XBLA - Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night - 800pts

[peteloaf]

UPDATE: Confirmed 3/21, 800 points ($10)

Journey Into the Darkness With “Castlevania: Symphony of Night” on Xbox Live Arcade

Celebrate more than two decades of the Castlevania franchise by reliving (or experiencing for the first time) one of the series’ most highly regarded games. The legendary 2D side-scrolling action adventure game from Konami Digital Entertainment, “Castlevania: Symphony of Night,” will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, March 21 at 0900 GMT (2 a.m. PDT).

The Castlevania franchise is well known for delivering exceptional quality in all elements that make a great game – story, music, level design, character development, gameplay and controls. In “Castlevania: Symphony of Night,” the 12th iteration of the series, gamers take on the role of Alucard, the half-vampire son of the blood-drinker Dracula, as he ventures into his infamous father’s foreboding castle. Along the way, Alucard must collect items, weapons and armor to defeat the powerful boss monsters that block access to key areas of the castle.

“Castlevania: Symphony of Night” is the first full console classic to appear on Xbox Live Arcade and offers dozens of hours of non-linear action RPG gameplay. “Castlevania: Symphony of Night” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated T for Teen (Animated Blood and Violence). Game Features


Play the original version of the game or experience it in enhanced mode with improved graphics and modernized audio and sound effects
New native widescreen and high-definition support
Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore pointsMore information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade (http://www.uptilt.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=j4e,qz03,1c28,6860,aa0x,3l31,302o).



Found on Kotaku
http://kotaku.com/gaming/clips/clips-castlevania-sotn-227239.php

Realy bad shaky camera of the worst Castlevania player ever, but it's something.

Kotaku also states the release date is February 10th - a Saturday...

[bortle]

Can't wait. I hope they don't go too crazy on the price, anything sub $20 I could justify.

[CrimsonPaw]

I was going to post this too. Info found at http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/753/753798p1.html also. This is great news for anyone who likes ... games. Even though I've played through it twice before, I'll be buying this off of XBLA when it hits!

[felixlighter]

Best 2D side scroller ever. A great game for XBLA... I'm surprised that it's smaller than 50 MB. I still own my PS1 copy so I won't be buying this one but anyone who hasn't played it should definitely check it out.

[Wolfpup]

The obvious points...the 360 has a craptastic d-pad.
And like all three consoles, Live Arcade's DRM has too many issues.
And any gamer should already own this...

I'd rather see them just release it on disc, and better still do a new 2D Castlevania on a "big" system.

[Rei no Otaku]

Hopefully if a lot of people download it then Iga will get the message about fans wanting a 2D Castlevania on the consoles.

[Supercake]

I'll be buying this as soon as it hits the arcade. I'll get past any problems, it's not like SOTN is known for it's crushing difficulty. Looking forward to the achivements as well. I'll continue to support Castlevania whenever I can.

[Wolfpup]

Hopefully if a lot of people download it then Iga will get the message about fans wanting a 2D Castlevania on the consoles.

Hey, good point! :D

[BustaUppa]

And like all three consoles, Live Arcade's DRM has too many issues.I'll just throw out a noob question here - if I put one of my Live arcade games on a memory unit, can I play the game on someone else's 360 (without copying it to their hard drive)? Or do I have to go through "Account Recovery" and all that crap just to bring my game to a friend's house?

Anyway, even though I have this already, I'll probably buy anyway. Both to play again, and simply to support the idea behind it (2-d greatness on a home console).

[LinkinPrime]

Cool. Achievement list is up:

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/home/showachievements.php?type=Arcade&gameID=192

As well for Worms, Alien Hominid, Catan, and Street Trace NYC

[Roufuss]

SOTN in 480p is well worth me buying this... I'll also dump my PS One version to make MORE than enough money to rebuy this one through XBL.

SOTN... progressive scan... :drool:

Those achievements are badass too.


Unlike many old arcade games that can't make the transition from standard screen TV width to HD width, Konami's Castlevania was retooled for wide-screen TVs. "On an HD TV it looks clean. The models are clean and better looking." But Konami hasn't changed the content a bit. The Xbox Live Arcade version will play exactly the same as the old PlayStation game, only in widescreen with cleaner models that don't break or artifact.

:drool: :drool:

And how they got past the 50 mb limit:



With old PlayStation games, most space was taken up with audio. Audio compression is so much better, and those files are compressed to a fraction of what they were. The sound is improved, and it's now more than two channels. We didn't cut anything."



That IGN preview, as usual, is way better than the shit Kotaku posted.

[mykevermin]

That lousy wanna be Victorian literature-like dialogue makes me want to play this immediately.

I don't know if I buy a 2/10 release date, but any time around that is fine by me.

EDIT: From the Achievements list:
Belmont's Revenge 45(points):Finish the game, including the inverted castle, as Richter.

Could you play as Richter in the PS version through the game? I thought only the Saturn did that.

[felixlighter]

I'll just throw out a noob question here - if I put one of my Live arcade games on a memory unit, can I play the game on someone else's 360 (without copying it to their hard drive)? Or do I have to go through "Account Recovery" and all that crap just to bring my game to a friend's house?

Anyway, even though I have this already, I'll probably buy anyway. Both to play again, and simply to support the idea behind it (2-d greatness on a home console).

I believe if you store your profile on your memory unit and sign in with your profile you can play it as long as your connected to Xbox Live otherwise you will need to go through Account Recovery.

I keep my profile on my memory unit because I like the ability to sign on to live using my Xbox Live account at friends' houses.

[Roufuss]

Could you play as Richter in the PS version through the game? I thought only the Saturn did that.

No, you could... I think in the Saturn version you could play as Maria.

[mykevermin]

No, you could... I think in the Saturn version you could play as Maria.

I remember being able to select Richter and Maria from the start in the Saturn version, but don't recall playing as Richter (aside from the intro) on PSX. Either way, a right challenging achievement.

[lionheart4life]

That lousy wanna be Victorian literature-like dialogue makes me want to play this immediately.

I don't know if I buy a 2/10 release date, but any time around that is fine by me.

EDIT: From the Achievements list:
Belmont's Revenge 45(points):Finish the game, including the inverted castle, as Richter.

Could you play as Richter in the PS version through the game? I thought only the Saturn did that.

Yes, if I remember right you had to enter the name "Richter" after you beat the normal game. I don't remember if it required getting a certain ending or if you really even had to beat the game at all. The inverted castle is pretty tough as him because his attacks don't increase the way Alucard's do.

EDIT: The way I worded that sounded dumb.

[Roufuss]

I remember being able to select Richter and Maria from the start in the Saturn version, but don't recall playing as Richter (aside from the intro) on PSX. Either way, a right challenging achievement.

You had to put it in as your name I think.

[Wolfpup]

I believe if you store your profile on your memory unit and sign in with your profile you can play it as long as your connected to Xbox Live otherwise you will need to go through Account Recovery.

I keep my profile on my memory unit because I like the ability to sign on to live using my Xbox Live account at friends' houses.

Yeah, you have to have a broadband internet connection and be signed in to live if you're playing a game you "bought" on any system except for the one you bought it on.

I have no idea why Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony don't just copy Apple's method which lets you authorize a system, and deauthorize it so a new one can be authorized. (In Apple's case you can do it with 5 systems at once, but even just a single system would be MUCH better than what the three console companies are doing.)

[BustaUppa]

Yeah, that's kind of annoying. My church has a 360 downstairs so I was hoping to bring over UMK3 and play against people after service. I don't think it's usually connected to the internet though, oh well.

I'm liking the achievements list. I think the Richter achievement is the final "justification" I need for buying this... I never played through the game with him on the PS.

[shipwreck]

I'll just throw out a noob question here - if I put one of my Live arcade games on a memory unit, can I play the game on someone else's 360 (without copying it to their hard drive)?

Yes, as long as your profile is on the memory card as well. Otherwise... well, I don't feel like typing up the possibilities, so just stick your profile on there as well.

[ryanbph]

looking forward to this release

[nasum]

Something strikes me as odd about playing Mortal Kombat in a church...

[BustaUppa]

Something strikes me as odd about playing Mortal Kombat in a church...Hey, it's less violent than The Passion of the Christ...

[Wolfpup]

Yes, as long as your profile is on the memory card as well. Otherwise... well, I don't feel like typing up the possibilities, so just stick your profile on there as well.

AFAIK (and as I stated in an earlier post) that's not enough. You have to actually be signed in to the Live service.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, please!

[shipwreck]

AFAIK (and as I stated in an earlier post) that's not enough. You have to actually be signed in to the Live service.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, please!

No, you are right. In my mind, there is no such thing as an Xbox 360 that is not connected to Live.

[seanr1221]

I can't wait. After playing through PoR, and about to finish DoS, it has my hyped for the Best Castlevania ever. I wish I knew where my copy for PS1 was though.

[guyver2077]

cant wait....finally again a live game worth purchasing

[Strell]

Fuck, they are releasing Settlers of Catan on there too?

I mean, I know I'm going to break down for a 360 someday, but Catan? That's like greasing the wheels with delicious, viscous candy.

I only learned to play it over the holiday but it is DAMN addicting.

[felixlighter]

And how they got past the 50 mb limit:

With old PlayStation games, most space was taken up with audio. Audio compression is so much better, and those files are compressed to a fraction of what they were. The sound is improved, and it's now more than two channels. We didn't cut anything."


That IGN preview, as usual, is way better than the shit Kotaku posted.

Come to think of it... I think if you put that game in an ordinary CD player the first track is the game and the other tracks are music. I'll try it when I get home from work.

[Corvin]

So a little help here. I loved the first 4 Castlevanias on the NES/SNES, but played CotM on the GBA and wasn't very impressed compared to earlier efforts. Is SOTN more like the first 4 games or more like the GBA/DS series?

[felixlighter]

Definitely in the same style as the GBA/DS series but SOTN is better then any of the GBA/DS Castlevanias I've played.

[Lobsterjohnson]

My favorite part of the video is "Is there a door or something I can go into?"

Seriously, who hasn't played this game? And if you havn't well, download it in Feb.

[BustaUppa]

Come to think of it... I think if you put that game in an ordinary CD player the first track is the game and the other tracks are music. I'll try it when I get home from work.Yeah, the bonus audio is like a techno remix of the CastleVania theme music, with Alucard speaking at the beginning (he warns you not to play the data track in a CD player, lol). They didn't use redbook audio for the in-game music, however. You'll need PSX audio extraction software, or an imported soundtrack, or the Lament of Innocence bonus CD sampler to hear that.

[guyver2077]

did this game have fmv's at all?

i recently got this working on my psp but i might as well wait for the live version now

[jollydwarf]

Did anyone else catch the "Second Symphony" blurb in the new (February) EGM? Here's the pertinent text:

"Check back here next issue to get the exclusive scoop on the next Castlevania installment. Trust us--if you're a fan of SOTN, you'll want to sink your fangs into this killer exclusive."

Bracing myself for disappointment (i.e. just another DS game, not that there's anything wrong with that), but a home-console 2-D successor, finally? Dare to dream??

[zewone]

did this game have fmv's at all?

i recently got this working on my psp but i might as well wait for the live version now
Yes. Like one or two very shitty ones.

[zewone]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/350973082_6dec1e7110.jpg

Leaderboards?!?

[Rei no Otaku]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/350973082_6dec1e7110.jpg

Leaderboards?!?
So sexy...

[MorbidAngel4Life]

Come to think of it... I think if you put that game in an ordinary CD player the first track is the game and the other tracks are music. I'll try it when I get home from work.
The only track there was was a techno remix of the CV theme, with Alucard talking at the beginning.

I remember being able to select Richter and Maria from the start in the Saturn version, but don't recall playing as Richter (aside from the intro) on PSX. Either way, a right challenging achievement.
Yes, you type Richter as your name.

I can't wait for this, I've played through SoTN about, oh, I'd say around 10+ times.

[62t]

people forgot to mention you have to beat the game first before you can unlock richter with richter as your name.


It is too bad they couldnt add in the Saturn extra, otherwise it would be prefect.

[Liquid 2]

I've never played this, but I've only heard good things about it. I can't wait.

[Chacrana]

No, you could... I think in the Saturn version you could play as Maria.

