Virtual Console Reviews

This really is a masterpiece.

I like both current and archaic versions. Totally worth the $8.

A great game in all respects. Hard to believe it was one of the earliest entries for the Super Nintendo. As mentioned before, impressive music and graphics. Like many games of this generation, this game will have you pulling your hair out at times. This game is not for the faint of heart. You may very well find your controller lodged into your TV. Not from your Wii strap breaking, but from the rage of getting killed instantly by a falling spike for the gazillionth time. This game is AWESOME!!

I always thought this was a great game, so i decided to download it. But weird things are happening in the game, things like; when I jump the legs are missing or sometimes my character starts disappearing. It's really weird. Why do you think this happens? BTW, I have a PAL Wii.

I have a very hard decision on my hands. Castlevania IV or Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts? Help!

Getcrunk have you tried deleting it and downloading it again

I tried almost everything (yes even deleting it and downloading it again), it still wouldn't work properly. The only thing left to do was erasing the save file. And guess what! It worked! So if any of you guys out there experience graphical problems with certain games, I recommend erasing the save file, then it'll work;-)

getCrunk............... If you are using the component cable you will get graphical glitches in a game which runs at 50HZ. Only games running at 60HZ are fully compatible with the Component cable. The only way around this is like you said to erase the save file or use the normal av cable supplied with the Wii. This means you can keep those save files intact. Hope this is of some help.

This game is amazing. It was the last Castlevania I played before I stopped playing video games though so I have no idea how it compares to later games in the series. Still, I remember it being absolutely amazing. The level design and graphics were so great and the controls were the best that the castlevania games had ever seen (you could move the whip around any way you wanted to). I remember making it to the rotating level (level 4 i think) and freakin out at how amazing it looked. For 91, those were pretty much the greatest graphics ever seen on a video game console. This game is insanely fun to boot. Also, the music is amazing. The early Konami snes games had some of the best music I have ever heard in a video game. There were times where I would just sit back and enjoy the tunes.

The game I'm really hoping for in virtual console is Castlevania 3 because I never got a chance to play that one (it came out so late in the life of the nes and I had already moved on to Sega Genesis. Still, many remember that game fondly and I hope I get a chance to play it on a console at some point in time.

Konami's fourth Castlevania was it's first forary onto the 16-bit font of fantastic gaming that was the SNES. At the time, anything and everything that was released on the SNES seemed almost like a cut above everything else. Castlevania 4 was no exception. Whereas the NES games had evolved a more adventure game style approach, especially Castlevania 3, this was a real 'back to the roots' effort, harking back to the pure "hack and slash" gameplay of the original NES game and "Vampire Killer" on the MSX.

A decade and a half later, how does Castlevania 4 compare. Well, there are some fantastic graphics for the time and also some slightly ropey graphics (especially some of the backgrounds), but what hasn't dated is the outstanding gameplay. Every item and enemy seems to have had it's place thought out to perfection. This game must have been play tested to high heaven. The soundtrack is also one of the best I've ever heard. And the chandelier level still nearly gives me a heart attack too!

All in all, this game is absolutely brilliant! It's still as playable as it was back in the early 1990s. Well worth downloading.

I think the old school series of Castlevanias are slightly overrated as a whole. The stiff controls, knockback and frustrating segments of some levels are harder to stomach today, when the graphics and sound aren't as overwhelming. Still, it's very much worth playing and I'd give it a 4/5.

I have to be honest, I think the stiff controls are more to do with the Classic Controller, rather than the game as I seem to die more playing it on the Wii than on the SNES with my 10+ years old (well broken in) SNES pad. Hopefully the Classic Controller will soften up with age as I know what you mean, especially on those swinging rope bits on world 3!

Ive just been on the shop channel and noticed this had an update, any ideas what it's for?

I wanted to write a small review to warn others from spending points on this mediocre title since it seems so strongly suggested here.

I have no idea why so many people seem to like this version. I have played just about every Castlevania and this, while it isn't the worst, it is far from a "great" game.

The music is OK, but it doesn't fit the game. Overall it is very monotonous and lulls you to sleep. Not bad, but it's not dark like most of the the Castlevania games tend to be.

The gameplay is just average. No better or worse then past generations. This is the first time you can hold your whip out and actually swing it around even after it has fully extended.

Overall this game is pretty boring and I would not recommend it. If you never played it and you're a big Castlevania fan, go ahead and get it. If you are on the fence, save your points/money and pass.

this game is great! brings back a lot of memories.

Kevin - seek help my friend. You clearly have a screw loose.

'If you never played it and you're a big Castlevania fan, go ahead and get it'

I would say that if you haven't played this, you're not a Castlevania fan.

