TOP TEN FAVORITE CASTLEVANIA TUNES
Music plays such a large role in our lives. Music can excite us and get our blood flowing. Music can soothe us and calm us down. Music can make a long car drive more enjoyable. Music can spark our imagination and creativity. Music can voice our anger and rage. And sometimes music speaks to us in ways nothing else can.
Soundtracks became very important to me at a young age, one of my first music purchases ever being a soundtrack on cassette tape (the Mortal Kombat video game soundtrack). It was 1992 or 93 and not what I was expecting (instead of being the video game soundtrack it was original songs inspired by the game. I recall it being very strange, but that's another post for another time). Anyway, more purchases of soundtracks were to follow including one of my all time favorites: THE ROCK composed by Hans Zimmer, Nick Glennie-Smith, and Harry Gregson-Williams (which was the 2nd CD I ever purchased).
I love the CASTLEVANIA video game series (which should come as no surprise to anyone who's frequented this blog). I first fell in love with the fun gameplay of the NES games back in the 80's and early 90's. As I grew up, and my love of all things horror and monstrous developed, Castlevania came to mean more and more as it bridged my love of horror and video games. Eventually I became obsessed with the characters and the storyline (even the geneology). And long ago I pictured in my head what a Castlevania movie would look like.
The Music of Castlevania became an obsession as well. When I played SUPER CASTLEVANIA IV and heard familiar themes from the previous games was when I said, "Hey, that's Simon's Quest! And that's Dracula's Curse! I love these tracks!" or something to that effect. Then these same themes returned again in CASTLEVANIA BLOODLINES and later in DRACULA X. I came to know the specific names of these themes and looked forward to their melodies in every subsequent Castlevania game.
The music of these games became just as important to the identity of Castlevania as Dracula and the Belmonts. Not only do I look forward to the gameplay of each new game in the series, but also the soundtracks. For a new game in the series or any new media adaptation (such as the Netflix series), to really feel like Castlevania to me, it needs to have some (at least one) of these iconic music tracks present. I freaked out when (at last!) Bloody Tears played during an episode of the Netflix series. And I sincerely hope that the third (and presumably final) season of the Netflix series will feature more iconic tracks as well.
Few other video game franchises have such identifiable and integral music as the Castlevania franchise, in my opinion. Collecting the soundtrack CDs to the Castlevania series has become as important to me as collecting the games themselves.
Here is my list of favorite Castlevania music tracks from throughout the series.
Enjoy!
THE BONUSES
#13
BLOODY TEARS LEGENDS
from Castlevania Legends on original Gameboy
Castlevania Legends is one of my favorite entries in the franchise and one of the unsung greats in my opinion. The game also has a great soundtrack, many tracks being interesting remixes of classic themes. The remix of Bloody Tears in this game is fantastic and differentiates itself quite nicely. This game has so many great features, among them the fantastic soundtrack. It's a shame more fans don't celebrate the legend of Sonia Belmont.
Soundtracks became very important to me at a young age, one of my first music purchases ever being a soundtrack on cassette tape (the Mortal Kombat video game soundtrack). It was 1992 or 93 and not what I was expecting (instead of being the video game soundtrack it was original songs inspired by the game. I recall it being very strange, but that's another post for another time). Anyway, more purchases of soundtracks were to follow including one of my all time favorites: THE ROCK composed by Hans Zimmer, Nick Glennie-Smith, and Harry Gregson-Williams (which was the 2nd CD I ever purchased).
I love the CASTLEVANIA video game series (which should come as no surprise to anyone who's frequented this blog). I first fell in love with the fun gameplay of the NES games back in the 80's and early 90's. As I grew up, and my love of all things horror and monstrous developed, Castlevania came to mean more and more as it bridged my love of horror and video games. Eventually I became obsessed with the characters and the storyline (even the geneology). And long ago I pictured in my head what a Castlevania movie would look like.
The Music of Castlevania became an obsession as well. When I played SUPER CASTLEVANIA IV and heard familiar themes from the previous games was when I said, "Hey, that's Simon's Quest! And that's Dracula's Curse! I love these tracks!" or something to that effect. Then these same themes returned again in CASTLEVANIA BLOODLINES and later in DRACULA X. I came to know the specific names of these themes and looked forward to their melodies in every subsequent Castlevania game.
