PSA: Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (PC ENGINE) VS Dracula X (SNES)

CrackTiger · 02/25/2015, 10:08 PM

All nu retro game fans turn to youtube talking heads to learn everything they know about obscure collectible consoles like the "stuck-in-time" PC Engine. Thankfully, there is a never ending stream of experts who make rarely known facts easily digestible by sprinkling them throughout hilarious comedy.

If you are dead inside and can't appreciate humor, you can jump straight to the first sentence of the actual game/console commentary at 3:45

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (PC ENGINE) VS Dracula X (SNES) Pt. 1

Part 2 opens with another technical explanation of why the SNES Drac XX looks so good compared to the NES-looking Rondo of Blood.

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (PC ENGINE) VS Dracula X (SNES) Pt. 2

Later they explain why the PCE game doesn't have any parallax in it. What inspired them to explain it, was playing through a section of the SNES game featuring some very plain horizontal parallax, the kind found in many NES games. They point out how that section has so much 3D depth and how the PCE game doing the exact same thing more times than the SNES game does, is so flat and primitive and non-existent. To be fair though, that SNES game section immediately followed a parallax laden recreation of the crumbling bridge section of the PC Engine game... only with less parallax. They then enter the main areas which make up the bulk of that stage in the SNES version (which features completely flat parallax-free backgrounds).

In the end, to prove their hardcority and biaslessness, PCE Drac X gets a 9 while SNES Drac XX gets a 7 ("too much platforming").

This is why youtube personalities are the go-to source for retro gaming info.

Nazi NecroPhile · 02/26/2015, 11:48 AM

Trash like that is hard to watch: piss poor editing, annoying blurred borders (but at least it's not stretched), inane chatter from try hard collectors, and they can't play for shit.

Dicer · 02/26/2015, 11:49 AM

I couldn't hang, far too annoying...

seieienbu · 02/26/2015, 12:29 PM

First boss on Snes version jumps backward, shoots downward at 45 degree angle, and then from where the projectile hits the floor it goes forward. Obviously when the boss jumps backward, you walk backward out of the range of the projectile, then jump over it. What do these idiots do? They get hit by the projectile every time then complain about how hard the game is.

That wouldn't have stumped me when I was a kid. It's the same damn pattern. Watching these guys play and listening to their failure-filled non-facts. They are legitimately bad and not particularly likeable either.

ToyMachine78 · 02/26/2015, 12:56 PM

That was freaking terrible. And I thought the James and Mike video was annoying.... Sheesh. Thank god for Game Sack.

Arkhan Asylum · 02/26/2015, 01:45 PM

Quote from: guest on 02/26/2015, 12:56 PMThat was freaking terrible. And I thought the James and Mike video was annoying.... Sheesh. Thank god for Game Sack.

What was wrong with the J&M video? its just two dudes fucking around playing the game.

Game Sack sounds too cue-card try-hard. I don't know how anyone can watch that crap.

Nazi NecroPhile · 02/26/2015, 02:19 PM

Joe and Dave are easy to watch because they generally know what the fuck they're talking about instead of making it up as they go along, plus they actually play the games for more than two minutes before passing judgement.

Arkhan Asylum · 02/26/2015, 02:43 PM

Yeah, I was more talking about the delivery of the words.

If they could get actual-knowledge paired with not-dopey sounding delivery, that might work out.

Nazi NecroPhile · 02/26/2015, 03:02 PM

I don't mind their delivery either. I'll take something rehearsed and coherent any day over the umms, ahhs, and spliced together shat you usually see.

Gentlegamer · 02/26/2015, 10:25 PM

The first area looks like a cross between 8-bit and 16-bit, it reminds me of Simon's Quest.

That's because it's supposed to be the same town.

herb · 02/26/2015, 11:19 PM

That was painful to watch.

ToyMachine78 · 02/27/2015, 09:28 AM

Quote from: guest on 02/26/2015, 02:19 PMJoe and Dave are easy to watch because they generally know what the fuck they're talking about instead of making it up as they go along, plus they actually play the games for more than two minutes before passing judgement.

