Manual Story Description

Journey back to 1897 and the Transylvanian countryside of Romania. It was a time of fear and dread for the simple people of this European country. They lived under the dark rule of Count Dracula for many years. He was a ruthless warrior when he was alive, but he was even more terrifying in death! For you see, Dracula is king of the vampires!

But even one as powerful as Dracula has enemies. From the early 16th century the Belmonts--including Trevor, Christopher, and the legendary Simon--had been fighting Dracula and his minions throughout Europe. Finally, in 1897 Quincy Morris, a descendent of the House of Belmont, overcame great odds to defeat Dracula and send him to his eternal grave. Unfortunately since Quincy was so badly beaten in his battle with the Count, he lost his own life moments after plunging a wooden stake into Dracula's chest.

Quincy's legacy has continued, however. His son--John Morris--and John's childhood friend Eric Lecarde had witnessed the Quincy-Dracula showdown from the shadows. That scene changed their lives forever--as they grew older they swore to rid the planet of the evil creatures of the underworld.

Twenty years later...

Elizabeth Bartley. The name conjures up images of a regal countess who, in the year 1421, was found kneeling over the body of a dead young man. He had two puncture wounds in his neck. She was tried as a vampire and found guilty. Her sentence was...too gruesome to mention in this pages. What is important is that she was indeed guilty. And not only was she a vampire, she was the niece of Count Dracula!

Now, in the ruins of a mysterious castle in Transylvania, an amateur witch by the name of Drolta Tzuentes dabbles in arcane magic. She casts a spell which inadvertantly brings Elizabeth Bartley back to the land of the living! Now that she has returned, Bartley is bent toward one goal--reviving her dead uncle, Count Dracula!

In a twist of fate, Morris and Lecarde have been drawn towards the ominous castle. Their task is simple--defeat Bartley before she can complete her macabre objective. Completing their task, however, will involve many perilous encounters and life-or-death acts of bravado.

Is your heart strong enough for this challenge?

Objective/Overview

While it was hardly a unique practice, Konami's spate of supplying exclusive series' titles carried over to the west, where it seemed offbeat considering that "Castlevania" had always been associated with Nintendo systems. Only now, the series was coming to the Sega Genesis in the form of Castlevania: Bloodlines. In reality, to the oblivious, Konami was only continuing a trend that started with its unheralded Japan-only exploits.

Though radical in terms of system-hopping, the results are the same: You're supplied a classic stage-by-stage experience, each stage defined by its minor enemies, its devious traps and its multiple bosses. Though, Bloodlines has a built-in appeal because it's an amalgamation of sorts: The culmination of the Castlevania saga as the continuation of the novel Bram Stoker's Dracula (a conveniently altered version of it, actually). Furthermore, as far as the western world is concerned, this is the first series' title to offer two unique heroes from game's start: John Morris and Eric Lecarde, both directly from the Belmont bloodline (thus the subtitle). Though their abilities differ, both heroes travel the same path to the final stage, where a freshly risen Count Dracula awaits; however, due to these abilities, Eric can reach heights and passageways that John cannot and vice-versa. Though, both characters receive a unique ending sequence. The game can be played on an easy or regular mode, and a difficult mode will be unlocked once the game is cleared in the regular mode.

Collectors might want to know that the original game was packed in the usual clamshell casing before a switch was made to release in a NES-style box. Also existing is a strange "beta version" of the game that was shipped for early review to the producers of famous gaming magazines. It's altogether similar to the finished version but features different sprite designs (for enemies) and more stages. For information on this, click here or look under "Screenshots and Media."

Japanese/European Differences

The Japanese version is almost identical. This version's normal mode is less difficult than the western version's--equivalent to its "easy" mode--with a lower enemy rate and more damage dealt when the heroes attack. John Morris is instead named "Johnny" instead of just John. The storyline in regard to Elisabeth Bartley is much more devious. Dracula's second form, according to an official guide, is actually Drolta Tzuentes (whose artwork matches the character sprite), creator of the Mecha Knight. And the password screen doesn't show after a stage is completed; rather, it only appears when your character runs out of lives.

The European version is bereft of blood due to morality laws. For instance: Blood doesn't drip down from the platforms on the first stage, and Eric Lecarde doesn't impale himself with the spear when he dies. Also, the subtitle differs ("The New Generation") in objection to even the word blood. There are other differences: (1) It features some different palette colors, specifically for zombies. This also affects the Medusa Heads and some background and foreground structures, like the steel walls and chains of Stage 4 - 5. (2) There's some different (read: perplexingly bad) enemy placement that makes the game unbalanced--sometimes more difficult and sometimes easier. (3) Like all PAL versions up to this point, its play-speed is painfully slow. (4) The heroes' hit-detection has worsened, and they now receive damage for attacks that sometimes don't come close. (5) Some mid-bosses, like the Water Magician and Armor Lords, don't use the supplied boss energy meter; only certain bosses utilize them. (6) Some sound effects differ. (Thanks to Danny for some of this information.)

