Future Publishing


Castlevania IV

Publisher: Konami
Machine: Super Nintendo (EU Version)

 
Published in Ace #055: April 1992

Castlevania IV

I couldn't believe it when I loaded this up! Imagine it's Christmas (not that difficult really!). You're really looking forward to getting a certain present, and you've laid the ground with lots of heavy hints to your parents.

Then, on Christmas morning, you get a wrapped gift that looks the same size and shape as the thing you want. Trouble is, when you open it up, there's something totally different inside.

Oh, it's a nice enough present all right, just not the one you wanted. Well, that's Castlevania IVSuper Ghouls 'N Ghouls, was one of the big anticipated releases on the Super Famicom.

To be fair, Castlevania's a decent enough game - there's lots of running around platforms, ladders and what have you, lots of whopping the bad guys with a giant mace. Unfortunately, what there isn't lots of is fun. The graphics are garish, and the animation is merely perfunctory, with the hero having a rather unfortunate shuffling walk that makes him look as if he's got rags tied to his feet and he's trying to polish the floor.

If this had happened before Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts then it might have received a better reception. As it happens, it didn't, so it hasn't.