Support NeoGAF

[Wario64]

Konami of Europe today unveiled a new Castlevania game for the Nintendo DS. Set in the year 2036, the newest title in the series continues the storyline that first emerged in the critically acclaimed Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. While the new 2D side scrolling action game will contain all the classic gameplay that fans of the series have come to expect, Castlevania for Nintendo DS (working title) will also incorporate innovative gameplay elements that take full advantage of the portable system's powerful new technology.



"The game's rich storyline and strong characters coupled with the adoption of the new technology in the Nintendo DS has allowed us to bring the series to a whole new level" says Hans-Joachim Amann, Head of Product Management of Konami of Europe. "By utilising the Nintendo DS' sophisticated capabilities such as the Dual Screen functionality and Touch Screen technology, we are able to bring a fresh new dimension to this title and provide a truly unique gameplay experience for the gamer."

Taking place a year after Aria of Sorrow, the game's protagonist – Soma Cruz – finds himself at the center of a mysterious cult's plan to resurrect their evil lord and master, Dracula. In order to save himself and protect the lives of those he loves, Soma Cruz must infiltrate the enemy's home base, a towering replica of Dracula's castle that is teaming with monstrous creatures. Players' abilities grow and develop as they collect items and gather experience points by defeating enemies.

In their quest to defeat enemies, players will utilize completely original gameplay concepts that leverage the Nintendo DS' Touch Screen technology. One example of this new technology is Castlevania for Nintendo DS' "Magic Seal" system. By using the stylus directly on the screen, players must connect a series of symbols in the proper order to unlock an enchanted opening and disperse their enemy's magic into it when they are weakened.

Also aiding them in their battle against dark forces is the ability to collect the souls of their enemies to gain powerful new attacks and skills. The new Castlevania for Nintendo DS takes advantage of the Nintendo DS' Wireless Connection, letting players exchange and/or trade acquired souls to enhance their characters' strength. An incredibly moving musical score, visually stunning graphics and imaginative special effects round out this uniquely innovative gaming experience.

Created by Koji Igarashi and the creative team behind the critically acclaimed classic Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, the new Castlevania for Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in Europe in Autumn, 2005.

About KONAMI CORPORATION

Konami Corporation is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties, specializing in the home video game market. Konami Corporation's action and adventure titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Castellanies, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the US and Konami of Europe in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation, the parent company of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami of Europe can be found at www.konami-europe.com/gs

"KONAMI" and "CASTLEVANIA" are registered trademarks of KONAMI CORPORATION. © 1986 2005 KONAMI & Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo

Game Boy and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo. © 2005 Nintendo.

　 　　　　

Castlevania for Nintendo DS (working title) will be released in 2005.

 

[Dyne]

Taking place a year after Aria of Sorrow, the game's protagonist – Soma Cruz – finds himself at the center of a mysterious cult's plan to resurrect their evil lord and master, Dracula. In order to save himself and protect the lives of those he loves, Soma Cruz must infiltrate the enemy's home base, a towering replica of Dracula's castle that is teaming with monstrous creatures. Players' abilities grow and develop as they collect items and gather experience points by defeating enemies.

Uh huh.....

Spoiler

Soma IS Dracula

, isn't he?

I think this game will be great.

 

[SantaC]

the new Castlevania for Nintendo DS is scheduled for release in Europe in Autumn, 2005.

Then the US release must be Summer 2005 or something. Nice.

 

[seismologist]

I need to play Aria of Sorrow

 

[Wario64]

Then the US release must be Summer 2005 or something. Nice.

I believe EGM has it listed as June 2005

 

[BenT]

I'm not buying the claims of innovation yet.

Still, this game makes me glad I got a DS for Xmas.

 

[SantaC]

I believe EGM has it listed as June 2005

That's not bad at all. I need my castlevania fix. I am curious how the PS2 castlevania works as well. If it is anything like Loi I'll pass.

 

[Mama Smurf]

It's actually Fall 2005.

