Released by Konami in 1986, Castlevania is a legendary action-platformer for the NES that helped define a genre. You control Simon Belmont as he storms Dracula’s castle, armed with the Vampire Killer whip and an arsenal of sub-weapons to battle classic movie monsters. Known for its deliberate pacing and punishing difficulty, the game demands precision and strategic use of your items to survive the harrowing six-stage journey.
How to Play
Your goal is to reach the end of each stage, defeat the boss, and ultimately destroy Dracula. Defeating enemies and destroying candles yields hearts, which act as ammunition for your sub-weapons (like axes, crosses, and holy water). Collect weapon upgrades to extend the reach and power of your whip, but be carefulโtaking damage from enemies will significantly knock you back.
| Gamepad control: | ||
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Player 1: |
Player 2: |
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| A | X | – |
| B | Z | – |
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SELECT |
Shift |
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START |
Enter | – |
To use a sub-weapon, hold Up and press the attack button.
Tips
- Holy Water is arguably the best sub-weapon for bosses, as it freezes them in place and deals continuous damage when thrown at their feet.
- Find the hidden double and triple shot multipliers (Roman numerals II and III) by using the same sub-weapon to hit multiple enemies or candles; this lets you throw multiple sub-weapons simultaneously.
- Commit to your jumps. You cannot alter your trajectory in mid-air, so make sure your path is clear and time enemy movements before you leap.
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