Castlevania (NES)

Difficulty - ****

Controls - ***

Graphics - ****

Sound - *****

Overall - 16 out of a possible 20

Grab your garlic and whip and let's get cracking! Konami gives us this horror classic from 1987! You play as Simon Belmont the famed vampire killer. Dracula's evil has spread across the land and only you have the power to put an end to him!

You have an assortment of weapons to aid you in your quest. Each one of the sub-weapons can easily be used by holding the 'up' arrow key and pressing 'B'. A small gripe, if your using one of your sub-weapons near a set of steps, you'll usually climb them (thus not being able to use your weapon.)

Using your whip is nice and easy but jumping is the real problem. When you jump you are committed to it. Often this will lead you to bounce off of baddies and into a pit. Or undershooting your jump and plummeting to your death.

The graphics are clean, dark and moody. Perfect for this type of game. You'll be slugging your way into Dracula's castle and through it as well. The sprites are nicely detailed (I really enjoy the giant bat in the first stage!) Most of the end bosses actually are really great looking.

The music and sound effects are so well done. Each stage has a really catchy tune, from pulse racing beats to thunderous anthems. The sound effects from cracking your whip, getting hit, destroying enemies, hell, even when you close or open doors it sounds great!

All in all your trip to Dracula's castle will be an enjoyable one. The sound and graphics are some of the best on the NES. The challenge of the game will keep you screaming for more (just wait until you fight Death!). Controlling Belmont is rather easy until you hit some jumping areas. The less than forgiving jump mechanic will lead you to many deaths. Graphically Simon could have been detailed with a little more colour, but its only a minor quibble. Castlevania is one trip you definitely don't want to miss!