Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (psp: 2007): Reviews

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Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles


8.9

based on 43 reviews
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based on 13 votes
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Cheat Code Central

Official Website

Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is an entirely new take at the best Castlevania game to never be released in the US, "Castlevania: Rondo of Blood". The Dracula X Chronicles brings this action/adventure franchise to the PSP system for the first time, complete with 3D graphics, enhanced gameplay and new music. Completing the Dracula X storyline, this game also includes an unlockable version of Symphony of the Night and players will also be able to unlock the original Rondo of Blood from the NEC PC Engine. Includes unlockable versions of the original "Rondo of Blood" and "Symphony of the Night" games, optimized for the PSP. Timeless side scrolling action through more than 10 gothic stages and additional hidden areas. Return to previously completed levels to find additional secrets. [Konami]

PUBLISHER:	Konami
DEVELOPER:	Konami
GENRE(S):	Action, Adventure
PLAYERS:	2
ESRB RATING:	T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE:	October 23, 2007

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Thunderbolt

Between Rondo of Blood, its beautiful 3D remake and its legendary sequel, there's a lot of quality gaming here.

PSM Magazine

With this UMD, you get a wonderful piece of history and two of the best action adventures ever programmed. [Nov 2007, p.82]

GamePro

If you own a PSP, there is no excuse for you to not own this title. [Nov 2007, p.95]

Gamer 2.0

Castlevania has never had more content packed in than it does right here, taking what many consider the two greatest games in the series and including more dialogue, more playable characters, and other nice little extras, and throwing them into a nice, convenient, must-own $30 package.

Gamers' Temple

A must-buy in every sense of the phrase. A high challenge level, two games for the price of one and some very rewarding unlockables make this one of the best PSP games to date.

Gaming Age

For anyone else who may wonder what the hubbub is all about, if you have the patience to endure many levels repeatedly in an old school side scrolling fashion, then this is a great start for you. Nevertheless, this game fills in the gaps and tells the tale before the greatest Castlevania title of all time, and includes it in the package to boot.

Worth Playing

From the moment you power on your PSP to the moment you turn it off, Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles does a remarkable job of pulling you into the Castlevania universe and immersing you in the difficult, but ultimately rewarding gameplay.

Da Gameboyz

In Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles, Konami has finally brought the original Dracula X to North America and gave it a 2.5 D update that will have a ton of Castlevania junkies clamoring for more of the same.

GameTap

But what really got me taking momentary breaks from the action was coming to the realization of just how much I miss this type of Castlevania game.

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

An incredibly good value. [May 2008, p.106]

Game Almighty

The Dracula X Chronicles is simply a great package for old school Castlevania fans and newcomers alike.

GamingTrend

This is some of the best 2D platforming to ever be released.

Play Magazine

Given the obscurity of the original PC engine origins and all the extras that play to true fans, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is an esoteric gem. [Oct 2007, p.92]

Cheat Code Central

The gameplay is challenging and interesting, the content is varied and encompasses two full games, and the attention to detail is great.

GameTrailers

A smart package of everything good about the series down to the last crumb of skeleton dust.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Classic "Rondo" alone would be a great budget title for virgin Western audiences; adding a remake and "Symphony" turns this into a no-brainer. [Nov 2007, p.120]

GameSpot

Taken together, the three games included in Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles make up a compelling package.

1UP

The Dracula X Chronicles isn't a perfect compilation; the original games suffer from some nagging issues, and the remakes aren't an across-the-board improvement. Even so, it would be a must-play for fans of classic action games even without its historical significance. As it is, fans of action games should play it simply because it plays well; fans of Castlevania should add it to their collections immediately and never let it go.

GameSpy

Sure, the 3D remake's a bit lukewarm, but that's only the appetizer. The main course? Two of the greatest exercises in virtual vampire slaying the world has yet seen. We'll pay $30 for that, no problem.

IGN

Besides the difficulty and somewhat finicky jumping mechanics, it’s an impressive game with a lot going for it. And if you're new to the series, this compilation may be even more worth your attention because of its strong components. Just remember the nature of the challenge, because things can get real tricky, real fast.

GameDaily

The real prize, though, are the game's unlockable goodies -- an improved version of the original Rondo of Blood and the best version of Symphony of the Night to date. For a $30 compilation bursting with content, Castlevania doesn't suck.

DarkStation

Or if you are the one reading right now and you like Castlevania and have always wanted to see what the fuss was about for Rondo of Blood, then this is a great game to go check out, I would highly recommend it.

GameZone

Castlevania fans will certainly find a lot to love about The Dracula X Chronicles for the PSP and, while the different versions of these classics are still too hard, these classics are just way too good to pass up.

Gamestyle

As a game, the remake of Rondo of Blood would have been a worthwhile purchase through Live arcade. As a collection, the Dracula X Chronicles is a fine example of how to compile a package.

Games Master UK

A treat for fans of side-scrolling adventures - provided they have the stomach for the slog. [Mar 2008, p.72]

PTGamers

This Castlevania on PSP is a gem for fans of the franchise. It includes a previously unreleased version out of Japan, but above all the remake, packed with quality.