 

[Insertia]

I'm looking at the screens of this in the newest EGM, its extremely ugly.

 

[Ryck]

I'm looking at the screens of this in the newest EGM, its extremely ugly.

Are you serious? if so.........3....2.......1......

 

[Agent X]

I'm looking at the screens of this in the newest EGM, its extremely ugly.

Are you looking at the same screens the rest of us are? So far, I think it looks rather good--better than any of the GBA Castlevania games, and extremely close to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. This is the first Nintendo DS game that I am truly interested in playing!

 

[Mama Smurf]

Pretty much everyone has seen the screens anyway, and most were impressed. Especially when they were shown their memories sucked.

 

[Wario64]

Why aren't they releasing massive screenshots anyway? This is the only screenshot up that isn't a scan

 

[SantaC]

^

What strikes me first is that character animation is bigger and better than the GBA counterparts.

It's actually Fall 2005.

for europe yes.

 

[Mama Smurf]

for europe yes.

I'm saying in EGM it says Fall, not June.

 

[montanha]

June? JUNE for U.S.?!?

that would be fantastic!

 

[SantaC]

I'm saying in EGM it says Fall, not June.

hmm ok weird. Konami just announced that it's out fall in europe. I doubt that america and europe gets a simoultanus (spelling) release. That almost never happens

 

[Wario64]

Ok, maybe it isn't June...I can't check cause my EGM issue isn't here yet

 

[Schmo Florez]

2D is dead?

 

[Dragona Akehi]

Why aren't they releasing massive screenshots anyway? This is the only screenshot up that isn't a scan

That's Malachi all right and he isn't resized as far as I can tell. Most excellent. Neither is his spell attack.

Soma appears to be a pixel or two shorter than Alucard though, probably to adjust to the slightly smaller screen.

 

[montanha]

That's Malachi all right and he isn't resized as far as I can tell. Most excellent. Neither is his spell attack.

Soma appears to be a pixel or two shorter than Alucard though, probably to adjust to the slightly smaller screen.

good eyes, good eyes.
there is also a Sniper of Goth in another EGM shot. looks EXACTLY like the one in SotN..

 

[Dragona Akehi]

I already mentioned all of them (plus Bone Archers) in the other Castlevania thread , but now with an ACTUAL SCREEN CAP I can tell you that it's his same SOTN sprite, no colour/size changes.

Here's what the screen looks like when it isn't blown up a billion percent:

Interesting that Soma's sprite appears to be using only a 15 colour pallette... That's usual among GBA games, and probably why he looks "off" compared to Malachi. I have a feeling he'll be getting a makeover.

 

[GDGF]

Happy Happy PR Joy. I can't wait until this one hits, whenever that will be

 

[Naked Snake]

I already mentioned all of them (plus Bone Archers) in the other Castlevania thread , but now with an ACTUAL SCREEN CAP I can tell you that it's his same SOTN sprite, no colour/size changes.

Here's what the screen looks like when it isn't blown up a billion percent:

Interesting that Soma's sprite appears to be using only a 15 colour pallette... That's usual among GBA games, and probably why he looks "off" compared to Malachi. I have a feeling he'll be getting a makeover.

Wow the resized shot looks great! I never played Aria of Sorrow (cause it's out of print!) so I'm really looking forward to this... I too hope they redo the Soma sprite with more colors.

 

[Vieo]

In the EGM interview with that Itatgaki(spelling?) guy, he said DS can handle 2D better than PS1. This leads me to believe that when you see the game in action it will look better than SOTN.

EDIT:

Wow the resized shot looks great! I never played Aria of Sorrow (cause it's out of print!) so I'm really looking forward to this... I too hope they redo the Soma sprite with more colors.

Damn. Aria of Sorrow is out of print? Yet another one of countless games that I sold after beating that will be going for $100+ on ebay eventually.

 

[Unison]

Anyone know the sales for the CV games, specifically the GBA versions? Even a ballpark figure would be cool...