Correct. The PSX version let you play as Richter if you finish the game with Alucard and enter your name as "Richter" next time you start. The Saturn version let you play as Maria and had a couple new stages, but at the expense of far worse graphics and longer load times.

[Apossum]

good. looks like this might actually see the light of day.

complete release list for XBLA 2007:

February: SOTN

May: Catan

August: Patch for Lumines live

November: Alien Hominid (with fatal glitches, but with patch due out late 2008)

[Chacrana]

good. looks like this might actually see the light of day.

complete release list for XBLA 2007:

February: SOTN

May: Catan

August: Patch for Lumines live

November: Alien Hominid (with fatal glitches, but with patch due out late 2008)

Any word on when SFII's getting fixed?

[Apossum]

Any word on when SFII's getting fixed?

2009.

[dafoomie]

Here's Major Nelson interviewing developers about Castlevania, Worms, and Heavy Weapon. The Castlevania interview is the last one. You may have to copy and paste this link into Windows Media Player. This is the high res version.

Interesting to note that the name of one of the savefiles is Maria.

http://www.xbox.com/NR/rdonlyres/1BD60A28-A11C-42AA-B56F-E6AC255BE917/0/vidLive_ArcadeHi.asx

[CrimsonPaw]

Yeah, that's kind of annoying. My church has a 360 downstairs so I was hoping to bring over UMK3 and play against people after service.
God says ... FINISH HIM!!!!

A sequel to SotN would so kick ass. I'm sure Iga has gotten the message that SotN needs to be the blueprint for any other Castlevania games going forward considering how many decent GBA / DS CV games there have been.

Most of all, I hope he's gotten the message that CV doesn't translate well to 3d when you just repeat the same rooms with the different monsters (Lament of Innocence IMO was the WORST CV to date).

P.S. I'd like to see CV 3 come either to XBLA or the Wii VC, I really liked that game.

[fraggedbylaggers]

My church has a 360 downstairs

What are you? Maybe I should convert!

[peteloaf]

P.S. I'd like to see CV 3 come either to XBLA or the Wii VC, I really liked that game.

Me too, though it would be cool if it were to be the Japanese version. Some weird memory restrictions and censorship issues caused the US version to be changed. Now the levels are the same and it plays the same, it's just the music and some of the background art has been changed.

[VanillaGorilla]

Possibly one of the most overrated games in the history of gaming. Why, in 2007, people get so excited over a port of a PSOne game, is beyond me. If you love it so much, keep playing the original version, if you don't mind actually OPENING it and ruining its value.

[KaneRobot]

Possibly one of the most overrated games in the history of gaming.
Overrated in the sense that it's the best Castlevania ever, possibly. Overrated as an outstanding game, nope.

Why, in 2007, people get so excited over a port of a PSOne game, is beyond me.
If you're that outraged, you must be REALLY pissed about people getting excited over some of the older NES games on Virtual Console. The great games are timeless. This is a great game. Why that's "beyond" you is something I guess you'll have to work on. It's not difficult for me to see why people are excited, especially after the lackluster lineup XBLA has provided so far.

If you love it so much, keep playing the original version, if you don't mind actually OPENING it and ruining its value.

Or if you don't mind having an obsolete console taking up space. Hey, I'd love to have everything from the Atari 5200 to the 360 on my TV all at once, but it's not gonna happen. I have an (open) copy of SOTN but this is a hell of a lot more convienent.

[Radioactive_Man]

You better have a HDD to play it, Castlevania is bigger than the 50mb limit.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164077.html?tag=latestnews;title;2

[Wolfpup]

Thank goodness. I was wondering what on Earth they were going to chop off to shove it into 50MB!

[soliddragon]

Can't wait for this!

[SteveGo]

I can't stand the fact that they refuse to give release dates for xbla games. Every one of those people he talked to in the video claimed the game was "coming soon". Give me a freaking break, how hard is it to set a date in stone for something like this?

Oh, also, Vanilla Gorilla, you're freaking nuts. This game is not overrated one bit, it is pure 2d gaming goodness, and if you can't appreciate that then that's your problem, not ours.

[felixlighter]

I can't stand the fact that they refuse to give release dates for xbla games. Every one of those people he talked to in the video claimed the game was "coming soon". Give me a freaking break, how hard is it to set a date in stone for something like this?

Setting a release date in the software world is just setting yourself up for failure. They're better off just keeping it vague, than setting a date and missing the deadline.

[SteveGo]

Setting a release date in the software world is just setting yourself up for failure. They're better off just keeping it vague, than setting a date and missing the deadline.

Seriously though, how hard would it be to meet a deadline for an arcade game, when major publishers can set release dates for huge releases and keep them? It's just frustrating to hear coming soon for every game. I mean are we ever going to see Castle Crashers or Space Giraffe (or whatever it's called now)? Or will they forever be coming soon like so many other xbla releases?

[Chacrana]

You better have a HDD to play it, Castlevania is bigger than the 50mb limit.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164077.html?tag=latestnews;title;2

Good. This has the potential to be better than the Playstation 1 version due to the enhanced graphics so they need to avoid fucking up the sound... I'm glad they're not forcing the devs to do that in order to meet a stupid size limit.

Anyway, I'll obviously be downloading this right away simply for comparison purposes. Hopefully it will actually surpass the PS1 original.

[deadite76]

http://www.xboxic.com/news/2241#more-2241

Release date is rumored to be February 10th.

[tayaf69]

Possibly one of the most overrated games in the history of gaming. Why, in 2007, people get so excited over a port of a PSOne game, is beyond me. If you love it so much, keep playing the original version, if you don't mind actually OPENING it and ruining its value.
You're the most negative user on the CAG forums.

Castlevania SotN is one the most well developed games to ever appear on gaming consoles. The music was top notch, the graphics were beautiful, and the gameplay was almost without fault. The fact that you could replay as Richter added 10+ hours to the game (in a classic way) and even then the game lasted 20-40 hours easy if you were trying to get the secret items (Ring of Varda x2 anyone?) I have never played a 2d game that came close to comparing to SotN and probably never will (yes, I believe this was better than super mario world). I own the PSOne version of this game, but it's rather scratched and it will be nice to support Konami on this.

I need to add that I love at the Bloodlines stage everything you do affects your starting HP, Heart Points, and MP. I remember replaying it over and over to get a perfect start to the game. Great fun...

[sarausagi]

Final Fantasy VII on Xbox 360 Live Arcade

I can see it now.

Can't wait for this SOTN....seeing some HD 2d action..now that's what I'm talking about.

[Sarang01]

It is too bad they couldnt add in the Saturn extra, otherwise it would be prefect.

If this was the case I'd get it soon as it released on XBLA. As it stands it's not worth it to me since I own the Saturn version and resent the fact Konami even omitted stuff from the US PS version.

edit: There fixed.

[defiance_17]

You're the most negative user on the CAG forums.

Castlevania SotN is one the most well developed games to ever appear on gaming consoles. The music was top notch, the graphics were beautiful, and the gameplay was almost without fault. The fact that you could replay as Richter added 10+ hours to the game (in a classic way) and even then the game lasted 20-40 hours easy if you were trying to get the secret items (Ring of Varda x2 anyone?) I have never played a 2d game that came close to comparing to SotN and probably never will (yes, I believe this was better than super mario world). I own the PSOne version of this game, but it's rather scratched and it will be nice to support Konami on this.

I need to add that I love at the Bloodlines stage everything you do affects your starting HP, Heart Points, and MP. I remember replaying it over and over to get a perfect start to the game. Great fun...

Amen. It's like he and gizmo have been having a competition lately.

As far as 2D platformers go, this is definitely in my top three. It's a masterpiece from start to finish, and I'm very glad to see it coming to XBLA--hopefully Konami keeps them coming (Zombies Ate My Neighbors, please!).

[Wolfpup]

If this was the case I'd get it soon as it released on XBLA. As it stands it's not worth it to me since I qwn the Saturn version and resent the fact Konami even omitted stuff from the Japanese PS version.

What was omitted from the Playstation version?

[pete5883]

IIRC you could play as Maria in the Saturn version. There might have been an extra area as well.

[-Never4ever-]

Amen. It's like he and gizmo have been having a competition lately.

As far as 2D platformers go, this is definitely in my top three. It's a masterpiece from start to finish, and I'm very glad to see it coming to XBLA--hopefully Konami keeps them coming (Zombies Ate My Neighbors, please!).

ZAMN is one of my all-time favs, but it's not going to happen :( Konami published the game, but Lucasarts developed it.m

I wish Konami would snag the simpsons and X-Men license, if onky to release the awesome arcade games based on them.

[Chacrana]

What was omitted from the Playstation version?

Nothing. The Saturn version had a couple minor extras added at the expense of graphical quality.

[Wolfpup]

Nothing. The Saturn version had a couple minor extras added at the expense of graphical quality.

Yeah, I thought the OP meant something was taken out of the port.

[defiance_17]

ZAMN is one of my all-time favs, but it's not going to happen :( Konami published the game, but Lucasarts developed it.m

I wish Konami would snag the simpsons and X-Men license, if onky to release the awesome arcade games based on them.

I figured if I posted it long enough someone would shoot me down. Licensing issues are a bitch, man.

[Kapwanil]

I figured if I posted it long enough someone would shoot me down. Licensing issues are a bitch, man.

Especially since they also just lost the TMNT license to Ubisoft as well.

Oh well, there goes the dreams for 4-Player Co-Op TMNT, The Simpsons, or X-Men arcade from Konami. Hell, Co-Op AD&D or Co-Op AvP from Capcom would have been equally sweet. There's nothing more to do than dream!

[defiance_17]

Especially since they also just lost the TMNT license to Ubisoft as well.

Oh well, there goes the dreams for 4-Player Co-Op TMNT, The Simpsons, or X-Men arcade from Konami. Hell, Co-Op AD&D or Co-Op AvP from Capcom would have been equally sweet. There's nothing more to do than dream!

Dammit! That was my next question, but I was way too scared to ask it. I give up.

[fraggedbylaggers]

Considering how much the greatest hits version is going for on ebay they could conceivably charge $20 for it and I think it would still be worthwhile...

http://cgi.ebay.com/CASTLEVANIA-Symphony-of-the-Night-Playstation-complete_W0QQitemZ280071448083QQihZ018QQcategoryZ6 2053QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Roufuss]

Thanks for that... I'm definitely selling off my original, if that's the case. It'll fund a new and improved version as well as having something left over ;)

I really like this new trend of having all sorts of games on one system.

[Sarang01]

Nothing. The Saturn version had a couple minor extras added at the expense of graphical quality.

Technically you're right if you're referring to the Japanese PS release. The U.S. version had some familiars omitted from it though.
The only reason it was at the expense of quality was because the porting team didn't know what they were doing. The Saturn is a 2D powerhouse and NONE df the terrible slowdown should've been there if the porting team did the job right. In fact if that was done everyone would've dumped the version they had and bought the Saturn version and would be clamoring for it instead of this one on XBLA.

[62t]

New character, areas, enemies, items would be a much better selling point than improve graphics and sound.

[elwood731]

New character, areas, enemies, items would be a much better selling point than improve graphics and sound.
If done well, probably. Unfortunately, added content to re-releases of classic games almost always disappoint.

[GizmoGC]

Amen. It's like he and gizmo have been having a competition lately.


Uh-oh...Time to call the Wambulance for you.

[Wolfpup]

Technically you're right if you're referring to the Japanese PS release. The U.S. version had some familiars omitted from it though.
The only reason it was at the expense of quality was because the porting team didn't know what they were doing. The Saturn is a 2D powerhouse and NONE df the terrible slowdown should've been there if the porting team did the job right.

Was the Saturn able to do the transparency the Playstation pulled off though? I was never 100% convinced the Saturn was completely better than the Playstation, though Symphony of the Night was one of the reasons for that I suppose.


In fact if that was done everyone would've dumped the version they had and bought the Saturn version and would be clamoring for it instead of this one on XBLA.

Well that's a separate issue. People should skip this and find a copy of the Playstation version as it is, what with all the crap DRM restristions on Live Arcade games. I can't believe anyone actually "buys" games that way.

[KaneRobot]

Especially since they also just lost the TMNT license to Ubisoft as well.