C'mon! It was obvious the pirate douche knew his shit!

Groover · 03/02/2015, 10:51 PM

My theory on the price of Dracula X on SNES is this. I thought that people saw that Dracula X Rondo of Blood was going for such a high price sellers got the two mixed up and thought the SNES should be the same price. I mean some people think the SNES Dracula X is the same game as the one on PC-engine.

Gentlegamer · 03/03/2015, 12:10 AM

Quote from: Groover on 03/02/2015, 10:51 PMMy theory on the price of Dracula X on SNES is this. I thought that people saw that Dracula X Rondo of Blood was going for such a high price sellers got the two mixed up and thought the SNES should be the same price. I mean some people think the SNES Dracula X is the same game as the one on PC-engine.

No need for that mix up, everything SNES is way overvalued.

PCEngineHell · 03/03/2015, 12:16 AM

I like both. Both are fun and great Castlevania titles. In all honesty though the Snes visually is a bit more detailed in some areas of the stages, and had some pretty cool effects going on like with the background fire in stage 1. The Snes one had a couple extra development years over the PCE game though. The PCE one is the better experience over all. There is simply more to do in it and the cut scenes are better.

The Snes one though is a testament to how well the Snes could be pushed by Konami, especially later in its life without relying on the Treasure guys to carry them. Much like with other titles they released on the system, like Gokujou and Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius, Sunset Riders, TMNT Turtles in Time and Tournament Fighters, etc, the system hardware gets pushed pretty well with Dracula X.

esteban · 03/03/2015, 03:06 AM

First, I don't know how I missed this thread the first time around!! I am so glad it was resurrected.

Second: I still play all of the Castlevania 8- and 16-bit games and enjoy them all. Frankly, if you enjoy the series, you probably wish there was another solid entry (I do!) before the series got STOOPID (polygons).

Third: That said, it doesn't mean we can't laugh at fools.

Fourth: We can also laugh at Skeletons + Motorcycles + Castlevania.

Sarumaru · 03/03/2015, 03:30 AM

Quote from: PCEngineHell on 03/03/2015, 12:16 AMI like both. Both are fun and great Castlevania titles. In all honesty though the Snes visually is a bit more detailed in some areas of the stages, and had some pretty cool effects going on like with the background fire in stage 1. The Snes one had a couple extra development years over the PCE game though. The PCE one is the better experience over all. There is simply more to do in it and the cut scenes are better.

The Snes one though is a testament to how well the Snes could be pushed by Konami, especially later in its life without relying on the Treasure guys to carry them. Much like with other titles they released on the system, like Gokujou and Jikkyou Oshaberi Parodius, Sunset Riders, TMNT Turtles in Time and Tournament Fighters, etc, the system hardware gets pushed pretty well with Dracula X.

For me, I'd have to say that the delivery of the experience lies heavily on its soundtrack. That crisp, redbook audio (with some, not so great chiptunes, this opinion varies depending on who you ask) sounds so good and listening to the remixed tracks just made my face melt (this was 1994 after all). The cutscenes are rather nice, too. The acting was meh and the norm for its time, I remember it being amazing... I wonder why that is.

JoshTurboTrollX · 03/03/2015, 12:25 PM

Quote from: esteban on 03/03/2015, 03:06 AMFirst, I don't know how I missed this thread the first time around!! I am so glad it was resurrected.

Second: I still play all of the Castlevania 8- and 16-bit games and enjoy them all. Frankly, if you enjoy the series, you probably wish there was another solid entry (I do!) before the series got STOOPID (polygons).

Third: That said, it doesn't mean we can't laugh at fools.

Fourth: We can also laugh at Skeletons + Motorcycles + Castlevania.

Castlevania Adventure Rebirth on Wii is the last Castlevania game that I really enjoyed! If you haven't played it, I'd suggest trying it.

esteban · 03/03/2015, 01:59 PM

Quote from: JoshTurboTrollX-16 on 03/03/2015, 12:25 PM
Quote from: esteban on 03/03/2015, 03:06 AMFirst, I don't know how I missed this thread the first time around!! I am so glad it was resurrected.

