The Best Of Nintendo's Castlevania

Happy Birthday, Simon Belmont! 25 years ago, on September 26, 1986, the first Castlevania game went on sale in Japan.
If you've been following our 25th anniversary coverage for the past few days here on IGN's Nintendo channels, you've seen us first go back to the franchise's beginnings by Revisiting Castlevania on the NES. We then moved into the modern era with Revisiting Castlevania on the DS. And today, to wrap up our look back on Konami's vampire-hunting brand we're presenting The Best of Nintendo's Castlevania.
These are the top picks -- the absolute essentials that you've got to experience to consider yourself a true Belmont fan. So read on, take our recommendations and scrape some cash together to make a couple of purchases from this list. It's the right thing to do for Simon's birthday.
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
Released September 1, 1990

Why It Made the List
All three of the series-starting titles that kicked off the Castlevania series on the NES deserve your time and attention, but if you've only got time and attention enough for one then go straight to the trilogy's 8-bit conclusion. Playing Castlevania III again today takes you right back to the franchise's beginnings to appreciate how the Belmonts first looked, controlled and fought against Dracula in Nintendo's first console era -- but this third installment also succeeds on more than just nostalgia with its multiple playable characters, branching paths and brutal difficulty that make it worth much more than just five bucks. You can download it through the Wii Virtual Console for that amount right now, and you should. Immediately.
Super Castlevania IV
Released December 1991

Why It Made the List
When Nintendo made the leap to the upgraded graphics of 16-bit technology, Castlevania was right there to help make the transition happen. Super Castlevania IV was a bigger, bolder vision of the 'Vania world that served as one of the early showpiece titles for the SNES -- and it innovated in gameplay as well as graphics, by introducing multi-directional whip attacks for our vampire-hunting hero. This one's on sale through the Wii Virtual Console as well, and you can make it your own for just eight bucks. Or, if you'd rather win a copy for free, that can be arranged as well.
Castlevania X: Rondo of Blood
Released October 1993

Why It Made the List
The legendary lost game of the series, Rondo of Blood originally didn't come to a Nintendo system in the States -- or any system for that matter. It stayed in Japan, unlocalized and untranslated for our audience, while America had to make due with a watered-down pseudo-port called Dracula X. The Wii's Virtual Console righted the injustice of the '90s just last year, though, finally giving us this game in America, in its original form, for a Nintendo platform. So it totally counts now. And you should totally buy it, for just nine bucks.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Released May 2003

Why It Made the List
After an ugly era through the late '90s when Konami first tried to transition Castlevania into 3D on the N64, traditional 2D 'Vania had a huge resurgence on the Game Boy Advance. The GBA launch title Circle of the Moon and its follow-up Harmony of Dissonance paved the way for one of the series' best portable adventures ever, Aria of Sorrow. Though Game Boy Advance games are not as easily available now as classics from other systems, it'd be worth your while to scour some local game shop bargain bins and track down this title -- its introduction of Soma Cruz, futuristic setting and innovative soul-capturing system helped make it one of the best Nintendo Castlevania titles ever.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Released October 2008
Why It Made the List
Finally, though Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin are both excellent as well, forcing us to pick just one of Castlevania's modern DS sequels means we have to highlight the most recent. Order of Ecclesia is the current culmination of the combination of the Castlevania franchise and Nintendo's hardware platforms, a dark and difficult journey across the 17th century Transylvania countryside as a uniquely non-Belmont female fighter. It's coming up on its own three-year anniversary of release, but that's not so long ago that you shouldn't still be able to find it in stores. Fire up that DS one more time and join the Order. We command it.
And there you have it, Castlevania fans. Our top 5 picks for the best of the best among Nintendo's options for enjoying the series. You'll have to venture to other company's hardware to seek out some big hits like Symphony of the Night, but overall it's easy to be a very well-versed Castlevania aficionado by just owning a Wii and DS.
Now get crackin'! It's your duty as an honorary member of the Belmont family to spend your day today stalking Dracula with murderous intent. And feel free to make your own suggestions for other 'Vania options in the Comments below while you're lacing up your leather boots and spraying on your bat repellent -- we've just presented our picks, but we want to know yours too.
Happy Birthday, Simon!

