Gamer's Attic #19: Super Castlevania IV - guest written by Lord Dalek

[James]

GAMER'S ATTIC PRESENTS:

SUPER CASTLEVANIA IV (1991)

Platform: SUPER NINTENDO
Genre: 2D Platformer
Designed By: Konami
Players: 1



THE STORY SO FAR….: Every 100 years or so, the forces of evil attempt to resurrect their master, the sinister Count Dracula. Standing in their way however, are the descendents of the man who vanquished Dracula first (for more on that, play Castlevania: Lament of Innocence): THE BELMONT FAMILY.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/lorddalek/scv1-2.png



Our hero, SIMON BELMONT, is fifth (as of this writing) in line to face the dreaded count. As he prepares to enter the mountain fortress, he notices something evil is in the air….

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/lorddalek/scva-1.png



Like the recent game Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, Super Castlevania IV (SCIV) has caused a bit of controversy regarding where it fits into cannon. One argument says that the game was merely a remake of the first CV and therefore doesn’t exist. The other claims that since there already is a real remake of CV1 (Castlevania Chronicles for the Sharp X68000 and later the PS1), then this is a true sequel to Castlevania II. I tend to lean towards the latter. So much is different about SCIV that it doesn’t really compare to the original. The result is my favorite of the “golden age” Castlevania games.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/lorddalek/scv4-1.png



SCIV marked some notable changes to the original CV design. For the first time in the franchise, Simon can whip in 360 degrees. Now players could whip straight up or diagonally. This was also the first CV game to include the ability to change directions in mid-air. This helped to relieve a lot of frustration caused by bad jumps in the NES Castlevania games. And Simon gets a useless new whip brandeshing move. Sadly though, most of these changes would be lost as the series continued.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/lorddalek/scv6-1.png



This game is large, with as much action happening around the outside of the castle as inside. Simon travels through a stable, a waterfall, an atlantis like ruin, and a very cool “rotating room” before finally reaching the castle door.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/lorddalek/scvb-2.png



SCIV is a classic jump and whip game that’s easy to pick up and play. It goes as my pick to introduce any post-Symphony of the Night CV player to the series roots. Now if only Konami would port it to the GBA….

- LORD DALEK

Past installments of the Gamer's Attic

Gamer's Attic #18: Diddy Kong Racing (http://Gamer%27s%20Attic%20#18:%20Super%20Castlevania%20I V%20%3C/a%3E%3C/font%3E%3C/font%3E)
Gamer's Attic #17: Space Quest IV (http://showthread.php?t=116774)
Gamer's Attic #16: The Secret Of Monkey Island (http://showthread.php?t=107347)
Gamer's Attic #15: Wing Commander 3: The Heart Of The Tiger
Gamer's Attic #14: Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars (http://showthread.php?t=98560)
Gamer's Attic #13: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Arcade) (http://showthread.php?t=92013)
Gamer's Attic #12: Populous (http://showthread.php?t=86349)
Gamer's Attic #11: Mortal Kombat 3 (http://showthread.php?t=84567)
Gamer's Attic #10: Doom (http://showthread.php?t=80778)
Gamer's Attic #9: Tomb Raider (http://showthread.php?t=78734)
Gamer's Attic #8: Final Fantasy (http://showthread.php?t=65570)
Gamer's Attic #7: Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie's Double Trouble (http://showthread.php?threadid=59248)
Gamer's Attic #6: Shenmue (with pics) (http://showthread.php?threadid=56376)
Gamer's Attic #5: Phantasy Star IV (http://showthread.php?threadid=54598)
Gamer's Attic #4: Zelda: A Link to the Past & Tokyo Highway Battle and Chase (http://showthread.php?threadid=51968)
Gamer's Attic #3: Mega Man X (with Pics) (http://showthread.php?threadid=48466)
Gamer's Attic #2: Dragon Power (http://showthread.php?threadid=47785)
Gamer's Attic #1: Super Mario Bros. (http://showthread.php?threadid=40934)

[Martianinvader]

I believe you said the twentieth Attic was going to be about the first Pokemon game, as the remake just came out. What happened? I had a post ready with screens just for that.

[Bleu Unicorn]

I believe you said the twentieth Attic was going to be about the first Pokemon game, as the remake just came out. What happened? I had a post ready with screens just for that.
This is the 19th Gamer's Attic.

Oh, btw, SJJ - the link to Super Mario RPG leads to Wing Commander.

[Martianinvader]

It says #20 up there. Look up there. #20!

[EinBebop]

It says #20 up there. Look up there. #20!So then you tell us what game was #19. ;)

[Speedy Boris]

I'm going to actually talk about the game. ;)

Super Castlevania 4 rocks. Lots of levels, and yet they all manage to look different from each other. That wide SNES palette is put to good use. The controls are a lot better than the NES Castlevania for the reasons mentioned, and the game put up quite a challenge. Plus, I would say this is the first Castlevania game to really nail the dark atmosphere. The NES games, tried as they could, just couldn't do it with the simple musical diddies and primitive graphics. A true SNES classic if there ever was one.

[RAINMAN]

Remake or sequel this is the best CV ever.

[Lord Dalek]

Thank god someone actually commented on the game, I was afraid this was going to get an even smaller response than Juu's SQIV review :eek: .