The Dark Knight has remained a constant throughout the saga of CastleVania, including 2 Game Boy games, yet excluding CastleVania Bloodlines and Legends.

By a U.S. point of view, the Dark Knight first appeared in CastleVania's (CV1), second level. In CastleVania, these empty armors paced back and fourth in a given area, carrying their spears, and could be destroyed with little effort, two hits.

In Simon's Quest (CV2), the knights were armed with tridents and roamed the numerous mansions of Transylvania. They walked (faster) back and forth, poking their weapons out to get you. These were a bit tougher than those in CastleVania.

In The CastleVania Adventure (not shown), the knights were seen in the last stage, stage 4. This level starts with a walk down a long hallway, decorated with armors. As your character walked, some of these armors would move from the background and come towards you! These were dangerous, on account of their spears, which were held out in front of them, and it would be difficult getting a hit in with your shortest whip.

I first encountered this enemy in the Clock Tower of Untimely Death (stage 2, upper path), in Dracula's Curse (CV3). Closer observation of this enemy would reveal an overlooked walk sequence error. I couldn't make out the face of this foe, for the reason that the head resembled a little eye and a beak ( ! ) at first glance. Since Drac's Curse takes place before CastleVania, the Dark Knights still held their spears.

In Belmont's Revenge (not shown), the knights are headless, empty armors, who carried a spear as their first Nintendo counterpart. And these were extremely slow, but if you were to attack from behind, they would turn around and trudge towards you!

In Super CastleVania (CV4), these enemies inhabited only the Library (stage 7) in the Castle. They walked (with a correct pace), and when you're above, they'd use their spears to attack! (A throwback to Simon's new 8-way whip, no less...)

In Dracula X (error, CV6, not 5), we saw the Dark Knights in top form. They were placed strategically in the Castle, and at first, they seem to stroll forth, carrying their weapons. But when you approached, the let them down, then used them for the BEST offensive potential of ANY enemy in Dracula X (IMHO)! The knights in Dracula X will take 6 hits before going. If their spear spinning doesn't get you, then it's sure their slash attack will! If Richter is below, they'll stab downward. If Richter is above, they'll stab above. (A throwback to the absence of the 8 way whip, no less...)

In CastleVania Symphony of the Night (CV7), the enemies, renamed "Spear Guard" (I think), look just as they did in the last game. With the new HP system the game uses, the Guards can be reduced to deleted data in less than 1.2 seconds.

I've decided to honor this character because of its many appearances, and how it makes such a startling jump from plodding target to ruthless warrior. CastleVania 64 is on the horizon. What does 13+ years of technological advancement hold in store for the Dark Knight's future?...

Future Exhibits: 10 Venus Weeds - Mole Man - Alucard