Castlevania
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'Contra' is still cool enough to get a vinyl soundtrack
Mondo's skill at curating some of the coolest pop-culture art is unparalleled. Whether it's posters, enamel pins, T-shirts or classic soundtracks on vinyl, even if you don't like one piece, it's hard to deny that it's at least interesting. Well, with San Diego Comic-Con just around the corner, the purveyor has unveiled what'll be on offer at its booth. Headlining this year (so far; more on that in a bit) is a killer limited-edition poster and vinyl soundtrack for Contra.
'Assassin's Creed' is becoming an anime series
Less than a year since the release of the Assassin's Creed film adaptation, Ubisoft is set to revisit the world of its hit game franchise in the form of an anime series. Producer Adi Shankar claims the show will be his next project, after Netlifx's Castlevania -- making him the go-to guy for animated video game adaptations.
What's on TV: 'Castlevania,' 'Snowfall,' 'Candy Crush'
It's a holiday week, but if you're up from people setting off fireworks early, you can check out six new comedy specials on Netflix Tuesday morning as part of The Standups, with Deon Cole, Beth Stelling, Nate Bargatze, Dan Soder, Nikki Glaser, and Fortune Feimster. Then, later this week the service drops season one of its animated Castlevania series, as well as the most recent season of CW's iZombie. FX is premiering Snowfall, its crack cocaine era drama from John Singleton, while Hulu drops season one of Pure. The most unusual debut, however, is probably the new Candy Crush game show on CBS. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).
‘Castlevania’ series goes vampire hunting July 7th on Netflix
These days, Netflix isn't just releasing a lot of streaming content, it's betting on topicality and nostalgia to win. In the last week, it confirmed a Dark Crystal prequel and a tweet-inspired Rihanna/Lupita Nyong'o buddy series, with a possible Ellen standup special to boot. You could extend the childhood appeal to shows like Castlevania, an adaptation of Konami's gothic adventure series Netflix announced would come out later in 2017. But the content provider's Twitter account just released both a teaser and a release date: July 7th.
'Castlevania' successor 'Bloodstained' is coming to the Switch
The next game by Castlevania mastermind Koji Igarashi is coming to the Nintendo Switch. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was pitched on Kickstarter in 2015 as a spiritual successor to the beloved gothic adventure series. With Igarashi at the helm and the promise of new, updated 'Metroidvania' gameplay -- a style that fuses side-scroller platforming with deep exploration and RPG mechanics -- the project raised more than $5.5 million from 64,867 backers. The updated platform support does come with a downside, however -- the Wii U version is being cancelled.
'Castlevania' is getting a Netflix animated series
Vampire-themed shows are a dime a dozen, but you might have a better-than-usual reason to care about this one. Producer Adi Shankar (of Dredd and The Grey fame) has revealed that he's working on a Castlevania animated series for Netflix, with a first season due in 2017 and a second due the following year. Not only that, but you may be familiar with some of the contributors. Warren Ellis (from the Red graphic novel and numerous comic book imprints) is writing, while Adventure Time's Kevin Kolde is also involved.
Unreal Engine 4 is (sort of) coming to Wii U and PS Vita
Long-time Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi is currently Kickstarting a spiritual sequel to the series called Bloodstained. Thanks to the overwhelming response to the campaign -- it's now the highest-grossing videogame Kickstarter ever -- the game is coming to PS Vita and Wii U. While that's great news for fans of the genre, the knock-on effect of the port could be huge. Bloodstained is being built using Unreal Engine 4 (UE4), and Armature Studio, the developer in charge of the Vita and Wii U versions, will be the first to port the popular engine to the platforms. Why's that so important? Well, both consoles are currently unsupported, and Armature says it will share its Vita and Wii U code with any developer authorised to create games for the systems, potentially opening the door for many more ports of UE4-powered games in the future.
'Castlevania' creator just funded a 'Symphony' successor
In case that two-hour commentary video featuring Castlevania: Symphony of the Night from over the weekend stoked a new fire in you for another side-scrolling dungeon romp, boy have I got some good news. Co-designer Koji Igarashi's taken to Kickstarter for help funding his new game Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, that, by all appearances, looks like the Symphony sequel we've been waiting for for 18 years. You play as a girl exploring gothic castle and uncovering its secrets while a curse changes your skin from flesh to crystal. Gameplay focuses on exploration with role-playing and crafting elements sprinkled in for good measure. Sounds pretty familiar, yeah? Unsurprisingly it's proving wildly popular so far. The funding goal is $500,000 and as of this writing it's already hit $510,032.
'Castlevania' designer explains what made 'Symphony' so special
There's plenty I could say about Castlevania: Symphony of the Night but in the interest of time I'll keep it short and sweet: it's one of the most influential games ever made. Don't believe me? Eighteen years later, its core design conceit (read: explore a gigantic environment at will, uncovering hidden-in-plain-sight secrets in previously traversed areas thanks to a cascading set of power-ups that grant new abilities) is still being used today. So with that in mind, watching co-designer Koji "IGA' Igarashi offer commentary while Double Fine Productions' senior gameplay programmer Anna Kipnis plays through over two hours of the game in the latest Devs Play episode is an incredible treat. Oh, and there's blood-red wine involved because of course there is.
Castlevania precursor Vampire Killer coming to Wii U Virtual Console...in Japan
One of the earliest entries in Konami's long-running Castlevania series is due for resurrection via the Wii U's Virtual Console service in Japan on December 17, Nintendo revealed this week. Originally released for MSX home computers in 1986, Akumajou Dracula (aka Vampire Killer in European territories) resembles the 8-bit NES Castlevania aesthetically, but takes a more open-ended approach to its gameplay. This exploration-focused style returned in 1988's Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest, and became a defining element of later series entries like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Unfortunately, given that MSX games are not featured in the Virtual Console's catalog stateside, it's unlikely that Vampire Killer will see a North American eShop release. Castlevania fans will have to be content with recent Wii U Virtual Console releases like Dracula X and Aria of Sorrow instead. [Video: World of Longplays]
Homemade 'Castlevania' board game looks beautiful and fun to play
If you style yourself as a fan of Castlevania, you have nothing on Reddit user XsimonbelmontX. He's created a board version of Nintendo's classic NES game that looks like a hoot thanks to well-thought-out gameplay and stunning craftsmanship. It features 11 characters with upgradeable weapons, 100 items like special armor and over 100 monster cards. The board layout pays homage to the original version of Castlevania, with players battling together through five levels in order to resurrect (and then re-murder) Dracula himself.
New Nintendo eShop releases - Lone Survivor, more Castlevania
Castlevania? More like Castlemania, amirite? Hello? Is this thing on? My point was if you've been following October's eShop games you'll have noticed a trend. Namely, a new Game Boy Advance entry from Konami's vampiric series appearing out of thin air each week. We've already had Dracula X and Circle of the Moon; this week, it's Harmony of Dissonance and next week it's Aria of Sorrow. It's almost like we're leading up to some kind of horror-themed celebration ... is this thing still not on? Anyway, ahead of Bayonetta 2 next week, this week it's more about download-only stuff: games like side-scrolling horror Lone Survivor: Director's Cut and shoot-em-up Ballpoint Universe: Infinite. According to developer Arachnid Games, Ballpoint was drawn entirely in ballpoint pen, and it looks a treat in the below-the-break trailer. You'll also find the full list of new releases there, and if sales are more your bag check out the eShop deals here. Don't forget, you can now buy (some) eShop games on Nintendo of America's website and have them automatically download to your system of choice. No, it's true. Yes, we're talking about Nintendo. Stop looking at us like that.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD is now on Steam
Konami's Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD is now available on Steam, bringing a new take on the series' classic side-scrolling formula to PC platforms. Originally released for the Nintendo 3DS last year, Mirror of Fate blends the aesthetic of MercurySteam's Lords of Shadow with Symphony of the Night-styled platforming, presenting players with a mixture of exploration-based challenges and combo-driven combat. The game later made its way to consoles with Mirror of Fate HD, which boasts a graphical upgrade and a new Boss Rush mode, among other additions. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD is priced at $14.99. [Image: Konami]
See Alucard in the flesh in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 DLC trailer
He may not be the 2D sprite we all know and love, but the Alucard coming to Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 maintains the character's three crucial hallmarks: vampire magic, daddy issues and the prettiest hair this side of an Herbal Essences commercial. [Image: Konami]
Frustration at social gaming focus drove Igarashi to leave Konami
When longtime Castlevania mastermind Koji Igarashi announced his departure from Konami earlier this week it came as a surprise, but thanks to a Polygon interview we now know what drove the developer away. "The more hardcore the game ... the less suitable it is for the casual market," Igarashi stated. "Unfortunately, I'm good at making core experiences, so it was two years of making a game that leaned too 'hardcore' for the social market. So it was canceled. Then I'd try again and be canceled. And again and be canceled." Igarashi claims this cycle repeated several times before he decided to call it quits. He also notes that fans were constantly clamoring for more of the 2D, exploration-focused Castlevania games that made him famous, but that Konami's new direction wouldn't allow for such projects. Though Igarashi is unsure of his next move, he does have some idea of what his next game might be. "If you just look at my strengths, most likely it will be an action game," the developer told Polygon. "Of course, fans would like a 2D exploration sort of game, a Metroidvania-type game. That's definitely something i'm interested in to make them happy." [Image: Wikimedia Commons]
