After a somewhat subpar March, Japan's April schedule will probably blow you away. It includes a certain TurboGrafx-CD game everybody wants that was recently rereleased on PSP - Yep, it's Dracula X, the only Castlevania game to never be released outside Japan (It was ported to SNES, but with a massive music/graphics downgrade, and the PSP version just isn't the same!). See if you can spot the other classics on the list:
Famicom:
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (April 1st)
-Sky Kid (April 1st)
-Volguard II
-Bokosuka Wars
Super Famicom:
-Famicom Detective Club Part II
-Hercules no Eikou IV
N64:
-Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Sega Master System:
-Wonder Boy
Sega Mega Drive:
-M.U.S.H.A. (More widely known as Aleste and Musha Aleste, April 1st)
-Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
-Phelios
PC Engine:
-Riot Zone (April 1st)
-Legend of Valkyrie (April 1st)
-Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (We think that this game will show up outside Japan, so we've added it)
-Digital Champion: Battle Boxer
-Monster Lair
Neo Geo: (Yup, it's finally getting a new game again!)
-Metal Slug

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1. Mike
28 Mar 2008, 13:07 GMT
Fantastic. I love the Castlevania series. Now just give me Castlevania 3 and Castlevania 64/Legacy of Darkness and I'll happy.
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2. slangman
28 Mar 2008, 13:08 GMT
Dracula X would be an awesome addition for the Turbographx libary. And so is Phantasy Star 3 since this is a sign us europeans are getting any month now.
Also glad that the Neo Geo is getting updated again, though since you can get Metal Slug with 5 others on the antologey version i don't see any reason to download this.
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3. Bass X0
28 Mar 2008, 13:14 GMT
whoo! metal slug! now wii owners will finally be able to pla... oh. never mind.
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4. Tony
28 Mar 2008, 13:18 GMT
I am jumping for joy if Dracula X come here to the US. I bet it will
I can't wait to play it! I do everything but sell a kidney to play Castlevania
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5. BDPatVCR
28 Mar 2008, 13:22 GMT
Why does Nintendo Japan has a list of future releases and NoA or NoE don't ?
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6. Drake
28 Mar 2008, 13:28 GMT
Nintendo of Europe actually put up a list of games for December 2006 when the Wii was released, but they never did so since. We've got no clue why, I guess they just like to keep the games a secret unless they're really special (Hanabi Festival, etc.)
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7. Manicfatty
28 Mar 2008, 13:51 GMT
I just had a Nerdgasm...I've been wanting M.U.S.H.A. on the VC since the first shmups started appearing. I hope this gets a states release! Phelios isn't horrible either, but give me Lighting Force please..and Gaiares.
And I don' think I really need to say it but...RONDO!!! Oh...yeeees!
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8. Rapadash6
28 Mar 2008, 13:53 GMT
Holy smokes! Dracula X is like the Holy Grail of import titles. I don't doubt this will see a release outside of Japan as it's one of the most requested Virtual Console titles and it doesn't really require a translation. It'd be nice if it WAS translated but I'll take this game anyway I can get it... well, without having to buy a PSP that is. ^^'
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9. D00M
28 Mar 2008, 14:07 GMT
What was so bad about the PSP version of RoB? The remake was beautiful and it had the original version on there as well.
The only thing bad on that UMD was the butchered version of SoTN.
Regardless, this is great news and I can't wait to download RoB
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10. Drake
28 Mar 2008, 14:12 GMT
PSP version's got some audio problems, and different voice actors. Nothing too big, but it's still not a true port of the original
Dracula X
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11. D00M
28 Mar 2008, 14:39 GMT
My bad then, I always thought it was a true port.
It will be great to play RoB full screen on TV rather than the letterbox the S&L PSP gives you.
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12. Damo
28 Mar 2008, 14:44 GMT
MUSHA is one of my all-time fave Megadrive shooters.
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13. J.K.
28 Mar 2008, 15:17 GMT
I used to have that Castlevania game on CD when I had a Duo last decade and it was fantastic. The game was hard, had a lot of neat second exits to find to do other stages, and the musical score was some of the best of all time out of the series. I miss the game quite a bit, and I'd hope to think Konami wouldn't keep treating us badly and will give us this one as I'll pay for it again...count on it. Much furious I will get if this one stays away, much like the disgusting delay with Ys Book 1+2 that was OK'd months ago well back into 2007.
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14. Marvel_Maniac
28 Mar 2008, 15:26 GMT
I am so pumped for Rondo. This HAS to come to N.A.
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15. coire
28 Mar 2008, 16:26 GMT
Whoa! Talk about a killer month! They get Metal Slug, Kirby AND RONDO. And they also have Wiiware! Let's just hope we see some of that support come to our shores!
Also, 17 games for 1 month?!?! That's immense!
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16. Bensei
28 Mar 2008, 16:41 GMT
I am interested in Detective Club II because it got a trophy in SSBM, to bad it would need lots of translating (I think) and therefore won't be an import title
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17. firebrand
28 Mar 2008, 16:49 GMT
Phelios! Namco has been giving good support to the MegaDrive/Genesis. Now if they'll only release Splatterhouse 2 & 3.
