The 23 Best 'Castlevania' Games, Ranked

Castlevania: Judgment certainly earns points for trying something totally different by translating the Gothic monster-slaying series into a fighting game for the first time. Putting iconic heroes and villains from across Castlevania history like the Belmont family, Dracula, and Alucard head-to-head makes for a cool crossover concept. However, the awkward Wii motion controls create maneuvers that hamper the gameplay. With only 1v1 duels, the combat also lacks depth. While not terrible, Judgment feels like a novelty one-off experiment rather than a meaningful new direction for the venerable franchise. Longtime fans will appreciate seeing their favorite characters rendered in 3D fighting game style, but the novelty soon wears off.

Castlevania: Legends ambitiously aimed to tell the origin story of the legendary Belmont clan's eternal struggle against Dracula, but poor execution doomed this Game Boy outing. The bland level design and limited, sluggish gameplay make traversing Dracula's castle a chore rather than a thrill. With stiff controls, cheap enemy placement, and a forgettable retro soundtrack, Legends fails to do justice to the rich lore it draws upon. While certainly playable, Legends' clunky combat, limited visuals, and lack of innovation encapsulate a low point for the storied monster-slaying series. 

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 sought to build out the reboot's mythology by blending modern and gothic elements, but never fully delivered on its ambitions or lived up to the first game. The combo-driven combat still impresses in bloody clashes with hellish foes, and Patrick Stewart's work as the world-weary Zobek was great. However, the open-world segments detract more than they add, while the present-day sections lack the grandeur of the past. Despite moments of epic scale like the massive siege by Satan's army, the narrative also fails to satisfactorily pay off all of its plot threads and leaves some questions unanswered. Lords of Shadow 2 offers some visceral action but doesn't fully realize its own potential as a sequel or match the spectacle of the first Lords of Shadow.

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest took the series in a bold new direction as a more open-ended adventure, though its experimental nature was also full of frustrations. The non-linear design had you cryptically exploring Transylvania for Dracula's body parts to resurrect and defeat him again. While an ambitious sequel, the vague puzzles, unintuitive mechanics like day and night cycles, and poor English translation made progress quite challenging for many players. The expanded scope with RPG elements like shops and experience points felt ahead of its time, but the core platforming action and exploration were still marred by issues. While far from perfect, Simon's Quest laid the groundwork for future genre classics like Symphony of the Night by evolving Castlevania into a deeper series, even if it was hampered by its own designs. While not known for being one of the best Castlevania games, it's definitely regarded as one of the most experimental.

The original Castlevania released in 1986 set the stage for the entire gothic monster-slaying series. As Simon Belmont, you make your way through the labyrinthine corridors of Dracula's castle, using your "Vampire Killer" whip to take down zombies, medusa heads, and other classic horror monsters. The platforming challenges of precarious stairs and gaps to leap over, coupled with the satisfaction of whipping candles and walls to uncover secrets and items, made traversing the castle engaging in its own right. 

The original Castlevania established the overall setting and gameplay loop that defined the series—equipping upgrades like holy water and daggers, facing off against Dracula, and exploring a new take on the castle in each game. While primitive by today's standards, the original Castlevania's Gothic horror themes and deliberate combat mechanics gave us the first taste of the vampire-hunting action that we still crave over 30 years later. The series entry that started it all is given its just due for being one of the best Castlevania games ever made.

Castlevania: Harmony of Despair took the classic Castlevania formula into a co-op setting for the first time. Recycling assets from prior games was a mixed blessing as its familiar characters and locations catered to nostalgia but also felt repetitive. Even so, working together with friends to overcome challenging bosses like the famous rotating room made for hilariously chaotic fun. The competitive Order of Ecclesia-inspired glyph magic system and DLC character additions like Shanoa added variety. While slim on content for single players, Harmony of Despair deserves credit for translating the satisfying exploration and combat of Castlevania games into a new multiplayer dimension.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate brought the Lords of Shadow reboot continuity to handhelds with mixed results. The shift to 2.5D created some visually striking combos and platforming challenges across three interwoven quests starring fan favorites like Alucard and Trevor Belmont. However, the compressed level design lacks the grand scope of the console games. The combat also feels stripped down with limited sub-weapons and moves. While the story successfully expands on the new mythology and characters, the gameplay fails to fully capture the satisfaction of previous Castlevanias, portable or otherwise. Mirror of Fate is a serviceable stopgap for this reimagined timeline that falls short of greatness.

Castlevania 64 took the Belmonts into 3D for the first time with this ambitious Nintendo 64 outing. Though the controls and fixed camera didn't always gel smoothly, the atmospheric settings radiated classic Gothic dread realized in polygons. Familiar sub-weapons like the throwing axe returned alongside new additions like the deadly homing crystal. The two playable Belmont descendants, Reinhardt and Carrie, also added replay value. While not as groundbreaking as other Castlevania games, Castlevania 64 deserves credit for taking the look and feel of vampire hunting in a bold new dimension and laying the groundwork for future Castlevania 3D entries.

