Topic: Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night versions

I was planning to get Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles on the PSP and I know that the original version of SOTN is included with the game. My questions are

A: How good is the quality of the PSP port?
B: Is it better quality than the XBLA release?

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I'd still get Dracula X Chronicles as I (obviously) wouldn't buy it just for SOTN but I'm wondering whether I would be better off paying the extra money to get that version or just stick with the PSP port.

The Xbox LIVE Arcade version is a remake, with 1080p graphics, online leaderboards, better controller, etc.

The PSP version is just a port as you just said, so the Xbox LIVE Arcade version is undoubtedly the best one...

So it's worth getting the XBLA version even if I have the PSP version then?

I'd say it depends on how much of a Symphony of the Night fan you are... I would, if I had a 360, cause hey... achievements. But I also love that game to bits. But it is the exact same game so you won't get a new experience really, and also you have to deal why that god awful 360 controller... So if you just "really like it" then you might aswell stick with the PSP version. It's portable and if you have the right wires you can play that game on the big screen aswell (assuming you have the good version of the PSP).

I have a PSP 1003. What are these wires?

That's the first one right? Then it won't work... But yeah, with some component cables (or is it composite? I always get those mixed up... the better cable anyway) and a PSP 200X or 300X (no clue about the Go! though) you can take your PSP, plug some component cables into it and then those into your TV and then project the game onto the TV... It's totally neat...

Yeah...this isn't true. The Xbox LIVE Arcade version is the exact same graphically, and contains the leaderboards/achievements. Arguably the PSP version is the best since if contains the Saturn extras and a better translation/"better" voice overs; in terms of "more" content, I think the nod goes to the PSP version since the Xbox contains nothing, extras-wise, but the leaderboards and achievements all drawing from the same, original PS1 release pool of data. It also had some irritating sound glitch issues and Vandal Swords just didn't appear...I'd assume they've fixed that with a patch by now, but yeah. The more straight-port of the 2 is the Xbox version content-wise.

EDIT -

@Terranigma - yeah that's how I play most of my PSP games...I heard some people's TVs display the component output in a tiny box in the middle of the screen but mine is fine and looks great (Crisis Core looked fantastic via this method).

Xbox LIVE Arcade games are required to run at 720p minimum, and I'm almost completely sure that game is 1080p, there's no way on earth that's the same graphics...

actually, here's the link to the Xbox LIVE Arcade version:
http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1...

1 Player
1080i (1920x1080) Resolution, vs 320x240 of the original version (PSP port should be around the same resolution)
Custom Soundtrack, this is exclusive of the XBLA version, since the PSP can't play games and your own music at the same time... in fact, is standard on Xbox 360
Online Leaderboards on XBLA
Achievements worth 200 gamerscore

There's no doubt the XBLA version is by far the best one...

The PSP version is spot on to the PSX original (how would I know, I never played it on the PSX), but the PSP version is good. And it improved the voice acting a lot. [sigh] Such a shame, without the terrible voice acting from the original we'll never experience the laugh-out loud badness of it all here.

I'm confused

I only played it on the PSP. I never owned the PSX original. Sorry for the confusion there.

They changed the voice acting?? I loved Alucard's deep yet strangely paced speech, I'd hate to play it with a different actor taking his role.

DarkG, that's just upscaling. The difference won't be largely noticeable to non-graphic-nuts. It's also not a "remake" as you've touted. It's the same game we've known and loved for years, with the same great graphics. All that's really added is the leader board and achievements. I really don't see these things as being nearly as worthwhile as what the Saturn version brings to the table since it actually adds content in the form of a whole new area (or is it more than one? I forget). I have heard that the Saturn version loads slower or something though, I forget. I just recall being told both versions have their ups and downs.

@Wario
I agree. The bad voice acting was awesome.

I probably shouldn't have said anything.

I own the game for PSX and as a PSone Classic on PS3/PSP. Personally I prefer it on my PSP just so its portable as its the best Castlevania in my opinion. I would also recommend trying out Chronicles as its cheap and a blast as its a revamping of the original.

The revamp slapshot82 is referring to is not Castlevania: SotN but main game that preceded SotN, Dracula X Chronicles. I just wanted to make sure this is clear. SotN is an unlockable extra included with The Dracula X Chronicles for PSP.

1080i (1920x1080) Resolution, vs 320x240 of the original version (PSP port should be around the same resolution)
Someone already went there, this point is dull.

Custom Soundtrack, this is exclusive of the XBLA version, since the PSP can't play games and your own music at the same time... in fact, is standard on Xbox 360
Last I checked SotN had an amazing soundtrack, you can customize all you'd like, but you're downgrading with whatever direction you take.

Online Leaderboards on XBLA
What do leaderboards rank in Castlevania?...

Achievements worth 200 gamerscore
Which is also something completely unimportant to most people. Certainly not a selling point to buy the XBLA version on top of the PSP version. Were someone to consider it a selling point they'd almost certainly be the type to care more about their score than what they play.

@Bones.... actually on PSN you can download Castlevania Chronicles. Its a revamping graphically of the original NES Castlevania. I just do recommend it if you like Dracula X or SoTN. ITs only like five bucks as well.

Just had a check and it seems in Europe, SoTN and Castlevania Chronicles aren't available on the PSN. As far as I can see anyway (Can't reach my PSP right now so I have to rely on Wikipedia for this). That's a shame

Currently, I'm thinking that I don't need to get the XBLA version as well. Achievements and Custom soundtracks don't appeal to me. Neither do Leaderboards (For this game anyway, not generally). Has anyone actually played both versions that I'm referring to? Also, I heard that the FMV's were cut from the 360 version for space issues (when it around the 50MB cap). Were they also removed from the PSP version?

the XBLA version is 95 MB...given the compression 360 games use, I doubt they would've been cut because of space issues (the game is far from the standard space limits anyway lol)