The music of these games became just as important to the identity of Castlevania as Dracula and the Belmonts. Not only do I look forward to the gameplay of each new game in the series, but also the soundtracks. For a new game in the series or any new media adaptation (such as the Netflix series), to really feel like Castlevania to me, it needs to have some (at least one) of these iconic music tracks present. I freaked out when (at last!) Bloody Tears played during an episode of the Netflix series. And I sincerely hope that the third (and presumably final) season of the Netflix series will feature more iconic tracks as well.
Few other video game franchises have such identifiable and integral music as the Castlevania franchise, in my opinion. Collecting the soundtrack CDs to the Castlevania series has become as important to me as collecting the games themselves.
Here is my list of favorite Castlevania music tracks from throughout the series.
Enjoy!
THE BONUSES
#13
BLOODY TEARS LEGENDS
from Castlevania Legends on original Gameboy
Castlevania Legends is one of my favorite entries in the franchise and one of the unsung greats in my opinion. The game also has a great soundtrack, many tracks being interesting remixes of classic themes. The remix of Bloody Tears in this game is fantastic and differentiates itself quite nicely. This game has so many great features, among them the fantastic soundtrack. It's a shame more fans don't celebrate the legend of Sonia Belmont.
#12
NEW MESSIAH
from Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge on original Gameboy
Considered by most to be the finest of the original Gameboy trilogy, Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge was not only a step up in gameplay from The Castlevania Adventure, but also a vastly improved soundtrack. There are many great tracks in this game but New Messiah is the track that has stuck with me over the years and a piece of music I can instantly identify.
from Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge on original Gameboy
Considered by most to be the finest of the original Gameboy trilogy, Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge was not only a step up in gameplay from The Castlevania Adventure, but also a vastly improved soundtrack. There are many great tracks in this game but New Messiah is the track that has stuck with me over the years and a piece of music I can instantly identify.
#11
IRON-BLUE INTENTION
from Castlevania Bloodlines on Sega Genesis
The sole entry for Castlevania on the Sega Genesis, Bloodlines marked the first title in the series to feature music composed by Michiru Yamane, the composer who'd go on to score the bulk of the franchise. Bloodline utilizes the Genesis signature soundboard creating a unique and amazing soundtrack unlike any other Castlevania score. And one of my favorite soundtracks for the series.
THE TOP TEN
from Castlevania Bloodlines on Sega Genesis
The sole entry for Castlevania on the Sega Genesis, Bloodlines marked the first title in the series to feature music composed by Michiru Yamane, the composer who'd go on to score the bulk of the franchise. Bloodline utilizes the Genesis signature soundboard creating a unique and amazing soundtrack unlike any other Castlevania score. And one of my favorite soundtracks for the series.
THE TOP TEN
#10
THE SINKING OLD SANCTUARY
from Castlevania Bloodlines on Sega Genesis
Once again from Castlevania: Bloodlines, Michiru Yamane's first foray into Transylvania proved to be full of great and memorable music. Yamane brought a fresh new sound to the franchise while blending seamlessly into the preexisting Castlevania atmosphere. While offering never before heard tracks and themes, Yamane saw sure to honor and include many of the previous beloved themes from the series, if not within the levels themselves, selectable in the BGM test in the options menu of the game.
THE SINKING OLD SANCTUARY
from Castlevania Bloodlines on Sega Genesis
Once again from Castlevania: Bloodlines, Michiru Yamane's first foray into Transylvania proved to be full of great and memorable music. Yamane brought a fresh new sound to the franchise while blending seamlessly into the preexisting Castlevania atmosphere. While offering never before heard tracks and themes, Yamane saw sure to honor and include many of the previous beloved themes from the series, if not within the levels themselves, selectable in the BGM test in the options menu of the game.
#9
DRACULA'S CASTLE
from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Symphony of the Night transformed a secondary character from a previous game into one of the most beloved video game characters of all time. After the prologue, when Alucard finally arrives on the scene, the son of Dracula is announced with an exciting and rousing theme. This track is only the tip of the iceberg for this magnificent soundtrack, arguably one of the best scores for the franchise and video games as a whole.
