Top 10 Best Castlevania Games
You've faced the endless staircases, the cursed halls, and the whip-snapping, bat-dodging madness that defines this legendary series. Now it's your turn to judge which Castlevania entries deserve to rise from the crypt and claim the throne.This isn't about nostalgia goggles or fanboy fights over sprites vs. polygons. It's about which games nailed it. Which ones gave you that perfect blend of challenge, atmosphere, and "just one more room" obsession. The ones where every hallway felt like a gauntlet and every boss a twisted, gothic fever dream.
Vote for the Castlevania games that hit the sweet spot. Maybe it was the refined mechanics. Maybe it was the sheer mood. Or maybe it was just that perfect soundtrack that got stuck in your head for a week. Whatever your reasons, cast your votes like you're throwing holy water at a room full of ghouls. Every vote helps decide which titles rise and which ones stay buried.
Released in 1997 for the PlayStation, this game introduced RPG mechanics and exploration elements to the series. Players control Alucard in a nonlinear castle setting. Hard choice between this one and Order of Ecclesia. I might change my vote later, haha, but seriously, this game is awesome.
This game aged amazingly for a PS1 game and has a great soundtrack and art style. Heck, it even created a genre! And most important of all, it's incredibly fun...
This game changed the franchise. It was IGA, Michiru, and Ayami's first work together. Definitely one of the best games of all time.
Released in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance, the story follows Soma Cruz in a futuristic setting. It introduced the Tactical Soul system for acquiring enemy abilities. Great game! I love the variety of weapons and enemies. I love the original Castlevania feel with the new story plot and alternative music. Although, I wish it had the classic vampire theme music in it.
Better than Dawn of Sorrow in my opinion. Despite not being my favorite, this game was the one that got me into Castlevania.
Better than Symphony of the Night.
Originally released in 1993 for the PC Engine CD, this entry stars Richter Belmont in a traditional linear format. It features animated cutscenes and branching level paths. This is the classic Castlevania perfected. Super Castlevania IV is way too easy to be the best due to how game-breaking the whip is. Super Castlevania IV also lacks multiple characters and alternate pathways.
Rondo of Blood has the perfect difficulty, multiple pathways, multiple characters, better visuals and audio, and the best soundtrack of the classic Castlevania games.
Although extremely frustrating at times, it's still the best of the classic Castlevania games!
This one deserves to be in the top 10.
This 1991 SNES title is a reimagining of the original game, showcasing enhanced graphics and multi-directional whipping. Players guide Simon Belmont through Dracula's castle. It's pure classic Castlevania, only perfected. Clunky controls are gone, and in their place, we get to control mid-air jumps, as well as being able to whip in all 8 directions. There aren't any RPG elements, just simple classic Castlevania. And the music is, without a doubt, the best in the series.
One of the greatest soundtracks in video game history.
I love the dark and mysterious atmosphere of this game.
Launched in 1994 for the Sega Genesis, this installment follows two protagonists across Europe. It incorporates unique level design and stylized violence.
This 2005 Nintendo DS sequel to Aria of Sorrow continues Soma Cruz's story with touchscreen-based mechanics. It maintains the Tactical Soul system with added fusion abilities. This game is perfect!
I know Aria of Sorrow came out first and started the whole souls mechanic (WHICH IS AMAZING!), but Dawn of Sorrow perfected everything Aria had done.
The soundtrack is the best in the series. The graphics are simply amazing and better than Aria's, and the feeling every time a soul appears is even more satisfying.
This one and Symphony of the Night are the best, but I think I like this one a bit more.
Launched in 2008 for the Nintendo DS, it features Shanoa as the protagonist utilizing magical glyphs to combat Dracula's forces. The game includes multiple environments beyond the castle. I'm glad I'm not the only one who loves this one the best! Symphony of the Night is great, but I think Order of Ecclesia is so much better! This is easily my favorite in the series. Anyone who thinks otherwise probably hasn't played it.
Give it a shot - you may be surprised at how amazing it is! Oh, and not to mention, this is the first Castlevania game with a female lead, and she is AWESOME!