Second: I still play all of the Castlevania 8- and 16-bit games and enjoy them all. Frankly, if you enjoy the series, you probably wish there was another solid entry (I do!) before the series got STOOPID (polygons).

Third: That said, it doesn't mean we can't laugh at fools.

Fourth: We can also laugh at Skeletons + Motorcycles + Castlevania.
Castlevania Adventure Rebirth on Wii is the last Castlevania game that I really enjoyed! If you haven't played it, I'd suggest trying it.

Hahaahhahahahahahahaha!

I only purchased a few digital games for the Wii, and Castlevania Adventure Rebirth was one of them!!!!

At first it was "OK"...but then it started to grow on me. It really seems like a bit of a smorgasbord of Castlevania elements...but I enjoyed it.

There were no skeletons on motorbikes, so that was a good thing.

Mzo · 03/03/2015, 04:09 PM

All 3 M2-developed ReBirth games were really, really good!

They were like long-lost 32 bit games...

CGQuarterly · 03/03/2015, 04:31 PM

I tried to watch one of those vids, but as soon as the first one started, I knew it was going to be a no-go.

Groover · 03/03/2015, 04:51 PM

Quote from: Gentlegamer on 03/03/2015, 12:10 AMNo need for that mix up, everything SNES is way overvalued.

Agreed

Arkhan Asylum · 03/03/2015, 05:36 PM

I like the twirly tunnel level in Super Castlevania.

PCEngineHell · 03/03/2015, 10:59 PM

Quote from: guest on 03/03/2015, 05:36 PMI like the twirly tunnel level in Super Castlevania.

Some of those stages in Super Castlevania were just really creative and hold up well compared to later stuff in the series. Really SC is one of my favorites. Really to me its the last traditional Castlevania, and it really went all out considering when the game was made, being a fairly early Snes title.

esadajr · 03/04/2015, 10:04 AM

you can think of the Snes title as a re imagination of the PCE one but I wouldn't go that far. Sure thing Konami took inspiration from the PCE but that's about it. They're different games and experiences and both enjoyable in their own right.

CrackTiger · 03/04/2015, 12:03 PM

For those thinking of asking for illegal bootlegs:
https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=319.0

Arkhan Asylum · 03/04/2015, 12:53 PM

Quote from: PCEngineHell on 03/03/2015, 10:59 PM
Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 03/03/2015, 05:36 PMI like the twirly tunnel level in Super Castlevania.
Some of those stages in Super Castlevania were just really creative and hold up well compared to later stuff in the series. Really SC is one of my favorites. Really to me its the last traditional Castlevania, and it really went all out considering when the game was made, being a fairly early Snes title.

Yeah, I remember my mind being blown the first time I played it when my aunt/uncle had it.

I was like

LOOK HOW TALL HE IS. LOOK AT THE THING. HOLY CRAP WHATS THAT.

I was like 5.

CrackTiger · 03/04/2015, 01:41 PM

Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 03/04/2015, 12:53 PM
Quote from: PCEngineHell on 03/03/2015, 10:59 PM
Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 03/03/2015, 05:36 PMI like the twirly tunnel level in Super Castlevania.
Some of those stages in Super Castlevania were just really creative and hold up well compared to later stuff in the series. Really SC is one of my favorites. Really to me its the last traditional Castlevania, and it really went all out considering when the game was made, being a fairly early Snes title.
Yeah, I remember my mind being blown the first time I played it when my aunt/uncle had it.

I was like

LOOK HOW TALL HE IS. LOOK AT THE THING. HOLY CRAP WHATS THAT.

I was like 5.

Imagine if you had gotten to see China Warrior at that age.

ClodBusted · 03/04/2015, 02:43 PM

Quote from: Mzo on 03/03/2015, 04:09 PMAll 3 M2-developed ReBirth games were really, really good!