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness transported the gothic adventure to the PS2 and Xbox with a darker tale of Dracula's origin. Playing as Hector, a "Devil Forgemaster" able to craft weapons and summon creatures, added great versatility to combat. The action-RPG gameplay felt like a blend of classic Castlevania with the combos and camera of Devil May Cry, though not as polished. Despite its shortcomings, slaying horrors like the Trevor doppelganger mini-boss and exploring the detailed 3D castle delivered a proper large-scale console experience. While lighter on pure platforming than fans were used to from Castlevania, Curse of Darkness' intense battles and expansive castle captured the essence of vampire hunting on new-generation hardware.

Set in 1094, Castlevania: Lament of Innocence chronicled the origins of the Belmont Clan's eternal struggle against Dracula through the eyes of Leon Belmont. The responsive whip-based Combat Cross system felt satisfying to master, though the repetitive structure could drag at times. However, Lament of Innocence captured the grandeur of exploring the castle with plenty of hidden secrets and monstrous bosses like the dazzling succubus. Haunting sights like the "Ghostly Theater" stick in the memory. of those that played this one By blending modern 3D presentation with the franchise's roots, Lament of Innocence added an important chapter to the eternal struggle against Dracula.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow rebooted the franchise into an epic cinematic adventure. Conceived as a darker, more mature legend for a new generation, Lords of Shadow retold Dracula's origins with incredible production values. The combat gameplay drew heavily from combos and quick-time events in the vein of God of War. While divisive among fans for leaving the classic Castlevania format behind, the set pieces and feats like battling the Titan as the castle crumbles made for unforgettable moments. Developer MercurySteam successfully crafted a Lord of the Rings-inspired tale to usher Castlevania into the modern age, even if it lost some Gothic identity in the process.

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance brought the Belmont clan back to Game Boy Advance with more Castlevania action. As Juste Belmont, you once again work to prevent Dracula's resurrection by exploring a huge castle with precise platforming and combat. While not as groundbreaking as its predecessor Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance stands out for its brisk pacing, colorful graphics, and two castle structure with varied music between them. Some players found the story weak and the music grating compared to other Castlevania games, however. Still, Harmony of Dissonance delivers another delightful dose of on-the-go whipping action for vampire hunter fans, even if it doesn't quite hit the high notes of the series.

Castlevania Requiem brings together two of the most groundbreaking classics in the series for a new generation. Both Rondo of Blood and its legendary direct sequel Symphony of the Night receive polished updates with modern visual enhancements. Beyond improved graphics, the ability to finally experience the fully localized Rondo of Blood in English is a milestone. The games' phenomenal soundtracks have also been remastered. While light on new content, getting to revisit these masterpieces with an accessible set of Achievements makes Requiem an essential pickup for Castlevania devotees and newcomers alike.

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon conjured up handheld Castlevania excellence on Game Boy Advance. As vampire hunter Nathan Graves, you explore the sprawling castle with fluid whip-based action. The real standout is the deep DSS card system, letting you mix and match over 200 magical abilities for seemingly endless customization. From the gruesome visuals to the haunting music, Circle of the Moon drips with a Gothic atmosphere. Additional replay value comes via unlockables like playing as Dracula himself. While later GBA entries refined the formula, Circle of the Moon made a strong case for why Castlevania perfectly suited portable play on day one. This portable demon-slaying adventure is for sure one of the top 10 best Castlevania games.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia brings the DS era to a close on a triumphant note. As Shanoa, a member of the mysterious "Order of Ecclesia," you must recover Dracula’s powers using the glyph system, which has you absorb symbols to unleash different attacks and spells. This unique mechanic combined with the combat focus makes Order of Ecclesia stand out from its exploration-heavy predecessors. The difficulty is cranked up as you battle gigantic bosses and navigate massive areas. While light on story, the moody gothic visuals and soundtrack deliver an atmospheric adventure. For fans seeking a more action-oriented challenge before Castlevania moved in a different direction, Order of Ecclesia hits the mark.

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin is a gothic wonderland for the Nintendo DS. This throwback entry lets you freely swap between Vampire Killer whip-wielder Jonathan Morris and magic-user Charlotte Aulin, complementing each other perfectly in combat against monstrous foes. The anime cutscenes and stellar soundtrack create an old-school feel and collecting souls and mixing up your tactics against memorable bosses like the vampire twins adds plenty of variety too. As a direct continuation of the story from Castlevania: Bloodlines, it also rewards longtime fans with its ties to the franchise's history. Nintendo's handheld consoles sure have a bunch of the best Castlevania games among them!

