was looking into setting up the x68000 core literally yesterday, not the first time VGE works on the exact video i'm looking for at a given time. Now we wait :)
Rondo of blood is the best 2-D Castlevania game in my opinion. But this right here is probably the best remake of the first game so to say. But then again I give that award to Castlevania 4 snes.
Thanks for this highlight of a great, and often overlooked, CV game. I first discovered this game many years ago when I found a copy of CV Chronicles in the bargain bin at a department store. The arranged soundtrack is amazing too (probably my favorite rendition of “The Theme of Simon Belmont”)! If you put a gun to my head, I suppose I’d pick Rondo as my favorite traditional CV game, but the quartet of Rondo, Sharp CV, Super CV IV, and CV: Bloodlines is just such a miracle as a whole. I could play them all endlessly. Shout out to CV 2: Belmont’s Revenge on Gameboy. Also a really solid CV game with an amazing soundtrack.
Since you asked: yes, I regularly play this game on my X68000, and I have the MT-32 MIDI synth too. I was never much into emulation; in my opinion, it’s so much more fun to play retro games on authentic hardware.
I love playing this on MiSTer with the Pi Hat. The only issue is when I run out of lives, the game puts the continue text overtop the graphics after that. It's annoying. Does that happen for anyone else ?
The SC-55 music sounds fantastic going through my Yamaha MU2000EX + Plg150DR. I don't have the the Mt-32 but i do have the CM64 and honestly my favorite way to listen to this as it seems the SC-55 is a different composition than the other 2 same with gradius 2. I've used munt which people seem to say is almost 1:1 with the hardware and it seems the software midi emulation is broken in the emulators
I knew I’ve made the right decision to buy the real x68000 ACE-HD hardware instead of the mini x68000z. The emulation issue seems like the exact problem that I like to avoid. I’ve also picked up MT-32, SC-55 and SC-88 in the same shipment.
My favorite Castlevania is Akumajou Densetsu on the Famicom, I even turned a Madara cartridge into a translated version of this game with two old ass AMD ceramic EPROMs. I also like the Symphony of the Night hack that makes the game way harder, it's so hard I thought the Death boss was straight impossible. Now I am still waiting for my Mister to arrive, but when it does, what I wanna play on the Sharp X68K core is FZ Senki Axis. That game is way too much fun, I even practiced speedrunning it on the Genesis, but both versions are very different. Other titles to look into the Sharp are Granada, A-Train, Mad Stalker, Aquales, Barūsa no Fukushū, Full Throttle, Genocide 2, Die Bahnwelt and Mugen Senshi Valis II.
that's it, I'm taking the plunge into x68k this week after i install an SNES edge enhancer or two! ;) best Castlevania is 2, no meme or joke there. i genuinely like 2 the best
The midi on this game is incredible! I keep saying this but if you're a MiSTer system owner, it is well worth purchasing an MT32-Pi just to hear the sexy midi sounds from Akumajo Dracula!! 🥰
Like MAME, the px68k libretro core also emulates this without graphics issues. There is an issue where the platform that rises to the second boss can disappear. But if you set the CPU speed option to 16MHz it fixes it. Or if you compile the core with the more accurate Musashi CPU core. The FM emulation could probably sound better; I haven't compared it to MAME yet. MIDI support with the core works too, but I've only tried it with General MIDI which doesn't sound great.
@VideoGameEsoterica You can play this game without any layering of priority problems in current stable MAME 0.272, be it standalone or as a Libretro core. Yes, current MAME emulates the X68000 computer. So NO, playing thousands of euros/dollars for original hardware is NOT needed to play this game at all as of today.
