Ranking the 7 Most Accessible Castlevania Games

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Here are some of the easiest Castlevania games in the long-running franchise:

7. Castlevania Legends

Castlevania Legends

Platform(s) Game BoyReleased March 11, 1998Developer(s) KonamiHow Long To Beat 2 Hours

Castlevania Legends, an unconventional addition to the franchise, was released towards the end of the Game Boy's lifespan in 1997/1998. Positioned as an origin story for the series, although it was later deemed non-canonical, the game follows Sonia Belmont as she embarks on a quest to eliminate the initial incarnation of Dracula. While it shares similarities with previous Game Boy entries, such as the iconic Belmont walking style and the ability to whip in one direction, Castlevania Legends offers a diluted version of these elements. Despite receiving mixed reviews upon its release, this brief game piques curiosity and proves to be relatively easy to play.

Although the gameplay suffers from occasional flawed collision detection, Sonia's "burning mode" adds excitement by increasing the pace and granting invincibility for 10 seconds once per stage, resulting in memorable experiences.

6. Super Castlevania 4

Super Castlevania 4

Platform(s) PC, SNES, PS4, Switch, Xbox OneReleased December 4, 1991Developer(s) KonamiHow Long To Beat 4 Hours

Super Castlevania 4, considered by many as one of the greatest video games ever, has seen numerous re-releases since its initial launch on the SNES in 1991. Set in 1691, players assume the role of Simon Belmont as they navigate through Dracula's castle and ultimately defeat the powerful Dark Lord. With its memorable soundtrack and impressive Mode 7 depth effects, Super Castlevania 4 brought the series to 16-bit home consoles for the first time, earning its status as a beloved and highly praised installment. Despite the series' reputation for challenging gameplay, this entry on the SNES is notably more accessible.

Additionally, the game also introduced new control features, such as an 8-directional whip and the ability to swing across gaps using it.

5. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Platform(s) PS1, PS3, PS4, PSP, PS Vita, Sega Saturn, Xbox 360Released October 2, 1997Developer(s) KonamiHow Long To Beat 9 Hours

Originally intended as a sequel to Rondo of Blood, Symphony of the Night turned out to be a complete revitalization for the franchise. When it was released in 1997, it received widespread critical acclaim and became a surprise success in its console generation. In a time dominated by 3D games, Symphony of the Night stood out as a 2D side scroller. By harnessing the processing power of the PlayStation and Sega Saturn, the game was able to present Dracula's castle on a grander scale, allowing players to explore it as a key gameplay element. This game's winning formula would go on to inspire an entire genre of Metroidvania titles.

By introducing hit points and leveling, the Castlevania formula was significantly improved, and subsequent titles followed suit. Considered a classic and a must-play, Symphony of the Night is also one of the most accessible titles in the series.

4. Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Castlevania: Harmony Of Dissonance

Platform(s) Game Boy Advance, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox OneReleased September 16, 2002Developer(s) KonamiHow Long To Beat 8 Hours

The first Game Boy Advance Castlevania installment offered players a notably challenging experience, reminiscent of its NES predecessors. However, Harmony of Dissonance brought the portable series closer to the Metroidvania formula and delivered a notably smoother gameplay experience. Players assume the role of Juste Belmont, the grandson of Simon, as he embarks on a quest to rescue a captured friend in the depths of Dracula's castle. Visually, the game showcases a significant improvement compared to its predecessor, and a notable feature of this entry is Juste's ability to acquire furniture and collectibles from Dracula's castle.

Notably, this game features a vibrant and colorful presentation to compensate for the GBA's absence of a backlit screen during that time. While it may not be the perfect handheld entry, it is certainly a commendable one that doesn't overwhelm players with its difficulty.

3. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

Castlevania: Dawn Of Sorrow

Platform(s) Nintendo DSReleased October 4, 2005Developer(s) KonamiHow Long To Beat 10 Hours

The universally acclaimed Aria of Sorrow was followed by its direct sequel Dawn of Sorrow on the Nintendo DS. This sequel revitalized the RPG elements and fantastic atmosphere of its predecessor, leading to similar acclaim and commercial success. The DS platform allowed for the game's stats and leveling elements to be displayed on the upper screen, providing a new level of customization and immersion in the Castlevania franchise. In Dawn of Sorrow, players assume the role of Soma Cruz as he must fend off a cult attempting to resurrect Dracula by taking Soma's life. Widely regarded as one of the most accessible and best games in the series, numerous publications even ranked it as one of the top DS games of 2005 in the console's entire library.

2. Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

Platform(s) Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DSReleased December 5, 2006Developer(s) KonamiHow Long To Beat 10 Hours

Portrait of Ruin, released in 2006, received numerous awards and high praise. It served as the second entry for the Castlevania series on the DS. Set in Europe during 1944, the game's plot continued from the Sega Genesis entry, Castlevania: Bloodlines. Players had the option to control two protagonists, Charlotte Aulin and Johnathan Morris, the son of Bloodlines protagonist John. What sets Portrait of Ruin apart is its exploration of portraits within Dracula's Castle, offering players a glimpse into locales not seen since Bloodlines.

With its exceptional soundtrack and imaginative world design, Portrait of Ruin stands as a high point in the series that should not be overlooked. Additionally, the game strikes a balance in difficulty, ensuring it is not overly challenging.

1. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow

Platform(s) Game Boy Advance, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox OneReleased May 6, 2003Developer(s) KonamiHow Long To Beat 7 Hours

Aria of Sorrow, released in 2003 on the Game Boy Advance, is widely considered as the worthy successor to Symphony of the Night. It received critical acclaim and successfully adapted everything outstanding from its predecessor to the portable format. Set in the year 2035, players assume the role of Soma Cruz, a student with occult powers and the potential vessel for Dracula's reincarnation. Notably, Aria of Sorrow is the pinnacle of Game Boy Advance games and can now be enjoyed on modern platforms through the Advance Collection released in 2021.

One of the game's notable introductions is the tactical soul system, where players can absorb souls of defeated enemies to gain new abilities. In addition, Aria of Sorrow is considered one of the easiest entries in the franchise, making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.