligible for victory, even though it will remain in the battle as a miniature version of itself. There are many combatants from which to choose: (1) From Hudson Soft comes Bomberman, Master Higgins, Momotarou, Manjimaru, Hugo and Bimbougami. (2) From Takara comes Optimus Prime (Transformers, anyone?), Tyson Granger, Microman, Licca-Chan, Asuka and Megatron. And (3) from Konami comes Power Pro-Kun, Solid Snake, Twinbee, Moai, and, of course, Simon Belmont.

          

The Castlevania Chronicles version of Simon Belmont is yours to control. At Simon's command is the Vampire Killer whip and his cross sub-weapon. Simon can wreak havoc with the whip for basic offense and combos while using the cross for three different special attacks: He can throw it forward, upward or in a circular motion. Here's a montage of Simon in training, and here's the official site's Simon page, which in addition to the imagery showcases a quick video that highlights his abilities.

Of course, the game wouldn't be complete without a Castlevania stage, as seen mapped out above. The stage is reminiscent of a typical main-hall design, a four-level battlefield of familiarity; the ever-popular Bloody Tears (the "outside" music from Simon's Quest) will heighten the atmosphere. Sadly, there's no stage interactivity, since the separate game stages are only cosmetically different. However, there exists another Castlevania-style stage in the game's challenge mode; it's here where you, as Simon, must within forty seconds collect thirty "souls" while fending off the Medusa heads that act as obstacles.

Here's some official media: Poster #1 size 800x600 or 1024x768. Poster #2 size 800x600 or 1024x768. And a shot of the voice actor who did Simon's voice. (Thanks to Morgoth for images and information.)

 

New International Track and Field

Date Released
System For
Cartridge Size
2008
Nintendo DS
N/A
Main Heroes
Box Cover Scan
Manual Scan
Konami Mascots
Not Available
Not Available
Playable Castlevania Hero: Simon Belmont

New International Track and Field for the Nintendo DS is Konami's entry into gaming's once-dormant Olympic-sport genre. Following on the heels of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Konami's is the latest in its own series of mascot mashups dating back to Konami Wai Wai World. Track and Field pits normal competitors and gaming icons against each other in events such as the 100-meter dash, the 110-meter hurdle, bicycling, long-jumping, swimming, archery, the shot put, pole-vaulting, sprinting, gymnastics, javelin-throwing, high-jumping and more.

          

Representing the Castlevania series, naturally, is the redheaded wonder Simon Belmont, who like the other characters is portrayed munchkin-style to create a balance and scale to match him to a cartoon cast, which includes other dignitaries like Parodius' Pentarou and Rumble Roses' Evil Rose. Konami's press release explains Simon's Entry: "Simon is the definitive hero of the Belmont lineage and the most prominent protagonist in the Castlevania game series. His adventures began when Count Dracula awoke in 1691 and started terrorizing the people of Transylvania. They sought out Simon to fulfill the Belmont legacy and to defeat Dracula. However, Dracula was not so easily vanquished and would return to Transylvania to terrorize and terrify the locals. Simon has earned his reputation by appearing in more titles than any other of the series’ hero characters. Typically in each game Simon will use a devastating whip to defeat hordes of evil creatures in Dracula’s haunted castle, however, the enemies in New International Track and Field are time and distance and they will not be so easily bent to his will."

          

Not to trivialize the video-game heroes' participation, Konami includes series-specific challenges. Characters, for instance, take to the archery event, called "Belmont's Challenge," by grabbing hold of a crossbow and infiltrating Dracula's castle, where they must thwart the Dark Lord's spider and projectile attacks. Track and Field demands heavy use of the DS' touch screen, which is used to control character movement and associated actions. Modes include career, training, local wireless and Wi-Fi play plus online rankings; as a bonus, the original Track and Field (which in the 80's appeared in arcades, on computer systems, and on home consoles) can be unlocked.

Other Media

Simon Belmont Official Art

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