Soundtrack and Credits

Soundtrack
Opening and Ending Themes: 1 - Beating in the Darkness | 2 - Mysterious Curse | 3 - Vision of Dark Secrets | 4 - Bonds of Brave Men | 5 - Arduous Journey | 6 - Together Forever | 7 - Requiem for the Nameless Souls
Stage Themes: 1 - Reincarnated Soul | 2 - Nothing to Lose | 3 - Sinking of Sanctuary | 4 - The Discolored Wall | 5 - Iron Blue Intention | 6 - Prayer of a Tragic Queen | 7 - Calling from Heaven | 8 - Theme of Simon |
Battle Themes: 1 - Messenger from the Devil | 2 - The Six Servants of the Devil | 3 - The Vampire's Stomach
Miscellaneous Themes: 1 - Pressure | 2 - Vampire Killer (Secret Track) | 3 - Bloody Tears (Secret Track) | 4 - Beginning (Secret Track) | 5 - Death | 6 - After the Good Fight | 7 - Stage Clear | 8 - Stage Clear with Red Crystal

Links
Music Files: MP3 and MIDI
Soundtrack Release: Dracula X Collection, Dracula Battle Perfect Selection Vol. 1, Dracula Battle Perfect Selection Vol. 2 and Castlevania Best Music Collections Box
Game Credits: Available

Other Characters

Lesser Enemies: Skeleton, Zombie, Fishman, Vampire Bat, Floating Eye, Knight, Medusa Head, Skeledragon, Ghost, Raven, Pillar of Bones, Bone Scimitar, Minotaur, Golem Knight, Barrel Skeleton, Speed Demon, Bag Slave, Munitions Skeleton, Mace Skeleton, Death Swinger, Machine Gun Knight, Bow-and-arrow Knight, Hammer Knight, Wheeling Knight, Wall Slime, Ball of Destruction, Fleaman, Axe Knight, Giant Sword Knight, Mummy Man, Blood Skeleton, Stone Rose, Deadly Vine, Circle Weed, Small Gear Creature, Skeleton Bat, Vulture, Flame Medusa Head and Sprinting Mecha Knight
Bosses: Hellhound, Mecha Knight, Water Magician, Armor Lord, Red Armor Lord, Golem, Bone Dragon King, Gargoyle Bat, Frankenstein, Gear Steamer, Blue Armor Knight, Evil Tower Guardians, Princess of Moss, The Grim Reaper, Medusa and Elizabeth Bartley
Dracula Forms: Dracula, Dracula's Ghost and Dracula's Ghost II
Supporting Cast: Quincy Morris, Elizabeth Bartley, Drolta Tzuentes and Gwendolyn

Character Lists

Lesser Enemies | Bosses | Dracula Forms | Supporting Cast

Limitations: Both characters are pretty equal in terms of basic physical ability, though John may have a slight edge in both the strength and defense categories. John has better-than-typical whip movement because he can swing it diagonally upward when grounded and straight downward while airborne. The whip's power can be maximized if you hold down the attack button--the duration will last a bit longer and one extra strike will be scored. He can collect a fourth symbol, under special circumstances, to gain a flame whip, which adds a new dimension to this arsenal. In any form, John can use the diagonal whip-attack to latch the weapon onto ceilings and swing forward in a swooping motion; this allows him to cover great distances and acts a swooping kick that damages enemies. John can jump onto and off of stairs as he pleases, so this normally-annoying obstacle is now conquered easily. Unfortunately, John is not as equipped as past Belmonts in the sub-weapon department, since the stopwatch and dagger are missing. His blue crystal sub-weapon, also gained under special circumstances, will help to cure this somewhat.

Limitations: Eric has a slight speed and agility advantage, and he's more skillful in the use of his respective tool of destruction than John is with the whip. The spear, also, can be powered up four times--the fourth time, of course, under special conditions. While grounded, Eric can stab the spear left and right and straight upward; while in the air, Eric can execute a diving attack wherein he stabs the spear directly downward. Additionally, he can quickly twirl the spear back and forth, to deal with enemy clusters in rapid fashion. Unlike John, though, Eric cannot use the spear for long horizontal jumps; however, his is superior range in terms of vertical jumping because he can use the spear to propel himself upward for a sort-of super jump; using this ability, he can reach high-up platforms and out-of-reach candelabras; the move is an attack, too, as it can damage enemies while in motion. In terms of sub-weapons, item usage, and stair-climbing, his mechanics are equal to those of John's.