Castlevania comes to Wii as a 3D fighter
by Randy Nelson 
{ Jun 26th 2008 at 7:00PM }
In its first look at the game, the Nintendo Power gang reveals that Castlevania Judgment will feature gameplay that uses the nunchuck for character movement and the Wii remote for swing-based attacks. Sub-weapons such as crosses and holy water, a staple of the series, will appear and – just as in the action-adventure games – cost hearts to use. The character roster as revealed so far includes Simon Belmont, Alucard, Dracula, Maria Renard, and Shanoa. Traps, random monsters, and destructible environments will also play into combat.
The August issue of Nintendo Power is arriving in subscriber's mailboxes now. Thanks to GoNintendo for the heads-up, and to Nintendo Power for confirming the story. Otherwise, we'd have chalked this one up to a really
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 26th 2008 7:07PM
"a 3D fighting game featuring characters (and game mechanics) from the classic vampire-thwapping franchise."
Ooooooh man. I'm just going to kick back on a lawnchair and watch how bad this game turns out.
Lars @ Jun 26th 2008 8:23PM
3D and Castlevania have never worked well together. Why on earth would they advertise it as 3D?! Just advertise "Castlevania fighter" that's at least interesting, and doesn't remind us of all the horrible 3D Castlevanias.
KeenCommander @ Jun 26th 2008 9:12PM
I rather enjoyed the two games on N64, I guess I must be the only one.
Mojo @ Jun 27th 2008 3:06PM
I'm with you bro. I'm pretty sure I only played the first Castlevania 3D on the N64, but I thought it was way fun. But, I'm pretty sure it's just you and me.
This is definitely a weird idea and I'm not signing off until I see Grant.
Jerk @ Jun 26th 2008 7:09PM
What? Hmm I'll withhold judgement till I see screen shots and I see a gameplay vid. Here's hoping it surprises everyone and it ends being an awesome game.
Gronk @ Jun 26th 2008 7:12PM
There's a screen shot if you view the Source.
http://gonintendo.com/?p=47669
Alucard needs his cape :(
Mr.ESC @ Jun 26th 2008 7:12PM
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWphqA1Slrw&feature=related
NO!
Rob Accomando @ Jun 26th 2008 7:15PM
You gotta be kidding me.
Drew @ Jun 26th 2008 7:19PM
Goddammit Konami.
That's one Castlevania game I will be avoiding.
strollymonster @ Jun 26th 2008 7:30PM
Is there a reason we can't get a good 2D Castlevania outside of handhelds?
Mr Khan @ Jun 26th 2008 7:34PM
It is the way of the world. I mean, look at Wario Land: Shake It!, it's one of the only high-profile 2D console retail releases out there, and i wouldn't have believed it until i saw it
A lot of developers remember the mid-to-late 90's, and the trend to leave 2D behind completely on consoles, and many haven't gotten beyond that
DangerMouse @ Jun 26th 2008 7:39PM
Because it would probably sell poorly. SOTN was one of those gems that don't come along all the time, and was released when 2D gaming was on the way out. I thought circle of the moon and Harmony of dissonance were pretty shitty games, and i always wondered why with the success of SOTN, why it took to games to get it right.
DangerMouse @ Jun 26th 2008 7:41PM
^two*
Lars @ Jun 26th 2008 8:28PM
There's plenty of 2D games being churned out onto consoles this gen (well, they're usually rendered in 3D but side-scrolling only), so yeah, why not have another side-scrolling Castlevania.
Kael @ Jun 27th 2008 2:57AM
Everyone, please remember that Super Smash Brothers is a high-profile, big-budget, fully-featured, great and great-selling modern 2D game for a home system. The next time someone openly pines for a Castlevania or real Metroid for consoles, think 2D gameplay with polygonal graphics unless otherwise specified, to avoid thinking a 2D game couldn't sell in today's market.
Those who recognize me know I'm a Castlevania nut, but whoever calls the shots at Konami is a nut of a different kind. This is the last thing I'd have guessed to see from Castlevania; what information are they looking at that says their fans would want to play a 3D fighter? I'll be quizzically watching this one from afar.
gir @ Jun 26th 2008 7:20PM
They've lost their brains!
Anchorman 2! @ Jun 26th 2008 7:22PM
At least 500 comments on this one.
DP @ Jun 26th 2008 10:11PM
Not quite.
DangerMouse @ Jun 26th 2008 7:29PM
It's the 1990's all over again!
Fullmetal Salchemist @ Jun 26th 2008 7:31PM
"but not in the form you expected ... or may have hoped for"
...or may have actually wanted.
Mr Khan @ Jun 26th 2008 7:31PM
Something close to what i expected. They clearly have the DS pegged as the series platform at this point, so they weren't going to do a full-fledged series entry as a conventional Wii release. That left two alternatives for the game they've been hinting at: A spin-off, or a WiiWare title
It appears they've gone with the former...
It could prove to be excellent fan-service, or just a cheesy joke, but i couldn't see Konami selling out one of their best franchises to something sucky
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 26th 2008 7:36PM
They sure didn't mind doing it on the N64 (and I think PS2) with the shitty 3D castlevanias.