Oh well, there goes the dreams for 4-Player Co-Op TMNT, The Simpsons, or X-Men arcade from Konami. Hell, Co-Op AD&D or Co-Op AvP from Capcom would have been equally sweet. There's nothing more to do than dream!

Not necessarily, stranger things than that have been worked out in the gaming industry before. However, because it would require a bit more effort than just handing Microsoft the game, it may not be done. They (meaning Konami/Ubi) would probably rather use their resources elsewhere.

[Roufuss]

Well that's a separate issue. People should skip this and find a copy of the Playstation version as it is, what with all the crap DRM restristions on Live Arcade games. I can't believe anyone actually "buys" games that way.

Yea, because paying $50 is such a better concept than buying it for whatever Microsoft wants to charge (be it $20 or under... I'd shit my pants if it came out for 1200 points, in a good way).

Gotta love the hang ups about DRM.

I'll tell you what, anyone who is so against DRM's and wants a physical copy, I'll sell you mine for about $50, just so you can be special and own the CD. Sure, it's $30 more than the enhanced 480p (superior) version on XBLA, but hey, it's a real copy!

[Apossum]

so the graphics on the Saturn version were worse? Strange. I thought the Saturn was more powerful than the PS1. Didn't it have dual processors and some other junk?

[Roufuss]

so the graphics on the Saturn version were worse? Strange. I thought the Saturn was more powerful than the PS1. Didn't it have dual processors and some other junk?

It was just a shitty port job, I think. Dosen't matter how much better the system is if you make a sloppy port.

These are all the changes:



mport Saturn differences:

* The Japanese Saturn version of Symphony of the Night features Maria Renard as a playable character.
* A few new weapons/items/armor for Alucard's game.
* A new sprite for Richter is featured in addition to the old one, based on Ayami Kojima's depiction of the character. This is the sprite Richter uses when he fights Alucard in the Saturn version and can be used as a playable character as well.
* There are 2 areas of the castle (Cursed Prison and Underground Garden) which were not in the PS1 version. The Underground Garden area features a new boss, the Skeleton King.
* Also, when playing as Maria or Richter, certain areas of the castle play remixes of classic Castlevania music, such as Vampire Killer and Bloody Tears.

[Wolfpup]

Yea, because paying $50 is such a better concept than buying it for whatever Microsoft wants to charge (be it $20 or under... I'd shit my pants if it came out for 1200 points, in a good way).

Gotta love the hang ups about DRM.

I'll tell you what, anyone who is so against DRM's and wants a physical copy, I'll sell you mine for about $50, just so you can be special and own the CD. Sure, it's $30 more than the enhanced 480p (superior) version on XBLA, but hey, it's a real copy!

Your so called "enhanced" version has to be played on the 360's pad, which most certainly doesn't make it "enhanced". There were plenty of opportunities to buy Symphony of the Night for $20 or less...

And DRM means you're out of luck if your console dies and you don't have a broadband connection (or Microsoft dosen't keep the service running). There's no guarantee with any Live Arcade games you'll be able to play them 5, 10, or 15 years from now.

[Roufuss]

Your so called "enhanced" version has to be played on the 360's pad, which most certainly doesn't make it "enhanced". There were plenty of opportunities to buy Symphony of the Night for $20 or less...

And DRM means you're out of luck if your console dies and you don't have a broadband connection (or Microsoft dosen't keep the service running). There's no guarantee with any Live Arcade games you'll be able to play them 5, 10, or 15 years from now.


There *were* opportunities to buy Symphony of the Night for $20 or less... just like there were opportunities to buy many highly priced games at $20 or less. Those opp's are now very few and far between, espically since the largest used video game chain (Gamestop) no longer takes PS1 games as trade-in.

For many people who have never played this game, whatever Microsoft charges sure as hell beats paying some schmo a jacked up price.

Who says it has to be played on the pad? I'm fairly certain they'll allow the stick to be used, and that's good enough for me.

I know what DRM means, but honestly, I really don't care about it. While SOTN, being a disc based game, will technically be around forever, in 5, 10 or 15 years time all of the old battery cart based games are going to die, and I bet alot of those batteries won't ever bother to be replaced. If downloading old games at a fraction of what they cost on Ebay is the future, then that future is awesome, espically if they fine tune the graphics to all run in 480p.

I'm hoping SOTN sells awesomely, and Konami goes ahead and throws us a bone by translating Rondo of Blood for us.

There is just such a hatred for downloadable games but it's not going away any time soon... in fact it's just going to get bigger and bigger. No sense bitching about it since it's never going to be going away, it's a hugely growing market that more companies are taking an interest in. I think I'll go celebrate this convo by buying some more VC games ;)

[tayaf69]

I hate buying the VC games. One day I will be strong and won't buy anything because I think the games currenlty out aren't good enough. The next day I have my wallet on me and get the urge to play Sonic, so what do I do??? I buy points online and blow it. Have I ever played sonic after that day? NO! I'm an idiot.

[Sarang01]

Was the Saturn able to do the transparency the Playstation pulled off though? I was never 100% convinced the Saturn was completely better than the Playstation, though Symphony of the Night was one of the reasons for that I suppose.

I don't know about the transparency but for doing 2D in general the Saturn runs circles around the PS. Consider when one developer talked about porting "Radiant Silvergun" to the PS to Sony they laughed. Sony KNEW that shit wasn't NEAR possible.

[tayaf69]

PLEASE tell me this game isn't really bordered like this....

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/846/846656/img_4292928.html

[BustaUppa]

PLEASE tell me this game isn't really bordered like this....

http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/846/846656/img_4292928.htmlThat's strange... I thought I remembered reading something about how they changed the game to run in 16:9. Like, the implication was that they didn't just throw some borders on, but rather they actually reformatted things to make the game run in true widescreen. Well, the borders aren't a dealbreaker, but it's a little disappointing if they're being used in place of the "true widescreen" that was originally implied.

Perhaps they just give the option to run the game in its original aspect ratio, to satisfy the purists? I'm hoping that's it.

[Apossum]

There *were* opportunities to buy Symphony of the Night for $20 or less... just like there were opportunities to buy many highly priced games at $20 or less.

just two years ago this game was $6.99 sealed at Blockbusters every where.

[Roufuss]

That's strange... I thought I remembered reading something about how they changed the game to run in 16:9. Like, the implication was that they didn't just throw some borders on, but rather they actually reformatted things to make the game run in true widescreen. Well, the borders aren't a dealbreaker, but it's a little disappointing if they're being used in place of the "true widescreen" that was originally implied.

Perhaps they just give the option to run the game in its original aspect ratio, to satisfy the purists? I'm hoping that's it.


Well... there is two modes, classic and enchanced, maybe enhanced has the true widescreen and classic throws the borders down? I read the same interview you did where they were putting in true widescreen.

That border is really nice though, regardless.

[Jimbo Slice]

The obvious points...the 360 has a craptastic d-pad.
And like all three consoles, Live Arcade's DRM has too many issues.
And any gamer should already own this...

I'd rather see them just release it on disc, and better still do a new 2D Castlevania on a "big" system.
Hopefully if a lot of people download it then Iga will get the message about fans wanting a 2D Castlevania on the consoles.

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/2DCastlevania

Probably not gonna do anything, but worth a shot

[Roufuss]

I think it was mentioned, a LONG time ago when Castlevania Chronicles was first release, IGA wanted it to be part of a series. I remember he wanted the series to be the way for many people in the US to experience the Castlevania games that were never released in the US, which makes sense given the first game we got on there.

He had mentioned if sales were good, the series would continue onward... for some reason, I remember he talked about doing a re-drawn Castlevania 3 as well down the line.

I guess sales for Castlevania Chronicles was bad because none of the rest of his ideas ever came to light.

I wonder if sales of SOTN are good, maybe it will re-spark the idea in IGA and Konami's mind, that if I port of a Castlevania game does good, maybe the fans would love to see a 2D one never released in America?

I doubt it, but one can dream. It's sad that Castlevania sales are supposedly better in the US than in Japan and we're missing one of the greatest games in the series, that laid the foundation for SOTN and every game after it.

[tayaf69]

I was reading EGM and they said they had huge news about something new regarding castlevania: sotn and that they would reveal it next month. Did anyone else read this. I think it's in the section with the xbox 360 version of sotn. Please tell me I wasn't reading things, but I took it to mean a possible sequel.

[APE992]

I don't know about the transparency but for doing 2D in general the Saturn runs circles around the PS. Consider when one developer talked about porting "Radiant Silvergun" to the PS to Sony they laughed. Sony KNEW that shit wasn't NEAR possible.

From what I recall, the Saturn is unable to do hardware transparencies. Burning Rangers for example used software transparencies, which while not the best were still damned good. SOTN used sprites that flickered to mimick transparencies.

[mykevermin]

I think it was mentioned, a LONG time ago when Castlevania Chronicles was first release, IGA wanted it to be part of a series. I remember he wanted the series to be the way for many people in the US to experience the Castlevania games that were never released in the US, which makes sense given the first game we got on there.

He had mentioned if sales were good, the series would continue onward... for some reason, I remember he talked about doing a re-drawn Castlevania 3 as well down the line.

I guess sales for Castlevania Chronicles was bad because none of the rest of his ideas ever came to light.

I wonder if sales of SOTN are good, maybe it will re-spark the idea in IGA and Konami's mind, that if I port of a Castlevania game does good, maybe the fans would love to see a 2D one never released in America?

I doubt it, but one can dream. It's sad that Castlevania sales are supposedly better in the US than in Japan and we're missing one of the greatest games in the series, that laid the foundation for SOTN and every game after it.

I would guess that Chronicles was doomed from the start, since it clearly had a low, low print run. That shit came out, then almost immediately became hard to fine. Talk about your all-time self-fulfilling prophecies. :lol:

[Strell]

Yeah, wtf. Didn't it only have like 20K copies or something?

That's kind of self-fulfilling. Iga is a prick anyway so I doubt he had any true intention of doing shit for the Castlevania series anyway, outside of taking all the credit for SOTN.

[zewone]

I was reading EGM and they said they had huge news about something new regarding castlevania: sotn and that they would reveal it next month. Did anyone else read this. I think it's in the section with the xbox 360 version of sotn. Please tell me I wasn't reading things, but I took it to mean a possible sequel.
Yes, that was in the magazine. Sounds like a sequel to SOTN.

[Roufuss]

Yeah, wtf. Didn't it only have like 20K copies or something?

That's kind of self-fulfilling. Iga is a prick anyway so I doubt he had any true intention of doing shit for the Castlevania series anyway, outside of taking all the credit for SOTN.

It was my understanding that even though it had a small print run, nobody was buying it, espicially since everyone else was craving another Castlevania like SOTN.

It might have actually been on the interview on the game itself... it's been so long.

The man's favorite CV is Castlevania 3, after all, so getting an upgraded version of that isn't a huge stretch.

I find someone quoting the interview on a different forum after googling it:



There's an interview with Iga on the Chronicles disc in which he states that he was hoping to port a sentimental favorite of his that never made it to the states (gee, I wonder what that is..?), but only if Chronicles sold well. Obviously, it didn't meet his sales standards, as it took a good long time for the initial shipments to sell out... :(

[mykevermin]

Yeah, wtf. Didn't it only have like 20K copies or something?

That's kind of self-fulfilling. Iga is a prick anyway so I doubt he had any true intention of doing shit for the Castlevania series anyway, outside of taking all the credit for SOTN.

I don't know the number, but I read roughly 10-20K too. I have no idea how reliable that is, but I'm sure they weren't far off.

I don't know if Iga is a prick, as I've read very few interviews with him. The persistence with which he pushes 3D CV games is an astounding display of something (arrogance or stupidity, perhaps some from each category). I personally don't mind the 3D games (*even* the N64 titles), but such a revered series suffers when simply average titles come out. When you hear "Castlevania," like "Zelda," you expect top-notch gaming, and when it doesn't happen, even if it's an above-average game, it's shit on, because it ruins the otherwise stellar reputation of the series.

