We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.

Big News: Castlevania for GameCube!?!

by Max Lake - November 12, 2001, 2:40 am EST

Need we say more? Well, OK, ya talked us into it… UPDATED!

Following the success of Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (COTM) for GBA, Konami made no secret of its plans for another Castlevania title. Although there have been few official details about the sequel, series producer Koji Igarashi (aka IGA) has been confirmed to be heading up a team composed of veterans of Symphony of the Night (SOTN) and Akumajo Dracula X: Rondo of Blood, which appeared only in Japan for the PC Engine.

Recently, the friendly fellows of Gaming Target wrote in to let us know they had been able to independently confirm a Castlevania game for GameCube. Gaming Target claimed that the game “obviously” would be in 3D, though would be backed up with RPG elements similar to SOTN and would feature all new character designs, levels and challenges.

The report was very encouraging, but sounded a bit similar to a recent GIA article stating that the new Castlevania was in development for PS2 and would be in 2D—yet also made SOTN comparisons.

PGC did some of our own research and as it turns out, both reports describe the same game. IGA and his team are handling the new Castlevania, which will be heading to both PS2 and GC (and likely X-Box as well). Even though it won’t be “exclusive” to any system, it may appear on GameCube first. It’s due out in Japan sometime next year, tentatively slated for summer 2002.

The title has been described as a direct sequel to SOTN in terms of gameplay. There will be RPG elements, lots of weapons and a large environment to explore. From our understanding, the graphics style is “2.5 D.” The game will be rooted in 2D, re-capturing the classic feel of Castlevania, though may incorporate 3D graphics in various ways as well.

Again, Konami has not made any official announcements regarding Castlevania yet. Don't get too comfortable though-you'd better start stocking up on garlic and wooden stakes now.

Thanks to Matt Swider & Gaming Target for the head’s up!

UPDATE: I’ve just received an email from Gunnar Lemke who has informed me the Swedish site punkten.se also reported on Castlevania about a week ago from sources of their own. Apparently, the site initially reported that it would be exclusive for GameCube but later heard from their Konami insider that it would probably debut on all systems simultaneously. Punkten.se’s source also confirmed that a sequel for COTM (in terms of gameplay, not necessarily the same story/characters) for GBA was indeed underway and expected for release in 2002.

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement