2009:
   Nintendo DS
   Developed By: Konami
   Release Date: Japan - January 15th
The DS title is re-released in Japan as part of the Konami the Best series.

2024:
   Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X and Steam (Castlevania Dominus Collection)
   Developed By: M2 | Published By: Konami
   Release Date: North America - August 27th
Portrait of Ruin comes to multiple platforms as part of the digital Castlevania Dominus Collection. Check the Castlevania Dominus Collection page for more information.

2025:
   Nintendo Switch 2 (Castlevania Dominus Collection)
   Developed By: M2 | Published By: Konami
   Release Date: All Territories - June 5th
By virtue of the Switch 2 being backward compatible with the original Switch, this collection, which includes Portrait of Ruin, becomes playable on the machine on its release day.
   Nintendo Switch, PS5 and Xbox Series X (Castlevania Dominus Collection)
   Developed By: M2 | Published By: Limited Run Games
   Release Date: North America - March 31st
Thanks to Limited Run Games, Castlevania Dominus Collection sees a physical release. Check the Castlevania Dominus Collection page for more information.
   Nintendo Switch and PS5 (Castlevania Dominus Collection)
   Developed By: M2 | Published By: SUPERDELUXE GAMES
   Release Date: Japan - September 18th
Thanks to SUPERDELUXE GAMES, Castlevania Dominus Collection sees a physical release. Check the Castlevania Dominus Collection page for more information.

In following the trend of yearly releases, Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin hits the Nintendo DS just fourteen months after the system's own Dawn of Sorrow. Inspired by the previous title's innovation, the well-received "Julius Mode" extra, the creators sought to include in the main game a similar team concept, which manifests itself as the new "Partner System." It's here where the player can control two characters at one time in experiencing Konami's latest RPG-adventure.

Your mission is to guide Jonathan Morris (son of John Morris) and Charlotte Aulin through Dracula's segmented castle and into eight paintings (with an extra painting optional) to destroy a series of bosses and unlock a special painting where hiding is antagonist Brauner. Other challenges met within the game and its familiar map system include assault from the series' largest-ever assortment of unique minor enemies; devious tricks, traps, and other platforming perils; and the satisfying of "quests" that will earn from Wind special skills, weapons and other goodies. To counter, you can gain levels via the RPG system (the current level shared by both characters), equip the heroes with more advanced weapons and armor (which accounts for their sub-weapons and dual-crush abilities), and earn specific skills that provide the usual accessibility moves. Such processes and the paying of attention to events will corral the game's best ending.

Not surprisingly, Portrait has plenty of extras presented in "modes," which grow more robust as your main mission progresses and is ultimately completed: (1) The Shop Mode, using which you can play shopkeep and sell to others items from your inventory using the DS' local wireless or Wi-Fi Connection. (2) Co-op Mode, where you can use said wireless to connect with friends and play through a series of short levels. (3) Boss Rush Mode, where available are three levels of challenge--each infested by minor enemy and boss alike. And (5) the Sound Mode, opened after game's completion. Additionally, earning the game's best ending will unlock for the main mode other character pairs for play: Richter Belmont and Maria Renard plus Stella and Loretta; both pairs' unrelated missions play out in their own way, without storyline, and offer unique ending sequences. You can otherwise take control of Old Axe Armor by defeating one thousand of the enemy of the same name; the surprisingly nimble Axe Armor, like the others, has its own mission.

European Version
- The European version, also named Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin, comes packaged with a two-sided poster--the front of which matches the artwork seen on the alternate side of the timeline found in the U.S. pre-order bonus package.
- In addition to being bereft of most of the glitches as found in the other-territory versions, this version's inventory screen is free of certain typos and misspellings (Charlotte's name, Jonathan's leggings, etc.).

Soundtrack

Links
Music Files: MP3
Soundtrack Release: Official Soundtrack and Castlevania Best Music Collections Box
Game Credits: Available

Lesser Enemies

Bosses

Dracula Forms

Supporting Cast