Rondo of Blood Thread

[johnnykonami]

That was just the cost of importing games back then.  I don't have any regrets about spending that much on a game as good as Dracula X, though I wouldn't pay that much nowadays.  Got it brand new, too, something you'd be hard pressed to find now.  I traded for a lot of my other games on newsgroups (rec.arts.video.game.trading or something like that, anyone else remember that?) and on the turbo mailing list, so the rare expensive import was just an occasional thing.  Got plenty of good deals on other games since then too so I'm sure it all works out in the end.  I am much older and wiser now and I can't even imagine spending $100 bucks on a single game!

That also reminds of when US Saturn games were stupid expensive too, I remember paying like $70+ for Legend of Oasis.  Now I won't spring for anything over $5 on Steam.

[Tatsujin]

That was just the cost of importing games back then.  I don't have any regrets about spending that much on a game as good as Dracula X..

can't say anything against that. In fact I would even pay $2000+ for that game, if it's the only way to be played on original hardware. back then as well today.

just wanted to point out that it is neither hard to get nor expensive today

and seeing all the peeps bitching around how expenive it is, when in fact it absolutely isn't, but easily spending $100+ on every nextgen crap that comes not even near a drac x in 1000 years. for a game of that calibre it's like a steal.

[johnnykonami]

That was just the cost of importing games back then.  I don't have any regrets about spending that much on a game as good as Dracula X..

can't say anything against that. In fact I would even pay $2000+ for that game, if it's the only way to be played on original hardware. back then as well today.

just wanted to point out that it is neither hard to get nor expensive today

and seeing all the peeps bitching around how expenive it is, when in fact it absolutely isn't, but easily spending $100+ on every nextgen crap that comes not even near a drac x in 1000 years. for a game of that calibre it's like a steal.

Oh I was just guessing.  Having owned it for 20 years now I never had a reason to check prices on it.  It's just a good game, and I don't consider it particularly rare either.  Still, looks like people are asking ~$90 or so on ebay still, not that it's the cheapest or most trustworthy source out there.

[Tatsujin]

yeah, but 90 to 120 is about what it's going these days, depending on the condition and completeness, which is more than fair imo.

it's not a rare game by any means, there where made plenty of 'em (in fact it was konami's most expensive video game production at that time). it's just a such good and quality loaded game that not many peeps are willing to part with it, which causes an artificial shortness.

[bob]

i admittedly just paid $98 for a pretty excellent condition one.
well worth it.  its just that good.

[ToyMachine78]

I paid 102 for mine back in Oct, which I thought was a great price compared to what others were going for in similar condition.

[geise]

Sounds about fair toymachine.  I got mine as an xmas gift in 93 from my family, but they got it from Die Hard Gamers Club for around $69.99 I believe.

[GohanX]

i admittedly just paid $98 for a pretty excellent condition one.
well worth it.  its just that good.

I agree! Hopefully I'll find a copy soon...

Although I did make a heck of a nice bootleg using the English translation complete with case, tray insert and all that jazz. I can't get the lightscribe on this computer to work so I had to use a plain paper label. Thanks to Fragmare for making those in English!

[TurboXray]

Sounds about fair toymachine.  I got mine as an xmas gift in 93 from my family, but they got it from Die Hard Gamers Club for around $69.99 I believe.

I ordered mine from Die Hard, IIRC. Die Hard and Japangames (though they were in Canada) were the two places my friends and I ordered from. I remember it being ~$80 shipped. That included shipping and the "COD" charge. That was in 1993, IIRC.

[CrackTiger]

Sounds about fair toymachine.  I got mine as an xmas gift in 93 from my family, but they got it from Die Hard Gamers Club for around $69.99 I believe.

I ordered mine from Die Hard, IIRC. Die Hard and Japangames (though they were in Canada) were the two places my friends and I ordered from. I remember it being ~$80 shipped. That included shipping and the "COD" charge. That was in 1993, IIRC.

