:Castlevania

{{See also|List of Castlevania media#Video games}}

{{Timeline of release years

| subtitle = Original series in green
Lords of Shadow series in yellow

| range1 = 1986 – 2009

| range1_color = #0BDA51 Black

| range2 = 2010 – 2014

| range2_color = #FFD700 Black

| range3 = 2024

| range3_color = #0BDA51 Black

| compressempty = 2015 - 2023

| 1986a = Castlevania

| 1986b = Vampire Killer

| 1987 = Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

| 1988 = Haunted Castle

| 1989a = Castlevania: The Adventure

| 1989b = Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

| 1991a = Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge

| 1991b = Super Castlevania IV

| 1993b = Akumajō Dracula

| 1993c = Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

| 1994 = Castlevania: Bloodlines

| 1995 = Castlevania: Dracula X

| 1997a = Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

| 1997b = Castlevania Legends

| 1999a = Castlevania (Nintendo 64)

| 1999b = Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness

| 2001 = Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

| 2001b = Castlevania Chronicles

| 2002 = Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

| 2003a = Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

| 2003b = Castlevania: Lament of Innocence

| 2005a = Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

| 2005b = Castlevania: Curse of Darkness

| 2006 = Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

| 2007b = Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

| 2008a = Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

| 2009 = Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth

| 2010b = Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

| 2013 = Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate

| 2014 = Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2

| 2024 = Haunted Castle Revisited

}}

Most Castlevania titles have been released in Japan, North America, Europe and Australia on various video game consoles, personal computers (PC) and mobile phones, with additional remakes and re-releases.{{cite web | url=https://www.konami.com/games/castlevania/us/en-us/history#menu-top | title=HISTORY Castlevania web portal | access-date=January 10, 2018 | date=January 10, 2018 | publisher=Konami | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002064844/https://www.konami.com/games/castlevania/us/en-us/history#menu-top | archive-date=October 2, 2018 | url-status=live }}

The first console title, Castlevania, was released on the Famicom Disk System in 1986 and in North America in 1987 on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). A 2D sidescrolling action game where the player progresses through six stages, many principal features of the Castlevania series originated with it.{{cite web | url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/at-30-castlevania-may-be-dead-but-its-influence-lingers-beyond-the-grave | title=At 30, Castlevania May be Dead, But Its Influence Lingers Beyond The Grave | access-date=September 27, 2016 | date=September 27, 2016 | author=Jeremy Parish | publisher=USGamer | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929062528/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/at-30-castlevania-may-be-dead-but-its-influence-lingers-beyond-the-grave | archive-date=September 29, 2016 | url-status=live }} It has been ported to many platforms, such as the NES Classic Edition.{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Gary|title=NES Classic Edition: The final 30 games list revealed as Nintendo talk mini N64|url=http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/gaming/690813/NES-classic-Edition-games-confirmed-Nintendo-N64|access-date=August 9, 2016|date=July 19, 2016}} Also released in 1986 was Vampire Killer for the MSX home computer, which played significantly differently from the original Castlevania, where players had to search for the exit before they could proceed to the next stage.Jeremy Parish, [http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8827111&publicUserId=5379721 Famicom 25th, Part 17: Live from The Nippon edition] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120629230850/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=8827111&publicUserId=5379721 |date=June 29, 2012 }}, 1UP.com, August 1, 2008 Following that year, in 1987, Castlevania II: Simon's Quest further departed from the standard platforming genre of the first Castlevania for a game more similar to the nonlinear gameplay of Metroid, with several role-playing elements such as a world map which the player is free to explore and revisit.Jeremy Parish, [https://web.archive.org/web/20110629034651/http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=7212636 Metroidvania Chronicles II: Simon's Quest], 1UP.com, June 28, 2006Kurt Kalata and William Cain, [http://castlevaniadungeon.net/games/cv2.html Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest (1988)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723035624/http://castlevaniadungeon.net/games/cv2.html |date=July 23, 2011 }}, Castlevania Dungeon, accessed February 27, 2011

Haunted Castle (1988), the franchise's first arcade title, returned to the linear platforming gameplay of the original.{{cite web |url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/haunted-castle |title=Haunted Castle for Arcade |work=MobyGames |access-date=November 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016151536/http://www.mobygames.com/game/haunted-castle |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |url-status=live }} This continued with the first handheld Game Boy entry, Castlevania: The Adventure{{cite web|date=January 1, 1999 |url=http://castlevaniadungeon.net/games/cva.html|title=Castlevania: The Adventure (1989) |publisher=GameSpy|access-date=January 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109100414/http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/Games/cva.html|archive-date=January 9, 2010|url-status=live}} and the NES sequel, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, both released in 1989. Dracula's Curse added features to the original gameplay, including alternate stages and multiple playable characters.{{cite web|title=Hidden Gems |page=2 |first=Jeremy |last=Parish|date=October 26, 2005|website=1UP.com|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3145017|access-date=April 14, 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018171804/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3145017|archive-date=October 18, 2012}} The Adventure saw a Game Boy sequel, Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge, in 1992 and a remake, Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth, developed by M2 for the WiiWare service in 2009.

The franchise's first 16-bit home console game, Super Castlevania IV, was released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1991. A Castlevania title for the Sharp X68000 home computer was released in Japan in 1993 and would not be available in English until Castlevania Chronicles (2001) for the PlayStation. During the same year, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood was released for the PC Engine and was not localized in English until it was included with Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (2007) for the PlayStation Portable. The first Castlevania produced for a CD-ROM, Rondo of Blood featured Red Book audio and fully voiced dialogue.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/history_castlevania/p7_02.html|title=The History of Castlevania – Page 7|author1=Whalen, Mike|author2=Giancarlo Varanini|website=GameSpot|access-date=September 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617102518/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/history_castlevania/p7_02.html|archive-date=June 17, 2009|url-status=live}} The game's content would be reused in Castlevania: Dracula X, a game for the SNES in 1995. Castlevania: Bloodlines (1994) was the first Castlevania entry produced for a Sega console, the Genesis. It would not be re-released until 2019 as part of the Castlevania Anniversary Collection.{{cite web |last=Parish |first=Jeremy |title=Castlevania: Bloodlines, forsaken by Konami, is a masterpiece worth replaying |work=Polygon |date=March 18, 2018 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/18/17131344/castlevania-bloodlines-sega-genesis-reissue-konami |access-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318155542/https://www.polygon.com/2018/3/18/17131344/castlevania-bloodlines-sega-genesis-reissue-konami |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/castlevania-anniversary-collection-screenshots-price-point/ |title=Castlevania Anniversary Collection screenshots, price point |publisher=Nintendo Everything |date=April 21, 2019}}

In 1997, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Castlevania Legends were launched for the PlayStation and Game Boy, respectively. Symphony of the Night introduced a major change to the gameplay, incorporating role-playing elements and a nonlinear map that the player could freely explore, which was previously seen in Simon's Quest and Nintendo's Metroid series.{{cite web| year=2006| title=The Top 25 Videogame Franchises| url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617164708/http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html| archive-date=June 17, 2012}} Elements of Symphony of the Night would influence the gameplay of future titles, beginning with the Game Boy Advance entries Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, and Aria of Sorrow, which were released from 2001 to 2003. Aria of Sorrow received a 2005 sequel, Dawn of Sorrow for the Nintendo DS, which was followed by Portrait of Ruin (2006) and Order of Ecclesia (2008).

Under the development of Konami's Kobe branch, the first game in the series to employ 3D graphics was Castlevania for Nintendo 64 in 1999, and it received an expansion called Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness later that year. In 2003, the next 3D Castlevania title, Lament of Innocence debuted for the PlayStation 2 with combat-oriented hack and slash gameplay that drew comparisons to Devil May Cry and retroactively, God of War.Kurt Kalata and William Cain, [http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/games/loi.html Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (2003)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520011729/http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/games/loi.html |date=May 20, 2012 }}, Castlevania Dungeon, accessed February 27, 2011[http://www.1up.com/previews/god-of-war_8 God of War (PS2)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629034701/http://www.1up.com/previews/god-of-war_8 |date=June 29, 2011 }}, 1UP.com, accessed February 27, 2011 It was followed two years later by Castlevania: Curse of Darkness.

