Re-release Information

1998: It's re-released in Japan as part of Konami Classics 3, for the regular Game Boy, and the compilation features Super Game Boy utilization
2000: It's re -released in Europe as part of Konami Game Boy Collection Vol. 4, for the Game Boy Color, with new four-color schemes added to the entire game

Manual Story Description

FANGS FOR THE MEMORIES
In the first Castlevania Adventure, the fearless vampire hunter Christopher Belmont fought toe-to-toe and whip-to-wing against the vampire king, Count Dracula. Belmont defeated the Count and destroyed his castle, but unfortunately Dracula used what remained of his magical powers to transform his body into mist, thereby making good his escape. However, his powers were so depleted that he was left unable to transform back into "human" form. The Count decided to wait and rebuild his dark forces. Deep inside his black heart he swore revenge on Christopher Belmont and his family.

Fifteen years later, a ceremony was held in the town of Transylvania. The son of Christopher Belmont, Soleiyu Belmont, had come of age, and it was time for the title of vampire hunter to be passed down to him. The ceremony was to commemorate this occasion. All the citizens of Transylvania rejoiced, hoping that the father-son team of vampire hunters would bring peace to the region forever.

But on the morning after the ceremony, it was discovered that Soleiyu Belmont had vanished into thin air. The ceremony was the chance Dracula had waited for. Soleiyu received great sacred power in the ceremony to mark his adulthood, and Dracula used his last bit of magic to turn Soleiyu's powers against him, transforming him into a terrible demon. Then, aided by Soleiyu-demon, Dracula was able to assume human form once again. That evening, to the northeast of the village, the earth shook with a thunderous roar and four ominous castles appeared. And, hidden in a lake at the center of these castles, was another castle--the new lair of Count Dracula!

Horrified to learn that his son had been altered by the forces of evil, Christopher Belmont determined to save Soleiyu and break the ambitions of the Count. He journeyed to the new castles, each ruled by a different power of darkness placed there by the Soleiyu-demon to stop anyone who would tamper with the mystic spell Dracula had cast upon him. Nevertheless, in order to save the village of Transylvania and free his son, Christopher had no choice but to go fight once again.

Objective/Overview

Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge, the second series' title available for the classic Game Boy, is much improved over the perennially criticized Castlevania: The Adventure. Its method of gameplay is fairly consistent with the classic series' formula, but Konami spruces up the experience by supplying a system of stage-selection, at least to start, which is a commendable use of a Mega Man trademark. That is, you can select to play through the initial four stages in any order you so please, which instills the player with a sense of control and allows you to put off traversing a perceived "tougher" level until you're good and ready. While this doesn't affect the adventure's outcome, it is a welcome addition. That aside, once you've entered into the Count's castle, it settles into classic stage-by-stage gameplay.

You must take control of the returning Christopher Belmont and guide him through the seven-stage affair, wherein he'll battle a bevy of minor enemies, deal with deadly traps, and defeat the stage bosses and eventually Count Dracula. Christopher is more equipped this time around because Konami supplies him both a more typical item selection and the use of sub-weapons (though, there are only two, which is still better than none).

Japanese/European Differences

The Japanese re-release is part of Konami Classics 3 (which also includes Gradius 2, Kekkyoku and Yie Ar Kung-Fu). And, again, the only new addition is the inclusion of an added picture frame for those who choose to play the game with a Super Game Boy accessory. Mechanically, both of the original and re-released Japanese versions are essentially the same as their western counterpart. Though, there is one pretty significant difference in terms of weaponry: The Japanese versions feature the boomerang (or "the cross" as it's known elsewhere) as a sub-weapon in place of the axe.

It was re-released in Europe for the Game Boy Color as part of Konami Game Boy Collection Vol. 4, now featuring differing four-color schemes for each stage area. This version of Belmont's Revenge is closer to the Japanese versions, with the boomerang (cross) in place of the axe. Soleiyu's name in this version is "Soleil," and the game's ending, its intro scene and its dialogue differ slightly text-wise. Also, its sound test features the actual song names rather than the usual "BMG1," "BMG2," and so on.

Soundtrack and Credits

Soundtrack
Opening and Ending Themes: 1 - Opening | 2 - Welcome to Hell | 3 - Castle | 4 - Start | 5 - Journey to Chaos | 6 - Union | 7 - The End of the Day
Stage Themes: 1 - New Messiah | 2 - Ripe Seeds | 3 - Praying Hands | 4 - Psycho Warrior | 5 - Road to the Enemy | 6 - Soleiyu | 7 - Original Sin | 8 - Passpied | 9 - Soleiyu's Room | 10 - Road to Enemy #2
Battle Themes: 1 - Evil Gods | 2 - Chromatische Phantasie | 3 - Sons of Satan
Miscellaneous Themes: 1 - Road to the Enemy | 2 - Castle #2 | 3 - Faith | 4 - Stage Clear | 5 - All Clear | 6 - Death | 7 - Player Miss | 8 - Game Over

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

Other Characters

Lesser Enemies: Mad Man, Punaguchi, Vampire Bat, Big Bat, Raven, Fishman, Rolling Eye, Knight, Zeldo, Rope Skeleton, Spider, Mollusk, Octo, Undermole and Knife Lizard
Bosses: Darkside, Angel Mummy, Kumulo and Nimbler, Iron Doll, Bone Dragon King and Soleiyu Demon
Dracula Forms: Dracula
Supporting Cast: Soleiyu Belmont

Character Lists

Lesser Enemies | Bosses | Dracula Forms | Supporting Cast