Debuting in 1986, this game introduced Simon Belmont battling through six stages to defeat Dracula. It established the core action-platforming formula of the series. It's tough to top the original. I grew up with this game, starting to play at age 6 when it came out. I was obsessed and chose a different boss each year for my Halloween costume.
This should really be higher on this list along with Dracula X.
Debuting in 2001 for the Game Boy Advance, players control Nathan Graves in Dracula's castle. The game features a dual card system for magic customization. In my opinion, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon is probably the most underrated Castlevania game ever made. Following the Metroidvania style introduced in Symphony of the Night, Circle of the Moon introduced many cool new features such as the DSS system and the ability to play the game with different modes.
Launched in 2002 on the Game Boy Advance, this entry stars Juste Belmont exploring twin versions of Dracula's castle. It emphasizes fast-paced movement and spell fusion.The Newcomers
A 1991 Game Boy sequel to The Adventure, this title lets players choose the order of stages. It features Christopher Belmont rescuing his kidnapped son.
Set during World War II, this 2006 Nintendo DS title features dual protagonists Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin. The game uses magical portraits to access diverse stages.
Released in 1989 on the NES, players control Trevor Belmont and can recruit three additional characters. The game includes multiple paths and endings.
This 2005 3D action-adventure game for PS2 and Xbox stars Hector, a former Devil Forgemaster. It expands on pet-based combat through Innocent Devils. Despite other reviews, I really liked Castlevania: Curse of Darkness. I enjoyed collecting materials and combining them to make weapons and armor. The game mechanics, where you summon Innocent Devils to aid your journey, are unique and engaging. I liked leveling them up and watching them grow and evolve into stronger versions. I love, I love this game so much.
Released in 1987, this NES sequel incorporated RPG elements like towns, day-night cycles, and item collection. It follows Simon Belmont as he seeks to undo a curse.
This 2010 reboot developed by MercurySteam reimagines the origin of Dracula with Gabriel Belmont as the protagonist. It incorporates a cinematic presentation and combo-based combat. This game is awesome but so underrated. For me, it's one of the best games in the franchise, and I've played almost every Castlevania. I know it's not like the other ones, but even if it doesn't feel like Castlevania, this game is amazing. One of the few games that really touches my heart.
Released in 2003 for PlayStation 2, this 3D entry explores the origin of the Belmont clan. Players control Leon Belmont in a hub-based castle setting.
An SNES adaptation of Rondo of Blood released in 1995, it follows Richter Belmont but features altered levels and limited branching paths. The gameplay remains traditional and linear. An amazing compilation of my three favorite Castlevania games: Symphony of the Night, Rondo of Blood, and Dracula X.
Released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64, this 3D installment allows players to choose between two characters. It includes platforming, puzzles, and real-time exploration. Very underrated, deserves a little higher rating. The hedge maze part still frightens me.
A 2008 Wii-exclusive fighting game, this title brings together characters from across the franchise. It features arena battles with 3D movement and interactive environments.
A 1997 Game Boy title, it follows Sonia Belmont in a standalone prequel to the series. It was later declared non-canon.
Launched in 1989 for the Game Boy, it features Christopher Belmont in a simplified, slower-paced platforming style. The game lacks sub-weapons and has limited control precision.
Released in 2013 for Nintendo 3DS, this game bridges the story between Lords of Shadow and its sequel. It features multiple characters with distinct abilities across interconnected areas. Fantastically done Castlevania game. It blends a lot of elements from Lords of Shadow but places them in a 2D environment. The graphics are outstanding, and the 3D effect must be seen to be believed. The gameplay is very fluid, and the story is slowly revealed as you progress, but suffice it to say it's pretty amazing when it wraps up. The music is more akin to Lords of Shadow, so it's more ambient than catchy, but it's not bad. Overall, this game brought back the old-school Castlevania feeling and combined it perfectly with the Lords of Shadow storyline. An absolute must-play for both old-school Castlevania fans and Lords of Shadow fans alike!
This 2014 sequel continues Gabriel Belmont's story as Dracula in a modern-day and medieval dual-setting. It includes stealth elements alongside action combat.