A reboot of the franchise launched with Castlevania: Lords of Shadow in 2010, a multi-platform 3D action title developed by MercurySteam and co-produced by Hideo Kojima. It was followed by two sequels, Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate for Nintendo 3DS in 2013, and Lords of Shadow 2 in 2014. Lords of Shadow 2 was the last mainline game in the franchise to date, due to Konami shifting focus to mobile games and gambling in the 2010s.Crecente, Brian. [https://www.polygon.com/2015/5/14/8605313/konami-interview-mobile-is-where-the-future-of-gaming-lies Konami CEO: 'Mobile is where the future of gaming lies'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601185511/https://www.polygon.com/2015/5/14/8605313/konami-interview-mobile-is-where-the-future-of-gaming-lies |date=1 June 2023 }}. Polygon. Retrieved on February 11, 2018. Hideki Hayakawa: "Gaming has spread to many platforms, but at the end of the day, the platform that is always closest to us, is mobile. Mobile is where the future of gaming lies...with multiplatform games, there's no point in dividing the market into categories anymore. Mobiles will take on the new role of linking the general public to the gaming world."([https://web.archive.org/web/20180220094858/http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/column/20150424/1064004 Original interview in Japanese])

Rumors began circulating in 2021 that, following internal restructuring at Konami to refocus on PC and console games, a "reimagining" of the series was in development.{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/konami-is-set-to-revive-metal-gear-castlevania-and-silent-hill/ |title=Konami is set to revive Metal Gear, Castlevania and Silent Hill|publisher=Video Games Chronicle|date=October 1, 2021}}[https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/04/konamis-return-to-games-continues-with-new-studio-opening Konami's Return to Games Continues with New Studio Opening] In 2024, a remake of Haunted Castle was included in the compilation Castlevania Dominus Collection. Titled Haunted Castle Revisited, it was developed by M2, who previously worked on The Adventure ReBirth.{{Cite web |url=https://www.konami.com/games/eu/en/topics/18113/ |title=The Castlevania Dominus Collection Brings Three Castlevania series titles to Modern Platforms! |access-date=2024-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827215919/https://www.konami.com/games/eu/en/topics/18113/ |archive-date=2024-08-27 }}

Castlevania has spawned numerous spin-offs, the first being the 1990 platformer, Kid Dracula for the Famicom, a parody which stars the eponymous character.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/akumajou-special-boku-dracula-kun/ |title=Akumajou Special: Boku Dracula-kun |work=Gamespot |access-date=February 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520155246/http://www.gamespot.com/akumajou-special-boku-dracula-kun/ |archive-date=May 20, 2015 }} It was released for the first time in English for the Castlevania Anniversary Collection (2019). The game received a sequel for the Game Boy, also titled Kid Dracula.

Castlevania{{'}}s first fighting game, Castlevania Judgment debuted for the Wii in 2008 and was developed by Eighting. Castlevania: Harmony of Despair, released in 2010, was an online, multiplayer title in-which players could play as past Castlevania characters and explore stages.{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5567240/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-hands-on|title=Castlevania: Harmony of Despair Hands-on From E3 2010|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=June 19, 2010|work=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|access-date=August 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903011315/http://kotaku.com/5567240/castlevania-harmony-of-despair-hands-on|archive-date=September 3, 2015|url-status=live}} A mobile game called Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls was released on September 19, 2019 for iOS through Apple Arcade.{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/castlevania-grimoire-of-souls-announced-for-ios-devices-498995.phtml |title=Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls announced for iOS devices |website=Destructoid |date=April 17, 2018}}

Arcade and slot machines based on the series have been produced. Castlevania: The Arcade (2009), a light gun shooter utilizing an LED remote, has been released in Japan and Europe.{{cite web | author=Ashcroft, Brian | date=July 23, 2008 | title=Castlevania Japanese Arcade Game Hands-On | url=http://kotaku.com/5028044/castlevania-japanese-arcade-game-hands+on | work=Kotaku.com | access-date=August 3, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502125258/http://kotaku.com/5028044/castlevania-japanese-arcade-game-hands+on | archive-date=May 2, 2009 | url-status=live }} The Japanese-exclusive Pachislot Akumajō Dracula series is a line of pachislot titles released between 2009 and 2017.{{cite web|url= http://777.nifty.com/cs/catalog/777_777/catalog_akumajyodracula2_1.htm|title= Castlevania II(KPE)|language= ja|publisher= 777@nifty|access-date= June 23, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130529035608/http://777.nifty.com/cs/catalog/777_777/catalog_akumajyodracula2_1.htm|archive-date= May 29, 2013|url-status= dead}} The first three are based on the video game Dracula's Curse, while a fourth game based on the Lords of Shadow reboot, Pachislot Akumajō Dracula: Lords of Shadow, was made available in 2017.{{cite web|url= https://777.nifty.com/pachislot/akumajyodraculalos/6S1716/|title= 悪魔城ドラキュラ Lords of Shadow(KPE)|language= ja|publisher= 777@nifty|access-date= June 23, 2013|archive-date= July 8, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170708092654/https://777.nifty.com/pachislot/akumajyodraculalos/6S1716/|url-status= dead}}

Castlevania characters and elements have appeared in crossovers and other titles such as the Konami Wai Wai World series, Contra: Hard Corps, DreamMix TV World Fighters, Bomberman R, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,{{cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |title=Castlevania's Simon Belmont and Richter Belmont join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/8/17663906/super-smash-bros-ultimate-simon-belmont-richter-castlevania-nintendo-direct-switch |website=Polygon |date=August 8, 2018 |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=August 8, 2018 |ref=137 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808181206/https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/8/17663906/super-smash-bros-ultimate-simon-belmont-richter-castlevania-nintendo-direct-switch |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |url-status=live }} Dead Cells, and Vampire Survivors.

File:Castlevania nes 03.png

Castlevania, released for the NES in 1986, is a platform game in which the player takes the role of the character Simon Belmont, navigating through six levels of Dracula's castle. Each level is divided into six blocks of three stages each.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/21/revisiting-castlevania-on-the-nes |title=Revisiting Castlevania on the NES |work=IGN |date=21 September 2011 |access-date=September 22, 2011 }} He can navigate the castle's terrain by jumping across platforms and walking up staircases, enabling him to progress to new stages.{{cite book| title=Castlevania instruction manual| year=1987| publisher=Konami| id=NES-CV-USA}} Simon has a health meter, which decreases upon contact with enemies or hazards. Loss of all health, falling off-screen, or running out of time results in losing a life, with the game ending when all lives are depleted, though players can continue from the last checkpoint. Collecting points throughout the levels can increase the player's score and earn them additional lives. Each level culminates in a boss battle against one of Dracula's monsters, each with their own life meter that needs to be depleted using Simon's attacks. Simon wields the Vampire Killer whip, which can be improved by collecting upgrades hidden in candles. These upgrades extend the whip's length and power, allowing Simon to attack enemies from a greater distance with increased damage. Alongside the whip, Simon can use secondary weapons like throwing knives, holy water, and the boomerang-like cross, which consume hearts collected throughout the levels.

File:CPoR-BattleScreen.jpg, which features Metroidvania gameplay. In the top screen is the map, which records the player's progress as they explore the castle.]]

While Castlevania's gameplay set the standard for most titles, Castlevania II: Simon's Quest in 1987 briefly introduced role-playing elements, a departure from the strict platforming format of its predecessor. Unlike the linear progression of the first game, Simon's Quest allows players to explore a freely accessible world map, revisit areas, and engage with a dynamic environment that includes day and night cycles affecting enemy strength and the availability of non-playable characters.{{cite book| title=Castlevania II: Simon's Quest instruction manual| year=1988| publisher=Konami| id=NES-QU-USA}} Players can interact with villagers who provide hints and visit merchants to buy items using hearts collected from defeated enemies. This installment also introduces experience points where Simon can increase his level and health capacity by gathering hearts. 1997's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night significantly expanded upon the gameplay introduced in Simon's Quest, setting a new formula for the series and influencing subsequent Metroidvania titles.{{cite web | title=Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | author=Julian Rignall | url=http://uk.psx.ign.com/articles/150/150336p1.html | website=IGN | date=1997-10-02 | access-date=2007-11-07 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109224829/http://uk.psx.ign.com/articles/150/150336p1.html | archive-date=2008-01-09 }} Symphony of the Night also features non-linear exploration, requiring players to gather specific items and abilities to access different areas of Dracula’s castle. This installment expanded the role-playing elements by including a more complex attribute and leveling system where the protagonist, Alucard, increases his in-game statistics by gaining experience points from defeated enemies. Alucard's ability to transform into a bat, wolf, or mist also allows him to explore previously inaccessible areas, and he can also use a wider range of equipment.

