Castlevania Anniversary Collection

 Switch
Castlevania Anniversary Collection Image
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81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

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  • Summary: Classics that defined the Castlevania series.

    This KONAMI Castlevania Collection is designed to be a collection around the origins of the historic franchise. Included is a unique eBook that has details provided by developers, artists and other inspired by the Castlevania legacy. Released as    Classics that defined the Castlevania series.

    This KONAMI Castlevania Collection is designed to be a collection around the origins of the historic franchise.
    Included is a unique eBook that has details provided by developers, artists and other inspired by the Castlevania legacy.
    Released as part of the KONAMI 50th Anniversary celebration, now the best time to relive these timeless classics that helped define the platformer genre.

    Game List:

    Castlevania (1987/US, 1988/EU)
    Enter At Your Own Risk! If you think it's scary on the outside, wait till you see the basement.
    You're in for the longest night of your life. Ghosts, goblins, demons, wolves, bats creatures lurking around every corner. Better pick up a weapon or two, because when you finally meet the Count, you know he'll be going for the jugular.

    Castlevania Simon's Quest1988/US, 1990/EU) NES
    This title tells the tale of Simon's subsequent adventures following the events in Castlevania.
    Unlike the previous installment, this one was developed as an action RPG. It maintains the action elements of its predecessor but mainly focuses on exploration and puzzle solving within a far more expansive game world.

    Castlevania Dracula's Curse (1990/US, 1992/EU) NES
    Led by the immortal Count Dracula, the greatest army of evil ever assembled is poised to bury mankind in a tomb of terror. Destroying His legions will be the supreme challenge for the mightiest warrior.
    100 years before Simon Belmont's birth, Dracula is young at heart and it will take more than a stake to penetrate his evil. Luckily, you command the role of Trevor - Simon's forefather and the original vampire slayer.

    Super Castlevania (1991/US, 1992/EU) SNES
    A century of Transylvanian tranquility is about to come to a shocking end. Once again the mortifying screams of helpless villagers shake the ground as they shrink from new horrors unleashed by the Duke of Darkness, Count Dracula. And this time he has a tombstone with your name on it, Simon Belmont.

    Castlevania The Adventure (1989/US, 1991/EU) GB
    This is the first title in the series to be released on the Game Boy handheld game console.
    The variety of power-ups available for the whip added depth to the strategy of the gameplay.

    Castlevania Belmont's Revenge (1991/US, 1992/EU) GB
    Fifteen years after vanquishing the evil Count Dracula, Christopher Belmont now faces a vampire swearing vengeance. Drac's back. And he's turned your son, Soleil Belmont, into a deadly demon to do his dirty deeds. To rescue him from the Count's clutches, you must first track him down through four creep packed castles.

    Castlevania Bloodlines (1994) GEN
    Unlike the medieval setting of the other titles, this installment takes place during World War I. It introduces new elements to the series, such as the ability to choose one of two characters when starting the game.
    Huge bosses with dynamic, multi-jointed limbs that move erratically are just one of the many examples of the cutting-edge effects the game had for the time.