DRACULA'S CASTLE
from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Symphony of the Night transformed a secondary character from a previous game into one of the most beloved video game characters of all time. After the prologue, when Alucard finally arrives on the scene, the son of Dracula is announced with an exciting and rousing theme. This track is only the tip of the iceberg for this magnificent soundtrack, arguably one of the best scores for the franchise and video games as a whole.
#8
ILLUSIONARY DANCE
from Castlevania: Dracula X on Super Nintendo
After seven or more grueling levels, having bested Carmilla, Medusa, and Death himself, the final showdown with Dracula is at hand. And if the awesome and terrifying sight of the lord of darkness isn't powerful enough, the accompanying music will fill you with dread and get your adrenaline pumping. Dracula is always impressive in any game in the series, but the scoring for his final battle in Dracula X elevated the intensity and epic scope of what Richter Belmont (and you the player) was about to face to a whole new level. Not many of the themes used during the final battles with Dracula are heard from again, but Illusionary Dance would be heard again and again after and become a staple track for the series if not Dracula's defining track.
ILLUSIONARY DANCE
from Castlevania: Dracula X on Super Nintendo
After seven or more grueling levels, having bested Carmilla, Medusa, and Death himself, the final showdown with Dracula is at hand. And if the awesome and terrifying sight of the lord of darkness isn't powerful enough, the accompanying music will fill you with dread and get your adrenaline pumping. Dracula is always impressive in any game in the series, but the scoring for his final battle in Dracula X elevated the intensity and epic scope of what Richter Belmont (and you the player) was about to face to a whole new level. Not many of the themes used during the final battles with Dracula are heard from again, but Illusionary Dance would be heard again and again after and become a staple track for the series if not Dracula's defining track.
#7
PROLOGUE
from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Symphony of the Night starts with the final stage and showdown with Dracula from the previous game. The music for this "Prologue" blends the classic Castlevania sound with an electric guitar for something striking and powerful. When this game first came out this kind of sound quality and composition hadn't been heard in the franchise before. I played this game when it first came out and was already a huge fan of the series and the music prior. When I first heard the score for this game I was floored. No wonder they named the game "Symphony."
PROLOGUE
from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Symphony of the Night starts with the final stage and showdown with Dracula from the previous game. The music for this "Prologue" blends the classic Castlevania sound with an electric guitar for something striking and powerful. When this game first came out this kind of sound quality and composition hadn't been heard in the franchise before. I played this game when it first came out and was already a huge fan of the series and the music prior. When I first heard the score for this game I was floored. No wonder they named the game "Symphony."
#6
THE BEGINNING
from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse on the NES
Each of the three original NES games has a track that has become iconic and instantly identifiable with Castlevania. "The Beginning" or what I feel is Trevor's Theme is the track for the first level of the game and by far the strongest track for the entire composition. It feels like the spiritual successor to the original Castlevania's opening salvo "Vampire Killer" and has resurfaced in nearly every game to come after. It's fast and exciting and a great way to get started playing.
THE BEGINNING
from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse on the NES
Each of the three original NES games has a track that has become iconic and instantly identifiable with Castlevania. "The Beginning" or what I feel is Trevor's Theme is the track for the first level of the game and by far the strongest track for the entire composition. It feels like the spiritual successor to the original Castlevania's opening salvo "Vampire Killer" and has resurfaced in nearly every game to come after. It's fast and exciting and a great way to get started playing.
#5
VAMPIRE KILLER
from the original Castlevania on NES
Arguably the most iconic and recognizable music track within the entire franchise, "Vampire Killer" is the number playing as Simon Belmont stormed the gates of Castle Dracula for the very first time ever. Powerful, epic, and catchy (seriously, it gets stuck in your head easily), this is the song that most think of when they think Castlevania. For me, this is one of the defining games for the NES, both in gameplay and music.
from the original Castlevania on NES
Arguably the most iconic and recognizable music track within the entire franchise, "Vampire Killer" is the number playing as Simon Belmont stormed the gates of Castle Dracula for the very first time ever. Powerful, epic, and catchy (seriously, it gets stuck in your head easily), this is the song that most think of when they think Castlevania. For me, this is one of the defining games for the NES, both in gameplay and music.