I believe that it was called Japan Video Games who advertised in EGM and were located in a mall in the Toronto area. I bought most of my PCE imports from them, including Drac X for $150 shipped (maybe $100 U.S. at the time). I actually asked them for help getting through at least a couple PCE games, completely independant of placing an order. I was surprised how friendly and helpful they were and appreciated that they actually played through games like Kabukiden. They were the complete opposite of TZD. They only potentially negative experience (not sure if it was them or the other place I ordered from), was when I ordered Snatcher and Last Armageddon and they called back to say they were sold out of LA, but they could send another RPG instead. It was Cyber City OEDO 88. :/

[johnnykonami]

Sounds about fair toymachine.  I got mine as an xmas gift in 93 from my family, but they got it from Die Hard Gamers Club for around $69.99 I believe.

I ordered mine from Die Hard, IIRC. Die Hard and Japangames (though they were in Canada) were the two places my friends and I ordered from. I remember it being ~$80 shipped. That included shipping and the "COD" charge. That was in 1993, IIRC.

I can't remember if mine was from Die Hard or not, but it was something like them anyway.  One of those import companies that ran ads in magazines.  A couple years later I bought most of my stuff from NCSX, but Dracula X pre-dates their existence I think.

[TurboXray]

Sounds about fair toymachine.  I got mine as an xmas gift in 93 from my family, but they got it from Die Hard Gamers Club for around $69.99 I believe.

I ordered mine from Die Hard, IIRC. Die Hard and Japangames (though they were in Canada) were the two places my friends and I ordered from. I remember it being ~$80 shipped. That included shipping and the "COD" charge. That was in 1993, IIRC.

I believe that it was called Japan Video Games who advertised in EGM and were located in a mall in the Toronto area. I bought most of my PCE imports from them, including Drac X for $150 shipped (maybe $100 U.S. at the time). I actually asked them for help getting through at least a couple PCE games, completely independant of placing an order. I was surprised how friendly and helpful they were and appreciated that they actually played through games like Kabukiden. They were the complete opposite of TZD. They only potentially negative experience (not sure if it was them or the other place I ordered from), was when I ordered Snatcher and Last Armageddon and they called back to say they were sold out of LA, but they could send another RPG instead. It was Cyber City OEDO 88. :/

Yeah, that sounds right; Japan Video Games. The last thing I ordered from there, was Macross 2036. I could-not-find that game anywhere. I called for months, looking for it. Eventually, they had it. They told me it was discontinued and somewhat hard to find. They told me I shouldn't unseal/open it (yeah right). I paid $200USD for it. It got hold up in customs, and I had to pay $35 fee. I was pissed, but I wanted that game soooo bad. I wasn't disappointed when I eventually got it. This was in 1993 as well.

 Looking back, I'm pretty sure they probably meant $200CDN and not $200USD. Oh well.

[johnnykonami]

Sounds about fair toymachine.  I got mine as an xmas gift in 93 from my family, but they got it from Die Hard Gamers Club for around $69.99 I believe.

I ordered mine from Die Hard, IIRC. Die Hard and Japangames (though they were in Canada) were the two places my friends and I ordered from. I remember it being ~$80 shipped. That included shipping and the "COD" charge. That was in 1993, IIRC.

I believe that it was called Japan Video Games who advertised in EGM and were located in a mall in the Toronto area. I bought most of my PCE imports from them, including Drac X for $150 shipped (maybe $100 U.S. at the time). I actually asked them for help getting through at least a couple PCE games, completely independant of placing an order. I was surprised how friendly and helpful they were and appreciated that they actually played through games like Kabukiden. They were the complete opposite of TZD. They only potentially negative experience (not sure if it was them or the other place I ordered from), was when I ordered Snatcher and Last Armageddon and they called back to say they were sold out of LA, but they could send another RPG instead. It was Cyber City OEDO 88. :/

Yeah, that sounds right; Japan Video Games. The last thing I ordered from there, was Macross 2036. I could-not-find that game anywhere. I called for months, looking for it. Eventually, they had it. They told me it was discontinued and somewhat hard to find. They told me I shouldn't unseal/open it (yeah right). I paid $200USD for it. It got hold up in customs, and I had to pay $35 fee. I was pissed, but I wanted that game soooo bad. I wasn't disappointed when I eventually got it. This was in 1993 as well.

 Looking back, I'm pretty sure they probably meant $200CDN and not $200USD. Oh well.

