2006:
   Wii (Virtual Console)
   Developed By: Konami
   Release Date: Japan - December 2nd | North America - December 25th | PAL Territories - December 29th
The Japanese version, Akumajou Dracula, is re-released for the Nintendo Wii's Virtual Console and is for a price ready to be downloaded digitally; its release marks the first digital re-release in the series' console history. The American version (Super Castlevania IV) of the Virtual Console title sees a Christmas release, with the European version arriving days later. It became unavailable when the service shut down on January 30, 2019.

2013:
   Wii U (Virtual Console)
   Developed By: Konami
   Release Date: Japan - September 11th | PAL Territories - October 31st | North America - October 31st
While the timing of the Japanese release has no real significance, the North American version was slated for release, appropriately, on Halloween, which bears the perfect theme. Though the Wii U Virtual Console is wholly separate from the Wii Virtual Console, you can grab the updated version of the game for $1 if you already own it for the Wii and have already transferred it over to the new system. Aside from the HD-compatible graphical upgrade, the main features are Miiverse integration and off-screen play.

2016:
   New 3DS (Virtual Console)
   Developed By: Konami
   Release Date: North America - September 8th | PAL Territories - October 20th
Following the SNES Virtual Console train wherever it goes, Super Castlevania predictably arrives for download on Nintendo's New 3DS. The game is not available for play with previous 3DS models.

2017:
   Super NES Classic Edition / Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
   Game Developed By: Konami | Machine Published By: Nintendo
   Release Date: North America - September 29th | PAL Territories - September 30th
Super Castlevania IV is one of 21 titles included in Nintendo's miniaturized SNES console--a reminiscently designed plug-and-play device that features digital versions of classic SNES games. The game does not appear in the Japanese-equivalent Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Famicom.

2019:
   PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam (Castlevania Anniversary Collection)
   Developed By: M2 | Published By: Konami
   Release Date: All Territories - May 16th (note that the Steam version only saw a North American release)
Super Castlevania IV appears in this collection as one of eight classic series titles.

2021:
   PS4 and Nintendo Switch (Castlevania Anniversary Collection)
   Developed By: M2 | Published By: Limited Run Games
   Release Date: TBA
Publisher Limited Run Games releases four separate physical versions of the Castlevania Anniversary Collection for the PlayStation 4 (it's also playable on the PlayStation 5) and the Nintendo Switch. Check the Castlevania Anniversary Collection page for more information.

EVIL LURKS IN THE DARKNESS...
In the small country of Transylvania there is a legend which says that every 100 years the forces of Good mysteriously become weak and the forces of Evil gain a foothold into our world. The evil manifests itself in the form of one of the most feared characters to roam the earth--the vampire Dracula!

Every 100 years Dracula is revived and grows stronger and stronger. His goal is to turn all humanity into creatures of darkness, to be ruled under his iron fist. He has appeared in this world many times, and there are many people who fear that in his next appearances, he may be unstoppable.

There is one group that has always been around to see that Dracula is defeated, the Belmont family. For generations the Belmonts have passed along the secrets and skills of vampire-hunting to the eldest child of the family. While many of the Belmonts have lived peaceful lives without encountering Dracula, they remain prepared. There are occasional skirmishes with lesser monsters, but the Belmont clan has always emerged victorious.

Now, 100 years have passed since the last battle between Dracula and the Belmonts. Transylvanians are reporting mysterious sightings of odd creatures appearing under cover of the darkness. As Spring approaches, the citizens prepare for a traditional celebration.

Unbeknownst to them, an evil group of people is holding a ceremony in the old destroyed abbey outside of town, attempting to revive the Prince of Darkness. As they carry out their ritual a dark cloud descends over the countryside. The sinister group stirs itself into a frenzy of mysterious chanting and pagan dancing, then lightning strikes the abbey. The ground bucks under their feet, and the abbey walls shudder. Once again, Dracula is revived!

It is time once again for Simon Belmont to call forth the powers of good to aid him in his battle. Armed with his mystical whip, his courage and the centuries-old knowledge of Belmont family training, he sets forth on his mission...

In the creation of this game--an SNES masterpiece--Konami saw the opportunity to finally supply to its series an overarching storyline, to render a more cohesive feel and a lineage in which to follow. By that token, Super Castlevania IV has the disappointing but very forgivable distinction of being a 16-bit remake of the NES classic Castlevania, a reintroduction, if you will, and not a unique storyline entry. As an alternate rendition of Simon's adventure, though, it's an upgrade in every sense.

Super Castlevania IV may be as its name suggests ("super," indeed), but it doesn't abandon the classic formula; it very much remains true to the series' roots while turning up the volume several notches. And while Konami presents a stage-by-stage experience that doesn't attempt to trump Dracula's Curse's conventions of multiple routes and helper allies, it does go the extra mile in supplying a graphical feast, a superbly realized control scheme, an excellent musical score, and a whole world of new ideas that make the difference between remake and retread. You must take control of the sleek Simon Belmont and guide him through eleven stages, each filled with the dangers to which you've become accustomed plus many frightening, screen-bending new scenarios. Therein, your goal is to reach the final stage and destroy the infamous Count Dracula. As in prior titles of the same formula, you can after the credits play through a second time for a more difficult quest.

Japanese Version
- The Japanese version is identical in terms of mechanics. However, it contains religious themes and mature aspects that are missing from the U.S. version due to Nintendo of America's censorious nature. We see the first example of this in intro scene, whose tombstone has a crucifix on its top.

- The statues in the Main Hall are disrobed.

- You can see the likeness of Jesus Christ in the password screen's top portion.

- On the title screen, blood, rather than water, drips from the game's logo.

- Dracula's name appears on the intro scene's tombstone. Though, it's the Japenglish form of the name (Dracura).

- The graveyard stages' tombstones also bear crucifixes.

- The dungeon stage contains blood-filled pools rather than slime-filled marsh pits. In this scenario, blood, rather than slime, drips from the dungeon's ceiling.
- Also, the dungeon's crushers have a different graphical detail: Their spikes' tips are stained with blood rather than slime.

- The font used in the game's HUD is different. It's more gothic in flavor, and it's colored with darker varities of green and orange (as illustrated in the following screenshot.)

- The sound effect for whip-snaps is different. It's the same sound that's made when you toss a dagger. (Thanks to Danny, Sam and Anthony for this information.)

Prototype Version Differences
Please check the Prototype Version page for information on this subject.

Soundtrack

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

Lesser Enemies

Bosses

Dracula Forms