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NBA 2K12 getting paid Legends Showcase DLC?

Legendary NBA teams will be making an appearance in NBA 2K12, but developer 2K Sports has chosen not to allow players to use them in online matches. It seems that feature may be added post-launch, however.

Gaming news blog PastaPadre reports that someone who, for some reason or another, already has a copy of NBA 2K12 recently tweeted the image below. It shows a downloadable add-on called Legends Showcase which will allegedly let players "play online with the Legendary Teams from NBA's Greatest." It also lists some of the online modes Legendary players can compete in.

The NBA lockout has kept 2K Sports from updating the player rosters in NBA 2K12. It has also forced 2K to limit promotion for the game since the National Basketball Players Association has forbidden publisher Take-Two Interactive from marketing their likeness during the lockout. That could end up costing them some money if it causes gamers to forgo buying the game. The image gives no indication that the Legends Showcase will be a paid download but PastaPadre reports that it is. If this turns out to be true then it may just be 2K's way of trying to make sure they recoup their expenses somehow.

Via [PastaPadre]

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Robin trailer For Batman: Arkham City 'Imminent', no more character reveals

Rocksteady's done coming out with new characters for Batman: Arkham City. The developer has confirmed that they won't be announcing any more new folks joining in on the game, although they did say that you can all look forward to a trailer of Robin in action sometime soon.

Sarah May Wellock, Arkham City's Community Manager, wrote: "There are NO more character reveals!!! Robin trailer is imminent through the relevant trailers."



As to when that Robin trailer will be coming out, we've yet to know for certain. From the sound of it, though, it shouldn't be for too long.

It's likely that it will look something like the one that came out for The Joker, though. Batman: Arkham City had its release dates confirmed the other day - October 18th for US, 19th for Australia, and 21st for Europe - with the PC version taking a definitive blow with a delay.

Via [Arkham City]


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Aliens: Colonial Marines is 'more crafted' than Left 4 Dead

Randy Pitchford is selling Aliens: Colonial Marines to the hilt, even comparing it to the blockbuster zombie game of Valve, Left 4 Dead, saying that their game is definitely "more crafted" than that one.

Said Pitchford, "I think parts of it feel a little like [that], but Left 4 Dead was very dependent upon the game system. There wasn't any real story telling or character development or anything at all to do in Left 4 Dead other than to run to the exit and not die along the way. 

Aliens: Colonial Marines is a much more crafted and cinematic experience. It also has a deeper meta-game where there is some value to gaining experience and growing the capability of your character overtime.

Left 4 Dead is a great thing to think about when considering how it works as both a single player and co-operative game where you're playing against hordes of fearless, death-dealing enemies. But it's not really a good example when you think about a crafted, narrative experience or when you think about how meta-growth game can make playing your favourite missions again really fun and compelling."

In defense of Left 4 Dead (I am a huge fan, obviously), I don't think it ever promised a meta-experience of gaming. As far as its basic plot is concerned, I think it delivered on what it set out to do: put you in the position of someone out to survive at all costs. And really, when you have a horde of zombies after you, you don't have much time to philosophize about character growth. You just shoot away. It's the basic tenet of survival, and one that L4D unfrivolously delivers. 

But anyway, if Aliens: Colonial Marines is "more crafty", then it should be a fun game to look out for. 

The game is also promising to answer questions about the movie, so if you're looking forward to that, then it really should be a must-buy/ must-play title. Gearbox also takes much pride in the fact that Fox has given them a lot of freedom with the game.

Via [360Magazine]

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Layton Vs. Ace Attorney Features Actors From Ace Attorney Movie

The upcoming Layton Vs. Ace Attorney game will be voiced by the same actors charged with bringing Nick and Maya to life on the Japanese silver screen.

Andriasang reports that the upcoming Layton Vs. Ace Attorney game -- which still doesn't have a U.S. release date -- will feature voice work from the actors confirmed to be performing in the Ace Attorney movie.
Layton and Luke will be voiced by their usual Japanese voice actors Yo Oizumi and Maki Horikita. Phoenix Wright and Maya Fey will be voiced by Hiroki Narimiya and Mirei Kiritani.
A special TGS presentation regarding the game is set for tomorrow at 12:30 (Japanese time). Many of us here at GamePro are hoping for news that the game will receive a localization and head to our shores, in which case it'll need some American voice actors. Who would you put in the leading roles?