[ViolentLee]

Iga is a prick anyway so I doubt he had any true intention of doing shit for the Castlevania series anyway, outside of taking all the credit for SOTN.
Whoa...where did that come from? I don't go clubbing with the guy, but I've met/interviewed him several times and he seems pretty laid-back and humble -- unlike, say, Itagaki. "Prick" is not an adjective I'd dream of associating with Igarashi. What's your beef?

[Strell]

Whoa...where did that come from? I don't go clubbing with the guy, but I've met/interviewed him several times and he seems pretty laid-back and humble -- unlike, say, Itagaki. "Prick" is not an adjective I'd dream of associating with Igarashi. What's your beef?

Outside of the numerous "2D is dead, long live 3D" comments he'd throw around, the repeated insistence that the GBA/DS line of Castlevanias were inferior to his next-generation counterparts got old very quickly. Taking away resources from them to focus on these games didn't help either, when his best excuse was "well they are kiddy anyway/only kids play portable games." Justifying the switch over to the cutesy anime artwork for Dawn of Souls and Portrait of Ruin was a kick in the ass.

I'm not so sure I buy a lot of his comments about "what we can/can't do" in terms of some of the DS's functionality, because he's really acting like his team can't get it together. But this is still a byproduct of "well I think 3D is the wave of the future for the series" stuff he's always talking about.

I'm not the only one who has said/thought these things regarding Iga, on these boards and/or elsewhere. It's pretty widely accepted that the guy came on the scene with SOTN after having little to no involvement with the Castlevania series, and then acted like he orchestrated the whole thing from the getgo. He's the one keeping more resources from being allocated to a full-on 2D next generation sequel, which they could pull off if he weren't so deadset on making a 3D title.

I'm not much on the PSP, but I'll readily accept that it would be the best platform at this time for a sequel. The DS is nice, but I'm really thinking you could off a seriously amazing game - in 2D with 3D sprites and overflowing with effects - that would be sweet and succulent. I'm all for another sequel on the DS, as the dual screens helps out the gameplay incredibly (the touchscreen I can pass on), but given the graphical prowess of the PSP and the widescreen, I'd wager it would be a nice fit.

From what I've seen lately, he's relaxed some of these viewpoints that earned him a bit of ire. So maybe that is the case. I dunno. Until I found out what the next step in the series is, I'll remain a little iffy about the guy.

[felixlighter]

I actually prefer 2D sprites over 3D sprites on systems like the PSP or DS. I think that a well animated 2D sprite has the potential to look much better than the low polygon count 3D models typically found on these platforms. I agree that the PSP Castlevania would look great but the second screen on the DS just streamlines the interface so well that I'd rather play a less graphically impressive version on the DS.

[Strell]

They could try cel shading, which imo is the perfect balance between 2D sprite personality and 3D graphic smoothness. Overflowing with rich gothic artwork would be a nice fit.

But still, I like the DS for the game better purely for the streamlining. But I could deal with switching to another screen for map info if 1) there's a small mini-map in the corner, and 2) there's no load time for switching. That would make it pretty bearable.

I guess we'll see if EGM knows something or not soon.

[Wolfpup]

I'd rather have new Castlevania games on the PSP, just since they could look and sound a lot better...but even more than that I want them on the PS3 or PC.

Interesting stuff about IGA...not real endearing if that's what he really thinks...though I'm not going to complain about the very good GBA/DS games we've been getting. But the 3D games need to die, now. I think after four terrible games we can quit...five if you count the Dreamcast one.

I'm not a big fan of 3D characters in 2D games (unless the game is specifically "2.5D" where it needs it for the gameplay, or for special enemies, etc.)

The Megaman remakes on the PSP look a lot worse than equivalent 2D art on less powerful platforms. I guess Nintendo pulled it off pretty great in New Super Mario Bros., though in that case all the DS GPU's 3D power is put into just Mario and some enemies, versus trying to render everything in 3D.

I suppose with the PS3's GPU you could render lots of stuff in 3D and have it look 2D.

[mykevermin]

They could try cel shading, which imo is the perfect balance between 2D sprite personality and 3D graphic smoothness. Overflowing with rich gothic artwork would be a nice fit.

But still, I like the DS for the game better purely for the streamlining. But I could deal with switching to another screen for map info if 1) there's a small mini-map in the corner, and 2) there's no load time for switching. That would make it pretty bearable.

I guess we'll see if EGM knows something or not soon.

I'd argue that cel shading would ruin a lot of the "gothic" aesthetic they're been building the series on since the first game. Then again, some of the art direction in the DS titles may have helped do that in too.

I may be alone, but one place where I get irritated with Iga is the decision to use Ayami Kojima (?), who has done all the stellar CV artwork since SOTN, to put a shiny coat of gloss on the mediocre PS2 games, while the DS titles languished with a clunky anime-style that really doesn't suit the series at all. When I try to imagine what the game would look like in 2D with cel shading, I think of a cross between that and, say, Alien Hominid.

Truth be told, I don't see why Iga doesn't shamelessly rip off everything that Devil May Cry has done right and merge it in with a CV-experience (keep all that RPH leveling nonsense if you have to, for example). If you're insistent upon doing 3D, don't reinvent the wheel. There are companies that are really good at it, and those that are really bad at it - follow the former alone.

As I've said, I bear no grudges to Igarashi, but I do truly think that the "feel" of the series is such that a very solid 2D game could be made without him. Although he's the cornerstone of this franchise for the past decade, I truly think his is expendable.

[pete5883]

Allegedly, the Castlevania game[s] being revealed next month cover what happened in 1999. And if you've played AoS or DoS, you know what happened in 1999.

[mykevermin]

you know what happened in 1999.

http://www.mathies.com/blog/prince_purple_rain.jpg

He looks *dressed* for vampire killing, I suppose.

[Strell]

Well, he's got the hair.

....

And mascara.

[Apossum]

actually, I have no idea what happened in 1999. Dracula's castle suddenly reappeared and some affeminate man had to stop him?

[Wolfpup]

actually, I have no idea what happened in 1999. Dracula's castle suddenly reappeared and some affeminate man had to stop him?

:lol:

I have no idea what you guys are talking about either.

Regarding the earlier comments about Castlevania Chronicles-is that the port of the ancient x6800 (or whatever) game that was itself a remake of the original game?

Are you saying poor sales of THAT led to no-2D on the "big" systems?

If so, that's crazy. That was a TERRIBLE game. I mean the original Castevania is nothing special and hasn't been since the late 80's. A (basically) straight remake with completely modern graphics would be okay, but that port was both graphically and musically a complete joke. It was a Playstation game, but had massively sub-SNES graphics and audio. Combine that with the gameplay that had been completely outdone on the NES (let alone the SNES, let alone the Playstation), and you've got a game I sold pretty soon after I bought it.

I remember the Babbage's employee telling me "That's not a port, it's a whole new game!" and I couldn't convince him otherwise-even when I suggested he just play it and see for himself.

[KaneRobot]

Allegedly, the Castlevania game[s] being revealed next month cover what happened in 1999. And if you've played AoS or DoS, you know what happened in 1999.
People finally realized they would never get a good console Castlevania again.

[Supercake]

:lol:

I have no idea what you guys are talking about either.

Regarding the earlier comments about Castlevania Chronicles-is that the port of the ancient x6800 (or whatever) game that was itself a remake of the original game?

Are you saying poor sales of THAT led to no-2D on the "big" systems?

If so, that's crazy. That was a TERRIBLE game. I mean the original Castevania is nothing special and hasn't been since the late 80's. A (basically) straight remake with completely modern graphics would be okay, but that port was both graphically and musically a complete joke. It was a Playstation game, but had massively sub-SNES graphics and audio. Combine that with the gameplay that had been completely outdone on the NES (let alone the SNES, let alone the Playstation), and you've got a game I sold pretty soon after I bought it.

I remember the Babbage's employee telling me "That's not a port, it's a whole new game!" and I couldn't convince him otherwise-even when I suggested he just play it and see for himself.

Wow, I LOVED Chronicles, and was there first day to buy it too. Did you ever mess around with music options? You could have different sound card options just like you were running the original on a PC. (Soundblaster and Roland, stuff like that)

[BustaUppa]

Chronicles was cool, but maddeningly frustrating at times. I hated how you were basically helpless while climbing stairs (and there were a lot of damn stairs to climb).

[Wolfpup]

Wow, I LOVED Chronicles, and was there first day to buy it too. Did you ever mess around with music options? You could have different sound card options just like you were running the original on a PC. (Soundblaster and Roland, stuff like that)

There was an original and remixed option as I recall, and both sounded sub-standard compared to a SNES game, let alone Symphony of the Night.

I don't get how people could love that game. I mean even aside from Symphony, it was a joke next to Castlevania 4...or 3...or 2 (though that's a different style of game). A mediocre upgrade to the original game doesn't seem worth getting excited about.

[Roufuss]

Regarding the earlier comments about Castlevania Chronicles-is that the port of the ancient x6800 (or whatever) game that was itself a remake of the original game?

Are you saying poor sales of THAT led to no-2D on the "big" systems?

If so, that's crazy. That was a TERRIBLE game. I mean the original Castevania is nothing special and hasn't been since the late 80's. A (basically) straight remake with completely modern graphics would be okay, but that port was both graphically and musically a complete joke. It was a Playstation game, but had massively sub-SNES graphics and audio. Combine that with the gameplay that had been completely outdone on the NES (let alone the SNES, let alone the Playstation), and you've got a game I sold pretty soon after I bought it.

I remember the Babbage's employee telling me "That's not a port, it's a whole new game!" and I couldn't convince him otherwise-even when I suggested he just play it and see for himself.

No, shitty sales of Castlevania Chronicles led to us not getting Rondo of Blood in the US, supposedly.

Igarashi wants the series to go 3D because, at this point, every single popular gaming series from NES / SNES has gone 3D and been largely successful for the most part. Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Metal Gear Solid, Ninja Gaiden, etc etc. And 3D games for the larger systems do more sales wise than the 2D games on the handheld.. it's only natural he'd want to "evolve" his series and he has to feel some kind of disappointment that Castlevania is one of the only awesome old school series to not really make the jump to 3D.

Lament of Innocence was pretty cool for the most part, it was just marred by some horribly shitty level design, but the core gameplay was fun. I just wish the sequel took that gameplay, gave it some awesome level design, and we would have had a winner. I hated Curse of Darkness...

[Wolfpup]

I'd argue that very few games have made the transition. Final Fantasy did, but the gameplay didn't really depend on the that. The vast majority of games-even if they're successful-end up as extremely different games.

Zelda even is a different game in it's 3D versions than like Zelda 1. They haven't really transitioned it-it might as well be a new franchise. That's even more true for Mario. I personally don't like the 3D Marios that much, but regardless, they really aren't part of the same series as Super Mario Bros./World. The gameplay is incredibly different.

At any rate, judging the potential of a 2D Castlevania based on a terrible port of the original (extremly dated compared to later games) is just dumb.

[-Never4ever-]

Your so called "enhanced" version has to be played on the 360's pad, which most certainly doesn't make it "enhanced". There were plenty of opportunities to buy Symphony of the Night for $20 or less...

And DRM means you're out of luck if your console dies and you don't have a broadband connection (or Microsoft dosen't keep the service running). There's no guarantee with any Live Arcade games you'll be able to play them 5, 10, or 15 years from now.

And with CDs and PSOnes, there's certainly no guarantee that you'll be able to play them in the same time frame. CDs are said to have very short lifes and PS1s, well we all know it's a miracle if any Sony prodect works perfectly for 5 years.

Eveything dies, XB Live is just another way to keep these games alive, until the system itself dies out and something else takes over.

[tayaf69]

Cds do have short life spans (shorter than cartridges I believe), but I have FFVII on the computer and have no problem burning a backup to preserve the best game ever. I just wish I knew how to burn PS1 games. I'm worried that eventually all of my games will become unreadable (chrono cross, Castlevania, final fantasy vii, viii, and xi, etc.)

[Roufuss]

With the announcement that SotN as well as Rondo of Blood are hitting the PSP on one UMD, I'm going to be passing on SotN for the 360 now.

Kind of stupid for Konami to announce this BEFORE it hits XBLA... I wonder how many people will just wait on this now?

[Strell]

With the announcement that SotN as well as Rondo of Blood are hitting the PSP on one UMD, I'm going to be passing on SotN for the 360 now.