#4
TRAGIC PRINCE
from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Michiru Yamane changed video game music as a whole when she composed the score for Symphony of the Night. She took the existing sound of the series and built upon it. With the CD-Rom capabilities for music on the Playstation Yamane was able to deliver a rich classical score with the aristocratic sound of a full orchestra. Yamane felt that classical music was very much at the heart of Castlevania but strikingly added the electric guitar in several themes.
This is the first full soundtrack for a Castlevania game I ever purchased (my first Castlevania CD was a sampler which featured tracks from across the franchise prior to SOTN) and I have listened to this score more than maybe any soundtrack, video game or otherwise. My absolute favorite track off of the entire soundtrack album is "Tragic Prince" or as it was translated when I first uploaded it to iTunes nearly twenty years ago, "Young Nobleman of Sadness" (the name I know it more by).
from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Michiru Yamane changed video game music as a whole when she composed the score for Symphony of the Night. She took the existing sound of the series and built upon it. With the CD-Rom capabilities for music on the Playstation Yamane was able to deliver a rich classical score with the aristocratic sound of a full orchestra. Yamane felt that classical music was very much at the heart of Castlevania but strikingly added the electric guitar in several themes.
This is the first full soundtrack for a Castlevania game I ever purchased (my first Castlevania CD was a sampler which featured tracks from across the franchise prior to SOTN) and I have listened to this score more than maybe any soundtrack, video game or otherwise. My absolute favorite track off of the entire soundtrack album is "Tragic Prince" or as it was translated when I first uploaded it to iTunes nearly twenty years ago, "Young Nobleman of Sadness" (the name I know it more by).
#3
DIVINE BLOODLINES
from Castlevania: Dracula X
There is no other video game catalog of music that I love or celebrate as much as Castlevania. This song and the following two are easily among my all-time favorite video game themes. I jam out to these songs regularly and have enjoyed them for more years of my life than not. Castlevania: Dracula X is a game I hold dear to my heart. It challenged my skill, rewarded my hard work, and became a seminal game in my video gaming experience. A lot of familiar themes from previous games populate this soundtrack (which is why I feel it is one of the best soundtracks in the series) but there are a few new themes as well. The song I personally feel is Richter's theme is "Divine Bloodlines" (also titled "Opposing Bloodlines" or simply "Bloodlines") is one of my all time favorite tracks and a song I just can't get enough of.
from Castlevania: Dracula X
There is no other video game catalog of music that I love or celebrate as much as Castlevania. This song and the following two are easily among my all-time favorite video game themes. I jam out to these songs regularly and have enjoyed them for more years of my life than not. Castlevania: Dracula X is a game I hold dear to my heart. It challenged my skill, rewarded my hard work, and became a seminal game in my video gaming experience. A lot of familiar themes from previous games populate this soundtrack (which is why I feel it is one of the best soundtracks in the series) but there are a few new themes as well. The song I personally feel is Richter's theme is "Divine Bloodlines" (also titled "Opposing Bloodlines" or simply "Bloodlines") is one of my all time favorite tracks and a song I just can't get enough of.
#2
THEME OF SIMON
from Super Castlevania IV on the Super Nintendo
I liked the music of the Castlevania games already when I first played Super Castlevania IV, but it wasn't until I played Super Castlevania IV that I really fell in love with the franchise's music. All of my favorite themes from the previous games were present and sounded even better on the SNES than they had on the original Nintendo. But what really blew me away was the Theme of Simon. A signature to Castlevania's musical style is one helluva opening level track. If they nail that opening number than they're starting off on a good foot.
My personal favorite rendition of Theme of Simon is the arranged version from the Playstation game Castlevania Chronicles.
from Super Castlevania IV on the Super Nintendo
I liked the music of the Castlevania games already when I first played Super Castlevania IV, but it wasn't until I played Super Castlevania IV that I really fell in love with the franchise's music. All of my favorite themes from the previous games were present and sounded even better on the SNES than they had on the original Nintendo. But what really blew me away was the Theme of Simon. A signature to Castlevania's musical style is one helluva opening level track. If they nail that opening number than they're starting off on a good foot.