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Vigil On Darksiders II Wii U: Amazing

Darksiders II producer Ryan Stefanelli has plenty of praise for the Wii U version of the title.

"Just to have something on the touch screen, we put the inventory and map systems on the controller - and even that small thing makes a big difference. When you collect a new piece of loot, you just look down to see if you want it, and can equip it instantly," Stefanelli said of Wii U's touchscreen controller. "I can't say for sure if that'll be in the final cut, but it's really cool that the gameplay experience never has to be broken up by changing out equipment."

Stefanelli noted some of the advantages to using the touchscreen in the game, including being able to use it for hot keys when switching between weapons and equipment.

"Our one and only goal once we got the Wii U hardware was to get Darksiders II running on it. We didn't even have running the game on the touch screen on our 'to do' list. but once we got it running, we just fooled around with getting it on the touch screen as a lark," Stefanelli said. "It took all of five minutes and two lines of code, and boom! - there was the entire game running on the controller. Amazing."

via CVG

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Bethesda: Wii U Support, Skyrim Port Possible

Will Bethesda be developing on Wii U? What about a Skyrim port to the system? We have all the details you need right here.

"It's definitely a possibility for the future. We'll look at any platform that will support that games we're trying to make, but that's the key thing - the console has to support the game as it is designed," said Bethesda's Pete Hines.

Several developers, including Epic and id Software, have already expressed interest in the system. Vigil went as far as to say that the console is "amazing."

"The more changes we have to make to a game the less and less palatable it becomes because making a game is an enormous process. Just doing 360, PS3 and PC - I don't think people understand the amount of work that goes into that. All of the localisation you have to do... all of the testing you have to do... on every platform in every language... It's a pretty huge undertaking," Hines continued.

When asked of the possibilities of a Wii U version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, a separate Bethesda rep didn't rule it out.

"We'll see. It's definitely a possibility," said Bethesda's VP of PR.

via ONM

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Zen Pinball Coming To 3DS

Zen Studios, masters of the virtual pinball art, are bringing their talents to Nintendo's handheld this fall.

Zen Studios is bringing its Zen Pinball series to the Nintendo 3DS via the eShop this fall. The game will offer hot seat multiplayer, online leaderboards and four different tables on which to flip your balls into various receptacles.
Earth Defense is a sci-fi themed table that pits the player against invading aliens in an attempt to defend Earth. Shamen sees players masting the art of nature sorcery. Excalibur is an Arthurian-themed table. And Eldorado sees players uncovering the mysteries of ancient civilization by flipping balls into holes.
The game's release on 3DS will mean that the developer has at least one pinball game on each of the "big three's" platforms -- Pinball FX and Pinball FX 2 on Microsoft's 360, Zen Pinball and Marvel Pinball on Sony's PS3 and now Zen Pinball 3D on Nintendo's 3DS. A version of Zen Pinball is also available for Nvidia Tegra-equipped Android smartphones and tablets.
"Releasing Zen Pinball on a Nintendo platform marks an amazing milestone for Zen Studios," said Mel Kirk, VP of marketing and PR. "We are really excited for Nintendo fans to experience one of our greatest passions -- the timeless game of pinball. Playing pinball in 3D is killer. It's like the game has been totally reinvented, and a whole new world opens up right before your eyes."
Zen Pinball 3D will release via the eShop this fall for an as yet undisclosed price.

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Tetris is Back Again, This Time on 3DS

Unsurprisingly, Nintendo's latest handheld is set to receive its own special version of Tetris, featuring more game modes than ever before.

