How is Bloodlines? You'd think Konami would throw it on the VC for this Halloween, perfect timing no?

In my opinion Bloodlines is pretty good. I like it just a little bit less than Super Castlevania IV but It's still among my favorites.
I doubt It's coming to VC in time for Halloween though. Konami seems to have slacked off on releasing any VC games. Especially for Genesis. Not sure why. Sure would be an excellent choice for a spooky themed game for this time of year. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

He does look stupid...
I like anime style but it doesn't work well for Castlevania. Still, on the VC I like Rondo of Blood the best. I like the colourful graphics, the secret stages, secret bosses, and secret characters. You don't have the whip control of Super Castlevania but it has better collision detection and more responsive controls (so less cheap deaths). No passwords too-yay! I just wish Richter had more of his moves from Symphony of the Night.

On the contrary, I believe an anime style does work for Castlevania.

@Bass Yeah, you're right. Anime + Castlevania = Rocks!

It may work, but it's definitly not better. I much prefer the 80's/early 90's masculin legandary-like Artwork from Castlevania I-IV.
And there's the Art style from SOTN, most of the GBA and 3D Castlevani games which have a more darker and gothic approach, yet it's still Anime-ish.
I'm not crazy over that style, it all looks rather dead and boring to me.

Rondo for me. Difficulty is fine.

1) Super Castlevania IV
2) Castlevania III Draculas Curse
3) Rondo of blood

IMO : )

thats what i was thinking too, i used to rent it so id get it

It's supposed to be though. It's very intentionally a throwback to the 16-bit era Castlevania titles. It wasn't created to do anything original or ground breaking. It was created purely for old school Castlevania fans who don't like the newer "Metroidvania" games.

Plus it was a reimagining of an old Castlevania game.

I've just got through playing (not on VC) several levels of Castlevania III and I gotta say it's pretty solid. Not as good as Rondo or IV, but still pretty good. Definitely the best out of the NES trilogy so far.

Super Castlevania IV was my first non-metroidvania game in the series.

I just hate typing in passwords.

Oh god, NO!

The gothic style is SO MUCH !

it was a huge letdown for me when they got full-anime with the DS

just look at this:

I know, it's basically just a giant retro Castlevania remix which pays tribute to the GameBoy Castelvania games, which was the same deal with Contra ReBirth. I guess what I'm saying is, is that the level design look-wise for the most part felt alittle lacking...I mean the stages looked great, but the design itself with the patterns and so on began to get a bit repetitive and lack luster. It's a still pretty damn goodCastlevania game, and the Boss battles easily had of been the main high lite.

If only it were a tad longer though, but in no way did it feel as unsatisfying as the super short Contra ReBirth.
And I gotta say, Stage 3's Music 'New Messia' is freaking awesome, I recognised right away from Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge.

My fav song was from stage one, originally on Bloodlines. It has a Heavy Metal feel

@Waveboy: Agreed, Stage 3's music definitely is full of awesomeness. My favorite track would definitely have to be Stage 1's. Love the Bloodlines Stage 1 remix. <3

My favorite tune from Rebirth, though they're all great.

Anyone know where it's from, originally? I'm assuming it's a remix of an older tune, but I don't remember it.

@Chicken Brutus
Apperantly it's from Castlevania: Haunted Castle which was a crummy looking Castlevania Arcade game. And funny enough it was the ranking screen theme.

Oh wow, I didn't even know there was a Castlevania arcade game! Kudos to them for resurrecting this song from it, it's an excellent little tune. (Better than a ranking screen deserves, really!)