
	Platform PSP Genre Action Developer Konami Publisher Konami ETA Q3 2007
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Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles

Over a decade ago, the PC Engine got itself what would eventually become a much sought after installment in the Castlevania series: Rondo of Blood. It was a CD-based game that many consider a classic today. However, given the sad state of the TurboDuo in North America, the game never really had a chance of making it across the Pacific. Now, oh so many years later, North American gamers will finally have the opportunity to sink their teeth into the game, as Konami has decided to port the game to the PSP and bring it States-side in the form of Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles.

The first thing people will notice about this update is that it is getting a major facelift. Gone are the sprite-based graphics of the original game. Instead, players will be greeted by lush, 3D visuals. This version of the game is certainly looking far more vibrant visually than the original, and appears to be trying to stay true to Rondo of Blood at the same time.

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At the same time, players can expect Dracula X Chronicles to get more than just superficial improvements. This is a chronicle after all, so that will mean that Konami plans to squeeze more than one game into this package. That being the case, expect to see a 2D original version of Rondo, as well as the

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PlayStation classic, Symphony of the Night. Bare in mind that only Rondo is getting the 3D makeover. Symphony will be staying in its original form.

For those of you who missed out on Rondo of Blood, and there’s probably quite a few of you given the game’s rarity, the game markets an important turning point in the Castlevania franchise. Prior to this game, the series was still in its traditional level-based heyday with players progressing from level one to two to three and so forth. Rondo, on the other hand, began to take baby steps towards more free roaming levels, which have since become commonplace in the series. This manifested itself through players being able to try and find hidden alternate routes through each of the game’s levels. By today’s standards, some may not think this a big deal, but given how this broke with such a strong level design convention at the time, it was. On top of this, Rondo marked the first time that players could use multiple characters in a Castlevania game.

It’s really a shame that so many people missed out on Rondo all those years ago, but now that the game is coming out on the PSP it’s certainly a case of “It’s better late than never”.

Jeff Nash

February 15, 2007