When I was a kid I owned a Famicom, not an NES so I was importing games a lot. This means I got to play and finish Dracula 3 long before Castlevania 3 was even released. It wasn't until decades later than I even learned about the differences in the games (besides the text). Looking back on it, if I had been playing Castlevania 3 I might not have finished the game at all.
It was definitely a hard game, but I enjoyed the NES version. I did feel like I accomplished something whenever I beat it. I never beat the 1st Castlevania. The Grim Reaper was too damn hard for me then. I find it really odd that the Japanese version wouldn't be harder than the US version. That just sounds backwards to me.
The NES cartridge I played the most back in the day. Glad to be able to get the Castlevania Aniversary collection on Steam to play both versions. I really like the Famicom version. The music far superior, I like some of the alternate enemies and visuals as well.
I was young when I BEAT this video game and after watching your videos, I don't LIKE THAT OUR games are more challenging than the Famicon versions- smh.
@@SameNameDifferentGame can you do a “Same Name Different Game” video on the original Castlevania? There’s NES, MSX, Arcade, SNES, and PS1/X68000 versions that have the same Japanese name: “Akumajō Dracula”.
@@SameNameDifferentGame Warning: Exposition Dump! One thing I’d like to say about the Arcade game, known as Haunted Castle in America, is that it was released AFTER Simon’s Quest; so in my personal opinion, it would’ve been a sequel to Castlevania 2. Heck, the arcade game started with Simon being married and Dracula trying to prevent the Belmont bloodline from continuing, while in the Best Ending to Castlevania 2, Dracula had an early resurrection, implying that, storywise, these two games happened before Harmony of Dissonance... at least from what I can gather, as the Arcade Game never puts a date in the timeline, nor did Koji Igarashi think it was canon, because he thinks not all the details are important. Well, I think I wanted to make a headcanon for Simon, because Simon is the complete opposite of Richter, even when you look at them in Smash Bros. Simon was the most well known Belmont who also brought them back from the darkness, especially after lifting the curse that Dracula puts him in; and if Dracula was preventing the Belmont bloodline from continuing, then Simon stopped him brilliantly. Each victory that Simon had, it wasn’t for the glory, but it was to overcome a different obstacle. Richter, however, after his first victory against Dracula, got too greedy, and puts his own lineage back into exile! Sorry for such a long winded speech, but can you see why I like Simon more than Richter? Anyways, the point I was trying to make about the Arcade game is that people keep calling the Arcade game a "port" when it's not the same story at all. The original NES version never mentioned anything about Dracula kidnapping Simon's wife.
+Console Wars A couple, but I did it pretty late at night. I actually had to record ADR for the last shot because some drunk dude was just yelling random shit and the audio was unusable.
I just beat Akamajou Densetsu using Sypha mostly, once I got her. Her homing attack helps a lot. I wanted to share my happiness with somebody, my wife just gave me the 'who cares" look.
Love the way the Famicom soundtrack is, especially the song that plays when you beat Dracula. It was always my favorite victory music and on the Famicom it's amazing. If only I can make that my "Achievment Unlocked" custom track.
I don't remember who shouted you out, but I'm glad they did, been watching for a couple months and really enjoying it. keep it up, love learning new shit.
Finally got a copy of the Japanese version this year when Katlyn bought me it for our anniversary. Had forgotten all about the balance changes, was wondering why it felt like I could get a lot further in it a lot more easily. One thing I did find weird was that even the Japanese version had "CASTLEVANIA" in the corner of the world map between stages.
+TheSL Yeah, I wanted to mention that, but couldn't find a place. Glad you got a copy, totally worth it. Just don't let the twins get their hands on it!
Best way to Jeff old Drac is to simply pave back and forth on the lower right and make for Dam n sure you lots of axes of it you have Syfa, use her ice powers and Drag is as good as gone, easy peezy.
Joe imo Sypha's fireball spell is the best thing to use against Dracula it just eats him up especially his first two forms lol but anyway love what you do please keep it up your awesome
Excellent channel, I'm not sure how I stumbled across your page but you have excellent content. Can tell you spend a lot of time and place a great deal of effort which we can appreciate
It's cool you shot on the Exorcist staircase. Surprised the game is so well loved considering how frustratingly difficult and borderline impossible it is to play. I had to sell the NES game recently and I never played it till the end so I guess I should give it a try again by other means.
Good stuff. Castlevania III is my single favorite NES game and I've played through it countless times. I tried Akumajō Densetsu for the first time last night. Frankly, it was just too dang easy. I tore through the lower route with Grant without even needing to pay particular attention. Even though I can beat CVIII reliably, I *always* need to focus to do it, particularly on those last four stages or so. Sloppy play isn't an option like it is in Akumajō Densetsu. I think the rebalancing for the international version was a wonderful thing in the end. Grant's full screen attack was simply too strong, Trevor and Alucard were overly resilient, and lightning definitely shouldn't be that common for Sypha. It's a pity we lost the enhanced music, but I'm glad Konami was able to use that extra time to polish those rough edges.
I honestly think it's better balanced as a Famicom game. If you've beaten it numerous times, I can see feeling like the Japanese version is a little easy, but for someone playing it the first time, the American version feels far too punitive, I think. Especially with where you start for the Drac fight after losing.
