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General Information
Date Released: 1993
Heroes: Richter Belmont and Maria Renard
Stage Number: 12
Size: 390MB
Original System(s)
PC-Engine: Turbo Duo (Japan only)
..................... ......Alternate Names/Systems
(1) Also known as Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo -- translation: Demon Castle Dracula X: Circle of Blood
(2) Sony PSP: The localized port is titled Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Ported To
Sony PSP

Re-release Information

2007: Re-released as Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles for the PlayStation Portable; though remade using a 2.5D presentation, the original version is featured as an extra
2008: Dracula X: Chi no Rondo becomes digitally downloadable on the Japanese version of Wii's Virtual Console via its Shop Channel
2010: After a two-year waiting period, Rondo of Blood finally arrives on the Virtual Console's North American catalogue; an "Import" title, it has received no localization

Manual Story Description

 N/A (click "manual scan" at page's bottom)

Objective/Overview

Much to the dismay of the series' diehard fanbase, Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (translation: Dracula X: Circle of Blood) never made it to NEC's American 16-bit console, the Turbo Grafx CD, due to the system's slow death in what was an already stacked marketplace. While the game is widely regarded as one of the series' strongest pillars, it appeared until the announcement of The Dracula X Chronicles that Rondo would ever see re-release due to confusing legal issues combined with a modern climate where classic gaming is often frowned upon by even console suppliers, which is really a shame considering the game's influence.

Its stage-by-stage style of play is derived chiefly from Dracula's Curse (and even Vampire Killer in terms of design) though more compressed: That is, with all things being equal, there are two possible paths you can travel to reach the final stage for the battle with Count Dracula. There's a "regular" path and an "alternate" path starting after stage one, in either case a four-stage chain that leads to stage six, where it becomes strictly linear. You're not confined to a given path because you can break the chain and switch the current path at any time by finding (or not finding) alternate exits and passageways that lead to regular or alternate bosses. Also of note is that you can rescue Maria very early on, which will unlock the young Renard as a playable character who can then partake in this mission in her own way. Though, Richter and Maria cannot be used in tandem--at least not in the first run-through.

The two characters will have to utilize their distinct abilities if they hope to survive. Richter is the more typical Belmont, commanding the famous whip and sub-weapons, while Maria supplies a rather unique experience with her fancy moves and animal attacks. Each of the two has his or her own ending sequence after the defeat of Dracula, and when the mission's complete, you can go back and use both to achieve a 100% completion rate by unlocking all of the stages and by saving all of the missing women. Click on "review" at the bottom of the page for more information.

Port Differences

Sony PSP: Disappointing to some is that the PSP version of Rondo, as unlocked through the playing of The Dracula X Chronicles, is not a fully faithful port. You'll first notice this when the title screen pops up and you're greeted by new voice acting (German, still, but now featuring English subtitles), a localized logo (Castlevania: Rondo of Blood), and two start-screen options--the new addition a "Quit" option that returns you to Dracula X Chronicles' title screen.

The menus, too, have been redone in English, and the cut-scenes' voice acting has been re-recorded to match those found in the remade Rondo and the tweaked Symphony of the Night, which have also been re-acted by the very same voice talent. Richter and Maria's voice samples have been changed to English to reflect this; too, some enemy cries and sound effects have been swapped for newer samples. The in-game start menu has been changed and now includes the option "Quick Save," which allows you to save your progress at any time and resume right from the very same position upon continuing.

One glaring change is faulty sound emulation, which results in stage themes ending and restarting rather than looping plus cut-scenes that don't synch with either the music or voice acting.

Nintendo Wii: The Virtual Console's emulation of the original title is perfect, but its intro has for some reason seen a change. That is, the original voice actor has been replaced with another--the fellow who provided the German voice-over for the PSP remake. While it's just a simple swapping of tracks, it does prevent the final package from being wholly faithful. For now, we can only guess that there was some type of agreement with the original voice actor that prohibits the use of his work outside of Japan.

Soundtrack and Credits

Soundtrack
Opening and Ending Themes: 1 - Requiem | 2 - Overture | 3 - March of the Holy Man | 4 - Mary Samba
Stage Themes: 1 - Richter vs. Death | 2 - Opposing Bloodlines | 3 - Vampire Killer | 4 - Cross a Fear | 5 - Bloody Tears | 6 - Cemetery | 7 - Beginning | 8 - Opus 13 | 9 - Picture of a Ghost Ship | 10 - Slash | 11 - Road to the Enemy | 12 - Poison Mind | 13 - The Den
Battle Themes: 1 - Dancing in Phantasmic Hell | 3 - Illusionary Dance
Miscellaneous Themes: 1 - Prayer | 2 - Annet's Fate | 3 - Stage Clear | 4 - All Clear | 5 - Death | 6 - Game Over | 7 - Richter's Ending (Cut-Scene) | 8 - Maria's Ending (Cut-Scene)

Links
Music Files: MP3 and MIDI
Soundtrack Release: Dracula Battle Perfect Selection Vol. 1, Dracula Battle Perfect Selection Vol. 2, Akumajou Dracula MIDI Collection and Castlevania Best Music Collections Box
Game Credits: Available

