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Akumajō
Dracula
悪魔城ドラキュラ
26 Sep 1986 |
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The very first Castlevania is a slice of pure, unadulterated video gaming circa 1986: guide a lone character through trap-laden
environments and lash out at everything in
your way.
It's the usual fare, but something special is going
on here. Somehow the game hit all the right notes, ending up as one of
the finest action / platform games of all time.
The game throws you up against the Prince of Darkness
himself: Dracula. Ruler of the night, scourge of mankind... A beast who has claimed thousands of innocent lives
by feeding on their blood and leeching on their very
souls.
But at least he has manners - a trait seldom
seen in these vulgar and slothful times. Truth be told
he is a gentleman and an excellent host: the
parties he holds in his 'Demon Castle'
have become the hip place to be and be seen on those
dank and dull Transylvanian weekends.
Problem is these always end up turning into crazed
and debauched five-day orgies, where the guests regularly
commit themselves to levels of excess that would even
make Caligula blush. It was only a matter of time until
the rozzas turned up - but instead of The Filth it's
the legendary vampire hunter Simon Belmont who is crashing
at the gates, and he definitely doesn't have
an invite.
The setting is superb, but the core of Akumajō Dracula's appeal
lies in its meticulous architecture and nigh-on perfect
gameplay. The character responds flawlessly, and each
level is brimful of tricks and traps.
It remains to joy to play even today, full of depth and intricacy. Not just that, like Gradius (1985) when you finish the game you're up against a tougher, tweaked 'second
loop'.
Then a third, a fourth... The game really
picks up further on, adding more and more enemies and
bonuses along the way. Push this thing: it will take
you as far as you can go.
Rating:  |
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Akumajō
Dracula
悪魔城ドラキュラ
FAMICOM DISK SYSTEM |
DETAILS
| Format |
Famicom |
| Released |
26
Sep 1986 |
| Publisher |
Konami |
| Product
ID |
KDS-AKM |
| Size
(cm) |
10
x 9 x 1.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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The
original Disk System release
of Akumajō Dracula
is still remarkably cheap
for such an piece of gaming
history. But hurry: it's getting
more and more expensive by
the day.
Standard
Disk System packaging: disk,
case, 42-page colour booklet
exterior plastic box. |
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Akumajō
Dracula Kanpeki Kōryaku Hon
悪魔城ドラキュラ
完ペキ攻略本
GUIDE BOOK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
10
Oct 1986 |
| Publisher |
Kosuka
Shuppan |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-87651-001-4 |
| Size
(cm) |
17.3
x 10.5 x 0.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.09 |
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Antique
'All-inclusive Capture Book'
for the original Akumajō
Dracula.
Features gameplay strategies,
boss tactics, and full stage
layouts with screenshots illustrating
the location of every secret
item.
Becoming quite hard to find
in good condition! |
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Akumajō
Dracula Famicom Best
悪魔城ドラキュラ
ファミコン・ベスト
SOUNDTRACK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
21
Mar 1990 |
| Publisher |
King
Records |
| Product
ID |
KICA-1005 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Vintage
soundtrack CD featuring the
complete BGM collections of
the first 3 Famicom Dracula
games:
- Akumajō
Dracula (1986)
- Dracula
II (1987)
- Akumajō
Densetsu (1989)
This original 1990 edition
is now a VERY valuable item
- it can often be found in
specialist stores around the
$100 mark (with no spine).
Please contact
us if you're really after
one, otherwise just go for
the 1998 'Best' re-release
(see below). |
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Akumajō
Dracula
悪魔城ドラキュラ
FAMICOM |
DETAILS
| Format |
Famicom |
| Released |
5
Feb 1993 |
| Publisher |
Konami |
| Product
ID |
RV003 |
| Size
(cm) |
14
x 9.5 x 2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.12 |
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Faced
with the withdrawal of the
Famicom Disk System and the
growing popularity of the
series, Konami re-issue the
original Akumajō Dracula
on Famicom cartridge - but
only in limited numbers. Result?
A ridiculously pricey item.
The game itself remains identical,
but like the export NES version
it lacks the Disk System's
'save' option & menus.
Large-sized FC packaging,
1Mbit cartridge, monochrome
booklet. |
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Akumajō
Dracula Best
悪魔城ドラキュラ
ベスト
SOUNDTRACK (RE-ISSUE) |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
23
Sep 1998 |
| Publisher |
King
Records |
| Product
ID |
KICA-7901 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Re-issue
edition of the 1990 'Akumajo
Dracula Famicom Best' compilation
listed above. Features the
complete BGM collections of:
- Akumajō
Dracula (1986)
- Dracula
II (1987)
- Akumajō
Densetsu (1989)
...with some spooky sound
effects thrown in here and
there for good measure.
CD
case, 33-track audio CD (1:04:00),
12-page monochrome booklet,
spine card. |
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Akumajō
Dracula
悪魔城ドラキュラ
FAMICOM MINI SERIES Vol.29 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Game
Boy Advance |
| Released |
10
Aug 2004 |
| Publisher |
Nintendo |
| Product
ID |
AGB-FADJ-JPN |
| Size
(cm) |
8
x 10.5 x 2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.06 |
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Re-release of the
Famicom version of Akumajō Dracula
for the GBA.
Vol.29 in the Famicom Mini series.
Plastic case, miniature replica
box, 32Mbit cartridge, two
large fold-out instruction
sheets. |
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'Akumajō
Dracula' and 'Konami' are registered trademarks of
Konami Corporation
'Famicom', 'Game Boy Advance' and 'Nintendo' are registered trademarks
of Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Akumajō Dracula TM & © 1986 Konami All Rights Reserved
Page content, design & layout © 2012 Arcade Gear |
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