I have Macross 2036 too, but no idea what I paid for it.  I think I might have traded something for it, or sent some cash (I remember people on the newsgroups were big on money orders so I probably paid that way) but nowhere near $200 bucks.  Awesome game for Macross fans though.  I also own Eien no Love Song which I love the battle animations and music of, even if's piss easy for a turn based strategy game.  The other gem in my Macross game collection is the Sega AM2 Macross game for PS2, easily one of the best ever made.  One I would really like to get is Scrambled Valkyrie.  I have played it tons of times but I would like to get a copy for myself one day as it's awesome.

[Bekic]

One thing that caught my attention is the level 4 boss Camilla in her human form being this "dangerous seduction". Now when you play with Richter that does make sense but if you're using Maria instead that's a little 12 year old girl that she's making out with LOL!

Not that i feel any moral indignation or anything but i just find it funny like that.

[esteban]

One thing that caught my attention is the level 4 boss Camilla in her human form being this "dangerous seduction". Now when you play with Richter that does make sense but if you're using Maria instead that's a little 12 year old girl that she's making out with LOL!

Not that i feel any moral indignation or anything but i just find it funny like that.

Hahahhhahhaha. That is funny

[cr8zykuban0]

man I would love to own this game. im currently looking for one and hoping to get this awesome game before the price goes up even more. the sound track on the game is amazing

[esteban]

man I would love to own this game. im currently looking for one and hoping to get this awesome game before the price goes up even more. the sound track on the game is amazing

I followed tatsujin's advice years ago and never regretted it:

THIS IS THE ONE GAME THAT IS TOTALLY WORTH IT. You will never regret it.

So much damn love and attention to detail went into this game.

[dshadoff]

Just out of curiosity - because Daigirin had some "new to us" information regarding Ys 4 - I decided to see what they had for Dracula X.

If SamIAm is around, I'd appreciate some help with the translation....

Anything new in this list ?
- Stage Select
- Warning mini-game
- Hidden Maria (I think that's what it says)
- Richter's Hidden Item Class
- Richter's Hidden Operation
- Maria Dances
- Use Key ?
- Parent-child turtle
- Coach continues running


悪魔城ドラキュラX血の輸廻

7,800円/ヨナミ/SCD/'93.10.29/アクション
ドラキュラシリーズの10作目にあた
るPCエンジン版。ファミコンから始ま
り様々な機種へと展開したこのシリーズ
の集大成ともいえる内容だ。PCエンジ
ン版の特徴は、分岐点によリルートが分
かれるステージ構成。
(game ratings get messed up during scan)

ウル技

ステージセレクト ネームエントリー画
面で名前を「X‐ X!V"Q」と登録する。
次にデータフアイル画面でステージセ
レクトを選ぶ。すると、まだクリアし
ていないステージも選択できるように
なっている。これて裏ステージにも簡
単にいける。

警告用ミニゲーム 旧システムカードで
ゲームを起動させる。すると「あくま
ぢょおどらきゅらX」というタイトル
のミニゲームができる。このステージ
の終わりに、システムカードのバージ
ョン違いの警告画面が表示される。

マリアの隠し技 マリアでプレイしてい
るときに、上、下、右下、IIの順にす
ばやく押す。するとマリアの分身が出
現して、敵を攻撃してくれる。このコ
マンドはキャラが右向きのときのもの
で、左向きの場合はコマンドの左右が
逆になる。

リヒターの隠しアイテムクラッシュ リ
ヒターでアイテムを持つてなくて、八
― トが15個以上あるときにアイテム
を使うと「ムチのアイテムクラッシュ」
が使用可能になる。

リヒターの隠し操作法 リヒターで、ム
チ使用時に向いているほうへ方向キー
を2回入力すると、ムチのリーチが延
びる。また、直立時にIを押しっぱな
しで左右移動せずに方向転換が、IIを
押しっぱなして方向転換せずに左右移
動ができる。さらに、Iボタンをすば
やく2回入力すると、バク転ジャンプ
する。

マリアが踊る マリアでプレイし、方向
キーの上を押し続ける。すると、マリ
アが踊り出す。

カギを使って? カギを持っているとき
にアイテム攻撃をするとカギを振り回
し、アイテムクラッシュでは、ただ無
敵のポーズを取る。どちらの場合も八
― 卜を消費しない。

親子ガメが登場 マリアで八― トが53
個以上あるときに甲羅をかぶると、子
ガメが落ちてきて自キヤラの上にのる。

馬車が走り続ける ステージ0で、デス
が「この次はそうはいかんぞ」といっ
たあと、リヒターをしゃがんだままに
しておくと、馬車が走り続けて、ステ
ージクリアにならない。

-Dave

[Gentlegamer]

How can anyone read kanji? That's what I want to know.

