The Video Game Critic

[QUOTE=Edward M]The Third category is 3d Castlevanias.  These are the ones for PS2 and N64.   You should probably avoid these.[/QUOTE]

I personally think the 3D Castlevanias are action-platformers just like the 2D ones in Ed's first category, just that they are in 3D.  I personally like the N64 games, Castlevania 64 and Legacy of Darkness, even though they have some wicked camera issues.  The pacing and story and just sheer atmosphere of those games was fantastic.  I don't think the other two 3D Castlevanias, Lament of Innocence and Curse of Darkness, are all that interesting though.

Given how dedicated you are, Atarifever, old-style games, I would suggest the original Castlevania, Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse, or Super Castlevania IV.  However, given that you preferred Genesis and Sega in general to the NES and SNES, there's also Castlevania: Bloodlines for the Genesis.

I also believe that you of all people might appreciate Castlevania II: Simon's Quest on the NES.  It was more RPG-like, and a precursor to the Metroidvania style to come in Symphony of the Night and later, than its action-platformer predescessor.

Other than that, you are a DS owner right?  Both of the Castlevania games available on the DS are suitable for you.  Dawn of Sorrow is along the lines of the Metroidvania style (just like its direct GBA prequel, Aria of Sorrow), and Portrait of Ruin is very enjoyable and a better visual experience itself.

Now mind you -- two of the greatest Castlevania games of all time among fans, Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night, are coming out for the PSP.  They are directly linked to each other, as SOTN is a direct sequel to ROB, and they are both celebrated.  It will mark the first of the two's release in the US, actually, one we've all been long waiting for.  But take that as you will, as I wasn't sure you had a PSP.

[QUOTE=m0zart]I also believe that you of all people might appreciate Castlevania II: Simon's Quest on the NES.

[/QUOTE]
Well I am the only one I know who who absolutely loves Zelda 2.

This was a good thread b/c I am in the same boat. Thanks for the responses!

FUNK

[QUOTE=Atarifever][QUOTE=m0zart]I also believe that you of all people might appreciate Castlevania II: Simon's Quest on the NES. [/QUOTE] Well I am the only one I know who who absolutely loves Zelda 2. [/QUOTE]

I know a lot, myself included, and none of them like Castlevania 2.

Unless your idea of "fun" involves throwing holy water at every single block in the game (there are a couple thousand of them, so set off a few weeks) digging for randomly hidden clue books that tell you how to solve otherwise completely impossible puzzles, you won't like this game. Oh yeah, and the action scenes are ungodly easy, and you're forced to grind for money to get your hands on the far too expensive items you have to buy. Hoorah.

Thanks for sticking up for me Atarifever. To be honest, I'm only really good at old games that have patterns. I can get to about level 18 of the original Pac-Man, around 12 on Ms.Pac-Man, and I can play SUPER PAC-MAN as long as I can hold the control; it requires the memorization of only FIVE patterns!

My gaming skills have declined with age though, which is why I prefer games to be reasonable in difficulty. The first Castelevania rocks but is quite difficult. BLOODLINES for Genesis has a "normal" setting that is much more reasonable. Also I must again mention the effects like when you battle over the river, EVERYTHING is REFLECTED precisely! And you can chop the head off giant statures, while huge skeletons fling blades back and forth. In my opinion, this is FAR superior to the SNES CastlevaniaIV. And gamewise, the controls are silky smooth!

[QUOTE=Adamant]I know a lot, myself included, and none of them like Castlevania 2.[/QUOTE]

I personally love Castlevania 2.  Still, I might not recommend it to just anyone, but I'd recommend it to Atarifever given what I've read from him in the past.

[QUOTE=Atarifever]
Well I am the only one I know who who absolutely loves Zelda 2.
[/QUOTE]Now we are two.

Another fan of Zelda II for NES It was certainly a very different game compared to the other Zeldas, but that didn't make it any less fun or great.