 

[cvkpaladin]

Hopefully Soma animates as nicely as Alucard. Other then that, the game looks nice and I'm looking forward to it. Oh, and I hope the environments are a lot more varied then the previous Castlevania installments.

 

[Raistlin]

In the EGM interview with that Itatgaki(spelling?) guy, he said DS can handle 2D better than PS1. This leads me to believe that when you see the game in action it will look better than SOTN.

Even if true, unfortunately the DS will always have a resolution disadvantage when compared with the PS1 or any recent console. So while it may be able to do some awesome scrolling, animation, effects, etc., sprites that are resized will always lose detail.

It may ending up having some advantages over SOtN, but it will never really look as 'good'.

 

[ImNotLikeThem]

Even if true, unfortunately the DS will always have a resolution disadvantage when compared with the PS1 or any recent console. So while it may be able to do some awesome scrolling, animation, effects, etc., sprites that are resized will always lose detail.

It may ending up having some advantages over SOtN, but it will never really look as 'good'.

thats the thing though, people have been saying that from what has been shown, none of the sprites directly from SotN have been resized. they are all original size and color. the only thing that would be "majorly" different would be the size of the display itself. meaning, how much of the game world you could see. like, super mario bros. for gameboy color. they didn't resize anything in the game, keeping all the sprites the same size, you just cant see as much of the world at once.

 

[captmcblack]

I really can't wait to see videos of this game in motion. It looks real pretty in pictures...

 

[montanha]

I really can't wait to see videos of this game in motion. It looks real pretty in pictures...

no shit. is Konami at CES? I wonder if videos might not be for awhile. It looks like some of the EGM screens may have just been mocked up for the article. I wonder.

And yes, that Soma sprite looks nice, but I would BET it is going to get much more refined.

 

[RaidenZR]

Is there no subtitle yet? Someone should point the Konami marketing department to this url: http://www.vurtx.com/castlevania/

I like "Chorus of the Apocalypse" and "Rhapsody of Disease" myself.

 

[Ranger X]

I'v read here (i think it's here on GAF but not sure) about a map editor....

True or rumor?

 

[SantaC]

I'v read here (i think it's here on GAF but not sure) about a map editor....

True or rumor?

Konami will include a map editor and tradeble maps if they have the TIME to do it. Said in EGM.

 

[Ranger X]

Shit... They HAVE to put take the time to put it in the game imo.
This could make me buy a DS just for that game. Game editors aren't legion outside PC gaming...

And today with all this easy communication between so many devices... it's almost a shame game editing isn't more popular (outside the PC gaming).

 

[SantaC]

Shit... They HAVE to put take the time to put it in the game imo.
This could make me buy a DS just for that game. Game editors aren't legion outside PC gaming...

And today with all this easy communication between so many devices... it's almost a shame game editing isn't more popular (outside the PC gaming).

I agree, they should include it. They need to get this game out in 2005 though.

 

[Ranger X]

I agree, they should include it. They need to get this game out in 2005 though.

nahhh, they don't NEED. Nobody would kill because this game isn't out exactly on time.
Too many games are rushed out to shelve nowadays for no good reasons.

 

[Dragona Akehi]

Even if true, unfortunately the DS will always have a resolution disadvantage when compared with the PS1 or any recent console. So while it may be able to do some awesome scrolling, animation, effects, etc., sprites that are resized will always lose detail.

It may ending up having some advantages over SOtN, but it will never really look as 'good'.

Jesus motherfucking Christ. Will you stop saying stupid things? The sprites of Malachi HAS NOT BEEN OBVIOUSLY RESIZED. Don't you remember that SOTN ran at 320X240? DS is 256X192. There is a difference but it isn't as dramatic as everyone is saying.

Look:

See? SOTN's resolution isn't that much bigger. YES, there is detail lost, but it isn't something that is going to sacrifice how the game looks on the DS. Rooms will be slightly smaller at the very most.. THAT. IS. ALL. Hell, there shouldn't even BE a problem since the game can scroll, you know?


I swear to god, this forum needs a lesson in sprites.