@@SameNameDifferentGame I guess part of it depends on how much you value the struggle part of your gaming time. Admittedly, it took me many hours to clear the U.S. version for the first time. When I did, though, I had this feeling like I'd scaled a mountain or otherwise triumphed after a long, strenuous ordeal. It was pretty great. If I'd played the Japanese version first, it would have gone quicker and smoother, sure, but that sense of accomplishment wouldn't have been as intense. Different strokes.
@@willmistretta Sure, but I like to have the option. If you played the Japanese version first, it would have been a nice ramp-up. The new RE2 isn't that difficult on the standard difficulty, but the Hardcore mode is tough, especially if you want the highest rank. It was good to play on standard first to have a sense of the game and be prepared to S+ Hardcore. Famicom CV3 is kind of the same, then if you love it, try normal difficulty US CV3, then the hard mode of US CV3.
@@SameNameDifferentGame It's weird that nobody ever talks about the hard mode. Some cool changes to a few of the enemy behaviors there. Don't forget solo runs with every character, too. The replay value of this one really is insane.
Great video. I just beat this game and wow it was hard. I had to use save states for the final two levels. Also I notice at 15:29 there's more detail on the statue in the background of the NA version.
I played castlevania one on the nes in the eighties and died on the first screen and never played a castlevania game again but now that I'm older I want to check out the nes trilogy.
Man I'm too fanatic with your videos, I just saw the Ninja Gaiden 3 and wow rightly saw that there was a version that had a child password and thought it was a pirate hack, also had the impression that it was easier than the version in English, but I thought they were my things and you cleared my doubts! Your work is very good. Greetings from Venezuela
Playing the Japanese version for the first time, holy crap it’s like a whole different game! The US version is great and I was still able to beat it, but there’s something about Akumajou Mojo Jojo Senketsu that’s just way more balanced and fun. Grant’s infinite ammo throwing knives FTW
DensetsU. I know, in japanese the last /u/ is often silent or near silent (for example in desu, the most frequent japanese word) , but not in that word (meaning "Legend"). Sorry for nitpicking.... But great video, thanks for that!
+On the Stick that's interesting, I was taught that this U shouldn't be cut off. Maybe regional: where were you, kantô or kansai region? or on the other islands?
I really think that Castlevania 3 should have been named Trevor's Quest and that Castlevania 2 should have been named Dracula's Curse as Simon Belmont really was cursed by Dracula after his defeat in the Original Castlevania.
It's a Konami game and they are Japanese so it's logical that if there are differences between versions the N-FAM is likely to be on top same over the N.E.S. 60fps and NES 50fps westside versions with Streetso II/Knuckle II with the smoking and Streetso III/Knuckle III with the custumes, boss censoring and difficulty levels all being better on the SEGA MD Megadrive over the SEGA Genesis and SEGA Mega Drive.But then again there are always special cases like Magical Hat Vs DeCap Attack where some people prefer the darkness western theme over the happy japanese world eastern theme.
I beat this game last night. The room before Dracula with the bats and pendulums made me so mad lol. I think I'll play the japanese version if I ever want to go back to it.
Yeah, i was trying to beat the final level in the us version but it took me several hours and frustrations to do that pffff. I beated the japanese version in no time. But theres still 1 thing that makes me wonder by myself how konami was able to change and release the us version of it within 9 montch's whereas the pal version wich originate from the us version was released 2,3 years later,you would expect it the other way around.
i am not shocked it is pre to 1 but what i was shocked of zelda 1 and 2 are ending to one of the timelines it was like taking a book and read from end to start when i was a kid i had think zelda nes games were the start of the story
The japanese version sound way more fun... I still don't have any nostalgia for Castlevania III, even though I like the game and have tried to beat it countless times with the Helpme-code, but I think I will give the japanese version a try after listening to this
Man I'm so happy you no longer use this theme song. No offense meant at all but it is so not for me. And I cant skip it fast enough. But again I say no offense meant at all as music is subjective as hell as we all know so I never consider any music to be bad just not my preference. But having to skip the theme on these older videos will never stop me from going back and watching my favorite episodes occasionally, and watch the ones I've never seen. I absolutely love this channel and will always happily watch every video this channel produces. Please continue to make content as long as you can, I'm slowly losing all my favorite channels and I'd rather not see this one go anytime soon. I know you have no desire to stop anytime soon and I thank you for it.
The reaction to changing the theme this year has been really mixed! I've gotten a lot of comments like yours, but almost as many asking for this theme back! But I appreciate the kind words, and you're correct, I have no designs on stopping any time soon!
thx, yesterday i passed NES version and disliked it for unfair gameplay (you mentioned those bats) but there are another version - will search for right rom
#SamaNameDifferentGame #JoeDrilling "Fun Facts: Koji Igarashi created #BloodStained: #CursedOfTheMoon which was inspired by the original #NES gameplays of *you guess it* #CastleVania3: #DraculasCurse which is now available for #NintendoSwitch, #PS4 & #Nintendo2DS." #Konami #505Games #ArtPlay #MiddlebrooksFanatics 😊💖💭🎬🎞️🎥📽️🕹️🎮📺💻📱🔮
@@SameNameDifferentGame Also, was this video hard to make? I mean, things like which items, are dropped from which candles in each version... Was that difficult to study? And it certainly can't help this game is HARD AS DIAMOND!
if you’re gonna compare english and japanese versions then its not really the same name is it. The Japanese one translates as ‘Legend of the Demon Castle’
