Super Castlevania IV Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Castlevania |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 20 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is a platformer developed by Konami. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Akumajou Densetsu.
It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, DuckTales and Ninja Gaiden. Among the 191 NES platformers in our database, it ranks #7 by legacy score.
It is part of the Castlevania series; on the NES you can also try Castlevania and Castlevania II: Simon's Quest. The series also appears on other systems with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS1) and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (GBA). Konami also made Metal Gear, Yie Ar Kung-Fu and Jackal for the NES.
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse cheats & codes
214 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | SXPAOO |
|---|---|
| Infinite Time (Good Only For A High Score At The End Of The Level) | SXYAPO |
| Try Walking, And You Can't Always Get Things | VNLZPA |
| Whip Hits Anything That Is Up To Eight Blocks Away From You, Even Behind You | VPLLTG |
| Takes Twice As Many Hits For Enemies, Not Bosses | SOTLYK |
| Start With 10 Lives Without The "HELP ME" Password | NYGPZA |
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.
If you like Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, the Matrix also picks…
Castlevania: The Adventure Classic
Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
Super Mario Bros. 2 Classic
Castlevania Legends Classic
Castlevania: Bloodlines Classic
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: The Manhattan Project Classic Co-op
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse FAQ
When did Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse come out on the NES?
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989.
Who made Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse multiplayer?
No. Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse is a single-player game.
How long does Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse take to play?
As a platformer, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.