The first 3D installment in the franchise, Castlevania (1999) on the Nintendo 64 adopted gameplay elements distinctly different from its 2D predecessors. Unlike earlier titles, this version implemented a basic targeting and lock-on system for combat for the two playable characters, Reinhardt and Carrie. The new environment itself played a crucial role in the gameplay, with challenges based on precision in jumping across 3D platforms and navigating through hazardous areas, some of which included rotating and crumbling platforms. Castlevania for the Nintendo 64 also incorporated elements of survival horror, such as a sequence where the player must run from a pursuing enemy in a hedge maze.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/castlevania-64 |title=Castlevania 64 Review |publisher=Gamerevolution.com |accessdate=2014-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116121408/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/castlevania-64 |archive-date=2014-01-16 |url-status=live }} Unlike the earlier 3D installment which involved navigating through various levels with a degree of platforming challenge, 2003's Lament of Innocence focused on a central hub system. This hub allowed access to five main areas from the start, with progress tied to defeating bosses to unlock the final area. The combat system also allows the player to execute a series of fluid and dynamic combos using the primary weapon, the Whip of Alchemy. This system enables players to chain attacks into continuous strikes, enhancing combat engagement and effectiveness against enemies.{{cite web|author=Dunham, Jeremy|date=2003-10-20|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/455/455583p1.html|title=Castlevania: Lament of Innocence|work=ign.com|publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=2008-02-08|pages=1–4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517201404/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/455/455583p1.html|archive-date=2008-05-17|url-status=live}} The 2010 reboot, Lords of Shadow introduced a more diverse range of up to forty unlockable combos with the game's whip, the Combat Cross, integrating both direct and area attacks. Additionally, it functions as a tool for exploration, aiding in scaling walls, rappelling, and swinging across gaps, which deepens the platforming elements central to the franchise.{{cite web|author=Arthur Gies|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/09/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-eyes-on|title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Eyes-On|publisher=IGN|date=April 9, 2010|access-date=January 25, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801215535/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/108/1082798p1.html|archive-date=August 1, 2010}} Moreover, Lords of Shadow features massive boss battles against titans, where players must use the Combat Cross to navigate and disable them.

{{See also|List of Castlevania characters}}

The Castlevania franchise heavily references the horror films produced by Universal Pictures and Hammer Film Productions.{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/castlevania/258652/castlevania-a-dracula-masterpiece-90-years-in-the-making |title=Castlevania: A Dracula Masterpiece 90 Years in the Making |work=Den of Geek! |access-date=September 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926200259/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/games/castlevania/258652/castlevania-a-dracula-masterpiece-90-years-in-the-making |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |url-status=live }} Creator of the series, Hitoshi Akamatsu, wanted players to feel like they were in a classic horror film.{{cite magazine |date=August 1993 |title=WE ASKED THE DEVELOPERS "What is the charm of Dracula?" |url=https://thearkhound.tumblr.com/post/183537621473/1993-castlevania-commentary-from-micom-basic |magazine=Micom BASIC |access-date=June 24, 2019}} Zombies, werewolves, Frankenstein's monster, and Count Dracula make recurring appearances. Alucard, introduced in Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, is a reference to the character of the same name from the 1943 film, Son of Dracula.{{cite web |url=https://www.looper.com/76144/untold-truth-castlevania/ |title=The truth about Castlevania |first=Christopher |last=Gates |date=August 27, 2017 |access-date=May 19, 2019 |website=Looper}} The games include folklore and mythological monsters such as Medusa,{{cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/story/neflix-castlevania-review |title=Netflix's Castlevania, Reviewed: Yet Another Botched Video Game Adaptation |author= Scott Meslow and Joshua Rivera|date=October 10, 2017 |access-date=May 19, 2019 |website=GQ}} as well as direct references to literary horror.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/10/09/virtually-overlooked-castlevania-bloodlines-genesis |title=Virtually Overlooked: Castlevania Bloodlines (Genesis) |first=JC |last=Fletcher |date=October 9, 2008 |access-date=May 19, 2019 |website=Endgadget}} Castlevania: Bloodlines explicitly incorporates the events of Bram Stoker's Dracula into the series,{{cite web | title=Castlevania Storyline | url=http://castlevaniadungeon.net/storyline.html | work=The Castlevania Dungeon | access-date=August 2, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718050007/http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/storyline.html | archive-date=July 18, 2009 | url-status=live }} and the recurring character Carmilla is based on the 1872 novel Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/castlevania-netflix-season-2-ending-explained/2/ |title=Castlevania Season 2's Ending Explained |first=Kayleigh |last=Donaldson |date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=May 19, 2019 |website=Screen Rant}}

Castlevania mainly takes place in the castle of Count Dracula, who resurrects every hundred years to take over the world.{{cite book| title=Castlevania Chronicles instruction manual| year=2001| publisher=Konami| id=SLUS-01384 | pages=4–5}} With the exception of some games, the players assume the role of the Belmonts, a clan of vampire hunters who have defeated Dracula for centuries with the Vampire Killer. The Vampire Killer is a legendary whip that is passed down to their successors and can only be used by them.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/24/ign-presents-the-history-of-castlevania |title=IGN Presents the History of Castlevania |last=Ciolek |first=Todd |date=February 25, 2014 |website=IGN |access-date=February 9, 2025 }} In Castlevania: Bloodlines, the whip has been inherited by John Morris, the son of Quincey Morris, who is a distant descendant of the Belmonts. Other recurring characters throughout the series include the dhampir Alucard, who sides with Trevor Belmont against his father Dracula in Dracula's Curse.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/history_castlevania/p5_01.html |title=The History of Castlevania – Page 5 |website=GameSpot |author=Whalen, Mike |author2=Varanici, Giancarlo |date=September 10, 1998 |access-date=February 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705064549/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/history_castlevania/p5_01.html |archive-date=July 5, 2008 }} Trevor is joined by Sypha Belnades, a vampire hunter who fights using magic and marries Trevor by the end of the game.{{cite book| title=Castlevania Judgment instruction booklet| year=2008| publisher=Konami| pages=21–22}} Descendants of the Belnades clan, such as Carrie Fernandez{{cite book| title=Akumajou Dracula Mokushiroku instruction manual| year=1999| publisher=Konami| id=NUS-ND3J-JPN | pages=28–29}} and Yoko Belnades, would make appearances as playable characters in later titles.{{cite web|url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/castlevania-aria-of-sorrow/5542p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041216040309/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/castlevania-aria-of-sorrow/5542p1.html| title=GameSpy: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Preview|author=Nutt, Christian|publisher=GameSpy|date=January 18, 2003|archive-date=December 16, 2004}}

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow is a reboot of the franchise, with its first game set in Southern Europe during the Middle Ages.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/konami-sheds-light-on-lords-of-shadow-5039382 |title=Konami Sheds Light On Lords Of Shadow |work=Kotaku |date=20 August 2008 |access-date=September 26, 2018 }} The main character, Gabriel Belmont, is a member of the Brotherhood of Light, an elite group of holy knights who defend people from supernatural creatures.{{cite web| title = Castlevania: Lords of Shadow| url = http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/e3_2009/castlevania/| publisher = Konami| access-date = January 25, 2013| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161204131913/http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/e3_2009/castlevania/| archive-date = December 4, 2016| df = mdy-all}} With a retractable chain whip called the Combat Cross, Gabriel fights a malevolent force known as the Lords of Shadow in order to obtain the God Mask, which he believes can bring back his deceased wife.{{cite web|last=Tennant |first=Dan |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/210643/konami-announces-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-at-e3-press-conference |title=Konami announces Castlevania: Lords of Shadow at E3 press conference |publisher=Gamepro.com |access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607072215/http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/210643/konami-announces-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-at-e3-press-conference|archive-date=June 7, 2011}} In Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate, Gabriel stars as Dracula, the main antagonist of Simon and Trevor Belmont.{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-fate-announced-for-nintendo-3ds/ |date=May 29, 2012 |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate Announced For Nintendo 3DS |publisher=Siliconera |url-status=live |access-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024135/https://www.siliconera.com/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mirror-fate-announced-for-nintendo-3ds/ |archive-date=November 12, 2020 }} The sequel, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is set during modern times, where Dracula is looking for a way to put an end to his immortality.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/29/castevania-mirror-of-fate-confirmed-for-3ds |title=Castlevania: Mirror of Fate Confirmed for 3DS – |website=IGN.com |date=May 29, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416025418/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/29/castevania-mirror-of-fate-confirmed-for-3ds |archive-date=April 16, 2013 }}