 

[Diomedeskun]

I love map editors, but I just can't imagine it being all that useful in this case unless you can create entire castles and adjust enemy stats as well as throw in some puzzles (that would be awesome). The SotN games do resemble Metroid in layout, but they also closely resemble dungeon crawls, so most maps are just enemies laid out in a row with a few interesting variations.

 

[GDGF]

Jesus motherfucking Christ. Will you stop saying stupid things? The sprites of Malachi HAS NOT BEEN OBVIOUSLY RESIZED. Don't you remember that SOTN ran at 320X240? DS is 256X192. There is a difference but it isn't as dramatic as everyone is saying.

Look:

See? SOTN's resolution isn't that much bigger. YES, there is detail lost, but it isn't something that is going to sacrifice how the game looks on the DS. Rooms will be slightly smaller at the very most.. THAT. IS. ALL. Hell, there shouldn't even BE a problem since the game can scroll, you know?


I swear to god, this forum needs a lesson in sprites.

:lol Goddamn, you fucking rock, Dragona.

 

[teepo]

if you ask me that is a pretty big difference. the same can be said about the difference between true widescreen and a 4:3 view.

 

[Daigoro]

I need to play Aria of Sorrow

yes you do.

every CV fan needs to play Aria.

this game makes me want a DS. the screens look nice and the SotN compairisons are making me drool.

 

[fse]

How about, Castlevania: Nocturnal Emission.

 

[jarrod]

Anyone know the sales for the CV games, specifically the GBA versions? Even a ballpark figure would be cool...

Circle of the Moon moved over 500k worldwide iirc (over 300k in the US alone). The other games sold a bit less, though Konami's been pretty bad about reprinting and meeting demand. All 3 GBA CVs are pretty rare actually, and would've sold more had Konami supplied it.

 

[montanha]

I read somewhere there is another pic of the game, on the EGM cover, showing Soma with a big ass sword and a Valhalla night. Anyway have that image?
"I want S'more!!"

 

[Mejilan]

Aria of Sorrow 2. ROCK ROCK ROCK!

And it looks fantastic!

 

[sonycowboy]

I absolutely love Castlevania as I think it's probably on of the last "true" pure gameplay games out there and I'm definitely going to get it, but one thing bothers me.

I haven't seen the discussion here, so sorry if old, but in the EGM they talked about "the innovative use of the stylus". When you're just about to defeat a boss, a pentagram pops up onto the touch screen and the user has to draw it in a specific way to finish the boss off. If they don't, the boss regains health and the fight continues.

1) This seems to be a ridiculous way to try and integrate the touch screen.
2) I can just see parents LOVING this. "This game is promoting Satan worship because if's forcing Bobby to draw pentagrams!!!!"

 

[Wario64]

I absolutely love Castlevania as I think it's probably on of the last "true" pure gameplay games out there and I'm definitely going to get it, but one thing bothers me.

I haven't seen the discussion here, so sorry if old, but in the EGM they talked about "the innovative use of the stylus". When you're just about to defeat a boss, a pentagram pops up onto the touch screen and the user has to draw it in a specific way to finish the boss off. If they don't, the boss regains health and the fight continues.

1) This seems to be a ridiculous way to try and integrate the touch screen.
2) I can just see parents LOVING this. "This game is promoting Satan worship because if's forcing Bobby to draw pentagrams!!!!"

Search for the original Castlevania DS thread, there was a bunch of posts about this

 

[GDGF]

I can just see parents LOVING this. "This game is promoting Satan worship because if's forcing Bobby to draw pentagrams!!!!"

:lol I haven't heard that kind of argument since the early days of Doom. I'm pretty sure most people are over that kind of stuff, now.

 

[sonycowboy]

:lol I haven't heard that kind of argument since the early days of Doom. I'm pretty sure most people are over that kind of stuff, now.

I'm not making the argument at all. I think it's just likely to happen sometime.

More to my point, I think it's a chessy use of the touch screen more than anything else.