Kind of stupid for Konami to announce this BEFORE it hits XBLA... I wonder how many people will just wait on this now?

Sweet.

I might...actually play my PSP one day.

[Roufuss]

Sweet.

I might...actually play my PSP one day.

This announcement is the thing that just stopped me from selling mine.

I've wanted Rondo of Blood for years.

[Sarang01]

With the announcement that SotN as well as Rondo of Blood are hitting the PSP on one UMD, I'm going to be passing on SotN for the 360 now.

Kind of stupid for Konami to announce this BEFORE it hits XBLA... I wonder how many people will just wait on this now?

Roufuss they could redeem themselves if they added all the extra stuff the Saturn version had.

[terribledeli]

With the announcement that SotN as well as Rondo of Blood are hitting the PSP on one UMD, I'm going to be passing on SotN for the 360 now.

Kind of stupid for Konami to announce this BEFORE it hits XBLA... I wonder how many people will just wait on this now?

Depends on the price. If Konami decides to release SotN for a magical $5.00 price point, I'd buy it on there.

However, its $20 or more..you'd be stupid to.

[likeaphoenixignition]

There is a program called Alcohol 120% that will rip PS games and you can burn them to disc. The only problem is that you need to mod your PS1 to play them. Luckily I have a mooded PS1.


Cds do have short life spans (shorter than cartridges I believe), but I have FFVII on the computer and have no problem burning a backup to preserve the best game ever. I just wish I knew how to burn PS1 games. I'm worried that eventually all of my games will become unreadable (chrono cross, Castlevania, final fantasy vii, viii, and xi, etc.)

[Roufuss]

Depends on the price. If Konami decides to release SotN for a magical $5.00 price point, I'd buy it on there.

However, its $20 or more..you'd be stupid to.

Haha, yea, 400 points, I wouldn't mind buying it at all... but cmon, it definitely won't be 400 ;)

I'm thinking 1200, easily. Really wish they'd drop the price on us already... maybe this new announcement of the PSP game will force MS to lower the price.

[terribledeli]

Haha, yea, 400 points, I wouldn't mind buying it at all... but cmon, it definitely won't be 400 ;)

I'm thinking 1200, easily. Really wish they'd drop the price on us already... maybe this new announcement of the PSP game will force MS to lower the price.

Thats why I figure the price point may not be as high as we're expecting. This won't encourage PSP system sales, but it'll certain cause some doubt in the 360 owners that also have a PSP.

[Apossum]

I doubt they see any conflict b/t the 360 and PSP. most people would rather have the 360 version since they can play it in HD and Widescreen, imo.

I'm a whore, so I'll buy it day 1 at almost any price point. I'm one of those psychos who bought Lumines and all the extra packs on day 1 as well ;)

[Rei no Otaku]

However, its $20 or more..you'd be stupid to.
I'm stupid then. I love SotN enough that I'm buying both versions no matter what.

[Wolfpup]

And with CDs and PSOnes, there's certainly no guarantee that you'll be able to play them in the same time frame. CDs are said to have very short lifes

Huh? Said by whom? They should last indefinitely unless you break them.

and PS1s, well we all know it's a miracle if any Sony prodect works perfectly for 5 years.

Sony is one of the most reliable brands on the market (along with Toshiba). You'd expect their stuff to outlast most anyone else. Besides which, Sony's serious about backwards compatibility, meaning for at least the next 5-10 years you'll be able to buy a brand new system that will run Playstation 1 Symphony of the Night.

Cds do have short life spans (shorter than cartridges I believe), but I have FFVII on the computer and have no problem burning a backup to preserve the best game ever. I just wish I knew how to burn PS1 games. I'm worried that eventually all of my games will become unreadable (chrono cross, Castlevania, final fantasy vii, viii, and xi, etc.)

CDs will last longer than cartridges, just because older cartridges used battery backups that eventually fail.

I'm not sure where this "CDs die" thing came from, but it's bogus.

It's your BACKUP of a game that *might* degrade over time, not a regular CD.

With the announcement that SotN as well as Rondo of Blood are hitting the PSP on one UMD, I'm going to be passing on SotN for the 360 now.

Kind of stupid for Konami to announce this BEFORE it hits XBLA... I wonder how many people will just wait on this now?

Now there's officially no excuse to settle for a DRMed 360 version. The 360 version is the 'tard pack of Symphony of the Nights ;)

[BustaUppa]

Now there's officially no excuse to settle for a DRMed 360 version. The 360 version is the 'tard pack of Symphony of the Nights ;)There is plenty of good reason to "settle" for a DRMed 360 version. I definitely understand the misgivings about electronic distribution; believe me, I've never been crazy about the idea. But so far this trend has resulted in two very pleasant side effects: a mini-revival of 2D console games, and the long-awaited return of my beloved Sam & Max franchise. I'd love to have all this without the DRM, but if that's what it takes to bring these changes about then I can live with it.

The other obvious point is that not everyone has or wants a PSP. And while a large portion of 360 owners probably do own a PS2 or PS1, it's entirely feasible that they'd rather download SOTN for their shiny new system, instead of tracking down the original CD. What would they really be missing out on? SOTN isn't really the kind of game you bring over your friend's house to play anyway (I figure that is more the realm of multiplayer gaming).

I'm totally with you on the "dying CD" thing though... I have no clue where that idea came from. I've never had any problem with an old CD - and I'm talking like early 80's stuff, like as old as a CD can possibly get. Other than obvious phsyical damage, reading from an old CD has never been a problem. So unless there's some cassette version of SOTN that I don't know about, that whole argument is pretty senseless.

[Rei no Otaku]

So unless there's some cassette version of SOTN that I don't know about, that whole argument is pretty senseless.
That's the one with Dracula's "Miserable Little Pile of Secrets" remix on the B side.

[KaneRobot]

Guess it'll be emulator a friend's PSP for me in regards to Rondo of Blood. I'm really quite shocked that there is a game on PSP I would actually want to play now - that system offers absolutely nothing to me.

As far as SOTN specifically, it'll look better on a big screen with a good sound system. I'll play the 360 version over the PSP version. Heck, maybe if it sells well on the 360 (and I assume it will), they'll bring Rondo over eventually as well.

Still, that's a hell of a good "bonus" for the PSP version of Rondo. It's like eating a good hamburger, and then getting steak for dessert.

Sony is one of the most reliable brands on the market (along with Toshiba). You'd expect their stuff to outlast most anyone else.

Proof? I'm having visions of fields of exploding batters, with mountains in the distance built on computer problems due to their hush-hush DRM, and the spectre of PS1 and PS2 hardware problems looming overhead, all against a backdrop of clouded, unevenly backlit LCD screens. Rendered in glorious 480p, of course.

So yeah, you might be right. It might LAST....if you get it to work right in the first place.

Very few Sony products I've purchased (stuff ranging from an large HDTV all the way back to a Walkman) significanlty outperformed significantly cheaper items with near identical feature sets. You pay for the name, and that's pretty much what you get.

[jer7583]

The PSP version does nothing for me. Even if the Arcade version is $20, I have no PSP and zero interest in any other game besides this new castlevania pack. Besides that, who wants to bugger with the PSP load times, controls, and battery life, especially if you don't already own one. (which i'm guessing is the case for most 360 owners)

I want SOTN 360 for achievements and convenience. Whoever said that the 360 Castlevania was the tard version needs to get his fanboy head out of his ass. Your thread was basically sucking Sony dick the whole time, so why don't you just do us all a favor and play in traffic until you can get rid of your bias.

I think KaneRobot provided just about all the evidence it takes to shoot down your bias, but like most Sony apologists, you'll find some way to explain it away and ignore the facts. Every company is imperfect, every company fucks up.

On the topic of CDs wearing out, I'm pretty sure most CDs have a life of 15-20 years. Plastic isn't the most durable and long lasting material for holding it's composition, you know. I thought I had remembered hearing that some people were having SegaCD games deteriorate and go bad already. I lack the time right now to do the proper research, though.

[Wolfpup]

Guess it'll be emulator a friend's PSP for me in regards to Rondo of Blood. I'm really quite shocked that there is a game on PSP I would actually want to play now - that system offers absolutely nothing to me.

You've got extremely limited interest in a lot of genres then. The PSP has a very strong library. Probably stronger than the PS2 or 1 did at this point.

Proof? I'm having visions of fields of exploding batters, with mountains in the distance built on computer problems due to their hush-hush DRM, and the spectre of PS1 and PS2 hardware problems looming overhead, all against a backdrop of clouded, unevenly backlit LCD screens. Rendered in glorious 480p, of course.

Consumer Reports.

Very few Sony products I've purchased (stuff ranging from an large HDTV all the way back to a Walkman) significanlty outperformed significantly cheaper items with near identical feature sets. You pay for the name, and that's pretty much what you get.

That's never been my experience, and statistically it's not right either (again, Consumer Reports). Generally you get what you pay for, though obviously there are exceptions and limits. From TVs to computer products, generally off-brand stuff is junk, or at least a lot iffier.

[Wolfpup]

The PSP version does nothing for me. Even if the Arcade version is $20, I have no PSP and zero interest in any other game besides this new castlevania pack. Besides that, who wants to bugger with the PSP load times, controls, and battery life, especially if you don't already own one. (which i'm guessing is the case for most 360 owners)

This is a totally bizaro-world comment. Load times? What load times? Controls? Hello? The 360 has the worst d-pad of any system in memory. The PSP version will control better by default.

I want SOTN 360 for achievements and convenience. Whoever said that the 360 Castlevania was the tard version needs to get his fanboy head out of his ass.

I'm a fanboi because I won't take it up the ass with DRM? I will not support games that I don't actually own, that I have to phone in to a service to use (and that will become worthless if the service is down, or discontinued, or my account is screwed up, or...)

YOU are biased if you'd rather spend money on a DRMed game you don't really own over an actual physical copy (that as a side benefit gets you another game with it, and better controls).

How you can come up with my being a Sony fanboi because I won't stand for that is beyond me.

On the topic of CDs wearing out, I'm pretty sure most CDs have a life of 15-20 years. Plastic isn't the most durable and long lasting material for holding it's composition, you know. I thought I had remembered hearing that some people were having SegaCD games deteriorate and go bad already. I lack the time right now to do the proper research, though.

And again, bogus. If they're stored correctly, there's not much there to age. Plastic doesn't really biodegrade, which isn't a good thing in general, but is for this.

It's CD-Rs that can age. If people are having games break down like that...I'd wonder if they've stolen them.

[Chacrana]

No, the PSP's d-pad is fucking terrible. Even worse than what the 360 has. It'll still be fine for Castlevania though... so that's something.

[Wolfpup]

No, the PSP's d-pad is fucking terrible. Even worse than what the 360 has. It'll still be fine for Castlevania though... so that's something.

How do you say that? The 360's pad is incredibly unresponsive, and many of them don't "fit" together quite right, so some directions don't work as well as others.

Check out my "360-SP" thread for more people saying the same thing. Very few people defend that pad...

and it's weird, because Microsoft's earlier pads had GREAT d-pads.

[BustaUppa]

YOU are biased if you'd rather spend money on a DRMed game you don't really own over an actual physical copy (that as a side benefit gets you another game with it, and better controls).DRM sucks, but it's perfectly logical to prefer a home console version over a portable version. If that PSP version was being released on PStwo instead, then your argument might hold some water. And we could get into a nice discussion over people becoming slaves to their GamerScore, and gameplay control vs. processing power, and everything would be a big mess. But, in reality, it's much simpler than that. One is for console, one is for a portable, so they will both be serving very specific, different needs. It's really apples to oranges at this point.

[Wolfpup]

DRM sucks, but it's perfectly logical to prefer a home console version over a portable version. If that PSP version was being released on PStwo instead, then your argument might hold some water. And we could get into a nice discussion over people becoming slaves to their GamerScore, and gameplay control vs. processing power, and everything would be a big mess. But, in reality, it's much simpler than that. One is for console, one is for a portable, so they will both be serving very specific, different needs. It's really apples to oranges at this point.

They're both for game systems. I buy games I want, not based on what platform they're on (though all things being equal I'd rather have a portable version of a game if it's just as good).

Regardless, even if I preferred "big" systems, I'd still get it on a platform where it's not tied to a system and online service.