I would say this and Super Castlevania IV tie for second slot to Rondo for me. Followed by maybe Castlevania III on NES. That's definitely excluding SotN, which I put roughly on equal ground to Rondo. :)
My.Top 5 Castelvanias i still pay. 1. Symphony of the night PS1 2. Super Castelvanias 4 SNES 3. Dracula X SNES 4. Rondo of Blood PCEngine 5. Castelvania Chronicles PS 1 and yes dont forget Lament of Innicence which do have the second best OST after Symphony of the night. IMHO ❤❤❤❤
That visual glitch on the mister core is enough to put me off, unfortunately. I do hope the core eventually gets improved, but I've settled for the PS1 version for now until the core gets more work, or I decide to splurge on an actual x68000 unit.
Yeah if you just want THIS game, PS1 is fine. X68000 core is functional, but you might want to look into software emulators if you want to spelunk through the x68000 catalog you should look into software emulators. You could think of it as a Japanese Super-Amiga
The non metroidvania part is a very important part of what was said. Though i might still prefer Rondo. And i still need tom complete the megadrive one, which i def place last of the 16 bit ones due to gfx and sound....but gameplay is VERY good based on what i played so far...(i think i beat level 1 & 2...out of 4 if i am not mistaken?)
was looking into setting up the x68000 core literally yesterday, not the first time VGE works on the exact video i'm looking for at a given time. Now we wait :)
Haha more MiSTer x68000 fun coming soon too
Rondo of blood is the best 2-D Castlevania game in my opinion. But this right here is probably the best remake of the first game so to say. But then again I give that award to Castlevania 4 snes.
Best “remake of the first game” is a very narrow categoey?
It’s my fav traditional 2D Castlevania with SotN being my fav Metroidvania and Legacy of Darkness being my fav 3D
My all time favorite has to be SOTN on PS1, so beautiful and immersive.
Obv the best Metroidvania game hands down
Golly the sound is SO GOOD
Just a perfect soundtrack
Thank you!
About time someone acknowledges the obvious instead of skipping it for an easy and long tech demo. You know what I’m talking about.
That’s what I’m here for
I've got MIDI for both the MiSTer and X68000z, this game probably gets the most play time on both
Thanks for this highlight of a great, and often overlooked, CV game. I first discovered this game many years ago when I found a copy of CV Chronicles in the bargain bin at a department store. The arranged soundtrack is amazing too (probably my favorite rendition of “The Theme of Simon Belmont”)!
If you put a gun to my head, I suppose I’d pick Rondo as my favorite traditional CV game, but the quartet of Rondo, Sharp CV, Super CV IV, and CV: Bloodlines is just such a miracle as a whole. I could play them all endlessly.
Shout out to CV 2: Belmont’s Revenge on Gameboy. Also a really solid CV game with an amazing soundtrack.
Chronicles has gotten super expensive and I got mine for $5 used years ago
Since you asked: yes, I regularly play this game on my X68000, and I have the MT-32 MIDI synth too. I was never much into emulation; in my opinion, it’s so much more fun to play retro games on authentic hardware.
Glad a few people out there are rocking the MisTer and Mt32 combo
I love playing this on MiSTer with the Pi Hat. The only issue is when I run out of lives, the game puts the continue text overtop the graphics after that. It's annoying. Does that happen for anyone else ?
The Pi hat might be my fav accessory. Yes that’s a known problem too
Super Castvania IV is my favourite - but yes, I have played this on the X68000 on MiSTer with the Midi - and it is awesome.
IV is always a great time too
The SC-55 music sounds fantastic going through my Yamaha MU2000EX + Plg150DR. I don't have the the Mt-32 but i do have the CM64 and honestly my favorite way to listen to this as it seems the SC-55 is a different composition than the other 2 same with gradius 2. I've used munt which people seem to say is almost 1:1 with the hardware and it seems the software midi emulation is broken in the emulators
So many good renditions of the music depending on the hardware
The glitch on the Mister actually looks cool
It adds character haha
Im taking this as a reminder to both Finish Aria of Sorrow and track down a Japanese copy of Chronicles
I’ll hold you to that!
Of the 'Barbarian' Castlevanias (that is, the pre-SotN ones), my favourites were Rondo of Blood closely followed by Super Castlevania IV.