    Kid Dracula (1990/Japan exclusive) NES
    With its laugh-inducing content and world full of gags, this spinoff is unlike anything else in the series. Players take control of Dracula's son (or so he says...), Kid Dracula, as he goes on a hilarious adventure filled with laughs that also satisfies as a full-fledged action game.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Cubed3
    Jun 12, 2019
    90
    The Castlevania Anniversary Collection is a required pick-up for fans of the classic whip-slinging series. Granted, there are a couple of minor problems with this set, most notably the lack of button-remapping. Hopefully they're being worked on. Still, it's hard to argue with having four of the all-time best action-platformers around. Plus you get four other games, which range from awful to pretty good. Whether you decide to pick this up now, or wait for the region-select and other fixes, you're guaranteed a good time.
  2. Nintendo Force Magazine
    Feb 27, 2020
    85
    New hunters and old warriors alike will appreciate such a well-curated compendium of "Classic- vania" treasures. [Issue #40 – July/August 2019, p. 21]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Gaming Age
    May 29, 2019
    83
    The Castlevania Anniversary Collection is a great selection of games and will make its reputation on M2’s emulation and another neat Bonus Book but the lack of ability to remap buttons and issues with screen options are more annoying than you would expect. If these things were changed then it would be an easy recommendation but for now it’s still a pretty good and only way to play these games on modern consoles. I’m hoping Konami stops dropping the ball on the presentation and options in any future collections because more are on the way and these are bringing down what are quality collections!
  4. Nintendo Life
    May 20, 2019
    80
    Despite the sheer volume of solid gold hits in the series, Castlevania Anniversary Collection is a somewhat mixed bag from Konami, with stone-cold classics sharing the spotlight with a couple of undead clunkers that really should have remained dead and buried. Still, even with the questionable inclusion of Simon's Quest and Castlevania: The Adventure, the 'highs' on offer are among the highest points in the entire franchise, and a Western debut for Kid Dracula is a lovely treat for retro gamers looking for something new. As long as you’re willing to ignore the lesser titles in this package and you're not too bummed out by the omission of other classic entries, then you’re going to have a very good time with what’s left – and there's always room for Castlevania Anniversary Collection 2, we guess.
  5. SpazioGames
    May 24, 2019
    80
    This is a much better way to pay homage to a glorious franchise than the Classics Arcade Collection of some weeks ago: download it if you love Castlevania or intend to discover the series for the first time.
  6. Nintendo Insider
    May 20, 2019
    80
    Its lineup maintains to be solid enough and there are various in-game options with savestates, screen orientations, a reply mode, and so on. It’s just a shame that there isn’t a dedicated music gallery to rock out to, for the Castlevania series has some of the best soundtracks in gaming history. It’s all fairly priced though, and with future version additions and an impressive legacy, the Castlevania Anniversary Collection is another welcome boost to Nintendo Switch’s ever-expanding retro library.
  7. Digitally Downloaded
    May 20, 2019
    70
    Castlevania Anniversary Collection is an excellent, high quality retro collection. It is of a collection where too many of the games don't hold enough value beyond their nostalgia, and it's lacking titles I would have considered to be key. However, with a great set of features, and plenty of classic dark fantasy platforming, this package is a useful reminder of just how prestigious the entire franchise really is.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Steyraus
    Feb 3, 2021
    10
    If u have a Switch you need this Collection Compilations like this are the Switches strength. Best games of history and you can play them anywhere.
  2. ExplosPlankton
    Aug 9, 2021
    10
    Out of the many retro collections that have been released lately, this is probably the best one. Would love to see another one that includesOut of the many retro collections that have been released lately, this is probably the best one. Would love to see another one that includes all the metroidvania style games.… Expand
  4. kasparius
    May 17, 2019
    10
    I know most of these games really well, so I'm giving it a 10 based on the spot on emulation by M2 and ease of access. With multiple displayI know most of these games really well, so I'm giving it a 10 based on the spot on emulation by M2 and ease of access. With multiple display options, save states, and a nice presentation, for $19.99 this package is a steal that lets you play some of the absolute best titles in this great franchise.… Expand
  5. Parkerx87
    Oct 13, 2021
    9
    Best collection on Switch along with the advance collection.
    You will have so much fun with these classic games.
  6. PlayedonSwitch
    Jun 6, 2019
    8
    The lack of control mapping is a problem, but other than that it's a solid emulation of great castlevania games.
  7. Nintendopost24
    Jun 1, 2019
    8
    8 jeux cultes pour moins de 20 euros parmis lesquels 2 monuments des jeux actions plate-forme 16bits, cette compilation est honorable.8 jeux cultes pour moins de 20 euros parmis lesquels 2 monuments des jeux actions plate-forme 16bits, cette compilation est honorable. Castlevania Anniversary Collection bénéficie d’une émulation très solide et techniquement fidèle au matériel original. Les fans apprécieront également l’Ebook inédit dévoilant des artworks magnifiques sur la saga. SVP Konami, faites revivre cette merveilleuse licence, Dracula n’en peut plus d’attendre!… Expand
  8. Castlemania
    May 17, 2019
    5
    Bad sound emulation. No controller mapping options. Bad display options. These sour an otherwise good retro collection.

See all 12 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best Switch Game of 2019
42
#42 Most Shared Switch Game of 2019

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