Castlevania Anniversary Collection
Konami 50th Anniversary Collection: Castlevania
Release Date: May 16, 2019
Action, fantasy, platformers, 2D, metroidvania, package, remaster/remake, side-scroll, vampires, singleplayer
OpenCritic
Steam
A set of eight platform action games from under the Castlevania brand. The compilation of Konami 50th Anniversary Collection - Castlevania was released on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Konami company.
Konami 50th Anniversary Collection - Castlevania is a compilation of eight classic productions from under the Castlevania brand, which were developed by Konami. The set was released on the occasion of the company's fiftieth anniversary.
Plot
The games in the Konami 50th Anniversary Collection - Castlevania tell the story of the Belmonts and their war against Count Dracula, which stretches over hundreds of years.
Mechanics
The Konami 50th Anniversary Collection - Castlevania is composed of such titles as Castlevania, Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and Super Castlevania IV. These are all platform action games, in which we observe the action from the side, explore locations that are filled with traps, jump through various platformer sections and face opponents from novels and horror films (with vampires at the forefront).
Technical aspects
As is the case with the compilation of Konami 50th Anniversary Collection - Arcade Classics, the graphics of the games which make up the set described here have not undergone any major changes compared to the original versions; however, the authors have enhanced them with some modern solutions. In addition, the set includes an ebook which contains a variety of curiosities about the Castlevania series.
Last updated on March 26, 2019
Videos and Screens
[1:00] Castlevania Anniversary Collection launch trailer
Metro GameCentral: 8 / 10
A surprisingly thorough compilation of 8 and 16-bit Castlevanias, that illustrates the early history of one of gaming's most influential franchises.
COGconnected: 83 / 100 by Jake Hill
For the real gamers out there, the ones who want to consider the whole history of the medium, this collection is a wonderful gift. To people looking for classic design, for inspiration, for history, there’s a lot to like here.
Digital Chumps: 8 / 10 by Nathaniel Stevens
Konami Castlevania Anniversary Collection is a solid release, even without the best of the bunch, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Getting authentic ports of the classic series, while adding some small save features, and graphical options help to sell the package. The bonus book might be the best part of it, though, so that's something to look forward to if you're going to purchase it.
The main pros of the game
- Nostalgia Factor: Many players appreciate the nostalgia of revisiting classic Castlevania titles, with several expressing enjoyment in reliving their childhood memories.
- Quality of Life Improvements: The inclusion of save states allows players to bypass some of the original games' frustrating difficulty, making them more accessible.
- Inclusion of Japanese Versions: The collection features the original Japanese versions of the games, which often include content that was censored in Western releases.
- Bonus Content: The collection comes with a digital eBook that provides insights from developers and artists, enriching the experience for fans of the series.
- Variety of Games: The collection includes multiple titles, offering a wide range of gameplay experiences for both new players and long-time fans.
The main cons of the game
- Frustrating Controls: Many users reported issues with keyboard controls and a lack of customization options, particularly for those who prefer to use controllers.
- Emulation Issues: Some players experienced bugs, such as sound problems and game crashes, which detracted from the overall experience.
- Limited Save States: The collection only allows for one save state per game, which can be limiting for players who want to save during challenging segments.
- Difficulty Level: While some players enjoy the challenging nature of the games, others found the difficulty to feel artificially inflated, particularly with issues related to hit detection and controls.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Lack of Full-Screen Options: Players noted difficulties in switching between windowed and full-screen modes easily.
- Absence of Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night: Many fans expressed disappointment that these beloved titles were not included in the collection.
- Sound Options: Users highlighted the lack of audio settings, which limits the ability to adjust sound effects and background music.
- Achievements for Japanese Versions: Players criticized the decision to exclude achievements for the Japanese versions of the games, which are often considered superior in terms of sound and gameplay experience.
Summary
- Overall, while the Castlevania Anniversary Collection offers a nostalgic and valuable experience for fans of the series, it is marred by some technical issues and missing features that could enhance the gameplay experience.
Summary generated on:
Castlevania Anniversary Collection Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows
Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Castlevania Anniversary Collection System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 128 MB Intel HD 4400 or better, 800 MB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i3-6300 3.8 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 750 Ti or better, 800 MB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit