Nintendo Entertainment System · 1986
Castlevania
Simon Belmont wields the Vampire Killer whip through six stages of Dracula's castle in the franchise's original 1986 side-scrolling debut.
- Publisher
- Konami
- Format
- Cartridge
- Genre
- Action-Platformer
- Released
- 1986
01
Overview
Castlevania opens the series by placing players in the boots of Simon Belmont, a vampire hunter descending into Dracula's castle across six linear stages. Combat centres on a reliable whip paired with breakable candles that release sub-weapons such as holy water and crosses. The gothic setting and steady platforming rhythm established the tone for the franchise's future entries.
02
Why it matters
This is the first Castlevania title in the series, introducing Simon Belmont and the Dracula conflict that define the franchise. Its NES cartridge release brought the game to Western audiences after its 1986 Japanese Famicom Disk System debut.
03
The physical edition
A typical complete NES copy includes the game cartridge, an instruction booklet, and a printed outer box; the box carries a Konami label and a Nintendo Seal of Quality on its face. Regional editions vary in box art, label layout, and cartridge screw count, so a given copy's specific packaging depends on its market of origin.
04
Playing it today
The NES cartridge runs on an original or compatible Nintendo Entertainment System console and a single standard controller. Emulation options exist for modern hardware if a physical console is not available.