I’ve been playing games for a long time, and while I have fond memories of a lot of older franchises, *Castlevania* really stands out as one that’s lasted. It all started way back in 1986 with the very first *Castlevania* game, and even though we haven’t seen as many new releases lately, the series is still going strong. There have been over 30 *Castlevania* games now, and of course, some are better than others. But honestly, nobody – not even the people at Konami, I think – saw *Aria of Sorrow* becoming one of the absolute best games in the whole series!
Originally released in Japan in May 2003, *Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow* didn’t sell well. Luckily, it was already planned for release in North America, where it became much more popular than Konami expected. While first appearing on the Game Boy Advance, the game was re-released in 2021 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch as part of the *Castlevania Advance Collection*. What made this Game Boy Advance game so successful?
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow Has Been Compared to The Franchise’s Best-Ever Release
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is a key entry in the Castlevania series and the final one released for the Game Boy Advance. Players control Soma Cruz, a teenager tasked with preventing dark powers from claiming Dracula’s legacy. The game builds on the franchise with new elements while still delivering the beloved gothic atmosphere and beautiful graphics fans expect.
Okay, so like a lot of the *Castlevania* games I grew up with, this one is a 2D side-scroller where you run, jump, and fight. But it’s also got those RPG bits where you level up and find cool gear. This time around, they brought us back to Dracula’s castle, but with a really fresh, modern twist – think contemporary clothes and a totally updated look. Honestly, changing things up from the usual medieval vibe and adding new stuff could have really messed it up, but surprisingly, *Aria of Sorrow* totally nailed it and became one of my favorites!
Even though *Aria of Sorrow* didn’t sell well in Japan, it was a hit with both critics and players in Western countries. Many people consider it to be as good as *Castlevania: Symphony of Night*, often ranked as the best game in the *Castlevania* series. It earned a high score of 91 on Metacritic, and users generally agree, giving it an 8.8 out of 10.
Many critics consider this game to be not just one of the best *Castlevania* titles, but one of the greatest games ever made for the Game Boy Advance. It’s highly regarded for its unique Tactical Soul system, responsive controls, and impressive visuals. With a compelling story to boot, this game easily ranks among the best in the *Castlevania* series.
The Love Lives On, As This Iconic Castlevania Title Has Seen Multiple Re-Releases
I first played *Aria of Sorrow* on my Game Boy Advance, and honestly, I was worried it would be forgotten with so many newer *Castlevania* games coming out. But it’s stuck with me all these years! A direct sequel, *Dawn of Sorrow*, helped with that – it came out in 2005. While *Dawn of Sorrow* wasn’t *quite* as good as *Aria*, it was still a great game and definitely kept the story of Soma Cruz alive in my mind.
Since it first came out, *Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow* has been re-released several times on newer systems. It was included in the *Castlevania: Double Pack* in 2006 and also adapted for mobile devices in Europe. However, the most recent and noteworthy re-release is the 2021 version for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. This release, called *Castlevania Advance Collection*, includes all three *Castlevania* games originally made for the Game Boy Advance, including the highly praised *Aria of Sorrow*.
As a huge Castlevania fan, I have to say *Aria of Sorrow* really blew me away, and it still holds up today! The recent re-release makes it super accessible, even if you don’t have a Game Boy Advance anymore. Trust me, whether you never got to play it the first time around or just want to relive the magic, it’s totally worth checking out!
Seriously, have you guys checked out *Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow*? It’s amazing! Come chat about it with me and everyone else over on the ComicBook Forum – let’s talk about this awesome game!
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2025-10-18 22:12