[SamIAm]

悪魔城ドラキュラX血の輸廻

7,800円/ヨナミ/SCD/'93.10.29/アクション
ドラキュラシリーズの10作目にあた
るPCエンジン版。ファミコンから始ま
り様々な機種へと展開したこのシリーズ
の集大成ともいえる内容だ。PCエンジ
ン版の特徴は、分岐点によリルートが分
かれるステージ構成。
(game ratings get messed up during scan)

Just introducing the Castlevania series and saying the PCE game is unique for its branching paths.

ウル技

ステージセレクト ネームエントリー画
面で名前を「X‐ X!V"Q」と登録する。
次にデータフアイル画面でステージセ
レクトを選ぶ。すると、まだクリアし
ていないステージも選択できるように
なっている。これて裏ステージにも簡
単にいける。

Insert X‐ X!V"Q as your name for stage select. Everyone knows this.

警告用ミニゲーム 旧システムカードで
ゲームを起動させる。すると「あくま
ぢょおどらきゅらX」というタイトル
のミニゲームができる。このステージ
の終わりに、システムカードのバージ
ョン違いの警告画面が表示される。

Use the old system card for a weird mini game. Everyone knows this, too.

マリアの隠し技 マリアでプレイしてい
るときに、上、下、右下、IIの順にす
ばやく押す。するとマリアの分身が出
現して、敵を攻撃してくれる。このコ
マンドはキャラが右向きのときのもの
で、左向きの場合はコマンドの左右が
逆になる。

Up, down, down-right, II for Maria's special attack. Ditto.

リヒターの隠しアイテムクラッシュ リ
ヒターでアイテムを持つてなくて、八
― トが15個以上あるときにアイテム
を使うと「ムチのアイテムクラッシュ」
が使用可能になる。

Hidden item crash - collect 15 hearts and use item crash with no subweapon. Ditto?

リヒターの隠し操作法 リヒターで、ム
チ使用時に向いているほうへ方向キー
を2回入力すると、ムチのリーチが延
びる。また、直立時にIを押しっぱな
しで左右移動せずに方向転換が、IIを
押しっぱなして方向転換せずに左右移
動ができる。さらに、Iボタンをすば
やく2回入力すると、バク転ジャンプ
する。

Lots of secondary Richter controls. Double-tap forward and whip for longer reach. Hold II for moonwalking. Hold I while standing to change direction without moving left or right. Double Tap I for back-flip.

マリアが踊る マリアでプレイし、方向
キーの上を押し続ける。すると、マリ
アが踊り出す。

Hold up when playing as Maria, and she dances.

カギを使って? カギを持っているとき
にアイテム攻撃をするとカギを振り回
し、アイテムクラッシュでは、ただ無
敵のポーズを取る。どちらの場合も八
― 卜を消費しない。

Use item crash while holding the key to strike an invincible pose that doesn't consume hearts.

親子ガメが登場 マリアで八― トが53
個以上あるときに甲羅をかぶると、子
ガメが落ちてきて自キヤラの上にのる。

Use Maria's Turtle cover when you have over 53 hearts, and a baby turtle will come down and ride on top of you.

馬車が走り続ける ステージ0で、デス
が「この次はそうはいかんぞ」といっ
たあと、リヒターをしゃがんだままに
しておくと、馬車が走り続けて、ステ
ージクリアにならない。

When you beat death in stage 0, and death says the line where he flies away, if you squat down and stay down, the stage won't finish.


Hey Dave, is there anything for the Xanadus or Anearth Fantasy Stories?

[wildfruit]

Wow only 7800円. I'll take 2.

[dshadoff]

Hey Dave, is there anything for the Xanadus or Anearth Fantasy Stories?

