Alternate Names/Systems
Akumajo Dracula X Chronicles -- translation: Demon Castle Dracula X
Chronicles (Japan)

Re-release Info.

2008: It's re-released under Konami's "Greatest Hits" line
2009: Similarly, it's released in Japan under the company's "Konami the Best' line
2009: It's re-released again in Japan, this time under the "Best Selection" line
2009: It's digitally re-released on the Playstation Network, downloadable for play only on the PSP

Manual Story Description

In the halcyon days if yore, overripe with peace and prosperity, not a soul believed that tomorrow could bring anything but more of the more tranquil plenty about them...
But peace and prosperity always give rise to the wicked; those who would deny mankind comfort, and grow bored of peace.
A dark congregation of such villains began to gather, plotting to revive an unholy power to destroy the decadent world and begin anew.
Their ambitions for the new world to be born grew steadily, mirrored in the leering grins etched upon their face.
A century later, that vile creature was reborn unto the world.
Taking the form of bat, wolf, or mist at will, he stalked the land by night, draining young maidens of their blood to feed his own immortality.
Thus the malefic Count Dracula, lord of Castlevania, came to live again.

Objective/Overview

At long last, after years of listening to the cries of long-suffering Castlevania fans, Konami brings to mass audiences Dracula X: Chi no Rondo, a critically acclaimed classic and series standout that until now was designated to relative obscurity and recognized only as a relic of NEC and Hudson Soft's PC-Engine, which knew no successful western counterpart. It's true that this is only part of the package in Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, whose main attraction is a 3D-sidescrolling remake of Rondo (now called Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, as localized); included for posterity, in telling the complete tale, is the original PC-Engine title, slightly refurbished, plus its direct sequel, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which has also been altered in allowing for a new playable character in Maria Renard (retrofitted specifically for Chronicles and not made to appear as she did in the Sega Saturn version, with which this version of Symphony should not be mistaken).

You're going to have to do some work to get the most out of The Dracula X Chronicles, which at first has only available for play the remade Rondo of Blood. By satisfying certain conditions, you will eventually unlock the original Rondo of Blood (which has been fully localized in terms of text/subtitles and voice acting) and Chronicles' version of Symphony of the Night, which otherwise play as you remember them. It should be made clear that the remade Rondo is not fully faithful to the original--while structurally the same, it has to it new story-based cut-scenes, gameplay features, bosses, unlockables plus other tweaks that have been made to surprise fans of the original title. Twelve stages of old-style Castlevania, as accessed through normal and alternate routes, await heroes Richter Belmont and Maria Renard (should you rescue her) in their respective bids to hunt down the nefarious Count Dracula and rescue their fellow townsfolk.

While the unlocking of both the original Rondo and the Maria-enhanced Symphony is extra enough, there's more of the usual trimmings from our good friends at Konami: The remade Rondo features its own "Boss Rush" mode, a staple of recent titles that can now be enjoyed by two players thanks to the PSP's AD-HOC (local wireless) capability. And there's also the ever-present "Sound" mode, which you can bolster by collecting CD icons in the main mode.

Japanese/European Differences

N/A

Soundtrack and Credits (Remake Only)

Soundtrack
Opening and Ending Themes: 1 - Requiem | 2 - Ending | 3 - The Dawn
Stage Themes: 1 - Divine Bloodlines | 2 - Vampire Killer | 3 - Cross Fear | 4 - Bloody Tears | 5 - Cemetery | 6 - Dreams of Triumph | 7 - Slash | 8 - Ghost Ship Painting | 9 - Red Dawn | 10 - Opus 13 | 11 - Former Room | 12 - Moon Fight | 13 - The Den | 14 - Poison Mind
Battle Themes: 1 - Tues Deus Meus | 2 - Dance of Illusions
Miscellaneous Themes: 1 - Demo Scene 01 | 2 - Demo Scene 02 | 3 - Demo Scene 03 | 4 - Op.13 | 5 - Cavern of Dark Spawn | 6 - Extra | 7 - Stage Clear | 8 - All Clear | 9 - Player Out | 10 - Game Over

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

Other Characters (Remade Version)

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, L. Vampire, Hydra, Shaft and Shaft's Ghost
Dracula Forms: Dracula, Dracula's Ghost and True Dracula
Supporting Cast: Annet Renard, Maria Renard, the Ferryman, Shaft, Iris and Tera

Character Lists

Lesser Enemies | Bosses | Dracula Forms | Supporting Cast

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.