Topic: Rondo Of Blood

Hey everyone,

So I just got the NTSCU of Castlevania: Rondo Of Blood. And I fire it up, and everything is in Japanese! So I thought I somehow got the wrong version, but I didn't. After a little checking around, Nintendo brought this game over to the US but left it in Japanese. Now why would they do this? How are you suppose to follow the story?

Castlevania for the PSP has a remake of Rondo, and I believe you can unlock the original version. I've only played a bit of the remake so far(really don't dig the remake that much, would much rather play it in it's original 16-bit form). Would anyone happen to know if the original is translated? I hate to play this on a small screen, but I really want to know what all the cutscenes are saying. Guess I'll play through the game on my Wii once just to get the whole TV experience, then play it on my PSP(if the original is translated) so I know what's going on.

Was anyone else a little annoyed by this when you first learned it wasn't translated? Or is it just me?

EDIT: Oh wait...isn't Castlevania: Dracula X for the SNES a translated Rondo of Blood? Except with a couple levels, or routes, or something taken out? This will be my first playthrough for Rondo, so I'm wondering if I should start with the untranslated VC game, or go with Dracula X...

It was never released in the west so it's an import title. Basically they providing the game for you as if you imported it from Japan originally - it's like a novelty thing. The chance to own a rare import title only without paying for new hardware and an over expensive ebay copy.

I personally have no problem with the text being in Japanese. I just assume the story is about Dracula and you have to kill him - I'm betting it's no more complex than that. I don't really care to be honest - it's fun to play through.

Yeah, but you would think they would have taken the time to translate it. I was just really shocked and a little angered when I just started it up. I've been holding off playing through the PSP version(which I just read the original version the handheld is translated) since I knew this was coming to VC. But I just assumed it would be translated.

Oh well...just going to have live with it. Thanks for the info madgear.

Not really since the original wasn't translated. They release the games as they were originally released. I personally don't mind either way though - I'd have been for them translating it but the fact it's left as is pleases the purists and doesn't really take anything away from me.

An english transcription for the cutscenes can be found here:
Transcription
I don't know how accurate this is. You can also google for the keywords "rondo of blood transcription" and possibly find something better.

BTW: I don't think that DraculaX for the SNES and Rondo of Blood for the PC-Engine are the same.

No it's not translated, despite a translation existing, it's stupid but the game is phenomenal so it's no deal breaker.

Nintendo have never done any translation of import titles h8u. For better or worse, they have a strict "no alteration" policy with Virtual Console. All games must remain in their original form. I know it sucks, it certainly would have been nice if Konami could have at least slapped some English sub-titles on there. But is it really that big of a deal in the end? The cut scenes make up all of 2% of the game and in no way affect actual gameplay. I'm pretty sure the story is more or less the same as any other 8-bit/16-bit Castlevania, you must wake your way through Dracula's castle and kill him. I think we should just be thankful that this highly regarded and coveted game was finally released on VC. Prior to this, the only way you could play the game was to emulate it on a computer(which isn't really the best method for obvious reasons) or purchase a PSP and plop down $30-40 for The Dracula X Chronicles.

Well, I suppose you could haved installed "The Homebrew Channel" on your Wii and emulate it that way, but that homebrew crap can really screw up your Wii if done wrong and it voids your warranty.

Virtual Console version is exactly how the Japanese were playing it on their PC Engines.

The PSP version is a 3D remake with a couple of stage changes and added boss fights. The original 16-bit version is unlockable here, and it has been fully translated into English. Personally, I think the upgraded 3D version is so similar, it's not that different playing it over the original Rondo, plus you can unlock the original anyway.

The SNES Vampire's Kiss ("Dracula X") is not Rondo of Blood. It is a new game that borrows heavily from Rondo, but is essentially a totally different game. Vampire's Kiss is more NES-style in the way it plays, as it's short and there aren't a lot of options compared to Rondo. This game also has no cutscenes, it's just pure whipping and jumping action. A lot of people didn't like this one because they were expecting it to be Rondo. I like it, I just think of it as just a smaller version of Castlevania, kind of like the ones on the NES.

"Kill Dracula".
There's your story, now you know what's going on, and can play the game without missing anything.

I agree - it would've been nice to see a translation or at least subtitles because there are mulitple cut scenes and some of them are long enough that understanding what is happening would be nice. But it's not a big deal because the overall gameplay is so solid that I don't really care what threats Dracula is making. He's evil and needs the boot, end of story.

Also want to say this game is amazing. It's everything that I wish the original Castlevania could've been. Multiple paths, tight controls, tons of secrets, a second (unlockable) character, and great atmostphere... tremendous!

Fixed.

Hey, what about Dracula's Curse? It's got most of those things.

It still feels really different. Rondo of Blood feels somewhat like a precursor of the Metroidvania stuff.

Right there is all you need to know about the story. Now go, and play it!