One of the best things about Tetris on the original Game Boy was its simplicity and purity. You simply played Tetris, and you didn't have to worry about time limits, powerups, "holding" pieces -- it was just you against the ever-accelerating storm of falling blocks, or occasionally a friend.
Subsequent versions of Tetris over the years have added more and more in the way of different game modes. Some of these have been quite fun, and some more friendly to short play sessions, but I certainly always find myself returning to the traditional "Marathon" mode before long.
Enter Tetris Axis for 3DS, which offers 20 game modes, thankfully including Marathon. Alongside this, you can battle against the computer, compete against up to seven friends in a selection of "party game modes," play with powerups in Fever mode and even play Tetris in augmented reality using the 3DS' cameras.
Tetris Axis also offers online play for up to 8 players and SpotPass functionality, allowing players to acquire new items for Fever mode.
The game, developed by Hudson Soft and published by Nintendo, is set to launch on 3DS on October 2. Find out more here.

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The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition Available for Free from September 28

Good news for DS and 3DS owners as Shigeru Miyamoto confirms that an enhanced edition of The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords will be available for free very soon.

The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords was a side dish to the excellent Game Boy Advance version of A Link to the Past, but it offered some entertaining multiplayer challenges in its own right. One drawback of it, however, was the fact that you couldn't play it by yourself, making those who didn't have GBA-toting friends living nearby miss out on a fun experience.
With the upcoming free rerelease of the game for DSiWare, Nintendo is fixing that particular problem by adding a new single player mode in which players control two Links. On top of this, new levels have been added to the existing game content, allowing players to unlock new skills for their Link. Beating the challenging Hero's Trial area will unlock the Hurricane Spin move, while Realm of Memories is made up of locations from past Zelda titles. Completing the latter unlocks the Master Sword for use.
Nintendo hasn't specifically said that the game will offer online play -- the wording they use is that "two to four players wirelessly connect their Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL or Nintendo 3DS systems," suggesting that it may be local wireless play only. At least you won't need to remember where you put your Link Cables, however.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition will be available for a limited time only, starting on September 28 and remaining available until February 20 of 2012. It'll be completely free for everyone able to access DSiWare.

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Preparing For The Wii U

The moment these games enter the market, they are expected to disappear from the racks. For these fiends associated with fear-inducing, intense game play, Darksiders 2 shall be certain to prove acceptable. For people expecting to creep stealthily through war-torn and enemy-filled roadways and undergrounds, Metro: Last Light definitely will leave you in shock. And with anyone else who's seeking to be the commander of all that's cute and obedient, or the commander of all that is shell-shocked and sleepless, Pikmin 3 and Battlefield will deliver players the chance to experience it all.

Battlefield commands bravery. It needs stratagem. It thirsts for the blood which runs cold, skin that nourishes off shrapnel, and pinpoint precision. Players need to stock up on the heavy artillery, commit a burst into the frontlines, dash for cover, and manage to nevertheless wear a grin that's hungry for even more towards the end of the day.


Metro: Last Light absorbs the participant into a surrounding so enshrouded in darkness, so coated in weird, so surrounded in absolute, skin-tingling intensity that one can hardly ever expect to look at the sunlight again. Or simply, never need to see the light again.

Darksiders 2 applies the war-fanatic in the middle of one of the most larger-than-life struggles of all time-the one involving heaven and hell. Along with a war of such divine proportions, a fight up against the underworld, immortal and immoral creatures, it can help playing as the greatest feared troops of all time-Death.


Pikmin 3 provides a formula that is one part sweet, one part soft and cuddly, and one part colorful-a formula  which in conclusion, equates to about the most addicting and amazing titles heading to the Wii U. Being in command will probably have never been so sweet.

The urges regarding these types of Wii U video games are usually so nasty they should make a Nintendo patch, or even a pack of gum. Allow me to share some of the most tantalizing, potential-packed video game titles to hit the Wii U this fall. It's a blend of their own personal storylines, characters, and also game play that gives each of these game titles some of the most highly regarded and recognized video games on the way. Not just that, although the type of game play in every game claims to pack a punch with the state of the art Wii U controller, performing together along with the tireless forearms and thumbs of each gamer to generate a entirely, addictive game playing adventure.

Wii U Video game titles guarantees complete and up-to-date facts and techniques and explanations on all the Wii U games that will be on its way to the video games industry.

Daily Deals

There has been a lot of deals recently.


Amazon.com has the game Guitar Hero on Tour Decades Bundle (2 Games) on sale for $3.49 plus $3.45 shipping.

