Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

When the Game Boy Advance hit the market in 2001, one of its launch titles was Castlevania: Circle of the Moon — proof that Nintendo's new handheld could do more than just colorful platformers. Konami brought over a full-blooded metroidvania in the style of the legendary Symphony of the Night.

Circle of the Moon is dark, gothic and atmospheric to the bone. That is at the same time its famous weakness: the game was criticized for poor graphics visibility on the original, unlit GBA display, where dark scenes were lost in the gloom. But anyone who played on a better-lit panel or later console revisions discovered an impressively somber castle full of detail.

Mechanically the game rests on the card-based DSS (Dual Set-up System). By combining two types of cards you unlock dozens of different magical effects and attacks — from elemental modifications of your whip to summoned helpers. The hunt for rare cards dropped by enemies adds another layer to exploring the castle and rewards persistence.

As a metroidvania, Circle of the Moon offers exactly what you'd expect from the genre: a sprawling, interconnected castle, the gradual acquisition of abilities that open new paths, and the constant urge to explore every corner. The combat is a touch more deliberate than in later installments, but it builds a solid foundation on which the series continued to build on the GBA.

Together with Harmony of Dissonance and Aria of Sorrow, Circle of the Moon forms a trinity that fans love. It's the first chapter in the story of how classic Castlevania was reborn in pocket form — and even with its minor ailments, it's a chapter worth experiencing.

Why play it: An atmospheric gothic metroidvania and GBA launch title with an addictive card-based spell system — the cornerstone of the beloved Castlevania trinity.