Without copying over entire sections (time-consuming), there are these:

Emerald Dragon has:
- easy money-making way
- wrong system card warning
- use of memory-base

Kaze no Densetsu no Xanadu (1) has:
- Debug Mode
- 2-player (same time) play

Kaze no Densetsu no Xanadu 2 has:
- 2-player consecutive play
- new way to defeat Melteina
- instant premium mode

Seiya Monogatari has:
- increase funds
- speed movement
- shut eyes
- cursor move quickly
- message fast-forward

[esteban]

Hey Dave, is there anything for the Xanadus or Anearth Fantasy Stories?

Without copying over entire sections (time-consuming), there are these:

Emerald Dragon has:
- easy money-making way
- wrong system card warning
- use of memory-base

Kaze no Densetsu no Xanadu (1) has:
- Debug Mode
- 2-player (same time) play

Kaze no Densetsu no Xanadu 2 has:
- 2-player consecutive play
- new way to defeat Melteina
- instant premium mode

Seiya Monogatari has:
- increase funds
- speed movement
- shut eyes
- cursor move quickly
- message fast-forward

This is an ABRIDGED version of the daigirin...dshadoff collected all of the PC-FX and PCE info into an OCR'ed .pdf:

https://www.tg-16.com/contributors/dshadoff/Daigirin/Daigirin_1997_06_NEC_Extract.pdf

What is the official title of this thing, anyway?

[EvilEvoIX]

Great stuff here, I didn't know you could moon walk.

[Mednafen]

There are three hidden stages leftover from an (apparently) earlier revision.

Example of stage 3 (hidden old stage on left, normal on right):
https://tcrf.net/Akumajou_Dracula_X:_Chi_no_Rondo#Unused_Stages

[esteban]

There are three hidden stages leftover from an (apparently) earlier revision.

Example of stage 3 (hidden old stage on left, normal on right):
https://tcrf.net/Akumajou_Dracula_X:_Chi_no_Rondo#Unused_Stages

This is fantastic! I love what you have unearthed in this archaeological dig through the code.



Awesome.

[geise]

Yeah, I've seen those.  Haha on accident.  The moths around the lanterns are a great touch.  It's been a while but I remember them following you when you break the lanterns.

[BigusSchmuck]

Makes you wonder if Symphony of the Night could have been done with the arcade card and super grafx enabled..

[ShadowKitty777]

This game was the reason I found out about the PC Engine many years ago. I was told that I couldn't call myself a Castlevania fan, if I didn't know about this version of the game.
I bought my first PC Engine specifically for this (although it was just a burn, since the real thing used to go for 200+ at the time and I was a broke kid). It's still my number one personal favorite Castlevania game.

[esteban]

This game was the reason I found out about the PC Engine many years ago. I was told that I couldn't call myself a Castlevania fan, if I didn't know about this version of the game.
I bought my first PC Engine specifically for this (although it was just a burn, since the real thing used to go for 200+ at the time and I was a broke kid). It's still my number one personal favorite Castlevania game.

You might enjoy this...this only a taste of the many aspects of Rondo vs. Dracula XX compared in an old, epic thread...

https://www.tg-16.com/screenshot_comparisons_action.htm#dracula_x_sprites

I believe there is a link to the original thread somewhere. If not, I'll have to add it.

[CrackTiger]

It's weird how Drac XX on SNES is the version which looks like it is downgraded/restricted by a lower-bit/number master palette, even when judged on its own, and Drac X for PCE looks like it is utilizing a palette broader than 9-bit, again on it's own and especially in comparison to 'XX.


edit: I also forgot how ridiculous the scene with the werewolf boss is on SNES. They changed the background to force much more perspective, so the werewolf appears to be 30' tall and levitated when he howls at the moon.

[cr8zykuban0]

i just got my copy in. finally got this amazing game in my collection! but man those birds in the 2nd stage get on my fucking nerves! lol

[Mercutio]

i just got my copy in. finally got this amazing game in my collection! but man those birds in the 2nd stage get on my fucking nerves! lol

Just hang onto the axe after you've used it on the Wyvern, and all will be well.

[ShadowKitty777]

You might enjoy this...this only a taste of the many aspects of Rondo vs. Dracula XX compared in an old, epic thread...

https://www.tg-16.com/screenshot_comparisons_action.htm#dracula_x_sprites

I believe there is a link to the original thread somewhere. If not, I'll have to add it.

