Super Castlevania IV retrospective: Simon's big adventure | Super NES Works #026

This was my favorite Castlevania game. It wasn't too difficult, yet not too easy either. It was loaded with atmosphere. It also came along during a tumultuous time in my life and cheered me up.

Jeremy: “oh man, the soundtrack. Let’s talk about the soundtrack.” Jeremy: does not talk and lets soundtrack play

If Castlevania 1 was a Universal Monster movie, Super Castlevania IV is a Hammer Horror film.

Probably my favourite SNES game. Just so many good memories. That soundtrack. Oh goodness. The forest, the Dungeon, the 4th level, the library. Stunning. Great memories

I hate to admit this as a 32 year old man but I got this game when it was released and it used to give me nightmares lol

I remember putting the cart in my SNES that was hooked up to my hand me down 20" RCA tv and Sanyo stereo and being completely blown away. The jump from 8 bit to 16 bit graphics was truly amazing and the audio was undescribably good. This was favorite Castlevania until Bloodlines and later Symphony and Rando.

"he can even moonwalk!"-james rolf

I admit this game was one of my favorites for the SNES. I loved the soundtrack and mechanics that it had. I wished that the future installments of Castlevania kept the whip mechanics like this one had but instead they went back to the traditional one. It would have been interesting if they made a Castlevania III remake on the SNES with the mechanics and construction that this game had. It really would have been the Super Mario All-Stars of its day.

I remember when my older brother got this game in 92 when I was around 10. That opening sequence used to scare me soooo much. He would come home after his after school job around 11pm, turn this on and scary music and scenery would haunt me. Good times.

Personally, I've always rather liked the altered gameplay mechanics of this game. The increase in whip control really opened up a lot of fun possibilities IMHO. (though in fairness, perhaps it's largely that I appreciate the fact that the game is considerable easier than its predecessors.)

To this day, the moment Simon Belmont's Theme starts playing during the end phase of the final battle with Dracula, I get goosebumps. The song starts with this very ominous, haunting intro that builds up into this upbeat, triumphant number. It just fits the final battle so well (and the starting stage). It queues up the theme right when Dracula is (essentially) losing the battle and he gets desperate, and in a way the game is like "Now's your chance! Strike! Kick this guy's ass!" Few moments in gaming top that for me.

Considering this was basically a launch title for the SNES, Super Castlevania IV set the bar INCREDIBLY high for the console.

I'll be candid: the opportunity to replay this game with a wireless-ish controller was what ultimately most drove me to buy a Wii in 2009

While maybe not the best Castlevania, definitely my favorite Castlevania.

I truly adore Akumajou Dracula X68000. It's a true remake of an NES classic done very tastefully. But what I truly love about SCVIV is the scope of the game. You're going on a HUGE journey and that's something that I truly admire. I just wish that at some point someone will make the best of both worlds: The style and gameplay of X68000 and the scope of IV.

Your videos are sort of my companion series for my SNES Classic and NES classic. When I am in the mood I throw on a few of these history vids for my commute home and then play the classic consoles when I get in. Love this stuff! Keep it coming.

Personally, i think this might be the best castlevania in some ways, and i've played most of them. But to each their own. Just so many good entries in the series, its good to have room for debate.

I adore this game so goddamn much. The first game is a close second for my top favorite, but I think I think I gotta give it to Super Castlevania 4. Sure, it's got some problems in it's level design and yes, it's not as difficult as the previous game, but I don't think that matters. This is a different kind of Castlevania experience, one that focuses more on the reflexes of the player and the atmosphere of the world rather than slowing down and strategically approaching danger; this is vampire killing Castlevania wish fulfilment. The music is gorgeous, the graphics (although causing some minor slowdown issues) are fantastic, the control is fluent and satisfying, and the game prioritizes FUN and making memories above anything else. I can respect your opinion for sure, but nothing is gonna beat this one for me.

I don't know if I heard a touch more enthusiasm than usual while you're discussing the soundtrack(what with watching on a different sound system than usual), but if so, wholeheartedly seconded. There are parts that are genuinely haunting. The two tracks used in the final battle also being revisits of themes from the beginning of the game still gets to me. Castlevania never really had a soundtrack quite like this one, with Symphony of the Night possibly coming closest, and that one honestly sounds distinct even from her later Castlevania soundtracks. I agree with the gameplay criticisms from top to bottom, but in my heart of hearts, this is still my favorite of the Classicvanias. Also, Castlevania X68000 is absolutely as hard as suggested here. I'd honestly say its the hardest of all the Classicvanias. But unlike Haunted Castle, it's *fair*. Those looking for it in physical form would probably be best served looking for the Playstation remaster and rerelease: Castlevania Chronicles. It's a solid package which arguably shows more effort and love than the recent Castlevania Requiem repackage. All in all this was a pretty good day to have a curse.

TRIVIA MOMENT: The development staff of Super Castlevania IV would eventually leave Konami to form their own development studio Treasure, which became a legend of it's own in the 16-bit era.