Gamers should be boycotting all three system's stores until they offer semi-reasonable DRM (at least as good as what Apple's doing). What's they offer now is outrageous.

[Chacrana]

How do you say that? The 360's pad is incredibly unresponsive, and many of them don't "fit" together quite right, so some directions don't work as well as others.

Check out my "360-SP" thread for more people saying the same thing. Very few people defend that pad...

and it's weird, because Microsoft's earlier pads had GREAT d-pads.

Well, the PSP's d-pad is useless because it's too flat to make hitting diagonals a possibility. You might as well not even try. The 360's d-pad isn't great, but MS' is moving in the right direction considering how bad that the original Xbox controller's d-pad was... hell, MS has struggled with offering a decent d-pad since they released the Sidewinder gamepad back in 1995 or 1996.

[Indiana]

Allegedly, the Castlevania game[s] being revealed next month cover what happened in 1999. And if you've played AoS or DoS, you know what happened in 1999.

The only thing I could think of is the Dreamcast was born. :)

[Apossum]

Is this due this coming Wednesday or the next one?

[Wez455]

who the hell knows. probably neither.

[Roufuss]

1999 is when Julius Belmont apparently killed Dracula and sealed the castle once for and all.

It gets talked about in almost every recent Castlevania game, and it's the only major CV event to not have its own game.

[Apossum]

1999 is when Julius Belmont apparently killed Dracula and sealed the castle once for and all.

It gets talked about in almost every recent Castlevania game, and it's the only major CV event to not have its own game.


ah fuck! I had no idea that a belmont killed dracula. that's major spoilers man. ;)

[HumanSnatcher]

ah fuck! I had no idea that a belmont killed dracula. that's major spoilers man. ;)

Its kinda gone over in DoS if you've played it...

[Kawnhr]

But Julius actually kills Dracula FOR GOOD- as in, no more resurrections. Of course, then Soma inherits the power.

[Kawnhr]

You've got extremely limited interest in a lot of genres then. The PSP has a very strong library. Probably stronger than the PS2 or 1 did at this point.

The PSP is not better than the PS2. There's just no way.

[Apossum]

Its kinda gone over in DoS if you've played it...


I was just joking..you know, cause that's the story for every castlevania game, besides some of the newer ones.

[Wolfpup]

The PSP is not better than the PS2. There's just no way.

I said it's probably better than the PS2 or 1 was at the same point in it's cycle. How is there "no way" of that?

[Chacrana]

I said it's probably better than the PS2 or 1 was at the same point in it's cycle. How is there "no way" of that?

Well... because most of the good games were ported from the PS1 or PS2.

[mykevermin]

Can y'all take your fucking PSP rules/sucks discussion somewhere else? It has no fucking place here.

[-Never4ever-]

The PSP is not better than the PS2. There's just no way.

If we ngo by just the system itself, then yes, a 1.5 PSP >>> PS2.

If we're not talking illegal emulation here, than hell no, the PSP doesn't come within a billion mile radius to the awesomeness of PS2 / PS1 using any sort of logic at all.

[jer7583]

It's absolutely ignorant to say that the PSP is a better system than the PS1/2 at this time in it's life. The vast majority of titles for the system have been ports or compliations, which are made attractive by portability. Remove the PS1/2 software library ports and classic compilations from the comparison, and you begin to understand why the PSP is doing so poorly.

As for the D-Pad arguement, I don't really worry because I have a MadCatz pad with an excellent D-Pad which I use for arcade games. $5 wal-mart purchase was worth it.

Since when were people so damn anal about DRM and online purchases? I had no idea people were so neurotic about these things. You can play XBLA games offline. They are convenient, fun, and completely worthwhile means to distribute original, smaller titles at a reasonable price.

Many of the original XBLA games would never have seen the exposure or sales they have if it was required to be placed on a disc to be made for 360. Would you pay $40 for lumines? How about $30 for geometry wars? Maybe another $30 for Assault Heroes? Thats what they would likely be priced at if they had to go through physical distribution, if they existed at all.

Here's hoping konami gets good sales from SotN and does more XBLA releases, especially Rondo Of Blood.

[Wolfpup]

It's absolutely ignorant to say that the PSP is a better system than the PS1/2 at this time in it's life. The vast majority of titles for the system have been ports or compliations, which are made attractive by portability. Remove the PS1/2 software library ports and classic compilations from the comparison, and you begin to understand why the PSP is doing so poorly.

The PS2's library was pretty pathetic at first, just like most systems.. Having games on the PSP that are available on other platforms doesn't make them bad, and it's far from the entire library.

Since when were people so damn anal about DRM and online purchases? I had no idea people were so neurotic about these things.

Neurotic? It's neurotic to want to own something you've paid for and play it whenever you want on whatever hardware you want? You're getting taken for a ride.

You can play XBLA games offline.

Only on the system they were downloaded on to. If you have to switch systems (or want to because a better model is out-which is already happening just with better DVD-ROM drives) you have to be connected to live. And then of course the service has to be running, etc., and it's not a sure thing there will be a live service 10, 15 years from now.

They are convenient, fun, and completely worthwhile means to distribute original, smaller titles at a reasonable price.

So would using a more fair DRM model like Apple has. So would selling cheap CDs or DVDs on a web site for budget games they don't think will sell well.

[KaneRobot]

I guess the Rondo on PSP thing gives me at least a tiny glimmer of hope that we'll later see it on a platform that has an install base of more than 200. Not getting my hopes up though, XBLA is not exactly know for being a "fanservice-heavy" product.


It's neurotic to want to own something you've paid for and play it whenever you want on whatever hardware you want?

The limitations of the games you download are made clear ahead of time. Whining about the rules after you've already agreed to them is childish and stupid. If you don't want to be "taken for a ride," don't get in the car. There's no child-molesting stranger forcing you to. I'm a big boy, I can make my own decisions. I have no problem with not being able to play it on "whatever I want," so I don't see a problem with it.

[jer7583]

I don't understand the problem with Online Purchases, as long as you feel you've gotten your money's worth. The 300+ matches of UMK3 and 100+ of SF2T I've played, not to mention the time on Geometry Wars, Lumines, and Doom certainly make me feel like it was worth it. (especially considering I've never paid full price for MS points..)

[tayaf69]

when is this being released again? Too much discussions and now I can't find the release date.

[jer7583]

I don't think a release date or price has been announced. I'm holding onto a points card i got yesterday until it's announced.

[tayaf69]

I don't think a release date or price has been announced. I'm holding onto a points card i got yesterday until it's announced.
I've had a 1600 points card that I never used with the intentions to get this game.

[-Never4ever-]

The PS2's library was pretty pathetic at first, just like most systems.. Having games on the PSP that are available on other platforms doesn't make them bad, and it's far from the entire library.


The PS2 started out mediocre, with SSX, Tekken Tag Tornament & Madden 01 being the only standout launch titles. The following months were severly lacking, however by summer 01, a strong lineup of games were emerging, including Twisted Metal Black, NBA Street & Gran Turismo 3 to name a few. Then came winter 2001, AKA, the greatest three months in the history of gaming. Xbox & Gamecube debutes sort of contributed (with Halo & Smash Bros Melee), but mostly in part because of the metric ton of awesome games that hit PS2. By the beggining of 2002, PS2 had amassed a library of games that's over 10x better than the entire lifespan of the PSP.

Just noticed that this is all very off topic, so now that you've been shown the errors of your ways, we can jump off that laughable topic.

If I were Konami I would force M$ to release SOTN asap. Don't know how long I can wait, especially now that I have SOTN on my PSP.

[Wolfpup]

The PS2 started out mediocre, with SSX, Tekken Tag Tornament & Madden 01 being the only standout launch titles. The following months were severly lacking, however by summer 01, a strong lineup of games were emerging, including Twisted Metal Black, NBA Street & Gran Turismo 3 to name a few. Then came winter 2001, AKA, the greatest three months in the history of gaming. Xbox & Gamecube debutes sort of contributed (with Halo & Smash Bros Melee), but mostly in part because of the metric ton of awesome games that hit PS2. By the beggining of 2002, PS2 had amassed a library of games that's over 10x better than the entire lifespan of the PSP.

Those all sound really weak to me. Regardless, no one could find serious fault with the PSP unless they're a fanboi.

[jer7583]

Those all sound really weak to me. Regardless, no one could find serious fault with the PSP unless they're a fanboi.

There's lots of reasons to not want to buy a PSP.

High price (especially factoring in Memory sticks to get homebrew/movies/music) unappealing software library (games are mostly ports, or get ported to PS2)

long load times (when I had one this was a major issue, and IMO a portable should have ZERO load time)

Poor control setup- even if the system can do PS2 ports, who wants to play 3d games with only one analog stick? It can be done, but it hasn't been done well the majority of the time.

The fanboy opinion is to believe that there's nothing wrong with a system.. especially one as questionable as PSP. Even the DS has it's problems, if you don't like nintendo's games. If i didn't like them, I probably wouldn't have a DS either.. And if you don't like the whole touch screen thing, then yeah, the DS won't appeal to you. And also the online system is so backwards, i'll admit that.

[Wolfpup]

There's lots of reasons to not want to buy a PSP.

High price (especially factoring in Memory sticks to get homebrew/movies/music) unappealing software library (games are mostly ports, or get ported to PS2)

long load times (when I had one this was a major issue, and IMO a portable should have ZERO load time)

Poor control setup- even if the system can do PS2 ports, who wants to play 3d games with only one analog stick? It can be done, but it hasn't been done well the majority of the time.

The fanboy opinion is to believe that there's nothing wrong with a system.. especially one as questionable as PSP. Even the DS has it's problems, if you don't like nintendo's games. If i didn't like them, I probably wouldn't have a DS either.. And if you don't like the whole touch screen thing, then yeah, the DS won't appeal to you. And also the online system is so backwards, i'll admit that.

There are things that could be improved on the PSP, but that's true of any system. Heck, the 360 has bigger issues that are hopefully getting taken care of (like the noise).

[jer7583]

There are things that could be improved on the PSP, but that's true of any system. Heck, the 360 has bigger issues that are hopefully getting taken care of (like the noise).

System noise, of all things, is more of a concern for you than software library, load times, or price?

[Wolfpup]

System noise, of all things, is more of a concern for you than software library, load times, or price?

The PSP's library is large and diverse, load time is only an issue in a handful of games, and the system's pretty cheap for what it is (and half the price of the 360-so I can't see how you could complain about it).

[Jimbo Slice]

The PSP's library is large and diverse, load time is only an issue in a handful of games, and the system's pretty cheap for what it is (and half the price of the 360-so I can't see how you could complain about it).

Large and diverse? Come on man. After reading your posts I understand you're quite the fanboy, but you can't say that the PSPs library is diverse. The only reason it's large is because of a shit-ton of ports, which automatically exclues it from being "diverse". I also don't think that it's "pretty cheap for what it is", and that arguing that it's only half the price of the 360 is probably legimately the worst argument I've ever heard. The Xbox 360 offers 10x the quality content, so by my estimations the relative cost of the PSP should be about $40.

I got rid of my PSP for a reason awhile ago (long load times, 90% of the games are garbage, terrible system design that made playing games for a long time totally suck) and I couldn't be happier with the decision. I guarantee you that we'll see that 2.5d Rondo remake on another format sometime down the road, and for now I can play Symphony on a good controller, on my sweet TV in surround sound, instead of staring at some small screen and cramping my hands up.

[felixlighter]

Hopefully when SOTN comes out on the XBLA this thread will return to its regularly scheduled programming.

[Roufuss]

System noise, of all things, is more of a concern for you than software library, load times, or price?

Have you not ever read any of his post's?

No matter what the subject is of the 360, he throws it in there.

"Halo 3 beta? Sounds awesome, BUT OMG THE SYSTEM NOISE RUINS IT FOR ME"

"Castlevania SOTN on XBLA? OMG THE SYSTEM NOISE"

"HD movies are available to download? I CANT HEAR THEM OVER THE SYSTEM NOISE"

"THE 360 SOUNDS LIKE 800 BLENDERS IN MY HOUSE, I CANT HEAR MY GAMES"

[Wolfpup]

Large and diverse? Come on man. After reading your posts I understand you're quite the fanboy, but you can't say that the PSPs library is diverse.

