Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles

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Richter Belmont's untold conquest comes to the US

As if the instant classicPortrait of Ruinweren't enough. Last night publisher Konami, lords of everything vampiric, announced Dracula X Chronicles for the PSP. This compilation includes a spruced-up version of the previously unreleased Rondo of Blood and, perhaps more importantly, a full conversion of PlayStation legend Symphony of the Night.

If that sea of italics and modified pieces of music don't ring any bells, listen up. Rondo never made it to the US, but is often considered one of the best traditional games in the Castlevania series. This remake throws in remodeled 3D backgrounds and visual effects that spice up the standard "walk left to right" gameplay. Rondo introduced a slew of things to the Castlevania universe, including the backflip, screen-nuking items and a host of character designs that are still used in the modern games. However, there's no diagonal whip-cracking here - Richter's a straight-shooter that has to jump to get enemies up high. Helpful items like axes, boomerangs and daggers appear too. Wouldn't be a Castlevania game if they didn't, would it?

Rondo's outstanding music makes a return, though producer Iga said there was still work to be done on translating the title over to the US. There's a chance the rockin' tunes we heard could undergo some changes before the game's fall release. The gameplay, in all its linear glory, should remain untouched from the version we saw.

Brett Elston
Brett Elston

A fomer Executive Editor at GamesRadar, Brett also contributed content to many other Future gaming publications including Nintendo Power, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine. Brett has worked at Capcom in several senior roles, is an experienced podcaster, and now works as a Senior Manager of Content Communications at PlayStation SIE.