On This Day 38 Years Ago, One NES Game Helped Spawn an Iconic Video Game Genre

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Back in the late 1980s, the Nintendo Entertainment System played host to numerous games that significantly impacted the evolution of video gaming. Titles such as “Super Mario Bros.” (platformers) and “The Legend of Zelda” (dungeon-crawling action-adventure games) were born on this system. Remarkably, exactly 38 years ago today, a game was launched that, although it sparked controversy initially, played a crucial role in the development of one of gaming’s most popular genres. Although the term wasn’t coined for another decade, this game laid the foundation for the Metroidvania genre.

Back in 1987, I was simply blown away when Konami unveiled this groundbreaking title in Japan on August 28th. The United States had to wait another year, until November 24th, 1988, to get our hands on it. This game, “Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest”, left an indelible mark on the industry due to its innovative side-scrolling action that seamlessly blended platforming, exploration, RPG elements, and nonlinear progression. Hand in hand with Nintendo’s Metroid, which was released the year before, “Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest” paved the way for a formula that continues to inspire developers even today.

Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest: An Experiment Ahead of Its Time

Simon’s Quest marked a notable advancement from the original Castlevania. The initial game in the series was a straightforward gothic action-platformer where players, as Simon Belmont, navigated through linear levels until encountering Dracula at the end. It was recognized for its challenging and traditional gameplay structure.

In the sequel, Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, Konami made daring moves and ventured into new territory. Instead of fixed stages, it presented an interconnected world consisting of towns, forests, mansions, and dungeons that players could navigate freely. Exploration was often followed by revisiting previous locations to collect Dracula’s body parts and lift the curse inflicted upon Simon. Konami introduced several novel elements such as a functioning day-and-night cycle, cryptic conversations with non-playable characters, purchasable items, and multiple endings – aspects that were rarely seen in platformer games at the time.

For some individuals, this experience was frustratingly challenging; for others, it was intriguingly captivating, resulting in its polarized reviews. Frequently, the cryptic hints and occasionally deceiving translations left gamers stumped. To advance, players had to either engage in trial-and-error experimentation or trust rumors spread by their fellow players in online forums, thus creating a murky boundary between platformer and RPG games. This unique blend was an essential milestone in the evolution of the Metroidvania genre.

Building the Foundation: Metroid, Castlevania, and Beyond

In “Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest” they were testing out role-playing game mechanics, while “Metroid” had already established a vast, interconnected world. These two games paved the way for both aspects that would eventually form the Metroidvania genre. Exploration, advancement based on abilities, RPG elements, and nonlinear world design transformed side-scrolling platformers forever, spawning a new genre.

These landmark games, specifically “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” and “Super Metroid“, marked the pinnacle of refining a formula that would come to define the Metroidvania genre. Following their release, the genre found its identity, establishing a blueprint for all future games in this category. Over time, the genre grew exponentially, evolving into the diverse and vibrant landscape we see today. The pioneering work of the “Castlevania” and “Metroid” series paved the way for modern classics like “Hollow Knight“, “Axiom Verge“, “Ori and the Blind Forest“, and “Blasphemous“.

Reflecting upon the past, it’s challenging to fathom that Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest garnered such a significant influence. With Hollow Knight: Silksong making waves as one of the most eagerly awaited games, we can trace its roots back to Konami’s iconic vampire hunter series. What was initially met with controversy due to intricate, enigmatic puzzles and unclear progression mechanics, is now highly acclaimed, as Hollow Knight: Silksong sets sail on September 4th.

38 years ago today, Konami took a risk that ultimately sparked the creation of one of gaming’s most significant genres: the Metroidvania genre. While Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest didn’t do it all on its own, its impact should not be underestimated. It required patience from players and encouraged them to delve deeply into its interconnected world, a trait that is still evident in modern Metroidvania games.

The future of the Metroidvania style of gameplay shines more brightly than ever before, with titles like “Hollow Knight: Silksong” reaching new heights and others such as “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond”, “Aeterna Lucis”, and “Crowsworn” on the horizon. As this genre continues to evolve, developers are pushing boundaries and creating exciting new twists that ensure Metroidvanias remain engaging and innovative. The roots of this genre can be traced back to “Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest”, which has since grown into one of the most beloved genres in gaming and shows no signs of waning popularity.

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2025-08-28 17:12