In 2002, the games Legends, Circle of the Moon, Castlevania (1999), and Legacy of Darkness were retconned from the official chronology by Koji Igarashi, a move which had been met with some criticism by fans.{{cite web |url=http://games.ign.com/top-100-game-creators/55.html |title=55. Koji Igarashi |publisher=IGN Entertainment |work=IGN |access-date=February 25, 2010 |author=Staff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305072618/http://games.ign.com/top-100-game-creators/55.html |archive-date=March 5, 2009 }} Igarashi noted that Legends conflicted with the plotline of the series, and that the reason for Circle of the Moon{{'}}s removal was not due to his non-involvement with the game, but instead the intention of the game's development team for Circle of the Moon to be a stand-alone title.{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152109|title=Tales from The Crypt: Castlevania's 20th Anniversary Blow-Out (Web Archive)|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|date=July 26, 2006|website=1UP.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604120530/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152109|archive-date=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=May 19, 2007}} The American 20th Anniversary Pre-order Bundle for Portrait of Ruin in 2006 featured a poster with a timeline that re-included the games other than Legends.{{Cite book| title = Castlevania The Timeline| publisher = Konami Digital Entertainment Co. Ltd.| series = 20th Anniversary Pre-Order Bundle|date=December 2006}} In 2007, Konami still excluded them from the canon on the official Japanese website. Igarashi has said that he considered the titles a "subseries".Nintendo Power, July 2008

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Being aware of the horror movies from long ago (long before the slasher flicks), I wanted the players to feel like they were in a classic horror movie.|source=—Hitoshi Akamatsu, 1993}}

Castlevania was directed and programmed by Hitoshi Akamatsu for the Family Computer Disk System in 1986.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,100574/|title=Hitoshi Akamatsu Video Game Credits and Biography|publisher=MobyGames|access-date=August 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312125542/http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,100574/|archive-date=March 12, 2017|url-status=live}} The game's staff roll features names taken from horror film icons, with Akamatsu being credited as 'Trans Fishers', a reference to film director Terence Fisher.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4_T0NYGhK4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/P4_T0NYGhK4| archive-date=2021-10-30|title=Who Created Castlevania?|website=GameTrailers| date=27 October 2014}}{{cbignore}} This is possibly because Konami did not allow the use of real names at the time in order to prevent other companies from hiring people who worked for them.{{Citation|title=The Making Of: Super Castlevania IV|journal=Retro Gamer|issue=119|date=August 15, 2013|pages=30–35|postscript=.}} An admirer of cinema, Akamatsu approached projects with a "film director's eye", and said the visuals and music for Castlevania were "made by people who consciously wanted to do something cinematic."{{Cite web |url=http://shmuplations.com/castlevania/ |title=Castlevania – Developer Commentary |publisher=Shmupulations|access-date=May 10, 2019 }} The protagonist Simon Belmont uses a whip because Akamatsu liked the mechanics of a weapon able to repel enemies, and also because Akamatsu was a fan of Raiders of the Lost Ark. After the success of Castlevania, it was released in cartridge format for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) as one of its first major platform games. The international title Castlevania was the result of Konami of America senior vice president Emil Heidkamp's discomfort with Akumajō Dracula, which he believed translated as "Dracula Satanic Castle".{{cite book|last1=Harris|first1=Blake|title=Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation|date=2014|publisher=HarperCollins|location=New York, NY|isbn=9780062276698|pages=200–201|edition=First}} Because of Nintendo of America's censorship policies at the time, most instances of blood, nudity and religious imagery were removed or edited in early Castlevania games.{{cite web |url=http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=3313|title= Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse regional comparison|publisher= Movie-Censorship.com|date= November 29, 2011|access-date= December 7, 2013}}{{cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/26/gdc-09-confronting-censorship-in-videogames|title= GDC 09: Confronting Censorship in Videogames|author= Michael Thomsen|website= IGN|date= March 25, 2009|access-date= December 7, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131030011819/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/26/gdc-09-confronting-censorship-in-videogames|archive-date= October 30, 2013|url-status= live}}

Akamatsu directed Castlevania II: Simon's Quest in 1987, which adopted gameplay similar to Nintendo's Metroid. When asked if Metroid had any inspiration, Akamatsu instead cited Maze of Galious, another Konami title which featured exploration and puzzle solving. His last game in the series, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1989), returned to the standard platforming genre of Castlevania. Since Konami's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games sold many copies, their development was prioritized above other titles, leading the developers for Dracula's Curse to make a game that would outdo them. Simon's Quest and Dracula's Curse were not a commercial success, and Akamatsu was demoted to working in one of Konami's game centers before he chose to resign.

In 1993, three Castlevania games were in parallel development, which included Akumajō Dracula, Rondo of Blood, and Bloodlines.{{cite book|title=Akumajou Dracula X Rondo of Blood Official Guidebook|date=1993|publisher=Shogakukan|isbn=978-4091024619|pages=106–110}} Directed and produced by Toru Hagihara, Rondo of Blood was the first installment made for a CD-ROM and the first to be fully voiced. Hagihara would go on to direct a sequel, Symphony of the Night (1997) for the PlayStation, with Koji Igarashi joining him as the assistant director and story writer.{{cite journal |date=April 2007 |title=The Making of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night |journal=Retro Gamer |issue=36 |access-date=August 30, 2013 |url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2012/09/feature_the_making_of_castlevania_symphony_of_the_night |first=Damien |last=McFerran |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201232101/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2012/09/feature_the_making_of_castlevania_symphony_of_the_night |archive-date=February 1, 2013 }} Joining the staff was artist Ayami Kojima, who was hired to introduce a new look for Castlevania. She would be the character designer for several future Castlevania titles.{{Cite web |url=http://shmuplations.com/symphony/ |title=Symphony of the Night – 1997 Developer Interview |publisher=Shmupulations |access-date=May 10, 2019 }} Igarashi said it began development as "something of a side story series". From the outset, the game was supposed to take the franchise in a new direction. The gameplay took a departure from the original platforming entries, instead adopting nonlinear exploration and role-playing game elements, which were last seen in Simon's Quest. The critical reaction to Simon's Quest and its gameplay allowed them to pitch Symphony of the Night to Konami. Igarashi was eventually asked to finish the game as the assistant director after Hagihara was promoted to head of the division.{{cite interview |last=Igarashi |first=Koji |subject-link=Koji Igarashi |interviewer=James Mielke |title='Castlevania' Producer Koji Igarashi: "I Honestly Don't Feel That I'm a Big Deal At All" |date=September 20, 2016 |publisher=Glixel |url=http://www.glixel.com/interviews/koji-igarashi-i-honestly-dont-feel-that-im-a-big-deal-w452181 |access-date=May 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517100514/http://www.glixel.com/interviews/koji-igarashi-i-honestly-dont-feel-that-im-a-big-deal-w452181 |archive-date=May 17, 2017 }} On release, Symphony of the Night was well-received and became a sleeper hit, but its commercial performance was mediocre, particularly in the United States where it was meagerly publicized.

File:GrimoireofSoulscast.png. Kojima was hired in 1997 to introduce a new art style to the series and has since contributed to several of its titles.]]