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18. Adamant
28 Mar 2008, 16:55 GMT
The Tantei Club games are fine adventure games, but their relative unknown-ness and large amount of text that MUST be understood (and thus translated) to play them makes them very bad choices for the non-Japanese VC.
Believe me, if we're getting new translations of old, text-heavy games not released outside Japan, it will be Fire Emblem games.
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19. Quimby
28 Mar 2008, 17:10 GMT
I am so very totally (to the MAX) considering Metal Slug, as although I own the Wii compilation, it doesnt allow for classic controllers. (why, damn you, why?) and I only own one GC controller, so no co-op. (the Wiimote controller setting are sacrelige).
Now, if it were MS2, then it would be an easy choice. DL immediately!!!
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20. Kenryoku_Maxis
28 Mar 2008, 18:20 GMT
Tat is SUPERB news. More Imports, and one of my 3 favorite series, Castlevania would be great. But I do need to point out...they do seem to be skipping over Castlevania III for some odd reason. They have CV I, II, IV and now the superior version of V out. Wait...what happened to III?
Don't you DARE touch my masterpiece IGA! I'll KILL you!
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21. Atlantis1982
28 Mar 2008, 19:15 GMT
Watch Dracula X NEVER comes to the States because NoA doesn't think its a great title to bring in.
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22. NintendoBrad
28 Mar 2008, 19:15 GMT
YES. Rondo of Blood is THE BEST CASTLEVANIA EVER. Incredible graphics, diverse levels, multiple routes and endings, TWO playable characters, insane bosses, anime cutscenes, and one heck of an AMAZING soundtrack... This MUST come to the American and European Virtual Consoles. Yes, it was recently released on PSP as part of a compilation, but with washed-out colors, muffled sound effects, out-of-sync voice acting for cutscenes, and a squashed letterbox display, it was far from a perfect port.
Finally, a chance to play this classic on my own television screen... for WAY less than $100.
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23. That Guy from Faxanadu
28 Mar 2008, 21:51 GMT
GACK! Rondo of Blood!!!? Thought it´d never come, considering the PSP remake. Still too early to be sure of a Europe/US release but...
By the way, Volguard II features terrible music and is one of the worst shooters in the history of mankind. Some ups and downs for Japan ^^
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24. Aldo
28 Mar 2008, 22:34 GMT
TIME FOR ANOTHER HANABI FESTIVAL NOE!!!!!!
Hopely with Dracula X
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25. Charco
28 Mar 2008, 22:44 GMT
I've heard so many great things about Rondo of Blood over the years. I will download this for sure!
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26. Radretrogamer
28 Mar 2008, 23:29 GMT
my moneys on the SNES Dracula X release, i bet Nintendo will consider that a fair substitute, regardless of what anyone says.
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27. firebrand
29 Mar 2008, 00:00 GMT
You know, I can actually see them giving us the SNES Dracula X instead.
Quit your whining! You should be thankful you got the SNES version! Nintendo can do no wrong!
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28. Jonno
29 Mar 2008, 02:58 GMT
Dracula X, Legend of Valkyrie, Metal Slug, Famicom Detective Club Part II, and M.U.S.H.A. are the great ones I could spot.
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29. Serpent
29 Mar 2008, 03:58 GMT
Cant wait for MUSHA and Castlevania.
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30. J.K.
29 Mar 2008, 06:12 GMT
Dracula X SNES (in JP Dracula XX) is a sidestory of the PCE game...well sorta sidestory/remake whatever it is really. I own it, great game...really fantastic work was done on it even in its retro style (no 360 whip) and the music is amazing.
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31. Adamant
29 Mar 2008, 08:49 GMT
"But I do need to point out...they do seem to be skipping over Castlevania III for some odd reason"
The Japanese version of the game utlised a special Konami-developed chip, the VC might have trouble emulating it. Isn't that the reason given for why we haven't gotten the original Star Fox yet?
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32. Charco
30 Mar 2008, 11:32 GMT
The Japanese version of the game utlised a special Konami-developed chip, the VC might have trouble emulating it. Isn't that the reason given for why we haven't gotten the original Star Fox yet?
I don't think the Wii would have any issues emulating the SuperFX chip to be honest. This can be done on Snes9x and zSnes for years (not that I would know anything about emulators....) ;p
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33. morphballer
30 Mar 2008, 22:55 GMT
(gasps)
RONDO OF BLOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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34. whalleywhat
31 Mar 2008, 02:52 GMT
Just put out Rondo of Blood in NA. I don't care about a translation. I'll pay $15! $20!! Want!!!
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35. NESgamer
31 Mar 2008, 10:58 GMT
Oh yes please, bring "Rondo of Blood" to us!. It'll be awesome.
.
While you're at it, i hope Bloodlines gets a chance too
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36. Herandar
31 Mar 2008, 13:41 GMT
The game I've wanted ever since the VC was announced... Sky Kid! It may not be everyone's favorite, but my brothers and I would play rather competitive co-op back in the mid-80s, and we still played a few levels on the original cart a few years ago. Instant download for me.
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37. butanebob
01 Apr 2008, 01:44 GMT
It was just a sound chip, there shouldn't be any problems emulating it.
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38. MasterMario
01 Apr 2008, 02:30 GMT
Nice list.
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39. SuperTarin
02 Apr 2008, 05:29 GMT
I demand that Dracula X come to the US.
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