Castlevania sent the Belmont family whip-first into Dracula's castle on the NES in 1987. Ten years later, Symphony of the Night turned the series into the exploration-heavy style fans now call Metroidvania. Here is every main Castlevania game in release order and the best places to start.
Castlevania games in release order
| Year | Game | Original system |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Castlevania | NES |
| 1988 | Castlevania II: Simon's Quest | NES |
| 1989 | Castlevania: The Adventure | Game Boy |
| 1990 | Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse | NES |
| 1991 | Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge | Game Boy |
| 1991 | Super Castlevania IV | Super Nintendo |
| 1994 | Castlevania: Bloodlines | Genesis |
| 1995 | Castlevania: Dracula X | Super Nintendo |
| 1997 | Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | PlayStation |
| 1999 | Castlevania | Nintendo 64 |
| 1999 | Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness | Nintendo 64 |
| 2001 | Castlevania: Circle of the Moon | Game Boy Advance |
| 2002 | Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance | Game Boy Advance |
| 2003 | Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow | Game Boy Advance |
| 2003 | Castlevania: Lament of Innocence | PlayStation 2 |
| 2005 | Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow | Nintendo DS |
| 2005 | Castlevania: Curse of Darkness | PS2 and Xbox |
| 2006 | Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin | Nintendo DS |
| 2008 | Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia | Nintendo DS |
| 2010 | Castlevania: Lords of Shadow | PS3 and Xbox 360 |
| 2014 | Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 | PS3 and Xbox 360 |
Years are the first North American release. Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (1993) was released only in Japan at first, and reached North America in Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (PSP, 2007). Spin-offs like Castlevania Judgment (Wii) are left out.
Classic Castlevania vs. Metroidvania
Classic Castlevania means the NES, Super Nintendo and Genesis games: stage-by-stage action where you whip your way through Dracula's castle with a limited set of sub-weapons. They are tough and deliberate. Symphony of the Night changed everything in 1997. It opened the castle up into one huge map to explore, with RPG-style levels, equipment and secret areas. That style became so popular that, together with Metroid, it gave a whole genre its name: Metroidvania. The Game Boy Advance and DS games followed Symphony's lead and are some of the best handheld games ever made.
The Castlevania games worth owning
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night · $144.97
The game that defined the Metroidvania. One of the best games on PlayStation.
Super Castlevania IV · $84.97
Classic Castlevania at its best, with an eight-way whip and a great soundtrack.
Castlevania 3 · $61.97
Branching paths and four playable characters. A big step up from the first two.
Castlevania Bloodlines · $94.97
The only Castlevania on Genesis, with fast action and two playable heroes.
Castlevania Aria of Sorrow · $119.97
Many fans' favorite handheld Castlevania, with a soul-collecting system.
Which Castlevania game should you play first?
Start with Symphony of the Night on PlayStation if you want exploration, or Super Castlevania IV on the Super Nintendo if you want classic action. On a handheld, Aria of Sorrow on the Game Boy Advance is the easiest great Castlevania to get into.
Castlevania on original hardware
Castlevania has been on almost every major console, so the right system depends on the style you want. The NES and Super Nintendo cover the classic games, a PlayStation plays Symphony of the Night, and a Game Boy Advance or DS covers the handheld Metroidvanias. A DS Lite plays both DS and Game Boy Advance cartridges.
Frequently asked questions
What was the first Castlevania game?
Castlevania, released for the NES in North America in May 1987. It came out in Japan in 1986 as Akumajo Dracula.
What is the best Castlevania game?
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the most common pick. Super Castlevania IV and Aria of Sorrow are also fan favorites.
What does Metroidvania mean?
It's a game with one large connected map that you open up as you gain new abilities. The name combines Metroid and Castlevania, the two series that made the style famous.
Do you need to play Castlevania games in order?
No. Most games tell a standalone story about a different member of the Belmont family or another hunter, so you can start anywhere.
Which Castlevania games are on Game Boy Advance?
Circle of the Moon (2001), Harmony of Dissonance (2002) and Aria of Sorrow (2003).
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