Veteran Heroes for Castlevania

Way back in’86, a game called Akumajō Dracula [Devil's Castle Dracula] was released in Japan and just about no one over here in the States had a clue. But Akumajō Dracula was the great, great granddaddy of the Castlevania series and in ‘87, the US got their first taste with Castlevania.

Since then, the game [and its game babies] has been released on just about every system known to man and a movie has been in the works since 2005 – which was canceled but now might be back on.

The most recent installment in the Castlevania series – Lords of Shadow – is set in the Middle Ages in Europe and includes big name voice acting by the likes of Patrick Stewart, Jason Isaacs, Natascha McKelhone, and Robert Carlyle.

Also, the Belmont family – a constant group of characters in the game series – will play a part in Lords of Shadow but how big of a part…well, you’ll have to play the new game to know.

Images: Konami

Today in PlayStation: December 18, 2008

Wow, Christmas sure is coming up quickly, and in one week from today we’ll all be busy opening up gifts that are hopefully video game related. But if you can’t wait, treat yourself to one of the many PSN titles that will be hitting the network in today’s update.

• Home has been updated, which should help alleviate some of the connection issues people were having. The update also includes the much needed addition of beards, but temporarily removes any form of voice chat. Compromises.
• The second episode of Penny Arcade Adventures will be hitting the PlayStation Store later today, bringing with it plenty of humor and turn-based combat.
• Also coming to the PS Store this week is Crash Commando, an action-packed 2D side-scrolling shooter with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer.
• Konami has announced that Castlevania Chronicles will be hitting the PS Store today, though whether it’s a remake or the classic PSOne title is still unknown.
• On the eve of its Japanese release, Dissidia: Final Fantasy has officially been announced for North America. It’s expected to come out “mid 2009.

LittleBigPlanet Level of the Day: Devil Castle Part 1 – Shifting Moon

This level appears to be heavily inspired by the Castlevania series, as it features a sprawling environment that shifts from dangerous mountain tops, to sub-terranean areas, all the way back up to an incredibly detailed haunted castle. This castle includes all of the prerequisites, including a laboratory, a torture room, and a creepy dining room. Add in a few clever puzzles, and you have one of the best user generated levels I have played so far. It’s long, detailed, and atmospheric. What more could you ask for?

Blast from the past: Castlevania commercials

Since we’re on the subject of Simon Belmont and Castlevania, I think it proper to reintroduce the game to today’s generation of video game fanatics through a video. This video is actually a collection of Castlevania commercials on the boobtube. Enjoy!

I love this line: Fear has no form. Fear has no name. But now fear has an address … Castlevania!

Is Simon Belmont gay?

I’ve been meaning to pose this question for a very long time … as in since I was, hmmm, a little boy. Not that there’s anything wrong with being gay. The question actually comes from the mind of a disturbed lad nicknamed seanbateman42069@yahoo.com on The SHIZZ.org discussion boards.

Here’s an excerpt from his post entitled, “For The People That Watched Captain N As A Kid, I have a ‘?’ “:

Was Simon Belmont gay?

Not that it matters or anything, but I remember being eight (years old) and thinking he was a little, hmmm, off, you could say. Today was Day One of my 12-day vacation so I went on YouTube and watched like a shit shiznit load of “Captain N” shows. Funny how I remember a lot of them.

But in every show, Simon always pulls out a mirror to look at himself, he brushes his hair quite more than a non-gay male would. He seems to hit on Princess Lana a lot, but it seems forced (like maybe he is trying to prove something) and when they do talk, it’s more of a girl to girl chat.

Haha. I’ve been wondering about the same thing for years … until I found out what a narcissist is, and this is exactly how poor ol’ Simon Belmont of Castlevania fame is portrayed in the Captain N animated series.

There’s an interesting entry about the Captain N version of Simon Belmont in the pages of The Video Game Museum.

Link Castlevania Judgement to the DS for Exciting Party Times

We already know that the very concept behind Castlevania Judgement is abhorrent and nobody likes it. At this point though, we may as well shrug and accept that this is coming. If you still can’t get excited about party times, maybe it’ll cheer you up to hear that Koji Igarashi has revealed some of Castlevania Judgement’s Wii/DS connectivity secrets.

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What Is a Castlevania Rumour? A Miserable Little Cocktease

Welcome to Tokyo Game Show 2008: Special Surprise Edition. I can genuinely say that the news of No More Heroes 2 shocked me and now I am fanning myself like a civil war heroine with the vapours. But as much as I heart Travis Touchdown and the good deeds he does for humanity, I would sell out his mother just to get confirmation on the best news I’ve heard since God invented Pizza Pops.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night Deux.

Please don’t be shocked or offended when I collapse and rub myself against the carpet in glee.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger? No, it’s Simon Belmont!

I guess you’re probably sick with all the stuff I’ve been putting out about Castlevania and its main protagonist, Simon Belmont. Well, here’s another one, sans the mention of the vain Simon Belmont in that old cartoon series, Captain Nintendo.

Guess who?

The figurine may look like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his role as Conan the Barbarian, but I assure you that it’s Simon Belmont, one of the action figures in Castlevania: Series 1. Go figure why it looks like Arnie.

Image shows action figure of Simon Belmont, the main character in the hit video game Castlevania, developed by Konami.

Castlevania: No-death run

Hey, these videos may not show the usual speed run, but I tip my hat at the player-cum-video poster’s ability to stay clear of danger. I’m not really a big fan of Simon Belmont, but I’m inclined to give Castlevania on the Nintendo Entertainment System another go after watching these videos:

Oh, and in case you’re wondering if I’m also in the mood to forgive Simon Belmont’s nasty behavior in Captain Nintendo (you know, that Saturday morning cartoon series), it’s a NO.

Castlevania: Order Of—Holy Crap, It’s Out Soon

Here we have some delicious media for Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. Which, as it so happens, is out quite soon. October of 2008. Where the hell have I been? God, you’d think I was working or engaging in some other manner of time-wasting fuckery.

Now that you’ve seen Shanoa execute impressive attacks whilst clad in high heels, you may hit the jump and watch more succubus showcasing.

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