Product Description

Gamers have been enjoying Castlevania's eerie storylines since 1987, and the latest version of Castlevania for Game Boy Advance is one of the very best in the series. Powered by Game Boy Advance's 32-bit color graphics, Circle of the Moon looks great and sounds even better. The haunting music tracks and awesome sound effects are some of the greatest audio treats we've ever heard on a portable system. Turn down the sound on this one and you'll be losing a great deal of the gloomy atmosphere which is crucial to the Castlevania experience. Circle of the Moon relies heavily on the platform-jumping skeleton-whipping formula which led to Castlevania's initial success, but Konami has created some new gameplay elements which add to its depth. Instead of simply working your way from point A to point B in Dracula's castle, you can choose your own route through branching passageways and corridors. The gameplay is mostly linear, but you'll definitely make a few wrong turns before figuring out where you're supposed to go next.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3128 in Video Games
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Platform: Game Boy Advance

Features

• Spooky levels
• non-linear play
• 32-bit graphics
• more than 80 spells
• classic characters

Amazon.com Review
One of the best side-scrolling game franchises makes a successful debut on the Game Boy Advance in Castlevania: Circle of the Moon. This time around you follow the adventures of Nathan Graves as he attempts to stop the recently resurrected Dracula. In the fine tradition of Castlevania vampire hunters, Graves carries a whip as his primary weapon, and will soon discover the traditional secondary weapons of holy water, dagger, boomerang, time freeze, and more. New to the series is the dual set-up system (DSS), which allows you to use 20 cards (randomly found) for up to 80 power-ups.

The game plays like a side-scrolling classic without seeming too dated. Players traipse around a nonlinear dungeon, defeat monsters, and unlock new parts of the dungeon, often through the use of new abilities. It's similar to the excellent Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for the PlayStation, with the obvious aural limitations of a cartridge-based handheld system.

Unfortunately, the game's dark graphics are difficult to see on the Game Boy Advance's fickle screen. Long sessions require consistent overhead lighting, so this isn't the ideal game for travel. The animations are also lacking, making character movement appear jerky. Despite these graphics shortcomings, this side-scrolling wonder makes a fine addition to your GBA library. --Raymond M. Padilla

Pros:

• Classic gameplay
• High replay value
• Great sound for a handheld game

• Dark graphics are butchered by the GBA screen
• Mediocre animation

Amazon.com Product Description
Konami's Simon Belmont started hunting vampires back in 1987, and he hasn't quit yet. Now he's chasing them across the Game Boy Advance in Castlevania: Circle of the Moon. He'll use his trusty whip, as well as a few magical items, to combat Dracula and more than just a few foul minions. The game takes advantage of the GBA's rich color palette to create detailed, moody environments and intricate spell effects.

Customer Reviews

CASTLEVANIA RETURNS
Finally Konami is back on track with the castlevnia series. Personally I think that the Gameboy Advance is the best thing to happen to video games in years and castlevania: circle of the moon is proof. Throughout the castlevania legacy, only a hand full of games harnessed that classic feel. The balance of the original games on the NES was lost for some time. What few realize is that the main character should not be allowed to whip in all directions or have a 3D enviorment to roam. The classic castlevania's had a limited attack range, with scrolling that went from lef to right, and thats what made game great. Castlevania: Circle of the moon does just that. Like the great Dracula X for the PC engine, Circle of the Moon is a deep RPG/Action side scroller. A now endangered species for video games. The game begins with the ressurection of Dracula. Castlevania's graphics are quality 32-bit and sized for the GBA. The sound is also excellent for a cart the size of castlevania circle of the moon. The game is both long and in depth. there are even different paths and characters to play, so the reply value of this game remains high. All of the staple elements of the series are present, including hearts, secondary weapons, and various levels of whips. New Magic abilities give a more advanced RPG feel to this game. Overall, I was suprised. This game is gold, and I wish that I could thak konami for making it. Castlevania returns as a great nostalgic journey into the mastery of the 2D side-scroller.

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon: Back To The Basics
After a few terrible Castlevania games, IE the 3-D versions, Konami has decided to go back to the basics of the series, 2-D. They started this up again with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and now a similar game is here for your handheld pleasure. The story is the same as always, you're the hero, in this game that happens to be Nathan Graves. After Dracula is resurrected, he attempts to drain your master's power, to make himself become full strength again. You and the son of your master then drop down from the room with Dracula and your master. Thus begins the adventure.

Many people believe this game resembles Metroid, and I would have to agree. This game differs from previous Castlevania games, except Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, in that you do not switch levels, you stay in one world, well, not a world, Dracula's Castle. You must whip, jump and slide your way through this tremendously gigantic and frightening castle. There is also a new element added to this game, with the introduction of the Dual Setup System. When you defeat certain enemies, you will pick up cards. You can mix and match them to gain new power ups such as monster summons. This adds even more depth to the game.

The graphics are nothing spectacular. Konami could have used the Game Boy Advance to do so much more. But graphics don't make a game, gameplay does, and thats why Castlevania shines.

The sound is high quality. When you turn on the game, you are greeted with a lovely intro with spine tingling music. The developer of the game urges players to use headphones when playing, because it makes the music that much more spectacular.

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon is a top notch game full of thrills and chills. I highly reccomend this game to anyone who knows and loves the series, and also to those who love Platform games, and a fun time in general.

If you only purchase one title at release, this should be it
This is absolutely magnificent. I've been a fan of the Castlevania series since it was first released for the NES, and this game outright thrills me.

The game is a mixture between the original Castlevania and Symphony of the Night (PSX). The player's character is a traditional, back-to-the-game's-roots vampire hunter, with the standard assortment of weapons: the basic whip, throwing axes, daggers, and holy water. The basic gameplay is classic Castlevania: move around, jump, whip (and

you can only whip in one direction!). The controls are sharp and the character is quick, and before you know it you'll be dashing and jumping about platforms on a gleeful vampire-hunting spree!

On the flip-side, the level layout is reminiscent of SotN for the Playstation. Instead of progressing through a linear level block, you simply wander the castle - which is mapped out for you as you go, a la Super Metroid. You advance to higher areas of the castle by gaining levels (like in an RPG) and acquiring special items such as double jump boots. Throughout the halls you will find the standard assortment of bone-tossing skeletons and fireball-breathing skeletal dragon heads, plus a variety of new adversaries. Scattered about the castle are save points (on battery backup; no passwords) and warp points that will instantaneously transport you to distant areas of the castle.

The game's inventory system and DSS Card system are where CotM makes a complete departure from previous games. As you gain levels and defeat enemies, you will obtain special items such as stronger armor, magical gauntlets, and mysterious potions. As in an RPG, these must be equipped in the menu before they do you any good. This system adds generously to the game's exploration and replay factor.

You will also be required to gather Attribute and Action cards, which, when combined using the DSS system, will allow you to access magical powers that will increase your offense or defense. You can mix and match cards to tailor your powers according to the foes you face.

The game's graphics are perfect; the designs in the hallways of the castle are colorful and varied, the enemies stand out from the background, and the layout and special effects are implemented with style.

The music is standard Castlevania fare - that is to say, of course, some of the best game music available. Many tracks borrow themes from previous games in the series, and there are just as many that have never been heard before. One moment you'll be humming along with classic Castlevania tunes, and the next you'll be tapping your toes to a brand new beat you enjoy just as much.

In all, this is one of the more enjoyable titles I've had the opportunity to own on the GBA. If the classic titles planned for the future (Zelda, Metroid, etc.) turn out to be this well done, well. . . then we all have a lot to look forward to! ^_^