Classic NES Series: Castlevania

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
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  1. WilliamT.
    Nov 9, 2007
    5
    A good game but let down by some constantly frustrating (in my opinion) controls and bland graphics.
  2. CharlesAtlas
    Jan 20, 2015
    7
    Don't be thrown off by how easy the first level is. This game is one of the hardest NES games of all time! Cheap difficulty baby! If you want to play this game then you'd best bring your A-game!
  3. BeboFett
    Jan 19, 2019
    7
    The first title of the saga is short, by its nature "arcade", but with quite a challenge. I feel that for its time it fulfills enough; The mechanics is quite simple and the level design meets. Despite its duration it took me a while to finish it in case of difficulty.
  4. lesiuML
    Jun 3, 2023
    5
    Solid foundation of future castlevania games. Still very playable and quite challenging game. There is an easy mode for casual players. Visuals are nice but lack of any story is kinda daunting.

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
23
#23 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Nintendo Power
    84
    The play control is perfect, the enemy AI is well-tuned and the graphics are top-notch for the era. [Dec 2004, p.148]
  2. IGN
    80
    Even with the limited save feature, Castlevania on the GBA is still a great retro throwback. It would have better fit as an unlockable in an original Castlevania, but as it stands it's the only official way you can have the original game in portable form. It's the best game of the second batch, by far.
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  3. Nintendojo
    80
    The character design in Castlevania brought way to a whole new viewpoint in video games. The level design is easily one of the best, bringing a deep sense of platforming to the action. After over 15 years, the game still has a unique look.
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