Rondo is at the top of so many people’s list. As it should be
The Mister core plays it quite well, especially with Midi as music.
The midi really is so good
I knew I’ve made the right decision to buy the real x68000 ACE-HD hardware instead of the mini x68000z. The emulation issue seems like the exact problem that I like to avoid. I’ve also picked up MT-32, SC-55 and SC-88 in the same shipment.
One of these days I’ll bite the bullet and get a X68000. But only if the MiSTer core doesn’t get finished
My favorite Castlevania is Akumajou Densetsu on the Famicom, I even turned a Madara cartridge into a translated version of this game with two old ass AMD ceramic EPROMs. I also like the Symphony of the Night hack that makes the game way harder, it's so hard I thought the Death boss was straight impossible. Now I am still waiting for my Mister to arrive, but when it does, what I wanna play on the Sharp X68K core is FZ Senki Axis. That game is way too much fun, I even practiced speedrunning it on the Genesis, but both versions are very different. Other titles to look into the Sharp are Granada, A-Train, Mad Stalker, Aquales, Barūsa no Fukushū, Full Throttle, Genocide 2, Die Bahnwelt and Mugen Senshi Valis II.
Sounds like a fun mod cart
that's it, I'm taking the plunge into x68k this week after i install an SNES edge enhancer or two! ;)
best Castlevania is 2, no meme or joke there. i genuinely like 2 the best
Haha do it. Have fun!
The midi on this game is incredible!
I keep saying this but if you're a MiSTer system owner, it is well worth purchasing an MT32-Pi just to hear the sexy midi sounds from Akumajo Dracula!! 🥰
I def have one and love it
@@VideoGameEsoterica Do you have a MT32 pi vid? as much is i enjoy this castlevania's music, one game is not enough to convince me.
I like Akumajo Dracula for Super Famicom as #1.
After that, it's difficult to pick.
Chi No Rondo, CSOTN or the X68000 game.
Rondo is my fav old school Castlevania and SotN for Metroidvania
why do you single out the japanese version of 4?
@@xxdarklink93xx
Best title screen ever. Better HUD.
Like MAME, the px68k libretro core also emulates this without graphics issues. There is an issue where the platform that rises to the second boss can disappear. But if you set the CPU speed option to 16MHz it fixes it. Or if you compile the core with the more accurate Musashi CPU core.
The FM emulation could probably sound better; I haven't compared it to MAME yet. MIDI support with the core works too, but I've only tried it with General MIDI which doesn't sound great.
Yes you really need the proper sound fonts for it to sound correct it seems
My all time favorite is Order of Eclesia
Weirdly I never clicked with it. The diff levels and maps just didn’t hit
Fun episode! Curious how you'd rate the wii rebirth Castlevania game, i finally 'convinced' my wii to let me play this last weekend ;)
A fun version for sure but lesser than this IMO
PSP Rondo, and Simon's Quest for me.
The PSP version was a fun remake
I love how you discovered all of this only last week.... You were too busy playing Pit Fighter...
Just because you have a Pit Fighter personality doesn’t mean I don’t love you 😘
Wow i head of youtube comments being pretty nasty, but even so i wasn't ready for this, acusing someone of voluntarily playing Pit fighther? 😢
Haha ignore him. He’s my fav commenter. He loves me
@VideoGameEsoterica You can play this game without any layering of priority problems in current stable MAME 0.272, be it standalone or as a Libretro core. Yes, current MAME emulates the X68000 computer.
So NO, playing thousands of euros/dollars for original hardware is NOT needed to play this game at all as of today.
I need to give MAME a shot for X68000
I would say this and Super Castlevania IV tie for second slot to Rondo for me. Followed by maybe Castlevania III on NES. That's definitely excluding SotN, which I put roughly on equal ground to Rondo. :)
SotN gets its own category as a Metroidvania vs traditional imo
My.Top 5 Castelvanias i still pay.