I'm the fanboy? :lol:

The only reason it's large is because of a shit-ton of ports, which automatically exclues it from being "diverse".

Huh? Some real fanboy logic there. It has a lot of games on it that are on other systems, so it's library isn't diverse? Wow, better give up your 360 and PS2, 'cause they have really lousy libraries!

I also don't think that it's "pretty cheap for what it is", and that arguing that it's only half the price of the 360 is probably legimately the worst argument I've ever heard.

Huh? Why is that a bad argument. The guy claims it's really expensive...$200 for what's basically a portable Playstation 2 isn't expensive.

The Xbox 360 offers 10x the quality content, so by my estimations the relative cost of the PSP should be about $40.

This is complete fanboy logic. Where did you pull up that "10x the quality content" number from? Geez. Would you people just go away? Go start your own thread about how terrible the PSP is if you have to-this isn't even what this thread is about.

[Wolfpup]

Have you not ever read any of his post's?

No matter what the subject is of the 360, he throws it in there.

"Halo 3 beta? Sounds awesome, BUT OMG THE SYSTEM NOISE RUINS IT FOR ME"

"Castlevania SOTN on XBLA? OMG THE SYSTEM NOISE"

"HD movies are available to download? I CANT HEAR THEM OVER THE SYSTEM NOISE"

"THE 360 SOUNDS LIKE 800 BLENDERS IN MY HOUSE, I CANT HEAR MY GAMES"

Huh? Are you talking about me? I've never talked about any of those things. The 360 does have a serious noise issue (or did...possibly it's been fixed), but I've never posted anything about any of those issues you list as I don't care about any of them.

[Jimbo Slice]

I'm the fanboy? :lol:



Huh? Some real fanboy logic there. It has a lot of games on it that are on other systems, so it's library isn't diverse? Wow, better give up your 360 and PS2, 'cause they have really lousy libraries!



Huh? Why is that a bad argument. The guy claims it's really expensive...$200 for what's basically a portable Playstation 2 isn't expensive.



This is complete fanboy logic. Where did you pull up that "10x the quality content" number from? Geez. Would you people just go away? Go start your own thread about how terrible the PSP is if you have to-this isn't even what this thread is about.


What, exactly, am I a fanboy of?

I have a PS2, 360, Gamecube, Wii, DS Lite, and PS3. I recently had a DS Phat and a PSP but got rid of them. I basically have everything, so have no reason to be a fanboy of anything. You, however, are just a fucking idiot.

[mykevermin]

GAWD y'inz are makin' me sick. Shaddup already.

That said, there was some uncertainty a few pages back on whether or not SOTN would play widescreen on XBLA. Some of the photos in the new EGM show the game clearly laid out in a widescreen setup, so it appears that you have the option of "traditional" (with those wacky XBLA borders we all love) or widescreen. Huzzah.

[xenoman80]

im doubting thhat they will include the saturns extra on the xbl version?

[mykevermin]

XBLA? Nope. Iga's said that the PSP version will feature new audio (he's embarrassed by the original English audio) which may suggest a new translation. He was silent when asked about the Saturn extras though. This was in this month's EGM.

[jer7583]

I'd imagine the saturn extras would be difficult to add, since they're working with the PSOne version. (for good reason, hearing about the lack of transparency effects on the Saturn edition and such) It'd be nice, but don't hold your breath. I'd also like the game to come out sometime this year, and for less than the price of one points card.

The PSP discussion is over. It doesn't bother me that wolfpup wants to waste his time with the PSP, but I just found his ignorance stunning. Whatever, some people just have lower standards for what they do with their time and money. I think his bias has been shown. Thats the last i'll say on it. Cant wait for SotN for XBLA!

[ummmmmm......]

sups guys. anyone have the price for sotn? how many xbla points does it need for download.

thanks

[HumanSnatcher]

sups guys. anyone have the price for sotn? how many xbla points does it need for download.

thanks

Wow, your name fits.

There still hasn't been any word of how many points it will be in case you haven't noticed...

[pete5883]

The PSP discussion is over. *something inflammatory about the PSP and those discussing it* Thats the last i'll say on it. Cant wait for SotN for XBLA!
You don't really know how to end a discussion, do you?

[-Never4ever-]

Those all sound really weak to me.

I suggest looking into it further. They may sound weak, but most Video Game titles suck. I suggest playing said games before passing judgement on it.

You're stuck in the present. To you, the PS2 doesn't really exist, the PSP is newer and therfore better.

As for CV; I'm giving M$ until this wed to release SotN. If they do not, I will not buy it. I've emailed them this, but I doubt it'll change their resolve in any way, shape or form.

[Roufuss]

most Video Game suck.

Kinda condensed it there, but yea, this is how I feel too.

It's OT, but someone (I forgot who, someone famous in the industry) once said there are, at most, only 20 - 25 *unique* (i.e not ports or collections) titles per system that are really worth playing and remembering. I definitely agree with this.

[Wolfpup]

You don't really know how to end a discussion, do you?

No kidding...


You're stuck in the present. To you, the PS2 doesn't really exist, the PSP is newer and therfore better.

Huh? You're not making any sense.

As for CV; I'm giving M$ until this wed to release SotN. If they do not, I will not buy it. I've emailed them this, but I doubt it'll change their resolve in any way, shape or form.

This also makes no sense. You're not buying it unless they release it by an arbitrary date you made up?

What, exactly, am I a fanboy of?

I have a PS2, 360, Gamecube, Wii, DS Lite, and PS3. I recently had a DS Phat and a PSP but got rid of them. I basically have everything, so have no reason to be a fanboy of anything. You, however, are just a fucking idiot.

Anyone who can't find games they want to play on a major system is a fanboi, period.

...
The PSP discussion is over. It doesn't bother me that wolfpup wants to waste his time with the PSP, but I just found his ignorance stunning.

Wow. Why, exactly, is my "ignorance stunning"? Is it because I'm not a fanboi and won't cower when you flame a system because it doesn't fit in your world view?

Whatever, some people just have lower standards for what they do with their time and money. I think his bias has been shown. Thats the last i'll say on it. Cant wait for SotN for XBLA!

Wow, yes, I am biased towards games. You got me! :roll:

I'll repeat...you're calling *ME* a fanboy?

[HumanSnatcher]

http://www.bittermancircle.com/my%20images/BeatDeadHorse.gif

[Apossum]

http://www.bittermancircle.com/my%20images/BeatDeadHorse.gif


:lol:

[HumanSnatcher]

:lol:

Well, its the truth...sems like everyone but Wolfpup has stopped bothering with it...

[terribledeli]

Well, its the truth...sems like everyone but Wolfpup has stopped bothering with it...

Watch out. He may accuse of you being a "fanboi" for disagreeing with his bullshit logic. Thankfully, we've got ignore lists.

But on topic. I think Microsoft is going to give it plenty of advance notice regarding its release. Maybe this week's release will be 3D mini golf (just a guess), but on Thursday the press release for Castlevania will show up.

[Apossum]

Well, its the truth...sems like everyone but Wolfpup has stopped bothering with it...


yeah, I think I'll be using that pic in the PS3 forums a whole lot. There are a bunch of seperate threads there, but it's all essentially the same conversation. guy X posts something, anything about the PS3, guy Y asks why anyone would want to own it and goes on to bash it, hilarity ensues.


back on topic...doesn't seem like SOTN is coming out this week.

[Wolfpup]

Well, its the truth...sems like everyone but Wolfpup has stopped bothering with it...

No, a couple of people said nasty things and then declared in an omniscient voice that they were right so it was over.

Watch out. He may accuse of you being a "fanboi" for disagreeing with his bullshit logic. Thankfully, we've got ignore lists.

"Bullshit logic" So again you're one of those capable of insulting, but not actually constructing a reply?

[Roufuss]

http://www.bittermancircle.com/my%20images/BeatDeadHorse.gif

[mykevermin]

Hmm...still funny. Wait a week. ;)

[xenoman80]

hows the game looking? i doubt it but anyone ended the game yet?

[Jimbo Slice]

hows the game looking? i doubt it but anyone ended the game yet?

It's not out yet.

[-Never4ever-]

Huh? You're not making any sense.


READ. IT. AGAIN. I'm sure it'll come to you, if not, oh well. I'm not wasting one more post on you (aside from this one).


This also makes no sense. You're not buying it unless they release it by an arbitrary date you made up?

I'm sick of waiting for something that's already done. I gave M$ and KoA a message; release SOTN on XBLA on 02/14/2007 or they lose my money. I know it was a fruitless excersise, as either could care less about one persons money, but I needed to remind both that they are at the mercy of us as consumers. In the end, it probably won't amount to anything, but I felt like making a point.

Wolfpup, you're going up on my ignore list, this is the last time I will ever acknowledge your exsistance, so don't bother replying.

As for SOTN; looks like its not coming wed, so I know have no quams about playing it through on my PSP. I'll probably give it another play when they release it with rondo of blood on PSP, but again, it's doubtful I'll pay for it.

[Kendal]

I really wish they would just get this game the hell out on XBLA! I have 2700 points burning a hole in my virtual MSPoint coin purse.

[-Never4ever-]

I really wish they would just get this game the hell out on XBLA! I have 2700 points burning a hole in my virtual MSPoint coin purse.

From August 06 to last month I had 1800 in wait for this game, but I just got tired of waiting. Well, that and SOTN PSP.

[Kaijufan]

I hope SotN sells really well on the XBLA and they release the PSP port of Rondo of Blood on the arcade for those of us who lack a PSP.

[ViolentLee]

Not sure if there have been any hands-on impressions in this thread yet, but I played it the other night for about an hour. Definitely emulated off the PSone version -- even has 15 memory card-sized save slots. Screen is a little small in default, with the HD background. Enhanced graphics are nearly unnoticeable -- I switched back and forth, and only saw the difference in a few diagonal lines being less jaggy.

That said, it's one of my favorite games of all time and I'm happy to play it again. I still love the bad English VO, too -- though I actually kind of miss being able to manipulate the "Now Loading" text. It disappears far too quickly here to play with it.

[CAG 79]

Not sure if there have been any hands-on impressions in this thread yet, but I played it the other night for about an hour. Definitely emulated off the PSone version -- even has 15 memory card-sized save slots. Screen is a little small in default, with the HD background. Enhanced graphics are nearly unnoticeable -- I switched back and forth, and only saw the difference in a few diagonal lines being less jaggy.

That said, it's one of my favorite games of all time and I'm happy to play it again. I still love the bad English VO, too -- though I actually kind of miss being able to manipulate the "Now Loading" text. It disappears far too quickly here to play with it.

Thanks for the impressions.

[-Never4ever-]

Not sure if there have been any hands-on impressions in this thread yet, but I played it the other night for about an hour. Definitely emulated off the PSone version -- even has 15 memory card-sized save slots. Screen is a little small in default, with the HD background. Enhanced graphics are nearly unnoticeable -- I switched back and forth, and only saw the difference in a few diagonal lines being less jaggy.

That said, it's one of my favorite games of all time and I'm happy to play it again. I still love the bad English VO, too -- though I actually kind of miss being able to manipulate the "Now Loading" text. It disappears far too quickly here to play with it.

Should have figured you'd have a developer 360. Nice impressions, sad to hear about the lack of any true graphical upgrade, nice to hear the lack of any loading (not that there was much in the first place). How's the control's treating you? That 360 D-Pad is simply horrible, but I'm hoping it won't factore as much with SOTN.

[Jimbo Slice]

Should have figured you'd have a developer 360. Nice impressions, sad to hear about the lack of any true graphical upgrade, nice to hear the lack of any loading (not that there was much in the first place). How's the control's treating you? That 360 D-Pad is simply horrible, but I'm hoping it won't factore as much with SOTN.

Something tells me the analog won't be bad for this game.

[ViolentLee]

Should have figured you'd have a developer 360. Nice impressions, sad to hear about the lack of any true graphical upgrade, nice to hear the lack of any loading (not that there was much in the first place). How's the control's treating you? That 360 D-Pad is simply horrible, but I'm hoping it won't factore as much with SOTN.
I used the analog stick, and it works really well. Odd control choice is hitting Back to access the menu, while Start simply pauses. I think L-trigger instantly calls up the menu, which is nice.