I never played this back in the day. The only Castlevania I had was the original one, which I back then thought was allright, but insanely difficult. Maybe cuz I was 7 at the time. I just downloaded this and I am absolutely loving it. Anyone who likes platform games should get this. 5 out of 5.

Castlevania for the snes is one of the best platform games i have ever played. The graphics and music were very good at the time and still look and sound good to this day. I downloaded with no hesitation. I think anyone who compares this game to super ghouls and ghosts is out of there mind. That game was so much more fustrating than super castlevania and is nowhere near as good

By my Knowledge this game has recieved 2 updates (VC updates)
i notice the speed being a bit faster then in the beginn' when i downloaded the game... has anyone else experienced this?

"I wanted to write a small review to warn others from spending points on this mediocre title since it seems so strongly suggested here.

I have no idea why so many people seem to like this version. I have played just about every Castlevania and this, while it isn't the worst, it is far from a "great" game.

The music is OK, but it doesn't fit the game. Overall it is very monotonous and lulls you to sleep. Not bad, but it's not dark like most of the the Castlevania games tend to be.

The gameplay is just average. No better or worse then past generations. This is the first time you can hold your whip out and actually swing it around even after it has fully extended.

Overall this game is pretty boring and I would not recommend it. If you never played it and you're a big Castlevania fan, go ahead and get it. If you are on the fence, save your points/money and pass."

You sound as if you haven't got very far on the game yes the music is very slow paced on the first few levels but then the first few levels are very slow paced and very easy compared to the last levels.

When you get though the first few levels the gameplay and music are at far faster speed.

This is the only Castlevania game I've ever played, and it's truly excellent! I was worried incase it was being overhyped here, but I was very wrong.

its hard to get used to ,but it hooks you. ive beaten it four times
one of the times because i liked the music in the treasury room. being able to dangle you wip wuz pretty cool too. this game got me playing anything konami comes out with.

One of the best snes games ever, amazing soundtrack ,great level-design and unmatched atmosphere.

such a big difference compare to the first castlevania with the movement and the graphics. i hope they make a new castlevania for the wii

Had this on my Snes - first game I downloaded on the V.C simple,gaming genius - alot harder than I remember - maybe Ive just got old - lol - Highly recommended!

how does the game save mechanism work? thx

The game features a password system where you enter symbols to continue your progress, or better still use the in-built Virtual Console suspension save state to pause and pick up directly from where you quit out of the game.

Good point Dazza. I find that i dont even need to save my games on the VC. All you have to do is press menu on the wii remote and next time you access the game the VC holds it right where you left of even if your half way through a level on castlevania or any other game.

What a game this is! As soon as I bought my Wii (not longer ago actually, hangs head in shame) I downloaded this. It brought back so many happy gaming memories when I was a kid. The atmosphere it creates with the moody graphics and fantastic music is sublime. I've just completed the game first time through and am on the hard level now...not sure these old gaming hands can do it!

Bring on SOTN!

Love teh graphics and music, as well as teh 8 way whip. The best feture of the whip in this one is the ability to swing with it
I was a little dissapointed that dracula did not have a second form to fight.

This is Castlevania perfected. The later Metroid-vanias (SotN, and the GBA games) are fine, but they're fundamentally a different animal. This takes the concept and spirit of the original NES game and amps it up in every way. We've seen thousands of get-to-the-end-of-the-level-and-kill-the-bad-guy action games, but few are done as stylishly or with as much care as this. Super Castlevania IV is the defining action game of its era, and one of the best games ever made.

Love it. There is no other game on the SNES I`d rather have then this and Link to the Past.
My favorite memory of this game was when my uncle gave me it, saying it took him 3 months to beat Dracula, and I did it in half an hour. His face was priceless xD

1.11-0.55 time left in the video = best music in a video game EVER.
The music was so amazing in this game, and gameplay is awesome too!

I never played this until I downloaded it on my Wii. I wanted to play it when it came out but did not have a SNES. It was a great game, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend it...

This game was a masterpiece of action/platforming, the graphics and sound were incredible at the time, espcially considering it was released so early in the SNES's life.

I kid you not. This is one of my favorite games from all time!.

For is time, the graphics, the gameplay and the music, everything was perfect!, you have full control of the best vampire killer in the saga (Simon Belmont) while fighting a horde of evil creatures till you beat the Death and Dracula himself!.

Perfect difficulty, not so hard near impossible (not really frustrating parts except the falling stair on the last stage), but either too easy.

I just love this game, i own it on SNES (played it as a kid) and downloaded it on the VC, it never gets old.

