Metal Gear Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Action-Adventure / Action
Castlevania
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Action |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | Castlevania |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 24 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, Castlevania is an action-adventure game developed by Konami. Depending on the region, you may also know it as Akumajou Dracula. It blends action-adventure and action elements.
It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and Mega Man. Among the 68 NES action-adventure games in our database, it ranks #3 by legacy score.
It is part of the Castlevania series; on the NES you can also try Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse 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.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want a game you can finish in one short session
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Castlevania is like
Action-adventures blend real-time combat with exploration, puzzles and item collection. You open up a larger world gradually as new tools let you reach places you couldn't before.
Tip for newcomers: Keep a mental (or paper) map of locked doors and unreachable ledges; most action-adventures expect you to come back once you find the right item.
Castlevania cheats & codes
113 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | OXNGLZVK |
|---|---|
| Start With 40 Power Hearts | AXOGOPIE |
| Start With 80 Power Hearts | ASOGOPIA |
| Infinite Time | SXXXYAAX |
| Keep Weapons After Losing A Life | GZOGYUSE |
| Gain Rapid Fire Shots On Weapon Pick-Up | ZEUTAYAA |
Castlevania walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Castlevania.
If you like Castlevania, the Matrix also picks…
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow Classic
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Classic
Castlevania: Dracula X Classic
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Classic
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 FAQ
When did Castlevania come out on the NES?
Castlevania was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987.
Who made Castlevania?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Castlevania multiplayer?
No. Castlevania is a single-player game.
How long does Castlevania take to play?
As an action-adventure game, Castlevania typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Castlevania 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.