This game is widely regarded as the best Castlevania game to reach the United States. Why, you ask? First off, you aren't limited to a linear path -- after certain levels, the path forks, and you can choose the path you take to Dracula's castle. The other major factor was the ability to play as multiple characters (spirits, as they were called.) They shared the same life bar, but each had their own special attacks. For instance, Grant DaNasty could jump very high, change direction in mid-air, and cling to walls. Sypha was a wizard who had a weak attack, but the special weapons that were available were cool (a powerful flame attack, an ice spell, and lightning bolts that bounced around the screen.) Alucard, (Dracula spelled backwards) had an attack slightly longer than the whip, and could also turn into a bat. Of course, the main character is Trevor Belmont, who is just like his great-grandson, Simon.

     In the Castlevania instruction book, it mentions that Dracula was "looking for another fight after 100 years". This doesn't quite make a lot of sense when compared to Castlevania : Legends for the Gameboy, as Sonia was the first Belmont to fight Dracula. (There is a third game theory, submitted by Jack Rodgers about the third game theory...the third game in the series seems to take place before the first two. Look at Zelda and Dragon Warrior, in addition to this title. Odd, no?) The gameplay is more like the original Castlevania, i.e. more action oriented than adventure, as in Simon's Quest. The basic play mechanics are the same. There is a bit of a storyline, that has something to do with the down of Warakiya, and how it fell under attack by Dracula's baddies. The Poltergeist King blessed Trevor with his whip and several weapons, of which he has to set out and defeat Dracula.

     The graphics are slightly better than either of the previous two games, allowing constant vertical scrolling areas and some neat graphics. Although the game still has some choppy backgrounds (take a look at the vertical church tower in the first level and you'll see what I mean) it's still a big step up from the original. All of the bosses generally look pretty cool, although some of them are overused (you can face the Cyclops up to three times in one game, probably due to memory restraints.) The music is all wonderful, as in pretty much all Castlevania games. There are some really good drums, especially in the first level.

     The length of the game, and the replayability, is what makes this one of the best Castlevania, in my opinion...Once you beat it taking the forest (trekking through a pirate ghost ship, and up a tower), then you can play it again, taking the swamp route, meeting Alucard, and ending up in the castle's basement. And there are four different endings, depending on who your companion is. My favorite is Sypha's, although it can be difficult to get through the game with just her.

     There are some interesting changes between this and the Japanese version. For whatever reason, the little Igors are now small frogs. Grant always has a throwing dagger as compared to a short-range one. The music is much improved, due to a chip inside the cart that makes digital sound much better. And the Japanese version as a whole is a bit easier. Less damage is done to your characters.