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Akumajō
Dracula
悪魔城ドラキュラ
(1986) |
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Now
what we have here is a slice of pure unadulterated video
gaming, circa 1986: guide a lone character through trap-laden
environments, and lash out at everything that gets in
your way.
It's the usual fare, but something special is going
on here: Akumajō Dracula is not only one of
the finest action / platform games of its generation,
but it also throws you up against the Prince of Darkness
himself: Dracula.
Ruler of the night, scourge of mankind... A beast -
who has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent victims
by feeding on their blood and leeching on their very
souls.
But at least he has manners - a trait seldom
seen in these vulgar and slothful times. Truth be told
he is a complete gentleman, and an excellent host: the
parties he holds in his 'Akuma-Jō' (or 'Demon Castle')
have become the hip place to be and be seen on those
dank and dull Transylvanian weekends.
The problem is that these parties have a tendency to
get out of hand, and always end up turning into crazed
and debauched five-day orgies, where the guests regularly
commit themselves to a level of excess that would even
make Caligula blush. It was only a matter of time until
the rozzas turned up - but instead of The Filth, it's
the legendary vampire killer Simon Belmont who is crashing
at the gates, and he definitely doesn't have
an invite.
The doorman won't argue though: Simon wields a power
capable of annihilating Dracula... along with a holy
whip, impeccable pecs, and a map. |
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All
of these B-list pulp horror references work as great
kudos, but the core of Akumajō Dracula's appeal
lies in its meticulous architecture, and nigh-on perfect
gameplay.
The character responds flawlessly, and each and every
level is brimful of tricks, traps, and hidden items.
It remains to joy to play even today, and has a truly
unique feel to it - perfect for a quick blast, but also
full of depth and intricacy for those who like to spend
a little time on a game, and see what it has to say.
Speaking of time, the game is far from over when you
think it is: Destroy Dracula, and then, just like Gradius
(1985) you're up against a tougher, tweaked 'second
loop'.
Then a third, a fourth, a fifth... Damn, this game really
picks up further on, adding more and more enemies and
bonuses along the way. Push this thing: it will take
you as far as you can go. |
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Akumajō
Dracula
悪魔城ドラキュラ
FAMICOM DISK SYSTEM |
DETAILS
| Format |
Famicom |
| Released |
26
Sep 1986 |
| Publisher |
Konami |
| Product
ID |
KDS-AKM |
| Size
(cm) |
10
x 9 x 1.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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The
original Disk System release
of Akumajō Dracula
is still remarkably cheap
for such an piece of gaming
history. But hurry: it's getting
more and more expensive by
the day.
Standard
Disk System packaging: disk,
case, 42-page colour booklet
exterior plastic box. |
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Akumajō
Dracula Kanpeki Kōryaku Hon
悪魔城ドラキュラ
完ペキ攻略本
GUIDE BOOK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
10
Oct 1986 |
| Publisher |
Kosuka
Shuppan |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-87651-001-4 |
| Size
(cm) |
17.3
x 10.5 x 0.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.09 |
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Antique
'All-inclusive Capture Book'
for the original Akumajō
Dracula.
Features gameplay strategies,
boss tactics, and full stage
layouts with screenshots illustrating
the location of every secret
item.
Becoming quite hard to find
in good condition! |
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Akumajō
Dracula Famicom Best
悪魔城ドラキュラ
ファミコン・ベスト
SOUNDTRACK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
21
Mar 1990 |
| Publisher |
King
Records |
| Product
ID |
KICA-1005 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Vintage
soundtrack CD featuring the
complete BGM collections of
the first 3 Famicom Dracula
games:
- Akumajō
Dracula (1986)
- Dracula
II (1987)
- Akumajō
Densetsu (1989)
This original 1990 edition
is now a VERY valuable item
- it can often be found in
specialist stores around the
$100 mark (with no spine).
Please contact
us if you're really after
one, otherwise just go for
the 1998 'Best' re-release
(see below). |
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Akumajō
Dracula
悪魔城ドラキュラ
FAMICOM |
DETAILS
| Format |
Famicom |
| Released |
5
Feb 1993 |
| Publisher |
Konami |
| Product
ID |
RV003 |
| Size
(cm) |
14
x 9.5 x 2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.12 |
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Faced
with the withdrawl of the
Famicom Disk System and the
growing popularity of the
series, Konami re-issue the
original Akumajō Dracula
on Famicom cartridge - but
only in limited numbers. Result?
A ridiculously pricey item.
The game itself remains identical,
but like the export NES version
it lacks the Disk System's
'save' option & menus.
Large-sized FC packaging,
1Mbit cartridge, monochrome
booklet. |
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Akumajō
Dracula Best
悪魔城ドラキュラ
ベスト
SOUNDTRACK (RE-ISSUE) |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
23
Sep 1998 |
| Publisher |
King
Records |
| Product
ID |
KICA-7901 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Re-issue
edition of the 1990 'Akumajo
Dracula Famicom Best' compilation
listed above. Features the
complete BGM collections of:
- Akumajō
Dracula (1986)
- Dracula
II (1987)
- Akumajō
Densetsu (1989)
...with some spooky sound
effects thrown in here and
there for good measure.
CD
case, 33-track audio CD (1:04:00),
12-page monochrome booklet,
spine card. |
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Akumajō
Dracula
悪魔城ドラキュラ
FAMICOM MINI SERIES Vol.29 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Game
Boy Advance |
| Released |
10
Aug 2004 |
| Publisher |
Nintendo |
| Product
ID |
AGB-FADJ-JPN |
| Size
(cm) |
8
x 10.5 x 2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.06 |
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Full
re-release of the original
Famicom Akumajō Dracula
for the Game Boy Advance.
Vol.29 in the commemorative
'Famicom Mini' series.
Plastic case, miniature replica
box, 32Mbit cartridge, two
large fold-out instruction
sheets. |
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Screenshot
Gallery
A large part of Akumajō Dracula's long-term appeal lies in its 'multiple
loops'.
Finishing all 18 stages makes the game restart from the beginning:
STAGE 1 becomes STAGE 19, and the difficulty, enemy appearance rate
and damage ratio are all increased.
Throughout these stages there are different enemy patterns and new
'hidden items' to be found.
You can keep on 'looping' the game for an even further challenge...
The original Disk System version allowed you to 'Save' your progress
(below)
Sadly, this feature was lost in the NES version. |
STAGE
3
Boss: Vampire Bat |
STAGE
12
Boss: Frankenstein & Igor |
'Akumajō
Dracula', 'Castlevania' and 'Konami' are registered trademarks of
Konami, Co., Ltd.
'Famicom', 'Game Boy Advance' and 'Nintendo' are registered trademarks
of Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Akumajō Dracula TM & © 1986 Konami All Rights Reserved
Page content, design & layout © 2008 www.Jap-Sai.com |
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