The first Castlevania game to feature 3D computer graphics began development in 1997 on the Nintendo 64 by Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe (KCEK) as Dracula 3D.{{cite web|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/061/061303p1.html|title=Dracula 64 Out for Blood|access-date=May 24, 2007|author=IGN Staff|date=September 24, 1997|website=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017171539/http://ign64.ign.com/articles/061/061303p1.html|archive-date=October 17, 2007|url-status=live}} Like most of its predecessors, it was an action-adventure and platforming game. It was eventually released as Castlevania in 1999 and received an expanded version titled Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness during the same year. KCEK's last Castlevania game was the acclaimed Circle of the Moon, released as a launch title for the Game Boy Advance in 2001.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gba/adventure/castlevaniacircleofthemoon/news/2631160/tgs-2000castlevania-circle-of-the-moon-hands-on?mode=previews|title=TGS 2000 Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Hands-On|author=Staff|date=September 22, 2000|work=GameSpot|publisher= CBS Interactive Inc.|access-date=August 23, 2011}} Circle of the Moon was the first entry to feature Metroidvania gameplay since Symphony of the Night. Igarashi, who was not involved with the game, was critical of Circle of the Moon.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=77052 |title=Konami's vampire Harmony |access-date=February 25, 2010 |date=July 18, 2002 |magazine=Computer and Video Games |author=Minkley, Johnny |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402012951/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=77052 |archive-date=April 2, 2009 }} In 2002, he retconned Castlevania Legends (1997) and the games developed by KCEK from the series' chronology due to story conflicts, which was met with some resistance from fans. After KCEK was dissolved during 2002, the Game Boy Advance received a second installment, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, now produced by Igarashi and developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo (KCET).{{cite web|author=GameSpot staff|date=September 19, 2002|title=TGS 2002: Castlevania Q&A|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tgs-2002-castlevania-qanda/1100-2880807/|website=GameSpot|access-date=April 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409171429/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tgs-2002-castlevania-qanda/1100-2880807/|archive-date=April 9, 2018|url-status=live}} Starting with Harmony of Dissonance, the Japanese games adopted Castlevania as the title for a brief period. According to Igarashi, the developers did this since Count Dracula is not always the main antagonist.{{cite web | year=2002 | title=New 3D Castlevania on GameCube? | url=http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=3627 | work=GamesAreFun | access-date=June 13, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211103124/http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=3627 | archive-date=December 11, 2008 }} This continued with Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (2003), a 3D title developed as a new starting point for the series.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311061512/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/october03/castlevania/index.shtml|archive-date=March 11, 2005|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/october03/castlevania/index.shtml|date=October 2003|title=Igarashi & Yamane on Lament of Innocence|author=Nutt, Christian|work=GameSpy|pages=1–2|publisher=IGN Entertainment|access-date=September 29, 2013}} Konami eventually returned to the title Akumajō Dracula with the Japanese release of 2005's Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow for the Nintendo DS. Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin (2006) introduced a new art style in hopes of broadening the player demographic and preventing younger Nintendo DS owners from being put off by Ayami Kojima's art. This discontinued with Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia in 2008.{{cite web| year=2005| title=Whip Smart: Konami's Koji Igarashi On Mastering Castlevania| url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2372/whip_smart_konamis_koji_igarashi_.php| access-date=December 6, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019074852/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2372/whip_smart_konamis_koji_igarashi_.php| archive-date=October 19, 2012| url-status=live}}

Due to concern over the poor sales of the recent Castlevania games,{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/ChristianNutt/20150508/243070/A_look_back_at_over_a_decade_of_Koji_Igarashi_interviews.php|title=A look back at over a decade of Koji Igarashi interviews|first=Christian |last=Nutt|website=Gamesutra|date=8 May 2015 }} a number of prototypes in development competed to become the next Castlevania installment, which included a game by Igarashi announced at Tokyo Game Show 2008 and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow by Spanish studio MercurySteam.{{Cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/mine-yoshizaki-and-koji-igarashi-on-creating-otomedius-excellent/ |title=Mine Yoshizaki And Koji Igarashi On Creating Otomedius Excellent |date=October 31, 2011 |website=Siliconera |access-date=May 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317015916/https://www.siliconera.com/mine-yoshizaki-and-koji-igarashi-on-creating-otomedius-excellent/ |archive-date=March 17, 2021 |url-status=live }} Konami told MercurySteam the game would be an original intellectual property (IP) when it was first greenlit as a Castlevania title.{{cite web |url=http://www.ripten.com/2010/09/03/hands-on-with-the-final-version-of-lords-of-shadow-and-producer-david-cox-getsome |title=Everything You Need to Know About Lords of Shadow {{pipe}} Ripten Video Game Blog |publisher=Ripten |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509141829/http://www.ripten.com/2010/09/03/hands-on-with-the-final-version-of-lords-of-shadow-and-producer-david-cox-getsome/ |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |url-status=usurped }} Konami eventually asked them to cease work on Lords of Shadow while it was still in its early stages, until producer David Cox showed the Japanese senior management the game and was offered help by video game designer Hideo Kojima.{{cite web |url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/08/26/the-story-of-how-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-was-canceled-then-resurrected-dracula-style |title=The Story Of How 'Castlevania: Lords of Shadow' Was Canceled, Then Resurrected, Dracula-Style » MTV Multiplayer |publisher=Multiplayerblog.mtv.com |date=August 26, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930234331/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/08/26/the-story-of-how-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-was-canceled-then-resurrected-dracula-style/ |archive-date=September 30, 2012 }} According to Igarashi, development on his project had not been going smoothly, and Konami had canceled it and chose Lords of Shadow as the pitch for the next Castlevania entry. Produced by Dave Cox and Hideo Kojima, Lords of Shadow was a multi-platform 3D action-adventure reboot of the series.{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Randy |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-began-as-remake-of-nes-original |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow began as remake of NES original |publisher=Joystiq |date=April 9, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013192626/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-began-as-remake-of-nes-original |archive-date=October 13, 2012 }} Kojima offered his input on the project and also oversaw the game's localization in Japan.{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Laura |url=http://gamespot.com/pages/news/story.php?sid=6273399&skipmc=1 |title=Kojima teases weekend announcement – News at GameSpot |website=GameSpot |date=August 12, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |archive-date=October 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003081804/http://www.gamespot.com/news/kojima-teases-weekend-announcement-6273399 |url-status=dead }} It was the first Castlevania to feature celebrity voice talent, starring Robert Carlyle in the lead role and Patrick Stewart.{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Laura |url=http://www.vg247.com/2010/09/23/castlevanias-gabriel-started-off-as-a-barbarian-says-cox/ |title=Castlevania's Gabriel started off as a barbarian, says Cox |website=VG247 |date=September 23, 2010 |access-date=July 1, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506101420/http://www.vg247.com/2010/09/23/castlevanias-gabriel-started-off-as-a-barbarian-says-cox/ |archive-date=May 6, 2012 }} The art style departed from the previous games in favor of one inspired by Guillermo del Toro's work.{{cite web |url=http://www.capsulecomputers.com.au/2013/11/top-10-secret-facts-about-castlevania-lords-of-shadow/ |title=Top 10 Secret Facts About Castlevania: Lords of Shadow |publisher=Capsule Computers |date=November 21, 2013 |access-date=June 24, 2019 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/lords_of_shadow/review-3.html |title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Review for Xbox 360 |publisher=VideoGamer.com |date=September 28, 2010 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406115545/http://www.videogamer.com/xbox360/lords_of_shadow/review-3.html |archive-date=April 6, 2012 }} Lords of Shadow was met with positive reception in 2010 and a commercial success, becoming the best selling Castlevania game to date.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-20-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mercury-steams-mission-to-be-the-next-naughty-dog|title=Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Mercury Steam's mission to be the next Naughty Dog|website=Eurogamer|date=February 20, 2013|access-date=May 24, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529121255/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-02-20-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mercury-steams-mission-to-be-the-next-naughty-dog|archive-date=May 29, 2013}} It was followed by two sequels, Mirror of Fate (2013) and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 (2014). Lords of Shadow 2 was not as well received as its predecessor.{{cite interview |last=Cox |first=Dave |last2=Álvarez |first2=Enric |interviewer=Wesley Yin-Poole |title=We got caught in a s***storm |date=September 20, 2016 |publisher=Eurogamer |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-09-20-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mercurysteam-konami |access-date=August 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912053512/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-09-20-castlevania-lords-of-shadow-mercurysteam-konami |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |url-status=live }} Following its release, an anonymous source claiming to be employees from MercurySteam alleged that development on the game had been troubled.{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/02/28/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2-dev-discusses-troubled-development-blames-director-for-mediocre-game/|title=Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 dev discusses troubled development, blames director for 'mediocre' game|author=Dave Cook|work=VG24/7|date=February 28, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304045258/http://www.vg247.com/2014/02/28/castlevania-lords-of-shadow-2-dev-discusses-troubled-development-blames-director-for-mediocre-game/|archive-date=March 4, 2014|url-status=live}}