That's really cool. I never noticed that the colors look too neon in the SNES version.
I actually still like Dracula XX, but only because it is unique. Though obviously Rondo is easily the best version. I want to own a legit copy for PC Engine someday.

[esteban]

You might enjoy this...this only a taste of the many aspects of Rondo vs. Dracula XX compared in an old, epic thread...

https://www.tg-16.com/screenshot_comparisons_action.htm#dracula_x_sprites

I believe there is a link to the original thread somewhere. If not, I'll have to add it.

That's really cool. I never noticed that the colors look too neon in the SNES version.
I actually still like Dracula XX, but only because it is unique. Though obviously Rondo is easily the best version. I want to own a legit copy for PC Engine someday.

I, too, like Dracula XX and Castlevania IV, despite what naysayers may say

They are still fun.

[ShadowKitty777]

I, too, like Dracula XX and Castlevania IV, despite what naysayers may say

They are still fun.

I was surprised to read so much hate for the game when I was looking around at tags on other sites. I saw some people calling it the worst Castlevania. They didn't even specify they meant the SNES, but I would HOPE that's what they meant.....Even so, I don't think I'd consider it the worst. I always considered Simon's Quest to be the worst, but some people seem to like that one.

[Mercutio]

I, too, like Dracula XX and Castlevania IV, despite what naysayers may say

They are still fun.

I was surprised to read so much hate for the game when I was looking around at tags on other sites. I saw some people calling it the worst Castlevania. They didn't even specify they meant the SNES, but I would HOPE that's what they meant.....Even so, I don't think I'd consider it the worst. I always considered Simon's Quest to be the worst, but some people seem to like that one.

The worst Castlevanias are on the Gameboy. That first one is horrible. I regret the $1 or whatever I paid for it on the 3DS eShop when it was on sale.

[esteban]

I, too, like Dracula XX and Castlevania IV, despite what naysayers may say

They are still fun.

I was surprised to read so much hate for the game when I was looking around at tags on other sites. I saw some people calling it the worst Castlevania. They didn't even specify they meant the SNES, but I would HOPE that's what they meant.....Even so, I don't think I'd consider it the worst. I always considered Simon's Quest to be the worst, but some people seem to like that one.

I loved Simon's Quest. Of course, I played it when it first came out, so the idea was fresh and such a grand extension of the first game.

There were some ridiculous points where I had to ask my friend what to do, but that was true for lots of games back then...

THE WORST CASTLEVANIA IS THE ONE WITH SKELETONS RIDING MOTORCYCLES.

N64

[ClodBusted]

Castlevania 2 on the GameBoy has decent gameplay. A little bit too slow, but fortunately the enemies are slowed down too, so there is a fair challenge. The first four levels can be beaten with ease. I haven't gotten past the fifth level, though.

The music is very good as usual for a Castlevania game, and one track got remixed for Castlevania Rebirth on the Wii.

I got mine with the EU-release of the Konami GB collection for the GameBoy Color.

[Mercutio]

Castlevania 2 on the GameBoy has decent gameplay. A little bit too slow, but fortunately the enemies are slowed down too, so there is a fair challenge. The first four levels can be beaten with ease. I haven't gotten past the fifth level, though.

The music is very good as usual for a Castlevania game, and one track got remixed for Castlevania Rebirth on the Wii.

I got mine with the EU-release of the Konami GB collection for the GameBoy Color.

The music in 2 is also awesome. But the first and third one are pretty lousy.

[cr8zykuban0]

i just got my copy in. finally got this amazing game in my collection! but man those birds in the 2nd stage get on my fucking nerves! lol

Just hang onto the axe after you've used it on the Wyvern, and all will be well.

ditto! i was able to kill em all only getting hit once and made it to the 3rd stage but man that shit was hard. i'll use the axes next time

[Mercutio]

i just got my copy in. finally got this amazing game in my collection! but man those birds in the 2nd stage get on my fucking nerves! lol

Just hang onto the axe after you've used it on the Wyvern, and all will be well.

ditto! i was able to kill em all only getting hit once and made it to the 3rd stage but man that shit was hard. i'll use the axes next time

I think I only really use axes and holy water when I play through these days. A lot of the tricky flying enemies are perfectly aligned with the axe's path.