2001:
   PlayStation
   Developed By: Konami
   Release Date: See its game page for details
It's re-released as Castlevania Chronicles for the Sony PlayStation; though its main draw is a slightly updated version of Akumajou Dracula, the original game is kept completely intact in what is called the "normal mode."

As translated by Solar Boy:

"Transylvania, a small, peaceful country in Europe's Middle Ages. In this country, there is a legend about Dracula.

'Once every hundred years, when powers of Christ weaken, the prayers of those with evil hearts revive the Demon King Dracula. Then, upon his return, his dark powers grow more powerful.'

Once, long ago, Dracula returned to this world. However, Dracula's ambitions to enshroud the whole world with clouds of evil and rule over a world of darkness were crushed thanks to the hero Christopher Belmont.

Dracula was defeated by Christopher Belmont in a battle to the death, and once again entered a hundred year slumber in the Transylvanian countryside. One Easter night, a town held a grand carnival commemorating the resurrection of Christ. However, in a ruined cathedral on the outskirts of town, heretics poured human blood over the remains of Count Dracula in a Black Mass ceremony, hoping to resurrect the Undying.

Then, at the moment when evil clouds covered the town, and a bolt of lightning tore through the cathedral, the Demon King Dracula, with evil ambition, once again returned to this world.

To solve this crisis, Simon, a young man inheriting the blood of the Belmont line, took up the whip imbued with strange powers, which he inherited from his father, and set off alone towards Castle Dracula."

For some notes on this translation, please read Solar Boy's translation file.

After supplying to the PC Engine its own exclusive series title, Konami attempted to expand its reach by issuing another for Sharp's considerable X68000, a Japan-only computer system known for its perfect arcade ports. Thus, X68000 users were blessed with their own Japanese exclusive: Akumajou Dracula X68000 (translation: Demon Castle Dracula X68000). As it did with Super Castlevania IV, Konami designated Akumajou Dracula X68000 as another iteration of the NES classic Castlevania, a rendition of Simon Belmont's original adventure.

Once again, you'll take control of the now-overworked Simon Belmont and in linear fashion guide him through eight stages, each with its own assortment of dangers and a boss creature. Using the more typical Belmont arsenal, you must reach the final stage, the castle keep, to battle and defeat Count Dracula. While some of the stages are eerily similar to the original's, they're only so superficially--for the purpose of continuity and to play upon your affinity for the original; in reality, the adventure is all new, featuring unique minor enemies, new bosses, more traps, and new terrain for the familiar-looking stages. And, as usual, you can partake in a second, tougher quest after clearing that initial. Really, though, there's nothing overtly new here in terms of conventions.

Soundtrack

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

Lesser Enemies

Bosses

Dracula Forms

Supporting Cast