Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

Three Castlevanias for the price of one. That's how you could sum up in a single sentence the package Konami prepared for PSP owners — and it's an offer no fan of whip-armed vampire hunters can refuse.

At the core of The Dracula X Chronicles is a 3D remake of the legendary Rondo of Blood. This game originally came out only in Japan for the PC Engine and for years remained an almost mythical, unobtainable piece for Western players. The remake brought it into modern form with polygonal graphics and reworked music, while preserving that classic, uncompromising gameplay of the saga — jumps, whips, sub-weapons and precisely placed enemies, where every wrong step means punishment.

The real value of the package, however, lies in its bonuses. You can unlock here the original 2D Rondo of Blood in its authentic form, so the legendary Japanese original finally got an official route to Western audiences. And as if that weren't enough, the complete Symphony of the Night is hidden here too — probably the most influential Castlevania ever, the game that defined the entire metroidvania subgenre.

It is precisely Symphony of the Night that makes this release an absolute gem. Roaming a sprawling, interconnected castle, collecting weapons and abilities, leveling up and discovering secret rooms — all of it is available on the go, in full glory and with a slightly reworked voice-over.

Together it makes for one of the most generous packages of its time. For a newcomer it's a great introduction to two different faces of the series, and for a veteran a dream come true to have both Rondo and Symphony together in your pocket.

Why play it: Three cult Castlevanias in one — a 3D remake of Rondo of Blood plus the original 2D version and the entire Symphony of the Night as a bonus. Enormous value.