The Super NES is, for many, Nintendo's greatest console. It boasted a software library that was an envy of competitors and had more than enough power to stave off unfavourable comparisons to arcade games of its age. Unlike many of Nintendo's more recent home consoles, the SNES is remembered just as much for its third-party offerings as it is for Mario, Zelda and Metroid. Among those third-party classics, Super Castlevania IV stands tall.
In recent years, the phrase "Metroidvania" has taken root to describe the similarities between the two series, but this is in reality only true of Castlevania titles that came after the 1997 PlayStation classic, Symphony of the Night. Before that entry, the NES and Super NES classic titles were much more straightforward affairs.
Super Castlevania IV is an evolution of the original NES titles. It features Simon Belmont and his trusty whip as he embarks on a quest to free Transylvania of Dracula's hold. To get through the quest you must execute well-timed jumps and attacks to stave off the ever-present threat of death. You have no items or inventory to speak of, though you can get sub-weapons like a throwing axe or a boomerang; aside from that you can find health and morning stars which will power up your whip, but that's about it.
The game is split up into nine numbered stages and two lettered ones, for a total of eleven. It's not a particularly long game; it can be beaten in an afternoon or in under an hour if you're a true master. It is, however, immensely challenging. The devilishly designed levels and enemy patterns will keep even the most seasoned platformer on their toes.
Like the older games in the series, Super Castlevania IV does not support any kind of saving. It does, however have a password system, similar to many NES titles. Fortunately for us, the Virtual Console enables save states, effectively allowing you to save it whenever you want. The fact that it's on the New 3DS also means you can just close the lid and pick the game back up when you're ready, which is a fantastic option.
Even at 25 years old, Super Castlevania IV is a visual and aural delight. The soundtrack is second to none on the SNES, and it looks just as good now as it did on a low-definition TV back in 1991. This is an example of old-school Konami at its finest.
Conclusion
Simply put, Super Castlevania IV is one of the best games on the SNES. It looks and sounds gorgeous, is challenging without being punishing and is a fitting upgrade to the NES classics many gamers grew up on. If you haven't yet played this title the New 3DS version is every bit as good as the original, and the Virtual Console's addition of save states is certainly welcome; that could help bridge the difficulty gap for less experienced players. This one is a must-own for all Castlevania and platformer fans.
Comments 40
Yeah, it's funner than I remembered. I've played the game through on New 3DS about 4 or 5 times now.
Best Game to play around Halloween.
For what reason(s) I never particularly loved this game. In fact, all the Castlevania games always felt a bit clunky in the controls department to me (apart from SOTN), which is a huge thing in my enjoyment of any particular game. And, I've never liked it when games knock you back when you take a hit, especially if you take a hit simply by touching an enemy that technically isn't even attacking you in any way most of the time. But, I can appreciate that for fans this is one of the very best games in the series, and it does generally have great visuals, sound, and atmosphere.
@impurekind I have always struggled to enjoy Castlevania games too, despite trying. I am a huge fan of 2D Metroid games and so naturally thought I'd love these, but I don't. They feel clunky to control.
I've never tried this one so I may give it a go. Maybe.
One of my favourites on the SNES. One thing I always remember is the music which is simply beautiful and is similar to Demon's Crest. I would also say the game has a great gameplay and interesting graphics. So maybe it's time to play it again on the SNES of course
@GravyThief Well, I'd say this and definitely Symphony of the Night are good options if you want to play the best of the series at least.
This is my favorite classic Castlevania game. I always like to play this one around Halloween.
@GravyThief I could never get into the Metroidvania titles but this ones pure old school platforming,get from A to B trying to stay alive.It's a little bit clunky still but that's part of its charm.Great game.Rondo of Blood on the Turbografix CD is even better though,amazing game.It's only available through the Wii shop though.
A really solid old-school Castlevania game, not the best, not the worst.
That Bloody Tears remix in this game is godtier though, holy smokes. One of the finest pieces of music I've ever heard.
@impurekind I'd add Rondo of Blood in there too.The best of the 3 in my opinion.
Anyone know if this is coming out in Europe?
In all honesty, this is still my favourite Castlevania. The controls feel so tight and specific that whipping and platforming feels great. Even the stairs feel alright!
I feel like it took the best aspects of the first three Castlevanias and made it work brilliantly while adding extra dashes of brilliance. And the soundtrack is sublime, especially the brooding piece of music you hear on the way to Dracula.