Mr.ESC @ Jun 26th 2008 7:37PM
The PSP game was good too...just too damn hard for its own good.
I finished tho'.
Mr Khan @ Jun 26th 2008 7:49PM
And i think they learned their lesson from the N64 and that PS2 version i think i remember too (anyone verify this), which is why i figured it was precluded
Hence, spinoff, instead of full-title
Yourself @ Jun 26th 2008 7:38PM
I don't understand why everyone is so upset. Did you guys play the 3D Castlevania games for PS2? They're not bad by any means, but they're also no masterpieces. You guys act like they're destroying a flawless series, when in fact, they're freshening up a stale action RPG (not commenting on the 2D games, those are still awesome).
I think an all-star cast could work for Castlevania, seeing as the series definitely has a quirky sense of humor. A brand new roster would be more fitting and intriguing, though.
Either way, I highly anticipate this game.
Mr.ESC @ Jun 26th 2008 7:42PM
"they're also no masterpieces".
Once upon a time Castlevania games were masterpieces.
Castlevania 3,Super Castlevania and Symphony of the night.
Yourself @ Jun 26th 2008 7:52PM
I was referring explicitly to the PS2 games. Castlevania 3 is okay and 4 is a little better (breakdancing skeletons lol), and Symphony of the Night is excellent though nowhere near as good as Aria of Sorrow, the indisputable peak of the series.
Yourself @ Jun 26th 2008 7:54PM
Man that was a horrific run-on sentence.
Mr.ESC @ Jun 26th 2008 8:40PM
Aria of sorrow?,I didn't liked the characters.
DangerMouse @ Jun 26th 2008 9:25PM
Aria of Sorrow was actually a pretty good game, along with Dawn of Sorrow, but the lame teenage anime bullshit was hard to swallow. Castlevania's never been known for their in-game story, but if they gotta do it, then make it somewhat bearable to read.
VampMGS2 @ Jun 26th 2008 7:49PM
Well, this will no doubt be a terrible game. Unfortunately, it will sell well and we'll never see a good Castlevania game ever again. Thank you Wii for completely ruining gaming.
Mr Khan @ Jun 26th 2008 7:55PM
Wow, lets ignore the series' continued excellence on DS
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 26th 2008 8:04PM
It's fitting that the series is on a nintendo system, because I think the 2D versions have fallen for the same problem their big games have. Each 2D castlevania is virtually identical to the last ever since Symphony of the Night. It's starting to get a little old now.
samfish @ Jun 26th 2008 8:33PM
Hey Mr Kahn, you're sandwiched by trolls!
Mr.ESC @ Jun 26th 2008 8:43PM
Samfish you activated my trap card!
"Everything sucks".
"This card deals 100 points of burn damage to everyone,if 1 or more fanboys are in play start a flame war.At the end of the game you and every player LOST THE GAME".
(Now you are between trolls Samfish)
NANANA @ Jun 26th 2008 9:04PM
OH GOD IT'S LIKE A DOUBLE DECKER TROLL SANDWICH
NOT DELICIOUS
DarthDavid @ Jun 26th 2008 7:58PM
After playing Odin Sphere, watching Blaz Blue CT, and Mega Man going old school.....THERE IS NO EXCUSE. Please make a 2D HD Castlevania already!!!
deaftly @ Jun 26th 2008 7:58PM
What a terrible idea
DangerMouse @ Jun 26th 2008 8:42PM
What a terrible night to have curse.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jun 26th 2008 8:12PM
do not want.
Kyattsuai @ Jun 26th 2008 8:15PM
The justification for this game depends entirely on whether those cat-throwing witches are playable or not.
samfish @ Jun 26th 2008 8:34PM
I don't think I want this...
...I'm so confused right now.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 26th 2008 9:14PM
It's ok, you can turn down a game on a nintendo system and still be a nintendo fan. Tell fernando that too.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jun 26th 2008 9:10PM
I remain cautiously optimistic. While Konami doesn't exactly have much of a fighting game history... who knows, they could really surprise us here.
Yes, it isn't a "true" Castlevania game. But, they could still whip out something fun and enjoyable here.
Heheh... I said "whip"...
kataztrophy @ Jun 26th 2008 9:12PM
Staying open minded, but still not interested in a Komani fighting game.
Cesaria (www.cesariatic.wordpress.com) @ Jun 26th 2008 9:35PM
People are freaking out because it's a Wii title. I'm pretty sure that if it was for the 360, people would be a lot more positive. This is an attitude that needs to be eradicated. I think it shows potential.
ronald.raygun @ Jun 26th 2008 10:14PM
no no no, a 360 castlevania fighter would suck too, we can all admit i think. That 3d xbox castlevania game was terrrrrrrible.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 26th 2008 10:36PM
Nintendo fan thinks bad but new game on nintendo console looks good. This and more shocking headlines on news at 11
Cesaria (www.cesariatic.wordpress.com) @ Jun 26th 2008 11:14PM
If this was any other system, I'd say the same thing. I was merely pointing out the negative connotations the Wii name can carry, especially with a promising title such as this. Your reply=fail, tmac.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 27th 2008 12:33AM
Except you're one of the extreme few who thinks this looks promising, and you are a nintendo fan. I am capable of putting 2 and 2 together.