They were like long-lost 32 bit games...

Agreed.

I have a thing for the music of Castlevania Rebirth.

Arkhan Asylum · 03/04/2015, 03:47 PM

Quote from: CrackTiger on 03/04/2015, 01:41 PM
Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 03/04/2015, 12:53 PM
Quote from: PCEngineHell on 03/03/2015, 10:59 PM
Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 03/03/2015, 05:36 PMI like the twirly tunnel level in Super Castlevania.
Some of those stages in Super Castlevania were just really creative and hold up well compared to later stuff in the series. Really SC is one of my favorites. Really to me its the last traditional Castlevania, and it really went all out considering when the game was made, being a fairly early Snes title.
Yeah, I remember my mind being blown the first time I played it when my aunt/uncle had it.

I was like

LOOK HOW TALL HE IS. LOOK AT THE THING. HOLY CRAP WHATS THAT.

I was like 5.
Imagine if you had gotten to see China Warrior at that age.

Oh, I did.

I practically fucked myself even though 5 year old peepees don't work like that.

They had a Turbo too, so I was always playing:

Vigilante
Bonk
Neutopia
Silent Debuggers
Bloody Wolf

I only got to see/play China Warrior one or two times. I think they might have rented it. When they gave me all their stuff, that wasn't in the pile.

Super Volleyball was though. I like that game a lot. Mostly for the injuring players.

CGQuarterly · 03/04/2015, 04:27 PM

Quote from: guest on 03/04/2015, 03:47 PMSuper Volleyball was though. I like that game a lot. Mostly for the injuring players.

Call me crazy, but for some reason I think Super Volleyball is a lot of fun.

seieienbu · 03/04/2015, 05:05 PM

I think the kaleidoscope room in Castlevania 4 holds up well enough. The room immediately before it that rotates counter clockwise though? That's probably the low point in the game. It's soooo slow and boring. When Konami did the same effect in Legend of the Mystical Ninja it takes like, a second, and is really cool.

I think CV4 is a pretty good game. It shows off a lot of the SNES's highpoints; it's got good music, detailed enemies/backgrounds, lots of colors. As far as being a Castlevania though, to me the game feels a bit too easy due to the 8 way whip. There's almost no need for sub weapons because you can just cover all angles with the whip so you never have to choose between Holy Water to attack beneath you or the Axe to attack above you. The torture chamber stage was tough to get through, then the set of bosses before Dracula weren't especially easy either. But aside from that the game just felt too easy. Particularly after working my way through Castlevania 3.

Gentlegamer · 03/04/2015, 05:20 PM

Quote from: seieienbu on 03/04/2015, 05:05 PMI think CV4 is a pretty good game. It shows off a lot of the SNES's highpoints; it's got good music, detailed enemies/backgrounds, lots of colors. As far as being a Castlevania though, to me the game feels a bit too easy due to the 8 way whip. There's almost no need for sub weapons because you can just cover all angles with the whip so you never have to choose between Holy Water to attack beneath you or the Axe to attack above you. The torture chamber stage was tough to get through, then the set of bosses before Dracula weren't especially easy either. But aside from that the game just felt too easy. Particularly after working my way through Castlevania 3.

My thoughts as well. The addition of more jumping control and eight way whip was not compensated for in the enemy or level design, making sub-weapons superfluous. It's a disappointing step back following Castlevania III.

Most people love it because it's so much easier. I need my Castlevania to be hard.

warpig227 · 03/06/2015, 01:40 PM

can't watch that, but my opinion on both games is about equal. love both

Tatsujin · 03/07/2015, 09:47 AM

UNBELIEVABLE MINDBLOWING UBERSHIT!!!

never played the shit bitd, but wanted to be the super pros now in 2015, playing on a WiiU. about 22 years too late to the show arseholes.

also no meantions about the huge amount of animations the PCE uses compared to the SNES.

also they didn't even know that the PCE drac x invented the back flip of richter. that alone disqualifies them at max. levels