Re-release Information

(1) 2006: The Japanese version, Akumajou Dracula, is re-released for 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
(2) 2006: The American version (Super Castlevania IV) of the Virtual Console title sees a Christmas release

Manual Story Description

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...

Objective/Overview

In the creation of this 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 truly an upgrade to the highest degree.

Super Castlevania IV may be as its name suggests ("super," indeed), but it very much remains true to the series' roots. And while Konami presents a stage-by-stage experience that doesn't attempt to trump Dracula's Curse's conventions of multiple paths 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. You must take control of the sleek Simon Belmont and guide him through eleven stages filled with the dangers to which you've become accustomed. 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/European Differences

The Japanese version is identical in game mechanics. However, because of the more liberal state of the Japanese culture, religious and mature themes are kept intact--as opposed to those removed from the western version, which includes crosses, disrobed statues, and the image of Jesus Christ plus crucifix atop the slightly altered password screen. There are other examples: (1) On the title screen, blood drips from the game's logo. (2) Dracula's name appears on the tombstone in the intro scene. (3) The graveyard's tombstone's have engraved crosses. And (4) the dungeon level of the castle instead features blood-filled pools rather than slime-filled marsh pits; because of this, blood drips from the dungeon's ceiling rather than slime.

There are two other differences: The font used throughout the game is different--more green/orange and gothic. And the sound sample for whip snaps are different--similar to the recycled sample as used when a dagger is tossed into a wall. (Thanks to Danny, Sam and Anthony for this information.)

Soundtrack and Credits

Soundtrack
Opening and Ending Themes: 1 - Konami Logo | 2 - Title | 3 - Prologue| 4 - Theme of Dracula | 5 - Ending
Stage Themes: 1 - Theme of Simon | 2 - Forest of Monsters | 3 - The Cave | 4 - The Waterfalls | 5 - The Submerged City | 6 - Rotating Room | 7 - Spinning Tale | 8 - Castle Courtyard | 9 - Into the Castle | 10 - The Entrance Hall | 11 - Chandeliers | 12 - Pillared Corridor | 13 - Cellar | 14 - Treasury Room | 15 - Bloody Tears | 16 - Vampire Killer | 17 - Beginning | 18 - Room of Close Associates
Battle Themes: 1 - Boss 1 | 2 - Boss 2 | 3 - Dracula Battle & Death | 4 - Theme of Simon
Miscellaneous Themes: 1 - Name Entry | 2- Stage Clear | 3 - Map A | 4 - Secret Room | 5 - Map B | 6 - Map C | 7 - Map D | 8 - Dracula's Death | 9 - Player Miss | 10 - Game Over

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

Other Characters

Lesser Enemies: Skeleton, Zombie, Vampire Bat, Fishman, Knight, Medusa Head, Gremlin, Skeledragon, Blood Skeleton, Bone Scimitar, Goblin, Whip-Toting Skeleton, Ghost, Harpy, Raven, Hellhound, Pillar of Bones, Axe Knight, Red Hound, Winged Guard, Spider, Ghostly Eyeball, Zombie Hand, Toad, Dhuron, Ball of Destruction, Rolling Stone, Gargoyle, Clubbing Knight, Snapper Casket, Plant Man, Fire Worm, The Claw, Mr. Hed, Magic Book, Dead Mate, Circle of Caskets, Grabbing Portrait, Rug Creature, Skeleton-Claw Combo, Charging Table, Stone Man, Viper Swarm, Wall Widow, Thornweed, Cruela, Gold Skeleton, Siren, Hanging Skeleton, Wolf, Dancing Zombies, Whip-Toting Gold Skeleton, Classical Ghost, Ectoplasm and Rock Monster
Bosses: Rowdain, Medusa, Orphic Vipers, Puwexil, Koronat, Dancing Spectres, Sir Grakul, Frankenstein, Zapf Bat, Akmodan, Slogra, Gaibon and The Grim Reaper
Dracula Forms: Dracula
Supporting Cast: No supporting players

Character Lists

Lesser Enemies | Bosses | Dracula Forms