[orntar]

I'll just throw out a noob question here - if I put one of my Live arcade games on a memory unit, can I play the game on someone else's 360 (without copying it to their hard drive)?

Yes, as long as your profile is on the memory card as well. Otherwise... well, I don't feel like typing up the possibilities, so just stick your profile on there as well.

although, isnt this game rumored or confirmed to break the 50mb limit?

[tgk2044]

although, isnt this game rumored or confirmed to break the 50mb limit?

yea, i'm not trying to be a dick, but its been revealed for awhile now.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156520

[orntar]

yea, i'm not trying to be a dick, but its been revealed for awhile now.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156520

ok, my point is: he can not take this with him. and if he was speaking generally, he should have asked in the general 360 info thread.

[BustaUppa]

ok, my point is: he can not take this with him. and if he was speaking generally, he should have asked in the general 360 info thread.I posted that back in January, before we even knew SOTN would be breaking the size limit.

[orntar]

wow, i must be out of it. i didnt even realize i quoted something from like page one. my bad.

[tgk2044]

wow, i must be out of it. i didnt even realize i quoted something from like page one. my bad.

blame it on gypsies.

[HumanSnatcher]

I must be late to the party, but has there been any other info about when its getting released...?

[GizmoGC]

I must be late to the party, but has there been any other info about when its getting released...?

Free with purchase of Duke Nukem Forever.

[crazyj]

^haha good one

[LinkinPrime]

Got an email from Konami, still no date but have this info:


The Xbox Live Arcade version of Symphony of the Night will feature:
Achievements, to challenge players to completely conquer Dracula's castle
Leaderboards, so you can vie for position with other players to become the undisputed worldwide master of Symphony of the Night
Enhanced background visuals that take advantage of the HD graphics capabilities of the Xbox 360
All of the original PlayStation music, sprites, and gameplay content
Perfectly ported controls let you experience every battle and boss fight as originally envisioned
Gamer themes and picture packs to let you customize your Xbox 360 in Castlevania style

Sorry if info was already widely known, haven't really kept up to date on this thread even though I'm dying to play this game on XBLA.

[Weedy649]

Got an email from Konami, still no date but have this info:



Sorry if info was already widely known, haven't really kept up to date on this thread even though I'm dying to play this game on XBLA.

I came to the thread to post this very thing(thanks for bumping it up cuz im lazy!)

When i read it, looked like it was a release announcement(meaning this month).

[Kendal]

Release this dammit!

[crazyj]

sigh why did they promise a february release and we probably aren't even gonna see this until april or later.

Well doesnt matter since I still havent recieved my free 1600 point card yet anyway.

*tick* *tock*

[CheapyD]

Confirmed for next Wedensday (3/21), 800 points ($10)

Journey Into the Darkness With “Castlevania: Symphony of Night” on Xbox Live Arcade

Celebrate more than two decades of the Castlevania franchise by reliving (or experiencing for the first time) one of the series’ most highly regarded games. The legendary 2D side-scrolling action adventure game from Konami Digital Entertainment, “Castlevania: Symphony of Night,” will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, March 21 at 0900 GMT (2 a.m. PDT).

The Castlevania franchise is well known for delivering exceptional quality in all elements that make a great game – story, music, level design, character development, gameplay and controls. In “Castlevania: Symphony of Night,” the 12th iteration of the series, gamers take on the role of Alucard, the half-vampire son of the blood-drinker Dracula, as he ventures into his infamous father’s foreboding castle. Along the way, Alucard must collect items, weapons and armor to defeat the powerful boss monsters that block access to key areas of the castle.

“Castlevania: Symphony of Night” is the first full console classic to appear on Xbox Live Arcade and offers dozens of hours of non-linear action RPG gameplay. “Castlevania: Symphony of Night” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated T for Teen (Animated Blood and Violence). Game Features


Play the original version of the game or experience it in enhanced mode with improved graphics and modernized audio and sound effects
New native widescreen and high-definition support
Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore pointsMore information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade (http://www.uptilt.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=j4e,qz03,1c28,6860,aa0x,3l31,302o).

[Jimbo Slice]

Confirmed for next Wedensday (3/21), 800 points ($10)

Journey Into the Darkness With “Castlevania: Symphony of Night” on Xbox Live Arcade

Celebrate more than two decades of the Castlevania franchise by reliving (or experiencing for the first time) one of the series’ most highly regarded games. The legendary 2D side-scrolling action adventure game from Konami Digital Entertainment, “Castlevania: Symphony of Night,” will be available for download on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, March 21 at 0900 GMT (2 a.m. PDT).

The Castlevania franchise is well known for delivering exceptional quality in all elements that make a great game – story, music, level design, character development, gameplay and controls. In “Castlevania: Symphony of Night,” the 12th iteration of the series, gamers take on the role of Alucard, the half-vampire son of the blood-drinker Dracula, as he ventures into his infamous father’s foreboding castle. Along the way, Alucard must collect items, weapons and armor to defeat the powerful boss monsters that block access to key areas of the castle.

“Castlevania: Symphony of Night” is the first full console classic to appear on Xbox Live Arcade and offers dozens of hours of non-linear action RPG gameplay. “Castlevania: Symphony of Night” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated T for Teen (Animated Blood and Violence). Game Features


Play the original version of the game or experience it in enhanced mode with improved graphics and modernized audio and sound effects
New native widescreen and high-definition support
Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore pointsMore information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade (http://www.uptilt.com/c.html?rtr=on&s=j4e,qz03,1c28,6860,aa0x,3l31,302o).


sweeeeeet

[OzCatter]

Man, I know I'm getting this, just hope to have enough points for TMNT too.

Arcade has just been cleaning up these past 4 weeks with 4 solid titles

[LinkinPrime]

f'ing a. Had to happen while I'm away for buisness. Guess it will have to wait till I get back on the 30th.

[shipwreck]

Guess I need some more points. XBLA has been on quite the hot streak here.

[Roufuss]

I wish points cards were 2000 points :(

I guess TMNT will have to wait... only have enough on one card for Alien Hominid and now SOTN :D

[CAG 79]

HELL fuckING YEAH!

[Weedy649]

Yes!!! I knew that castlevania in the email was a hint that it was coming soon. M$ really delivered, 4 weeks in a row that i will buy the game thats released. Need another point card already! lol

[BustaUppa]

My fourth Live Arcade purchase in as many weeks... way to go XBLA!

And you gotta love how they have been lowballing these prices. Everyone was assuming 800 for TMNT and at least 1200 for SotN...

[Roufuss]

And you gotta love how they have been lowballing these prices. Everyone was assuming 800 for TMNT and at least 1200 for SotN...

This is what I've been surprised about... this and Alien Hominid makes the other 800 points games look kinda bad, imo.

[LinkinPrime]

I wish points cards were 2000 points :(

I guess TMNT will have to wait... only have enough on one card for Alien Hominid and now SOTN :D

Zune cards come in that denomination IIRC. Just seen them at Circuit City B&M though.

[terribledeli]

Hooray.

But the bad news is we've sorta run the course of on amazing titles.

Luxor 2 and Mini golf ahoy!

[seanr1221]

O...M....G

I need 15 new pairs of pants.

[RudyPants]

Sweet deal. I'm not quite as excited about this one as I was for TMNT (I never played it on PS), but I think that 800 points puts all other 800-point titles to shame.

I'm looking at you Texas Hold 'Em.

[Roufuss]

Zune cards come in that denomination IIRC. Just seen them at Circuit City B&M though.

Do you remember how much they retailed for?

The problem is I got a GGC and an RZ cert for Best Buy to get it cheap :lol:

[thrustbucket]

Hooray.

But the bad news is we've sorta run the course of on amazing titles.

Luxor 2 and Mini golf ahoy!

There are A LOT of titles that have fallen off the radar or nobody has noticed. Original titles. (That's the problem in making original titles - nobody really notices). Like Band of Bugs, Catan, Mutant storm empire, and N. That are due very soon.

[Roufuss]

Hooray.

But the bad news is we've sorta run the course of on amazing titles.

Luxor 2 and Mini golf ahoy!

Not true!

Still got Double Dragon, Super Ghouls and Ghosts, Ikaruga, and others to go! Probably in 2008 with Castle Crashers though.

[elwood731]

The pricing on this and TMNT are really fantastic. Do we have competition to thank? Sony has been low balling MS with their prices on downloadable content, so maybe Nintendo is next? Sigh...no, probably not.

[thrustbucket]

The pricing on this and TMNT are really fantastic. Do we have competition to thank? Sony has been low balling MS with their prices on downloadable content, so maybe Nintendo is next? Sigh...no, probably not.

Actually, in most cases, I believe the developer has more say on price than MS does. Unless it's unreasonable.

[daroga]

This makes me glad I never shelled out $35 for a scratched up disc-only copy of SotN on eBay when I had a PS2. I've never gotten to play this, but if I enjoyed the Sorrow games on DS and GBA, this should be right up my alley, no?

[seanr1221]

This makes me glad I never shelled out $35 for a scratched up disc-only copy of SotN on eBay when I had a PS2. I've never gotten to play this, but if I enjoyed the Sorrow games on DS and GBA, this should be right up my alley, no?


IMO, and many others, SotN blows the DS and GBA versions out of the water. You will love it.

[daroga]

IMO, and many others, SotN blows the DS and GBA versions out of the water. You will love it.Fantastic. SotN was the first game to have the Metroidvania style of level, right?

I'm looking forward to this a lot after beeing really hyped for PoR and being really, really let down by it.

[BustaUppa]

This makes me glad I never shelled out $35 for a scratched up disc-only copy of SotN on eBay when I had a PS2. I've never gotten to play this, but if I enjoyed the Sorrow games on DS and GBA, this should be right up my alley, no?This will be so far up your alley that you'll be choking on it!

[daroga]

This will be so far up your alley that you'll be choking on it!That sounds like... not a lot of fun. ;)

[halfbent]

It's a little slower than the DS versions, but definitely the same style of fun. Rapier "fireball" attack 4tw.

[seanr1221]

Fantastic. SotN was the first game to have the Metroidvania style of level, right?

I'm looking forward to this a lot after beeing really hyped for PoR and being really, really let down by it.


Yes it was...it was also the first castlevania game I ever played, so it kind of turned me away from the old style.

[RedvsBlue]

Umm, DIZZAM!

With as slow as Live arcade was in January and part of February they seem to be really knocking it out of the park lately. Worms, Alien Hominid, Turtles Arcade, and now Castlevania is finally gonna see the light of day.

[zewone]

Goddamn, I don't think XBLA will ever have a time like this again. March 2007 is going in the record books.

[mykevermin]

$10? Yow, that's fucking great!

Well, for a fleeting moment, it really does seem like shitcanning Greg Canessa has helped turn XBLA around *signififuckingcantly*.

[pimpinc333]

Good Stuff.

[daroga]

Yes it was...it was also the first castlevania game I ever played, so it kind of turned me away from the old style.The old ones are fun in their own right, but blindingly difficult. I picked up the NES Classic series release of the first on the GBA at Target 2 years ago for $5. Good time till the end. Dracula just schooled me every time, I could never beat him. Still a fun game, but wow.

[RelentlessRolento]

after turtles at 400 and this at 800, XBLA has been alot nicer to CAGs lately.

I am wondering if Konami is the one having most of its say on thses since they made both Turtles and this...?... hmmm

[fraggedbylaggers]

March really made up for a lot...

[Maynard]

Wheres that guy who has like 1500 castlevania things in his thread and it says OMG CASTLEVANIA AND BLAH BLAH BLAH

yeah he should post something witty.

[thrustbucket]

$10? Yow, that's fucking great!

Well, for a fleeting moment, it really does seem like shitcanning Greg Canessa has helped turn XBLA around *signififuckingcantly*.

The funny thing is that now would be like this regardless. There hasn't been enough time since he left for there to be an impact.

[elwood731]

Actually, in most cases, I believe the developer has more say on price than MS does. Unless it's unreasonable.
Eh, something's different. Maybe Sony takes less of a licensing fee, or MS forces set price levels. Whatever the case, it seems prices have gotten much better since the PSN launch.