Castlevania: The Adventure

Castlevania: The AdventureTemplate:Efn is a 1989 platform game developed and published by Konami for the Game Boy. The game is the first in the Castlevania series to be released on a handheld game console.

The game was re-released in color as part of the Konami GB Collection compilations in Japan and Europe. A remake titled Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth was released as a WiiWare game for the Wii. The original game is included in the Castlevania Anniversary Collection, which was released in 2019.

Gameplay

File:Castlevania the Adventure gameplay.png

The top of the screen display's the time remaining in the stage, while the bottom of the screen show's the player's current health and score. At the center of the screen, Christopher, the player character, is whipping an enemy.

Set a century after the events of Castlevania: Curse of Darkness and a century before the events of the original Castlevania, the player controls Christopher Belmont, a descendant of Trevor Belmont and ancestor of Simon Belmont, who goes on a quest to defeat Dracula.

The game consists of four stages, and unlike other Castlevania games, there are no sub-weapons, but hearts are used to restore health. The player has three lives, after losing them the player must restart the level. Weapons can be upgraded, such as the whip into the chain whip and flame whip, but any enemy damage will downgrade an upgraded weapon. At the end of each level, there is a "primary evil" (boss) to confront. Players can utilize crystals, hearts, and crosses of gold. There is a point counter, and at 10,000 points, a player receives an extra life, and receives one for every 20,000 points after that. Each stage has a time limit in which to complete the level.

Reception

Castlevania: The Adventure received positive reviews. Electronic Gaming Monthly issue 5, referred to the game as "a very good game that shows just how good Game Boy games can be." In EGM issue 8, the game received four additional reviews with scores of 8, 8, 8, and 7. The reviewers wrote that it was "a fantastic game," "one of the most amazing Game Boy games to appear, with crisp backgrounds and excellent stereo sound." "There's no doubting that this will be a big cart for the Game Boy and deservedly so. One of the few Game Boy titles seen so far that overcomes the lack of color to produce a very fun piece of software." "Very detailed graphics, hidden rooms, and good player control all add up to the making of an outstanding game." Zero (UK) referred to the game as being "without doubt... the most polished Game Boy title so far. It features exquisitely detailed scrolling backdrops and beautifully animated creatures. An atmospheric soundtrack warbles along with the action. Sound effects like popping eyeballs are excellent too... Control of the main character is responsive and smooth and the mission long and arduous." Nintendo Power issue 92 featured a retrospective review (circa January 1997), stating the game "ranks as one of the best action games in the vast Game Boy library ... The play control and graphics are exceptional for the Game Boy format thanks to a top development team at Konami ... Although you might think that a game from 1989 is a bit long in the tooth, amazingly it's as good as anything that has appeared in the ensuing years... excellent graphics and play control." A Gamepro Castlevania retrospective referred to both Castlevania:The Adventure and Belmont's Revenge as "excellent additions to the Castlevania series and a must-have for vampire killers on the go." Games X (UK) referred to the game as "superb." Total (UK) called The Adventure "a rip-roaring little game. Give it a bash." Jeff Rovin in How to Win at Game Boy Games gave Castlevania: The Adventure an A and wrote, "This is one of the earliest Game Boy games and still one of the best. A marvelous adaptation of the NES game with an endless variety of challenges and impressive music and sound effects."

Later, largely internet-based retrospectives have been mixed. The game was regarded difficult at times, with long levels and only three lives before playing the second cycle. The graphics were thought to be "competent", the music well-composed with memorable tunes. IGN said it had a basic design, none of the series' staple bosses, and nothing original. Game InformerTemplate:'s Tim Turi felt that it was held back by its technical limitations but praised its sound quality.

Time Extension placed The Adventure second last on its list of ranked Castlevania games. It was described that "The gameplay is sluggish, the level design uninspired and the controls painful. Only a decent soundtrack saves this one from the scrapheap."

In June 2006, a ROM hack of the game was created. The hack, titled Quick Fix, resolved many issues and criticisms with the game; Christopher Belmont moves at a much more reasonable speed, the whip does not downgrade when Belmont gets hit (however it still downgrades when he dies), and Belmont's hitbox was also slightly improved to prevent instances where he seemingly lands on a platform, but then "slips" off. The creator states that it was "Made on behalf of those who have played [Castlevania] Adventure and hated it due to certain drawbacks" before going on to mention said drawbacks.

In other media

A series of comic books were released in 2005 by IDW Publishing called Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy, which are based on the game.

External links

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