Just that music on the first level gives me chills. Great game.

The game is good but too bad there is no saving slots!

Just use the 'save state' option!

Um. I didn't like this game. Please don't hit me.

I actually played this on my friends SNES years ago and while he was completely in love with it I did not find it fun at all. I downloaded it based on its critical acclaim and while I was mildly amused by it, I found myself thinking that it felt very very old. Slow, plodding gameplay, muddy graphics, and boring levels. The sound is excellent (the score is brilliant) and the whip mechanics where very cool, but I still can't believe that this could be considered superior to Castlevania III by anyone.

I guess if you loved it back then you'll probably love it now. This is probably the best Castlevania game on the VC right now, but when Castlevania III and Castlevania: Bloodlines come out that will no longer be the case.

Please note that my favorite NES Castlevania was II. (III was technically superior, but I still favored II because of its adventure/rpg elements) I know I'm in the minority there as well but that might help explain my low opinion of this game to some of you.

Best Castlevania on the VC at the moment, Though It might lose it's crown when Castlevania 3 finally appears.
Even though I prefer the Metroidvanias, This is pretty high up on my all time favourites list.
One of the best Castlevania soundtracks, great graphics and top gameplay.
(Note to Konami, bring back the 8 way whipping!)

5/5

Trivia: This game was made by the team later to be known as "Treasure" before it broke off from Konami.

I can't believe almost every 2-D Castlevania after this still had us using up-plus-attack to use a subweapon. I mean, in this game, hit the R-button and you'll throw a weapon while crouching, staying STILL on those freaking stairs (like, without accidentally ascending them).

Castlevania IV eschews the ambitions of its (also awesome) predecessor, such as multiple paths, endings, and companions, keeping things kind of straightforward and therefore fantastically polished, though it succeeds in being a spectacle of style and substance--the music and art direction really make things come to life as an "experience" as much as a game, with each level loaded with lots of character and feeling like separate romps through folklore and mythology, though remaining cohesive. It's also worth noting that Super Castlevania IV arguably sports the best-balanced difficulty of the entire series, knowing precisely the balance between challenge and frustration, well-placed checkpoints, and smooth rise of difficulty . . . although maybe Dracula is a little too easy here.

Altogether, to me this game is bliss from start to finish. Not to be missed.

the first game I downloaded...amazing game that I totally don't mind having bought twice.

Ah, my first Castlevania game, which I over-played in my youth and ended up selling off to get Secret of Mana - and in the end missed the game, even if SoM was awesome. Regardless, I do recommend this game fairly heartily, even if it might not last too long.

This is a great game for people who even just like the "Metroidvania" versions of Castlevania. Although I wouldn't recommend it as much as the main reviewer, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sure I nearly destroyed my controller in anger after missing a platform a kagillion times or hitting the spikes for an instant death a bazillion times, but during the other times (yes, even after a bazillion and kagillion times there were other times) I had great fun. The music is fantastic, the whip beats all, and even as a SNES game, it has "Oh-geez" moments of awesomeness. Be warned though, those who frustrate easily should avoid this game or otherwise you might develop a heart attack from playing it (or maybe I just suck at the game, who knows).

7.5/10 If you read this Damo, don't kill me. I'm still indignant about the KoF thing.

This was my first VC download(although I owned it for SNES) Its truly and amazing game.Wait till you here the soundtrack! It ranks in the top 5 of 16-bit titles for the SNES. Do not wait download now!!

I love Castlevania in all its incarnations, and although I give the edge to the metroidvanias such as SOTN and all the fantastic GBA and DS games, THIS GAME IS COOOOOOL. Lots of fun. Addicting. Another classic for a classic system!

5 stars for sure!

IMO this is the best Castlevania next to Symphony of the Night. I've played the NES ones, this, SotN, and one of the GB Advance ones. This game is just awesome. Even if a bit easy at times, the graphics, music, and details really pull you into this enjoyable game. This might not be the best VC game on here at the moment, but it's up there! The VC needs to get the one that was released on the Turbo Duo in Japan (Castlevania X I think?)

Great game. A couple of month ago, i didn't even know the castlevania series. thatnks to the Virtual console, i know posess 3 of those creepy games. A good adventure with a way too straight forwards gameplay is defnetly worth the download. 4 stars from me

I downloaded it because [1] I like recent DS Castlevanias a lot, [2] it's recommended by close friends, and [3] the older Castlevanias have a huge fanbase. I was hugely disappointed--the game has not aged well.

this is a great game for its time
i think this is when they started being a bit more creative
in other words if this game sucked we wouldn't have SOTN or afterwards

One of the best games I have played so far.