I hope this comes to Europe soon! I get goosebumps just thinking about playing this game on the New 3DS.
Just finished this on a real SNES some time ago. (it was the game that came with the console, but I had neglected it for some reason)
Was my first Castlevania too, and it was awesome and challenging. (not to mention the music is top notch)
Though, the torture room/cellar level...
I've tried loving this game but always had a hard time liking it. I think it's hard for me to get into it because I always want the character to move faster.
I actually preferred the castlevania games in this era when they were just simple platformers.
My brother and I play this every Halloween. It's the jewel in a month long crown of Halloween celebrations. Love it! Soundtrack is absolutely stellar too.
Buy it.
10/10 for me
I missed the 16-bit Castlevania games the first time around, but I got to experience them all around the same time a few years back. Unfortunately, Super Castlevania 4 ended up being a big disappointment for me, in spite of its reputation as being a SNES classic. Clearly, many people do like it very much, which is great for them, but it's a bit polarizing as the game has plenty of detractors out there. I do believe it's telling that Konami went back to a more traditional feel with Rondo and Bloodlines. For me, I dislike what people love about it, including the multi-directional whipping(the level design doesn't compensate for it) and the music.
Being a metroidvania fanatic I never really liked going back to this one, and I found Rondo to be snappier. The save states on the WiiU version helped SCIV feel less labourious. I think I left the poor chap swinging on a chandelier so perhaps I should boot it up on Halloween and help him out...
Best Castlevania game, though I didn't enjoy the final final battle... Felt underwhelming after all the set up, though the music throughout the game is one of the best soundtracks ever.
This Castlevaina is good. It is a bit linear.
This game never gets old, both audio and visually. I am always happy to replay it at least once a year, around Halloween season. Looks like I wont have to setup my SNES to do it this year. A shame for the censorship in our western versions.
@impurekind Yeah, I'm with you. Snes and Nes Castlevania games just frustrate me. But if you like Symphony of the Night I would recommend Aria of Sorrow (also on Wii U) and Order of Eclesia (on DS). I think those 3 are the best Castlevania games out there (and coincidentally, the only ones I've beaten).
Best Castlevania of all time for me.
@Shiryu Censorship sucks. I'm still upset about Fire Emblem.
Also, I'm bummed out that SNES games can only be played on a NEW 3DS. (T_T )
While I do love the game and while I do want it on the 3DS (live in Europe, so not yet), I've yet to buy a Konami-developed game digitally on the console because #noprofanity
I'll keep my sweet, sweet memories of it instead.
@NicolausCamp Please be aware of the Community Rules and that no profanity is allowed here. Thanks.
Not a bad game, but worse than the Castlevania on Genesis. Look at the review below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaozEmSDvLA
@gcunit Gotcha! #DarnKonami it is!
10/10! But why only in US? When comes in Europe eShop?
Back in the SNES days everything was just SUPER.
@admwllms to answer my own question, for anyone else wondering - it's out 20th October.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/10/nintendo_download_20th_october_europe
I like symphony of the night but I freakng love this game, even better when you beat it and all the enemies have more health.
Eh, It's a good game, but it's probably my least favourite among my farourite Classicvania's (Bloodlines, Rondo of Blood, Chronicles). Alot of the music was going for moody aproach. The only really memorable tunes were remixes from the other games like Vampire Killer or Bloody Tears.
@Morshu-San I disagree, I liked the soundtrack overall. Especially, the library theme, Simon's theme, the treasure level, and such.
@GreatPlayer
You can't always trust everything random Youtube "critics" say. Frankly, I never played the Genesis game "Bloodlines," but I tend to see more people who like the SNES game.
@Beau_Skunk You cannot always trust what people say, without actually trying both games. I have tried both games and Bloodlines run better and have better levels.
@GreatPlayer I understand, though I've watched videos of it, and while it doesn't look bad, it doesn't seem to do anything different/new with the series, and honestly the movements/physics look more stiff, and difficult much like the early NES games. (Though, I could be wrong, as I never played it, and you can't just rely on videos.)
I like how CV4 at least does some things differently, and the whip is more useful, (though, renders most sub-weapons useless as a result) and you can actually change direction while jumping being able to move & attack more smoothly. So I don't feel it runs that badly.
@Beau_Skunk You were wrong. They have done something innovative with the graphics, by the standard then. In addition, they introduced an additional character, and character-specific path.
I suggest you playing the game to see them yourself.
@GreatPlayer Castlevania 3 did multiple playable characters & alternative paths before it actually.
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