My personal favorite rendition of Theme of Simon is the arranged version from the Playstation game Castlevania Chronicles.
#1
BLOODY TEARS
from Castlevania II: Simon's Quest on the NES
The very first Castlevania game I ever played was Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, a game atypical to the classic Castlevania format and forerunner to the "Metroidvania" format made famous by Symphony of the Night. I have a deep appreciation for both the original linear style and the Metroidvania style. One of the aspects of this game that instantly captured my imagination was the track playing over the haunted forest stage, "Bloody Tears." Nostalgia plays a huge role in my love for this track as it reminds me of being five years old and playing NES with friends. And of course it signifies the first time I encountered my favorite video game series of all time.
I can't adequately quantify why I love this track more than the others beyond my nostalgia, and the fact that it is an epic piece of music that has only gotten better with age. As I said earlier, the music of Castlevania has become as much a part of the franchise's identity as the characters within. Sometimes a really good soundtrack can transform something mediocre into something great. Likewise a bad score can injure what would've otherwise been an epic experience. There are certain Castlevania games lower on my list which, coincidentally or not, have terrible soundtracks. The first Castlevania game and subsequently Simon's Quest and Bloody Tears set the standard for the franchise and put in place a requirement of mine for the franchise: epic scores for the epic experience that is Castlevania.
And there you have it!
For more of my love of Castlevania check out these posts and top ten lists linked below!
TOP TEN CASTLEVANIA GAMES
from Castlevania II: Simon's Quest on the NES
The very first Castlevania game I ever played was Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, a game atypical to the classic Castlevania format and forerunner to the "Metroidvania" format made famous by Symphony of the Night. I have a deep appreciation for both the original linear style and the Metroidvania style. One of the aspects of this game that instantly captured my imagination was the track playing over the haunted forest stage, "Bloody Tears." Nostalgia plays a huge role in my love for this track as it reminds me of being five years old and playing NES with friends. And of course it signifies the first time I encountered my favorite video game series of all time.
I can't adequately quantify why I love this track more than the others beyond my nostalgia, and the fact that it is an epic piece of music that has only gotten better with age. As I said earlier, the music of Castlevania has become as much a part of the franchise's identity as the characters within. Sometimes a really good soundtrack can transform something mediocre into something great. Likewise a bad score can injure what would've otherwise been an epic experience. There are certain Castlevania games lower on my list which, coincidentally or not, have terrible soundtracks. The first Castlevania game and subsequently Simon's Quest and Bloody Tears set the standard for the franchise and put in place a requirement of mine for the franchise: epic scores for the epic experience that is Castlevania.
And there you have it!
For more of my love of Castlevania check out these posts and top ten lists linked below!
TOP TEN FAVORITE SUPER NINTENDO GAMES
CASTLEVANIA: A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
TOP TEN GODZILLA MOVIES
TOP TEN GHOST RIDER VILLAINS
TOP TEN DOCTOR STRANGE VILLAINS
TOP TEN MARVEL SUPERNATURAL HEROES
TOP TEN MARVEL HEROES YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
TOP TEN LEAST FAVORITE HULK STORIES
TOP TEN INCREDIBLE HULK VILLAINS
CASTLEVANIA: A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
TOP TEN GODZILLA MOVIES
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GUYS
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GALS
TOP TEN FAVORITE NINJAS (VIDEO GAMES: MALE)
TOP TEN FAVORITE NINJAS (VIDEO GAMES: FEMALE)
TOP TEN KING OF FIGHTERS CHARACTERS
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GALS
TOP TEN FAVORITE NINJAS (VIDEO GAMES: MALE)
TOP TEN FAVORITE NINJAS (VIDEO GAMES: FEMALE)
TOP TEN KING OF FIGHTERS CHARACTERS
TOP TEN GHOST RIDER VILLAINS
TOP TEN DOCTOR STRANGE VILLAINS
TOP TEN MARVEL SUPERNATURAL HEROES
TOP TEN MARVEL HEROES YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
TOP TEN LEAST FAVORITE HULK STORIES
TOP TEN INCREDIBLE HULK VILLAINS