Though overlooked at the time, Castlevania: Bloodlines brought the Belmont clan to 16-bit in bloody spectacular fashion. Set in the unusual backdrop of early 20th century Europe, the journey to stop Dracula's resurrection takes whip-wielding hero John Morris and companion Eric Lecarde through vivid locales like Atlantis and the Leaning Tower of Pisa brimming with monsters. While lighter on RPG elements, the responsive controls and challenging level designs focused on exhilarating combat and platforming. The graphics and music popped, from the swirling violin fever dream of the Versailles Palace to facing off against Dracula in the epic final showdown. 

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow proves the Castlevania series was still going strong on Nintendo's handhelds. Building off the addictive "Tactical Soul" system and non-linear exploration pioneered by Aria of Sorrow, this direct sequel lets you once again step into the shoes of Soma Cruz as he investigates a mysterious cult. The new Touch Screen features from the Nintendo DS add fun new mechanics without distracting from the tight platforming and combat. While the visuals stay true to the iconic Gothic style, the brighter palette and overworld map provide an updated twist on Dracula's castle. Boss fights against cool foes like the puppets are highlights, even if the game is easier overall than previous entries. Dawn of Sorrow retains everything you love about Castlevania, making it another must-play portable entry in the franchise and certainly one of the best Castlevania games.

With Aria of Sorrow, the Castlevania series took a bold leap into the future while retaining everything that made Symphony of the Night so great. Set in 2035, you play as Soma Cruz, a high school student with the ability to absorb the souls of enemies and gain their powers. The "Tactical Soul" system adds a satisfying new layer of strategy to the already addictive Castlevania formula and absorbing classic monsters like mermen, bees, and axe armor really makes you feel like the lord of the castle. Backed by a stellar soundtrack, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow also introduced fun extras like the secret "Julius Mode," where you can play as Julius Belmont, the last known descendant of the Belmont Clan.

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood was a turning point for the series, bringing cinematic flair and new gameplay depth to the gothic monster-slaying action. The over-the-top anime cutscenes and voice acting immersed you in the tragic tale of Richter Belmont and Maria Renard's quest to stop Dracula's resurrection. Stages like the thrilling water rides challenged you with branching paths, secrets, and a new "Item Crush" system that added strategy by sacrificing sub-weapons for unique attacks. From battling the ghostly maidens to facing off against Dracula himself in gorgeous 16-bit, Rondo of Blood set a new bar for presentation and gameplay in the long-running franchise. Its innovative ideas went on to influence future games in the franchise, cementing Rondo's legacy as one of the most important Castlevania adventures ever.

Super Castlevania IV brought the Belmont clan’s vampire-hunting crusade to the SNES with style. Simon could now whip in 8 directions and use the whip to swing over obstacles, adding new layers of gameplay depth to matches against iconic bosses like Slogra and Gaibon. The outstanding graphics lent an eerie sense of depth to the game's rotting castle interiors. From climbing the cascading chandeliers in the "Entrance Hall" to racing to outrun the ever-closing walls in the "Labyrinth," each level offered uniquely challenging and cinematic platforming designs. Though it stuck closely to the original game’s creepy monster mix, Super Castlevania IV’s refined controls and hypnotic visuals make it one of the best Castlevania games and the ideal introduction to its Gothic horror world. 

After Castlevania II: Simon's Quest took the series in a more experimental direction, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse roared back with a vengeance, proving the old ways were still the best. Choosing between iconic characters like whip-wielding Trevor Belmont, magician Sypha Belnades, and Dracula's son Alucard added a new twist, while the branching paths and hidden routes encouraged replays. Dracula's Curse also turned up the difficulty and pacing to 11 compared to previous games, cramming in memorable bosses and introducing scary new enemy types. The outstanding soundtrack featured series classics like "Clockwork" and "Encounter (Spirit Meeting)," perfectly matching the creepy Gothic visuals. Even today, Dracula's Curse represents a high point for pure, unadulterated Castlevania platforming action.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is nothing short of a genre-defining masterpiece. This classic took the gothic world and platforming foundations of the franchise to extraordinary new heights. Playing as Alucard, the son of Dracula, on a quest to foil series protagonist, Richter Belmont, you explore a colossally expansive and secrets-filled Dracula's castle that revolutionized non-linear design. The responsive controls, stunningly varied environments, RPG-lite progression, and unforgettable pixel art and music make Symphony of the Night an utterly absorbing and atmospheric experience. From the opening prologue to the unforgettable inverted castle twist, every pixel oozes style. 25 years later, Symphony of the Night remains the crowning jewel of Castlevania excellence that countless games have drawn inspiration from, but none have matched its greatness. This is Castlevania at its awe-inspiring best.