After having been moved to Konami's social division in 2011, Igarashi felt he was unable to release any new games when Konami shifted its focus towards mobile game development.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/05/koji-igarashi-bloodstained-kickstarter/|title=Castlevania's Producer Emerges From the Wreckage of Konami {{!}} WIRED|magazine=Wired|access-date=May 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717100454/https://www.wired.com/2015/05/koji-igarashi-bloodstained-kickstarter/|archive-date=July 17, 2018|url-status=live}} He left in March 2014 to independently create Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, a spiritual successor to Castlevania.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-17-castlevania-developer-koji-igarashi-leaves-konami |title=Castlevania developer Koji Igarashi leaves Konami |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=March 17, 2014 |publisher=Gamer Network |work=Eurogamer |access-date=March 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318031816/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-17-castlevania-developer-koji-igarashi-leaves-konami |archive-date=March 18, 2014 |url-status=live }} Dave Cox followed Igarashi's resignation a few months later.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/castlevania-producer-quits-konami-after-17-years/1100-6421987/|title=Castlevania Producer Quits Konami After 17 Years|first=Eddie |last=Makuch|website=GameSpot}} Recent Castlevania titles released under Konami's recent business model include pachinko and slot machines based on the IP.{{cite web|url=https://www.konami.com/corporate/en/business/casino.html|title=Gaming & Systems Business|website=Konami}}

Castlevania's music features a wide range of compositions, with themes reused throughout the series. It has been critically acclaimed{{cite web| url = https://www.factmag.com/2016/08/01/castlevania-mondo-reissue/| title = Castlevania series gets deluxe five-album reissue on Mondo|work = Fact Mag| date = August 2016|access-date = 2023-07-11}} and released on many albums, initially under the King Records label.{{cite web| url = https://www.squareenixmusic.com/series/dracula/discography.shtml| title = Castlevania Series :: Discography|work = Square Enix Music Online|access-date = 2013-02-02}} In addition to original soundtracks, it has also inspired remix albums, which include orchestra, rap and heavy metal arrangements. In 2010, Castlevania – The Concert was performed in Stockholm, Sweden by longtime Castlevania composer, Michiru Yamane, and the Stockholm Youth Symphonic Orchestra.{{cite web| url = http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/reports/castlevaniaconcert.shtml| title = Game Music:: Castlevania: The Concert :: Report by Kevin Sánchez|work = Square Enix Music Online|access-date = 2013-02-02}}

The music for the first installment, Castlevania, was composed by Kinuyo Yamashita and Satoe Terashima.Personal site of Kinuyo Yamashita, [http://yamako.ciao.jp/html/work_e.html Work] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175142/http://yamako.ciao.jp/html/work_e.html |date=March 3, 2016 }}Personal site of Kinuyo Yamashita, [http://cocoa.candybox.to/yamako1/mkakikomitai/mkakikomitai.cgi Message Board] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325084157/http://cocoa.candybox.to/yamako1/mkakikomitai/mkakikomitai.cgi |date=March 25, 2009 }} The game's staff roll featured pseudonyms, with Yamashita credited as James Banana.Castlevania Realm, [http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/NewCV/cvlib-credits.htm#cv1 Credits List] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704024932/http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/NewCV/cvlib-credits.htm#cv1 |date=July 4, 2007 }} Yamashita said she did not know anything about video games at the time and composed for Castlevania shortly after graduating from college. Under strict hardware constraints,{{cite news | title = Nintendo is music to the Minibosses | author = Anthony Broadman | page = F | newspaper = Arizona Daily Star | date = April 16, 2004 }} she would first write the scores before entering it as data into a computer.Personal site of Kinuyo Yamashita: About Castlevania [http://yamako.ciao.jp/html/main_e.html#QA About Castlevania] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306005331/http://yamako.ciao.jp/html/main_e.html#QA |date=March 6, 2016}} The hardware for the first 16-bit title, Super Castlevania IV, allowed for a more atmospheric environment in the game, and was composed by Masanori Adachi and Taro Kudo.

Known primarily for her work on the Castlevania series, Michiru Yamane first composed music for the Sega Genesis game, Castlevania: Bloodlines. Yamane was under pressure at the time because the series was already popular and known for its music.{{cite web|last=Game Developer magazine|date=December 26, 2013|title=A classic interview with Castlevania composer Michiru Yamane|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207767/A_classic_interview_with_Castlevania_composer_Michiru_Yamane.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208062929/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/207767/A_classic_interview_with_Castlevania_composer_Michiru_Yamane.php|archive-date=December 8, 2017|access-date=December 10, 2018|website=Gamasutra|language=en}} She felt there was a link with the game's vampiric themes and the classical music she had grown up with, having studied Johann Sebastian Bach in university, and worked to integrate her style with the rock themes of the previous games.{{Cite web|date=February 2010|title=Interview with Michiru Yamane (February 2010)|url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/michiruyamane.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917112905/http://www.squareenixmusic.com/features/interviews/michiruyamane.shtml|archive-date=September 17, 2011|access-date=December 10, 2018|website=Square Enix Music Online}} Since Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Yamane became involved with the development of the series with its former producer, Koji Igarashi.{{Cite book|title=PlayStation Anthology|last1=Manent|first1=Mathieu|last2=Mellado|first2=Fabien|last3=Latour|first3=Franck|last4=Clerc-Renaud|first4=Antoine|publisher=Geeks Line|year=2014|isbn=9791093752327|location=United States|pages=178–183|chapter=Michiru Yamane}} Symphony of the Night's art director, Osamu Kasai, requested Yamane to join the team, and she would draw inspiration from Ayami Kojima's concept artwork. Unlike the FM synthesis that Bloodlines used, Yamane felt she had more freedom with Symphony of the Night as it was produced for a CD-ROM, which made it capable of much higher quality music and sound. She continued to compose for the series, including the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games, which had note limitations like older home consoles, and also collaborated with other composers such as Yuzo Koshiro. Before becoming a freelance composer, the last Castlevania game she scored was Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia in 2008, which she worked on with Yasuhiro Ichihashi.

For the 2010 reboot, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, the game was scored by Óscar Araujo using a 120-piece orchestra.{{cite web|title=Lords of Shadow Was a Castlevania Game All Along|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175699|publisher=1UP.com|first=Sam|last=Kennedy|date=August 21, 2009|access-date=January 25, 2013}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His work on Lords of Shadow earned him a nomination for breakout composer of the year by the International Film Music Critics Association,{{cite web|url=http://moviecitynews.com/2011/02/international-film-music-critics-association-2011-nomineess|title=International Film Music Critics Association 2011 Nomineess Movie City News|publisher=Movie City News|date=February 12, 2011|access-date=January 25, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729144947/http://moviecitynews.com/2011/02/international-film-music-critics-association-2011-nomineess/|archive-date=July 29, 2012}} and he won "Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media."[http://filmmusiccritics.org/2011/02/ifmca-announces-its-2010-winners-for-scoring-excellence IFMCA announces its 2010 Winners for scoring excellence] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301004356/http://filmmusiccritics.org/2011/02/ifmca-announces-its-2010-winners-for-scoring-excellence/ |date=March 1, 2011 }} Araujo went on to compose the sequels, Mirror of Fate and Lords of Shadow 2.{{cite web|title=Oscar Araujo |url=https://www.mobygames.com/person/66299/oscar-araujo/|publisher=MobyGames|first=|last=|date=July 26, 2023|access-date=July 26, 2023}}

