This version of Akumajō Dracula is itself a remake of the original Castlevania, which was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1986. It includes two distinct game modes: Original Mode and Arrange Mode.

The Story Behind Castlevania Chronicles

Players control Simon Belmont, a vampire hunter who has entered Dracula's castle to defeat him and save Transylvania. Castlevania Chronicles was later made available as a PSone Classic on the PlayStation Network in December 2008. Players can choose to play this "Arrange Mode" version of the game with all of the new features intact, or play the "Original Mode" version as it was originally presented on the X68000.

This method allowed for continuous refinement and incorporation of only the best ideas into the final product. They utilized the X68000's superior processing power to introduce smoother animations and more detailed environments, such as the flowing water in the fountain and the intricate gears in the clock tower. The soundtrack itself featured a mix of new compositions and re-arranged classics from the series, designed to showcase the full potential of these sound modules.

How Castlevania Chronicles Plays

Hidden items that grant points and 1-ups are scattered throughout the game and can be found by ducking or standing in specific locations. Unlike the original Castlevanias single higher difficulty setting activated during a second playthrough, the X68000 version of Akumajō Dracula allows for six consecutive playthroughs with increasing difficulty levels before reaching its maximum difficulty cap. The game also maintains Castlevanias "looping" feature, where it tracks the number of stages a player has cleared across consecutive playthroughs before reaching a Game Over.

This enhancement allowed for redesigned stages that included intricate and dynamic obstacles, as well as the addition of new, exclusive stages. The Time Attack Mode allows players to race through any stage with a time meter, encouraging them to beat their best times. Completing Arrange Mode unlocks special features, including an art gallery and a Time Attack Mode.

Why Players Still Load It Up

The soundtrack itself featured a mix of new compositions and re-arranged classics from the series, designed to showcase the full potential of these sound modules. These efforts culminated in a soundtrack that was not only memorable but also demonstrated the advanced audio design possible on the X68000 system. In the Japanese Chronicles, unlike the US and European versions, the sound hardware selection screen automatically appears before starting a game on "Original Mode" just as it did in Castlevania (X68000).

It's a simpler, tighter, better-paced and more addictive old-school side-scroller adventure than 1997's Symphony of the Night." Scott Steinberg of Next Generation also commented positively, describing it as excellent content for Castlevania collectors and a commendable experiment in classic gaming for a broader audience, ultimately rating it three stars out of five. Sōta Fujimori, staff composer for the Konami Corporation in Japan, performed all new arrangements of the soundtrack for Castlevania Chronicles "Arrange Mode". Original Mode is a direct port of the 1993 game for the X68000 home computer.

Castlevania Chronicles — Frequently Asked Questions