Amazon.com has the game DJ Hero 2 on sale for $13.12  $23.53.


Best Buy has many Nintendo Wii games at $5.99 including- Hot Wheels: Track Attack, Iron Man 2, Sid Meier's Pirates, Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2, and more. The Wii Fit Plus with the Balance Board is also on sale at Cowboom for $33.99 (refurbished) while still available on Buy.com (through Ebay) for $59.99. Lastly, visit  Amazon for sales on LEGO Batman, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, and Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games.

BestBuy.com has the game Sid Meier's Pirates on sale for $5.99.



BestBuy.com has the game Hot Wheels: Track Attack on sale for $5.99.



Amazon.com has the game LEGO Batman on sale for $11.89.


Amazon.com has the game Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games on sale for $19.79 for the Wii and $24.77 for the DS.




Please check out my Squidoo page if you want to see more details and the latest deals: Nintendo Daily Deals.

Daily Deals

Sorry folks, today's Daily Deals came a bit late. Anyways, I have included both today and yesterday's sales. Also, I am not affiliated with any of these websites or products. I just figured if you guys are like me, you love video games and good deals.

Also I created a Squidoo lens just for the deals. Please check it out!




September 13, 2011
Amazon.com has the game Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades Bundle on sale for $8.03.


Overstock.com has the game Super Paper Mario on sale for $13.76. However there is a $2.95 shipping cost.


Overstock.com has the game Super Mario Galaxy on sale for $13.76. However there is a $2.95 shipping cost.



September 12, 2011
Walmart has the FlingSmash with Black Wii Remote Plus on sale for $24.96 . However, it is only available in stores.


Cowboom has the model TWLSKA black Nintendo DSi for $65.00. However, it is a refurbished model.

Nintendo Slide Pad Official

Nintendo has officially announced the release of the slide pad attachment: December 10. Here it is on their site. Using Google Translate, it seems to require only one AAA battery. Games that support this peripheral will have this logo. It is available for 1,500 Yen, which is approximately $20. Currently announced games that are compatible include: Kingdom Hearts 3D, Ace Combat 3D, MGS Snake Eater 3D, Resident Evil Revelations, and Monster Hunter 3G.

Nintendo 3DS Conference

Wow, what a day. Nintendo held their 3DS conference today and there is a lot of new information for their handheld. Here is a list of what happened:

• Shigeru Miyamoto comes out with a sword and shield from the Zelda series. The Zelda 25th Anniversary trailer begins to play (courtesy of www.ign.com).
More The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Videos
• Miyamoto begins to demonstrate parts of Skyward Sword. It goes on for quite a while showing actions using the Wii remote.
• Miyamoto finishes and a trailer for  3DS games appear including: Tekken, Kid Icarus, Resident Evil, Mario Kart 7, Monster Hunter, and more!
• Sataro Iowa enters. He begins talking about Wii titles.
• A pink 3DS will be out October 30 in Japan.
• Slime Mori Mori: Dragon Quest 3 releases on November 2 in Japan.
• Super Mario Land 3DS releases on November 11 in Japan.
• Mario Kart 7 releases on December 7 in Japan.
• Monster Hunter 3G release on December 10 in Japan
• SD Gundam G Generation 3D release on December 22 in Japan.
• MGS 3D Snake Eater this winter
• Games listed for 2012- Mario Kart 7, Paper Mario, Luigi's Mansion 2, Animal Crossing, Mario & Sonic at the London Olympics, Tomodachi Collection, Shinrei Camera, Fire Emblem, a Dynasty Warriors-style game, a Square Enix game currently called Bravely Default Flying Fairy, Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai, Resident Evil: Revelations, Ace Combat, Tekken 3D Prime Edition, Teatrhythm Final Fantasy, Girls RPG: Cinderelife, Icarus Uprising, Kingdom Hearts 3D, and more.
• Monster Hunter 4 for 3DS announced with trailer (courtesy of www.nintendoeverything.com)!

In summary, the 3DS definitely has a promising future next year. There are a ton of games announced and with the surprising announcement of Monster Hunter 4, expect the 3DS to top the charts in Japan soon.