1998 N64 Game Changed One of the Biggest Series Ever

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Occasionally, a game will completely reinvent a series, and that’s exactly what happened here. A single, experimental title changed an iconic franchise forever. It launched at a time when gaming was moving into 3D and players were looking for new experiences. I still remember playing it – it was how I first discovered a series that quickly became one of my favorites. This game perfectly showed how developers were willing to try new things, and even though the series isn’t currently being made, it’s a reminder of just how popular it once was.

Released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64, Castlevania was the first game in the long-running series to use 3D graphics. Although future games would switch between 3D and the series’ traditional 2D style, this initial move to 3D was groundbreaking. Castlevania had previously been known for its excellent 2D platforming, so experiencing it in 3D was a surprising and exciting change for fans. This bold step was crucial to the series’ continued success, and without it, the iconic Gothic action series we know today might have evolved very differently.

Castlevania 64 and the Leap Into 3D

Castlevania 64, also known as Castlevania N64, was a landmark game for the series, being the first to fully embrace 3D graphics. Released about 12 years after the original Castlevania on the NES in 1986, it represented a significant shift for the franchise. For over a decade, Castlevania had become known for its challenging platforming, side-scrolling action, and dark, gothic style. The series was a pioneer of the ‘Metroidvania’ genre, and a core part of its appeal was its 2D gameplay. Adapting that successful 2D formula into a 3D environment was a major undertaking.

I’ll never forget the first time I started playing. I was both thrilled and completely lost! I hadn’t played any Castlevania games before, so everything was new. The game had a really cool, atmospheric feel, and the battles required a lot of careful movement – more so than other games I’d played. The jumping sections were also really difficult and demanding. It wasn’t perfect though; the camera felt clunky, the combat was tough, and some of the platforming was incredibly frustrating. It took me a long time to finish as a kid, but I felt a real sense of accomplishment when I finally did.

Even though it wasn’t perfect, Castlevania 64 was a daring game. It took risks with things like letting you play as different characters, offering choices that changed the game, and using a cinematic style. It attempted to bring the atmosphere of exploring Dracula’s castle to life in 3D, well before developers had figured out the best way to do that. While it didn’t always succeed, the moments when it did were truly special. I enjoyed Castlevania 64 so much that it inspired me to play the rest of the Castlevania games.

How It Changed the Castlevania Series Forever

While often overshadowed by Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which really set the direction for future games with its innovative gameplay, Castlevania 64 shouldn’t be dismissed. Symphony of the Night is usually credited with defining the series’ style and popularizing the Metroidvania genre, but Castlevania 64 introduced ideas that would become important in later installments.

Initially, Castlevania 64 demonstrated that the series could move beyond traditional side-scrolling gameplay. While Konami often returned to 2D formats, the concept of exploring expansive, interconnected environments from multiple viewpoints became a defining characteristic of Castlevania. The ambitious scale and atmosphere of Castlevania 64 heavily influenced later 3D titles like Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, and even Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. It essentially served as a testing ground, revealing what elements were successful, what didn’t work, and what needed improvement, providing a crucial foundation for all subsequent 3D Castlevania games.

The game also pushed the series to tell stories like a movie. We started seeing more attention paid to things like camera work, how characters talked to each other, and using the game’s environments to build the story. Although the technology wasn’t perfect at first, the goal was obvious. This focus on storytelling continued in later games, which really emphasized creating a rich narrative and detailed worlds. It’s even likely that this cinematic style helped inspire the popular animated series on Netflix.

Castlevania’s Absence & What the Future Could Hold

The future of the Castlevania series is a bit unclear. While there haven’t been any major new games since 2014’s Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, the franchise is surprisingly popular right now. Re-releases, collections, and especially the hit Netflix animated series have introduced a new generation to the world of Castlevania. This resurgence in popularity begs the question: when will we see new Castlevania games?

It’s surprising that Konami hasn’t released a new Castlevania game to follow the popularity of the animated series. It seems they’re unsure how to move forward with the franchise, despite its success in various formats – from classic 2D games to 3D adventures and story-focused experiences. They could revisit the series’ origins, update the 2D Metroidvania style like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, or even try a new 3D game, perhaps refining the ideas from Castlevania 64 instead of abandoning them.

A new 3D Castlevania game could be amazing if it built on what the series does well and learned from past mistakes. Think tight, skill-based combat, a smart camera, and levels that feel both familiar and open for exploration. By addressing the problems with Castlevania 64, a new game could really shine and become a standout title. With Konami mostly re-releasing older games, it’s puzzling why they haven’t made a new installment. While other developers are making games inspired by Castlevania, a fresh, original game is what’s needed to remind everyone why this series helped create the popular action genre we know today.

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2025-12-29 23:19