1. Symphony of the night PS1
2. Super Castelvanias 4 SNES
3. Dracula X SNES
4. Rondo of Blood PCEngine
5. Castelvania Chronicles PS 1
and yes dont forget Lament of Innicence which do have the second best OST after Symphony of the night. IMHO ❤❤❤❤
08:13 The X68000 midi version of Bloody Tears sounds so much better! 😎
I tried to mix up midi and FM here so people got a taste of both
I think something is wrong with your emulator install of XM6 Pro! I'm not experiencing the layering problems or the missing background.
Could be. X68 emulation is such an odd beast
When I said this is perfect remake of 1 and better than SC4, people don't believe me.
I believe you
The PS1 version of this game is awesome. The soundtrack especially makes you want to dance!
Some of the best music ever in a Castlevania
@ Their version of Vampire Killer sounds like a rave party.
“Ain’t no party like a Dracula Party” 🤣
@ Indeed.
Castlevania 3 has to be up there. The Japanese version has enhanced music and is a little less cheap on the difficulty
Always a fun version and it gave us Alucard
Was x68000 a cps 1 dev kit
It was yes
Played the PS version and yes it’s my favorite after Rondo; sometimes Bloodlines… CV1… Rebirth… oh don’t make me choose!!!
Haha it’s a very hard choice some days
My favorite one of the GBA/DS ones is Portrait of Ruin.
A classic. Weirdly I never loved Ecclesia
@VideoGameEsoterica Ecclesia was an odd one. They took the shard stuff from it and put it in Bloodstained though. 😁
I wanted one giant map not multiple smaller maps
Is it a ton of fun?
Metric even
I would have considered this as the best original CastleVania, but the presence of CastleVania Chronicles prevents it.
I still prefer this myself
Batocera emulates this pretty good by default. Just cant seem to save
I haven’t tried that one myself
Video game esoooooovania
That’s me
Who would’ve ever thought of using bones as jump rope? 😂🤣😂🤣😂
8:45 😂😂😂
Dracula. Always Dracula
Every time!
Who is the scary vampire Dracula or Nosferatu?
This is why cycle accurate emulation/clean code for old games is way to go. The result there is horrible.
That visual glitch on the mister core is enough to put me off, unfortunately. I do hope the core eventually gets improved, but I've settled for the PS1 version for now until the core gets more work, or I decide to splurge on an actual x68000 unit.
I’m sure it’ll get fixed eventually
Visual glitch might be an improvement lmao. Gives you a cool background for the header.
PS1 version is probably better overall.
Haha one way to look at it
Yeah if you just want THIS game, PS1 is fine. X68000 core is functional, but you might want to look into software emulators if you want to spelunk through the x68000 catalog you should look into software emulators. You could think of it as a Japanese Super-Amiga
Super Castlevania IV > Rondo of Blood! I have spoken! 😤
Ahem, anyway...I've only ever played the PS1 version of this game. Good times!
Typical Wisconsin opinions
Is the number one best Castlevania game haunted castle from the arcade?😊
Haha doesn’t quite crack the top 50
SoTN #1
For Metroidvania I agree. My non-Metroidvania is Rondo with this game being a close second
@@VideoGameEsoterica Oh. Okay, so my #1 non-Metroidvania is Super Castlevania 4.
Solid choice
"2nd best 2D Castlevania" this guy 😅
I said what I said!
The non metroidvania part is a very important part of what was said. Though i might still prefer Rondo. And i still need tom complete the megadrive one, which i def place last of the 16 bit ones due to gfx and sound....but gameplay is VERY good based on what i played so far...(i think i beat level 1 & 2...out of 4 if i am not mistaken?)
@NLSagat I think you replied to the wrong person. You're making counterpoints that I never mentioned.
This is my favorite version of Castlevania #1. To me, it's the what the Arcade version supposed to be instead of Haunted Castle.
@@HanginWithMrKoopaaw crap, sorry mate. Have to admit it does trip me up everyn now and then!