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Akumajō
Dracula [X68000]
悪魔城ドラキュラ [X68000版]
23 July 1993 |
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The X68000 Akumajō Dracula was easily the most obscure chapter of the Akumajo Dracula series, simply because of the miscellaneous format it was released on. It wasn't until 2001 that the game finally got mass exposure, thanks to a 'Chronicles' re-issue pack for the PlayStation.
The Sharp X68000 was
a high-end Japanese personal computer - a fast, game-friendly
platform that just topped the Mega
Drive in terms of performance (they both share
the same Motorola 68000 CPU). The machine was rarely seen outside of Japan,
and even today remains a rare sight, despite
playing host to many high-quality arcade conversions, and Konami were just
one of many houses to contribute to the format.
The X68000 Akumajo Dracula is a fast, crisp and entertaining rendition
of Simon's original adventure - a much more satusfying 'remake'
than the previous entry in the series, the Super Famicom Akumajo Dracula
(1991). |
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The
game is a fast paced and compelling arcade / action
title, very much in the same vein as the original Akumajo Dracula (1986) and in many way the Mega Drive Vampire
Killer (1994) - it firmly abides to the series'
tried-and-tested formula. As a matter of fact, as Dracula
games go this one has quite a lot going for it.
The quest has been elongated to 8 levels (24 stages) and each one is full of
surprising ups and downs, narrow escapes, hidden items
and bizarre secrets. There's also a curious new sub-weapon
on offer: the herb, that for the cost of 5 hearts will
replenish a few units of energy.
Many might find a little too much deja-vu here - it
is, after all, the second remake of a 1986 title...
Yet in a strange way it's this shameless classicism,
added to its perfectly balanced difficulty and speed, that make the game so appealing.
Appealing enough to warrant a fully-fledged re-release on PlayStation - a first of sorts, since most of the early entries in the series are available only on their original formats. Which is, to say the least,
quite dumb - today the vast majority of the series is
played through bootlegging or emulation, with Konami
loosing more and more of their audience by the day. 'Deluxe
Pack' collections and/or more re-issues are long overdue,
but that is their decision and ultimate error.
It's also a genuine shame since the PlayStation 'Castlevania Chronicle'
offers an insight into what could be: it includes the
original X68000 version and an enhanced 'Arrange' mode
with remixed soundtrack. Completing both quests opens a brilliant 'Time Attack' mode and a nice 'Art Gallery' featuring all of the game's original artwork by Ayami Kojima (see below).
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Akumajō
Dracula
悪魔城ドラキュラ
X68000 |
DETAILS
| Format |
X68000 |
| Released |
23
July 1993 |
| Publisher |
Konami |
| Product
ID |
RA960 |
| Size
(cm) |
25.3
x 16.6 x 4.4 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.53 |
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The
original release of the X68000
Akumajō Dracula
now
ranks as one of the most valuable
chapters of the series, second
only to original boards of Akumajō
Dracula AC (1988).
A genuinely rare title, with
a price point to match.
Large PC-style packaging,
2 x Floppy disks, colour manual. |
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Akumajō
Dracula X
悪魔城ドラキュラX
SOUNDTRACK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
3
Nov 1993 |
| Publisher |
King
Records |
| Product
ID |
KICA-7622~23 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 2.4 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.21 |
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Double-CD soundtrack set that
covers the complete BGM collections
of:
- Akumajō
Dracula X [PCE] (1993)
- Akumajō
Dracula [X68000] (1993)
- Vampire
Killer [MD] (1994)
Another nice selection, another
very valuable Dracula
item!
Double-CD
case, 2 x Audio CDs, colour
booklet, spine card. |
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Akumajō
Nendaiki Akumajō Dracula Original
Soundtrack
悪魔城年代記
悪魔城ドラキュラ オリジナルサウンドトラック
SOUNDTRACK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
23
May 2001 |
| Publisher |
Konami |
| Product
ID |
KMCA-104~5 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Released
one day before the game itself,
this double-CD set covers
both the PlayStation 'Arrange'
soundtrack and no less than
4 different renditions of
the X68000 OST:
- Arranged Version
- Original Version
- MIDI Roland CM-64 Version
- MIDI Roland SC-55 Version
View [back]
for playlist.
Twin
CD case, 2 x audio CD (CD1
40 tracks, CD2 42 tracks),
colour booklet, spine card. |
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Akumajō
Nendaiki Akumajō Dracula
悪魔城年代記
悪魔城ドラキュラ
PLAYSTATION |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation |
| Released |
24
May 2001 |
| Publisher |
Konami |
| Product
ID |
SLPM-86754 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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'Castlevania
Chronicle' re-release of the
X68000 Akumajō Dracula
for the PlayStation.
Features
3 different game modes ('Original,
'Arrange', and 'Time Attack')
a remixed soundtrack, an interactive
art gallery and bonus
features.
CD case, PlayStation CD-ROM disc,
16-page colour manual, alternative
cover card, spine card. |
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Akumajō
Nendaiki Akumajō Dracula Kōshiki Guide
悪魔城年代記
悪魔城ドラキュラ 公式ガイド
KONAMI OFFICIAL GUIDE |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
27
Aug 2001 |
| Publisher |
Konami
/ NTT |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-7571-8099-3 |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 0.5 (A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.18 |
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Comprehensive
'Official Guide' for the PlayStation
re-release of the X68000 Akumajō
Dracula.
Features full-page art gallery,
complete photo-assembled level
layouts (with every candle
item listed), 'History', 'Discography',
and 'Q&A' sections.
88
pages, full colour, in Japanese. |
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'Akumajō
Dracula', 'Castlevania' and 'Konami' are all registered trademarks
of Konami Corporation
'PlayStation' and 'Sony' are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation
Akumajō Dracula [X68000] TM & © 1993 Konami All Rights Reserved
Page content, design & layout © 2012 Arcade Gear |
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