Gameplayer

A simple, yet timeless addition to any collection.

AceGamez

If you enjoy some side scrolling adventuring action and consider yourself a hardcore gamer then you should consider picking this up as well.

PALGN

Despite some questionable design and admin decisions, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is one of the best retro gaming compilations that you'll ever find, though casuals need not apply.

Play UK

But the fact that it is no more than an aesthetic update hurts. [Issue#163, p.82]

Destructoid

The only problems lie in some load issues and poor hit detection -- while serious, they don't hinder gameplay completely. It just gives you something to blame all your suckiness on.

EuroGamer

This is really a release made for, and by, Castlevania fans. If you don't think much of the series, this isn't going to change your mind.

Edge Magazine

A sometimes grim but always compelling experience. [Christmas 2007, p.96]

Total Video Games

Demonically difficult, heart-shatteringly hard, Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is a gamer's game. Solid in both respects of the word, Konami's elderly iconic franchise fits perfectly on PSP for some vampire killing on the move...even if you do feel like throwing the handheld into a wall at times.

VideoGamer

The game is certainly rewarding and fun if you can get into it. Unfortunately we can't see the average gamer having the patience to do just that.

games(TM)

As long as you’re prepared to die over and over again, then Richter Belmont’s restored adventure should be considered a rare PSP treat. [Mar 2008, p.130]

PSM3 Magazine UK

It's hard. Harder than talking Dracula into a booking a beach holiday. [Mar 2008, p.80]

Games Radar

If you're a Castlevania completist, or just a fan of old school gaming, then pick up this bloodsucker.

Game Informer

As a reinvented version of a 16-bit game, this looks quite nice on the PSP's sharp display, but it plays like nobody's greased the machinery since its original 1993 release. [Oct 2007, p.127]

Pocket Gamer UK

A good-looking, deep and engaging package that should be in any self-respecting gamer's collection, save for the fact that many who lack the skill, talent and time to succeed in it won't be able to access at least half of what's on offer.

Maxi Consolas (Portugal)

Even for all the respect and love that the Castlevania series deserves, the gameplay mechanics fell completely out of date. But if you look at it as a “collection item”, it manages to deliver. New players will become desperate with its old fashion gameplay and difficulty, but that’s exactly what Castlevania fans are looking for here. [March 2008]

Ferrago

The problem is that while to the existing fan base the retro design and gameplay are all part of the experience newer gamers will probably view those same qualities in a far more negative light.

Playstation Official Magazine UK

This might have seemed enjoyable 14 years ago, but then again so did MC Hammer. [Feb 2008, p.91]

The average user rating for this game is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

T Link gave it an8:
I've played nearly all the Castlevania games and have beaten most of them. My all-time fave is definitely Symphony of The Night and the great part is, you don't have to beat the difficult Rondo of Blood to unlock it (you can do it in Level 3.) Rondo has awesome graphics but is a very hard game. Instead of the backslide move they give you a backflip. Which is unforgiving, as you often land on a monster while executing the move to escape another. Also, it's hard to use the backflip to reach upper platforms. It looks like you should be able to get higher with a backflip to reach them, but for some reason I miss half the time. The monsters drain much of your life and when die you have to restart at the beginning of the level, which is harsh by today's standards. Buy Dracula X for Symphony of The Night unless you're a hardcore gamer that likes a tough challenge. Worth the money, definitely.

Young Frank gave it a9:
This Castlevania game for the PSP is a winner. If you're a fan of the more recent series, you may find the linear nature of Rondo a bit shocking, but it's still very enjoyable and fun. If your still unhappy, there's the level select with branching paths, as well as the fantastic Symphony of the Night as an unlockable that you can fall back on. All three games have great value, are very replayable, and should eat up plenty of unconstructive time spent staring out the window on the bus or in waiting rooms or something. The characters mouths and facial expressions never move and the voice acting is a little painful, but it's forgivable- especially as the game supports stereo surround and the music is good enough to make up for it. The whole package is accessible and sold at a bargain price, and this game has not left me wanting for more. I'm glad the first Castlevania game for the PSP was so good and stuck to it's roots, and I'm looking forward to another PSP installment of the series. Try this game- today!

Alex W. gave it a6:
I would've liked to see the games actually optimized for the PSP. SotN IS the PSone version... I was hoping to atleast get the 16:9 resolution, the games themselves are still GREAT, but just not near as good a compilation as it could've been.

Marc. D. gave it a9:
Judged on their own merits, the sum of this compilation's parts stand up very well as action titles. However, as a whole, they form the best value in gaming this side of The Orange Box. Besides some lingering control issues and horrible voice acting in SOTN...the game packs a remarkable amount of quality into its UMD. A true gem for all PSP owners.

Jacob P. gave it a10:
Excellent. It has Symphony of the Night on it! Plus a brand new, addictive remake of Rondo of Blood! If you're a fan of Castlevania or the prospect of going head to head with Dracula- geddit now!

Cody gave it a10:
A great game. The 3d remake looks great, sounds great, and plays great. In Symphony you can even play as Maria. All of this and tons of replay value make it a perfect game.