Games

The Mysteries Of Castlevania

Released by Konami in 1986, the original Castlevania video game quickly developed cult status and it spawned a multi-media franchise that is still going strong more than 30 years later. Even though an untold number of players have directed Simon Belmont through Dracula’s castle, the vampire lord’s lair still holds a few secrets.

The iconic first game introduced players to the hero whose backstory would be fleshed out the many sequels that followed. It also introduced the six bosses that have become staple features of the series. Let’s explore a few of the mysteries, secrets, and wonders of Castlevania.

The Original In A Nutshell

The original game set the tone for the others in the series. It begins with Belmont making his way into a gloriously pixelated Dracula’s castle, and it is clear right from the start that his quest to destroy the greatest vampire is not going to be an easy one.

The whip-wielding hero (and the player that controls him) is faced with evil minions almost every step of the way. Although they can inflict damage that depletes Belmont’s health bar, there are various rewards that can heal that damage. What’s more, there are additional weapons such as bottles of holy water to be collected.

After fighting your way through hordes of henchmen, you meet the boss of that particular level, and your progression to the next level depends on whether or not you can defeat them. Inspired by B-grade horror movies, the bosses include a giant bat, Medusa, the Mummy, Frankenstein’s monster, the Grim Reaper, and, finally, Dracula himself. Check out online betting offers for a completely different way to enjoy the action of video games. If you manage to defeat the old count, his castle collapses around you, and when you restart the game, it steps up the difficulty level by a few notches.

Creators Remain Unknown

As well-known as Castlevania is, the team behind the original game remains a mystery. At the time of its creation, Konami staff were not allowed to include their real names in the credits at the end of the game as a way to stop rival game developers from headhunting the company’s talented staff.

Instead of their real names, they used pseudonyms inspired by classic horror movie actors, such as Boris Karloffice and Christopher Bee. Staff who worked on other games in the series said that the first game was directed by Hitoshi Akamatsu, a movie buff who wanted to offer players a cinematic gaming experience.

The Chicken Leg Mystery

All vampires’ dietary needs are met by a diet of fresh blood, which is why one of the greatest curiosities of Castlevania is the abundance of roast chicken legs hidden within its walls. In an interview with Wired, the producer of the modern games, Koji Igarashi, said that he could understand why candles revealed holy water and other gifts when whipped.

He explained that candles represent life, and when Belmont whips them, he releases trapped souls. However, he admitted that he was mystified by the presence of the chicken legs.