The Castlevania franchise had sold over 20 million copies worldwide {{as of|2006|lc=y}};{{Cite web|last=Marlowe|first=Chris|date=August 4, 2006|title=Project 51 to Explore Castlevania Storyline|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/project-51-to-explore-castlevania-storyline/69268/?biz=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211122814/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/project-51-to-explore-castlevania-storyline/69268/?biz=1|archive-date=December 11, 2007|access-date=December 26, 2018|website=GameDaily}} it had previously sold over {{nowrap|3.7 million}} units by 1993.{{cite magazine |title=Castlevania Blood Spills on Genesis |magazine=Electronic Games |date=August 24, 1993 |volume=1 |issue=12 (September 1993) |page=15 |url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic-Games-1993-09/page/n14}} The franchise has received mostly positive reviews, with the most acclaimed game being Symphony of the Night for the PlayStation and the most panned being Judgment, with aggregate scores of 93 and 49, respectively, on Metacritic and 93.38% and 52.71%, respectively, on GameRankings.{{cite web |access-date=2008-12-11 |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/castlevaniajudgment |title=Castlevania Judgment |publisher=Metacritic |archive-date=2008-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211022119/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/castlevaniajudgment |url-status=live }}{{cite web |date=2008 |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/950179-castlevania-judgment/index.html|title=Castlevania Judgment |publisher=Game Rankings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505131145/https://www.gamerankings.com/wii/950179-castlevania-judgment/index.html |archive-date=2019-05-05 }}

Many of the games have appeared on lists of video games considered to be the best. Symphony of the Night appeared at #16 on IGN "Top 100 games" and was one of the first to be introduced on the GameSpot "The Greatest Games of All Time". Both acclaimed the game to successfully making a game in 2D while the industry was moving to 3D.{{cite web |url=http://top100.ign.com/2005/011-020.html |title=IGN's Top 100 Games |publisher=Top100.ign.com |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419044513/http://top100.ign.com/2005/011-020.html |archive-date=April 19, 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-3.html |title=The Greatest Games of All Time |publisher=Gamespot.com |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100716113432/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-3.html |archive-date=July 16, 2010 |url-status=live }} Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse was named the 9th best 8-bit game by GameTrailers.{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-ten-gt-countdown/19102 |title=GT Countdown Video Game, Top Ten 8-bit Games {{pipe}} Game Trailers & Videos |publisher=GameTrailers.com |date=May 3, 2007 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224113614/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-ten-gt-countdown/19102 |archive-date=February 24, 2010 |url-status=live }} Super Castlevania IV was named the 11th best game of the SNES by ScrewAttack on their "Top 20 SNES Games".{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-20-screwattack/31740 |title=ScrewAttack Video Game, Top 20 SNES Games (20–11) {{pipe}} Game Trailers & Videos |series=ScrewAttack's Top 10 |publisher=GameTrailers.com |date=March 11, 2008 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010225950/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-20-screwattack/31740 |archive-date=October 10, 2010 |url-status=live }} The series as a whole was named the 4th best franchise in games ever by IGN, behind only Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda and Mario, and citing Super Castlevania IV and Symphony of the Night as highlights.{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html |title=The Top 25 Videogame Franchises – PC Feature at IGN |publisher=Pc.ign.com |date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617164708/http://pc.ign.com/articles/749/749073p5.html |archive-date=June 17, 2012 }} Aria of Sorrow was named the 2nd best game on the Game Boy Advance and one of the must buys for the system, according to the same website.{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/772/772284p5.html |title=Top 25 Game Boy Advance Games of All Time – GBA Feature at IGN |publisher=Gameboy.ign.com |date=July 7, 2010 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804210902/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/772/772284p5.html |archive-date=August 4, 2010 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/390/390646p1.html |title=15 Must-Have GBA Games – GBA Feature at IGN |publisher=Gameboy.ign.com |date=July 2, 2003 |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808153040/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/390/390646p1.html |archive-date=August 8, 2010 |url-status=live }} Castlevania, Super Castlevania IV, and Aria of Sorrow appeared on Nintendo Power{{'}}s "Top 200 Games" list.{{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=January 2006 |title=Nintendo Power Issue 199 |url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-199-january-2006/page/42/mode/2up?view=theater |magazine=Nintendo Power |location= |publisher=Nintendo of America |access-date=December 22, 2022}}{{cite magazine |last= |first= |date=February 2006 |title=Nintendo Power Issue 200 |url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-200-february-2006/page/n61/mode/2up |magazine=Nintendo Power |location= |publisher=Nintendo of America |access-date=December 22, 2022}} Trivia about the series has been mentioned in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008.{{cite web|url= http://www.gamespot.com/articles/spot-on-iguinness-world-records-gamers-edition-i/1100-6185294/|title= Spot On: Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition|author= Emma Boyes|work= GameSpot|publisher= CBS Corporation|date= January 30, 2008|access-date= August 11, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141221191854/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/spot-on-iguinness-world-records-gamers-edition-i/1100-6185294/|archive-date= December 21, 2014|url-status= live}}{{cite web|url= http://newsok.com/guinness-brings-gaming-records-to-the-masses/article/3237058/?page=1|title= Guinness brings gaming records to the masses|author= Matthew Price|work= NewsOK|publisher= OPUBCO Communications Group|date= April 30, 2008|access-date= August 11, 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141104061856/http://newsok.com/guinness-brings-gaming-records-to-the-masses/article/3237058/?page=1|archive-date= November 4, 2014|url-status= live}}

{{Further|List of Castlevania media}}

Simon Belmont was one of the stars in the animated series Captain N: The Game Master.{{cite web|url=http://cnn.captainn.net/tev_char_simon.html|title=Captain N – Television Series – Characters – Simon Belmont|work=Captain N Network|access-date=August 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070814031538/http://cnn.captainn.net/tev_char_simon.html|archive-date=August 14, 2007|url-status=live}} Simon is portrayed as egotistical on the show and his physical appearance differs from his design in the video game series.{{Cite web|date=2018-08-22|title=Simon Belmont: 19 Things Castlevania Fans Forget (And 1 They Wish They Could)|url=https://www.cbr.com/castlevania-simon-belmont-revelations/|access-date=2020-07-26|website=CBR|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724191147/https://www.cbr.com/castlevania-simon-belmont-revelations/|url-status=live}} He was a member of the N-Team, a group of mostly video game characters who defended Videoland against the antagonist Mother Brain from Metroid. Dracula, referred to only as "the Count", appeared as a villain in Captain N. Alucard also appeared in one episode, though he was portrayed as a rebellious skateboarding teenager.

Several novels and comic book adaptations have been made. Worlds of Power, a 1990s series of books with stories based on Nintendo games, featured a novel about Simon's Quest written by Christopher Howell, and the series was produced by Seth Godin.{{Cite web|url=http://castlevaniadungeon.net/features/book.html|title=Castlevania 2: Worlds of Power Book|publisher=ClassicGaming.com. GameSpy|access-date=2008-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109045531/http://www.castlevaniadungeon.net/features/book.html|archive-date=2010-01-09|url-status=live}} It departs from the original plot and introduces characters not seen in the game, including junior high school student Timothy Bradley, a video gamer who crosses over into the world of Simon's Quest and assists Simon Belmont.{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=3&cId=3152540|title=8-Bit Lit: Behind the Worlds of Power Books based on Nintendo Entertainment System games|last=Struck|first=Shawn|author2=Scott Sharkey|date=2006-08-03|website=1UP.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020331/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=3&cId=3152540|archive-date=2011-06-05|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-07-14}} In 2005, IDW Publishing released the graphic novel Castlevania: The Belmont Legacy, based on Castlevania: The Adventure, written by Marc Andreyko with art by E. J. Su. Illustrated by Kou Sasakura, a two-volume manga adaptation titled Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, based on the PlayStation 2 installment, was published in Japan from 2005 to 2006.{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-12/tokyopop-adds-castlevania-curse-of-darkness-manga|title=Tokyopop Adds Castlevania: Curse of Darkness Manga|date=March 12, 2008|work=Anime News Network|access-date=July 2, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925064057/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-12/tokyopop-adds-castlevania-curse-of-darkness-manga|archive-date=September 25, 2009}} It was released in English in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyopop.com/product/1824/CastlevaniaCurseofDarkness/1|title=Manga + Comics: Castlevania: Curse of Darkness|publisher=Tokyopop|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312014557/http://tokyopop.com/product/1824/CastlevaniaCurseofDarkness/1|archive-date=March 12, 2009|url-status=dead|access-date=March 7, 2009}} 2003's Lament of Innocence was adapted into a cellphone comic book, released exclusively in Japan from 2007–2008 for 40 episodes.{{cite web|url=http://www11.ocn.ne.jp/~ocomplex/o-cvtxt.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121219065040/http://www11.ocn.ne.jp/~ocomplex/o-cvtxt.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 19, 2012|title=はじめに|work=OCN.ne.jp|access-date=March 14, 2013}}