Other Characters

Lesser Enemies: Skeleton, Ape Skeleton, Zombie, Vampire Bat, Fishman, Medusa Head, Flea Men, Skeledragon, Blood Skeleton, Ghost, Black Crow, Pillar of Bones, Axe Knight, Axe Lord, Floating Eye, Panther Skeleton, Spear Guard, Giant Rock Fighter, Mace Knight, Sword Lord, Wereskeleton, Behemoth, Paranthropus, Water Skull, Mad Frog, Mud Man, Spider, Gargoyle, Harpy, Yellow Medusa Head, Flea Rider, Three-Eyed Skull, Bone Archer, Blade Master, Phantom Skull, Spine, Flail Guard, Giant Fleaman, Bone Musket, Spinning Picture, Spectral Sword, Ectoplasm, Stone Rose, Blade Skeleton, Armor Lord, Grave Keeper, Bone Halberd, Hawk, Tombstone, Zombie Hands and Cyclops Worker
Bosses: Wyvern, Water Dragon, Werewolf, Bone Golem, Minotaur, Dogether, Dullahan, Carmilla and Laura, The Grim Reaper, Phantom Bat, Medusa, Mummies, Frankenstein, Shaft and Shaft's Ghost
Dracula Forms: Dracula and Dracula's Ghost
Supporting Cast: Annet Renard, Maria Renard, the Ferryman, Shaft, Iris and Tera

Character Lists

Lesser Enemies | Bosses | Dracula Forms | Supporting Cast

. . .

Main Arsenal

Hero Image
Statistics
Full Name: Richter Belmont
Main Weapon: Vampire Killer Whip
Weapon Power-Up: Flame Whip
Alternate Weapons: None
Sub-Weapon Power-Up: Can item-crash all mystic weapons
Special Abilities: Can backflip
Armor: None

Limitations: Richter is more or less a standard Belmont. He's quick and agile, and his jumps can be controlled very well. Even then, he leaps so gracefully that it's often difficult to pinpoint where he's going to land. Though, he's very under control: Mainly, he can jump onto and off of stairs at will without a problem. Weapon-wise, Richter controls traditionally: He can only swing the whip in two directions, and it can't be powered up past its initial chain whip form (except for the temporary flame blast). Also, by quickly tapping forward twice after a whip stroke, Richter can add some length to the attack. Richter makes up for any deficiencies with his item-crashing ability; using this ability, Richter can add super power to his sub-weapons (at the cost of hearts) to take down stronger enemies in seconds. Finally, Richter has available a backflip maneuver, which is useful when attempting to escape from in-close combat and incoming projectiles.


Hero Image
Statistics
Full Name: Maria Renard
Main Weapon: Birds
Weapon Power-Up: None
Alternate Weapons: None
Sub-Weapon Power-Up: Can item-crash animal friends and magic book
Special Abilities: Can double-jump, crawl and somersault quickly; she can also project forward an image of herself
Armor: None
Limitations: Maria is a bit faster than Richter but not as tough physically. Because of this trait, Maria takes excessive damage for enemy contact. Beyond this point of concern, it's all positive for the young Maria: She can double-jump, to reach high-up platforms and item-holders, and to sky over most ground-based enemies. She can also crawl quickly and somersault forward in a blaze, speeding over collapsing bridges and squeezing through the narrowest of passages all the same. Her main weapon of choice is her bird attack, wherein she can throw forward doves, two at a time, which are surprisingly destructive. While most of her sub-weapon-like animal friends are nothing special, they at least offer variety of attack; though, the item-crashes therein, especially the dragon, can be insanely powerful. To cement her superiority, she can use a projection spell to surprise enemies and attack without even approaching them.

Weapon Name
Weapon Image
Description
Vampire Killer
Steel-enhanced family-created whip
Flame Whip
Whip becomes enflamed shortly when item-crash button is hit
Dove
Small short-range-flying doves that can attack in twos


Magical Items
Item Name
Image
Found In
Usage
Heart
Candle, Structure, Enemy
Powers Mystic Weapons
Big Heart
Candle, Structure, Enemy
Powers Mystic Weapons
Giant Heart
Hidden On Stage 3'
Powers Mystic Weapons
Invisibility Potion
Candle, Structure, Enemy
Renders You Invincible
Rosary
Candle, Structure, Enemy
Clears Screen of All Enemies
Key
Candle
Opens Locked Doors
Money Bag
Candle, Enemy
Adds to Point Total/Currency
Pot Roast
Wall
Richter Energy Restore
Giant Roast
Wall
Richter Energy Restore
Rotting Roast
Wall
Richter Energy Restore
Cake Slice
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Giant Cake
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Cheese
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Burger
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Lollipop
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Sushi
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Pudding
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Miso Soup
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Ice Cream
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Star
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
Parfait
Wall
Maria Energy Restore
One-Up
Wall
Adds One Life to Your Stock
Richter Doll
Wall
An Extra Life For Maria
Crystal
Boss Creature
Clears Stage of All Evil



Sub-Weapons
Weapon Name
Image
Heart Consumption
Comments
Dagger
One
Richter Only
Holy Water
One
Richter Only
Cross
One
Richter Only
Axe
One
Richter Only
Stopwatch
Five
Both Can Use
Holy Book
Three
Richter Only
Bird
One
Maria Only
Cat
Three
Maria Only
Dragon
Five
Maria Only
Egg
Three
Maria Only
Turtle
Three
Maria Only
Music Book
Three
Maria Only

Screenshots & Media

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

Quick-Reference Links
Category
Availability
What's Inside
Stages:
Regular and alternate stage listing plus complete maps
Review:
The Turbo-Grafx 16's relent: A look at the great foreign title
Codes:
Missing Women Locations | Hidden Rooms and Goodies | More

Magazine Coverage
Item Name
Description
Shown is the 35-page strategy guide with samples for its information guide
An ad as it appeared in gaming publications (contributed by Balsamicosu)

Text Documents and Help Files
Walkthroughs
FAQs
Other Files
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Scenes, Packaging Scans and More
American Version
Japanese Version
European Version
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