Longtime Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi leaves Konami
Koji Igarashi, longtime producer of the Castlevania series, announced his departure from Konami over the weekend. Igarashi's last day at the publisher was March 15, and marked the end of a career at Konami that spanned over 20 years. "I've decided to break out on my own to have the freedom to make the kind of games I really want to make - the same kind I think fans of my past games want as well," Igarashi said in a statement to Polygon. The man affectionately called "IGA" by fans began his time with the dark action-adventure series as assistant director of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night on PlayStation. His involvement in the series has since dwindled, as developer Mercury Steam took it over with 2010's Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. "Leaving Konami was a big decision, and not one I took lightly - I've spent my entire career there, made many friends, and had a lot of great opportunities - but I hope all the gamers and fans who have supported me in the past will join me in being excited about what comes next. Wish me luck," he added. Igarashi will present "There and Back Again: Koji Igarashi's Metroidvania Tale" at the Game Developers Conference this week in San Francisco, tracing the "experiences and methodology" of the series over the last 15 years. [Image: Konami]
Castlevania: Mirror of Fate HD sinks its fangs into Steam 'later this month'
Having drained the blood from the Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate will next dine on Steam, at an unknown date later in March. Originally released on Nintendo's handheld as a bridge between Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and the recently-released Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, Mirror of Fate sees Trevor Belmont traversing the familiar gothic climes of Dracula's domain. Gameplay is a cross between the action-focused Lords of Shadow games and those Castlevania entries (mostly notably Castlevania: Symphony of the Night) that focus on 2D exploration. The PC incarnation of Mirror of Fate is based on the more recent PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 games, which means that it comes equipped with high-definition graphics, online leaderboards and a Boss Rush mode. New to the PC game are Steam Achievements, though they should be essentially identical to the Achievements and Trophies found in the Xbox 360 and PS3 games, respectively. Unfortunately lacking from Konami's announcement is a price point for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD, and any specific release date. The best the publisher is willing to offer is a vague "later this month" release window which only leaves about two weeks for Dracula to crawl from his tomb once again. [Image: Konami]
Joystiq Weekly: Titanfall, Thief review, Twitch Plays Pokemon and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. This week's news of a new Tony Hawk game isn't exactly what we were hoping for, but it can't stop us from digging out our old cartridges and discs to revisit the series that made us mount real-life skateboards for the first time. Without the killer soundtracks and a focus on pulling off special moves that progressively got more insane with each entry, we might never have spent hours trying to learn how to ollie. Or earning fresh headaches from trying to drop into half pipes. Or building ramps out of scraps from the garage so we could grind our faces off on the pavement. Thankfully, a revitalization of childhood injury memories isn't the only thing the Joystiq Weekly has in store - news of a Titanfall bundle, reviews of Thief and Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare and a sociological exploration of Twitch Plays Pokemon are also available for your immediate consumption! Dive into this week's biggest moments in gaming right after the break. [Image: Robomodo]
Drac goes on the attack in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 trailer
More than just a pretty face, sharp fangs and philosophical ramblings on what a man consists of, the Dracula of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 can throw down as well as any centuries-old creature of the night. [Image: Konami]
Pre-order Lords of Shadow 2 on PSN, get Mirror of Fate HD free
Those that pre-order Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 on PlayStation Network will also receive Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD. Dubbed the "companion" game to Konami's two Lords of Shadow games in the gothic action series, Mirror of Fate first launched in March 2013 on 3DS before undergoing a price drop to $30 in August. The HD version landed on PSN and XBLA right around Halloween, and was also included in November's Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Collection bundle. Our review of the 3DS version of Mirror of Fate found the game equally challenging as it was unevenly paced. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 will launch February 28 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, at which point Konami will drive a stake through this pre-order deal's heart. Metaphorically, of course. [Image: Konami]