The franchise has its own toy line manufactured by NECA which consists of six figures of Simon Belmont, Alucard, Dracula, Succubus and a Pixel Simon mini figure which was exclusively available as a promotional item at Comic-Con 2007.{{cite web |author=Contact Michael McWhertor: Comment |url=http://kotaku.com/283042/necas-castlevania-figs-that-dont-suck?tag=gamingcomiccon07 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127070554/http://kotaku.com/283042/necas-castlevania-figs-that-dont-suck?tag=gamingcomiccon07 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |title=NECA's Castlevania Figs That *Don't* Suck |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=July 26, 2007 |access-date=January 7, 2013 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.toywiz.com/neacfibco2.html |title=NECA Castlevania |publisher=Toywiz.com |access-date=January 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127140409/http://www.toywiz.com/neacfibco2.html |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Castlevania (TV series)|Castlevania: Nocturne}}

The streaming service Netflix released an American animated series titled Castlevania as part of its original programming between 2017 and 2021, consisting of four seasons and 32 episodes.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbr.com/netflix-quietly-announces-castlevania-series-for-2017/?view=list|title=Netflix Quietly Announces Castlevania Series For 2017|last1=Hill|first1=Jacob|website=CBR.com|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=February 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003124646/http://www.cbr.com/netflix-quietly-announces-castlevania-series-for-2017/?view=list|archive-date=October 3, 2017|url-status=live}} The first two seasons adapt elements from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and follow Trevor Belmont, Alucard and Sypha Belnades as they defend the nation of Wallachia from Dracula while later seasons include elements from other games such as Castlevania: Curse of Darkness and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The series was created by Warren Ellis; in developing the series, Ellis relied heavily on a script he had written for an animated Castlevania film from 2007 that never entered production.{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Rich |date=February 9, 2017 |title=The First Time Warren Ellis Wrote A Castlevania Animation, Ten Years Ago |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/02/09/first-time-warren-ellis-wrote-castlevania-animation-ten-years-ago/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311002425/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/02/09/first-time-warren-ellis-wrote-castlevania-animation-ten-years-ago/ |archive-date=March 11, 2017 |access-date=July 11, 2017 |website=Bleeding Cool News}} The art style of the series is influenced by anime and the artwork of Ayami Kojima, with animation provided by Frederator Studios and Powerhouse Animation Studios.{{cite news |last=Narcisse |first=Evan |date=August 2, 2017 |title=The Animation Studio That Made Castlevania Explains Why It Was a Dream Project |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-animation-studio-that-made-castlevania-explains-why-1797476526 |work=io9 |agency=Gizmodo}}{{cite web |last=Glagowski |first=Peter |date=July 10, 2017 |title=10 years of purgatory wasn't enough to keep Netflix's Castlevania down |url=https://www.destructoid.com/10-years-of-purgatory-wasn-t-enough-to-keep-netflix-s-castlevania-down-447906.phtml |access-date=July 10, 2017 |website=Destructoid}}

A sequel to the original show, Castlevania: Nocturne, was released on Netflix on September 28, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Llwellyn |first=Tom |date=2023-09-12 |title=Castlevania: Nocturne: release date, trailer, cast, plot and everything you need to know |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/castlevania-nocturne-release-date-trailer-134348548.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628015412/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/castlevania-nocturne-release-date-trailer-134348548.html |archive-date=2024-06-28 |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}} It focuses on Richter Belmont, a descendent of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, and Maria Renard in France during the French Revolution, 300 years after the original series. The series adapts elements from Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. The second season premiered on January 16, 2025.{{cite web|last=Squires|first=John|title='Castlevania: Nocturne' Season 2 Teaser from Netflix Announces 2025 Premiere|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/tv/3831322/castlevania-nocturne-season-2-teaser-from-netflix-announces-2025-premiere/|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=September 16, 2024|access-date=September 16, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Massoto|first=Erik|title=Alucard & Belmont Are Trapped in a Race Against Time in 'Castlevania: Nocturne' Season 2 Trailer|url=https://collider.com/castlevania-nocturne-season-2-trailer/|website=Collider|date=December 10, 2024|access-date=December 10, 2024}} Original series creator Warren Ellis was not involved in the new series after sexual misconduct allegations surfaced in 2020.{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2020 |title=Castlevania Reportedly Moving on From Warren Ellis After Season 4 |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/castlevania-reportedly-moving-on-from-warren-ellis-after-season-4/ |access-date=2020-08-01 |website=Bleeding Cool}}

A Castlevania television series was considered in the late 1980s as part of the Super Mario Bros. Power Hour, a one-hour animation block of Nintendo-focused video game adaptations. Concept art was produced for the project by DIC Animation City. Only the Mario and The Legend of Zelda segments for the block were ultimately produced, airing in 1989 as part of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/8/18536769/super-mario-bros-power-hour-metroid-castlevania-cartoons-dic|title=The Super Mario Bros. Super Show people once tried to make bizarre Metroid and Castlevania cartoons|website=Polygon|date=May 8, 2019}}

A Castlevania film was planned in the late 2000s. However, in December 2007, Rogue Pictures halted active development of Castlevania due to the writers' strike and, later, the sale of the studio to Relativity Media and possibility of a screen actors' guild strike.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2007/biz/markets-festivals/strike-stalls-two-more-features-1117977088/|title=Strike stalls two more features|author=Michael Fleming|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=December 15, 2007|magazine=Variety|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106220847/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117977088?refCatId=2821|archive-date=November 6, 2012|url-status=live}} On May 27, 2009, the Castlevania film was reported as officially canceled.{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2009/05/castlevania_movie_bites_the_dust|title=Castlevania Movie Bites the Dust|date=May 28, 2009|publisher=Nintendolife.com|access-date=August 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721222548/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2009/05/castlevania_movie_bites_the_dust|archive-date=July 21, 2011|url-status=live}}

{{Clear}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web|url= http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula/product/data.html|title= Konami Castlevania timeline 2007|language= ja|publisher= Konami|access-date= March 21, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130318153738/http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula/product/data.html|archive-date= March 18, 2013|url-status= live}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.videogamer.com/ps3/lords_of_shadow/preview-1975-2.html |title=Lords of Shadow Interview for PS3 |publisher=VideoGamer.com |access-date=August 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324115341/http://www.videogamer.com/ps3/lords_of_shadow/preview-1975-2.html |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web|author=Kurt Kalata|date=July 26, 2006|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152109|title=Tales from the Crypt: Castlevania's 20th Anniversary Blow-out|website=1UP.com|access-date=July 13, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215534/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3152109|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}

{{cite web|last=Vasconcellos|first=Eduardo|title=Castlevania: Order of Shadows Q&A|url=http://uk.wireless.ign.com/articles/814/814655p1.html|website=IGN|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507101225/http://uk.wireless.ign.com/articles/814/814655p1.html|archive-date=May 7, 2012}}

{{cite web|last=Fletcher|first=JC|title=Castlevania's last 'Rebirth' – as a pachinko machine|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/castlevanias-last-rebirth-as-a-pachinko-machine/|publisher=Joystiq|access-date=July 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112002541/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/castlevanias-last-rebirth-as-a-pachinko-machine/|archive-date=November 12, 2012|url-status=live}}

{{cite web|title= Konami Parlor Entertainment's blog – February 28, 2012|url= https://www.kpenet.jp/kpe_ad/blog/old_2011.html|publisher= Konami Parlor Entertainment|access-date= June 20, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160818114424/https://www.kpenet.jp/kpe_ad/blog/old_2011.html|archive-date= August 18, 2016|url-status= dead}}

{{cite web |title=Konami Parlor Entertainment's blog |date=February 28, 2012 |url=http://www.kpenet.jp/kpe_ad/dracula_Blog.html#blog120228 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326180747/http://www.kpenet.jp/kpe_ad/dracula_Blog.html#blog120228 |archive-date=2012-03-26 |url-status=dead}}

｢悪魔城ドラキュラ 闇の呪印｣が元となっています (Pachislot Akumajo Dracula is based on Curse of Darkness). ラルフ側から見たもうひとつの物語が､ パチスロ版の悪魔城ドラキュラI･IIのストーリーとなっています (Pachislot Akumajo Dracula I&II story is "another story" from Ralph's perspective).

}}

{{Commons category|Castlevania}}

{{Wikiquote}}

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