Overview and Gameplay
Trevor Belmont answers a desperate call to stop Dracula roughly a century before the original Castlevania. This demanding NES action platformer expands the series with branching routes, 17 levels across the full stage network, alternate endings, and three recruitable allies: Grant Danasty, Sypha Belnades, and Alucard. Only one companion travels with Trevor at a time, and route choices determine which stages and allies appear.
Controls And Mechanics
- Use the directional pad to move and climb stairs, A to jump, and B to attack.
- Press Up and B to use a secondary weapon or spell. Hearts supply these attacks rather than restoring health.
- Select switches between Trevor and the current companion. Start begins or pauses play.
- Whip upgrades improve Trevor’s reach and power, while daggers, axes, holy water, crosses, and the stopwatch broaden his options.
- Grant climbs walls and ceilings, Sypha casts elemental magic, and Alucard can become a bat at the cost of hearts.
Version Notes
This North American localization of Japan’s Akumajō Densetsu uses different cartridge hardware, so it lacks the Famicom version’s VRC6 expansion audio. It is also generally harder, gives Grant a short-range stab instead of a thrown dagger, and includes altered graphics and checkpoint behavior.
Release And Credits
- North American release: September 1990
- Developer: Konami Industry Co., Ltd.
- Publisher: Konami
- Original platform: Famicom, released in Japan in 1989
