Akumajo Dracula Best Vol. 1

Catalog #: KICA-7901 Publisher: Konami Release date: 9/23/98 (Re-Release) Price: 1980 yen Front Cover Back Cover

The Akumajou Dracula Best collection contains the original soundtracks to Castlevania 1, 2, and 3. There's also an arranged version of "Beginning" (which can be found on at least two other CDs) and the Haunted Castle version of Bloody Tears.

It should be noted that this music all comes from the Japanese versions of the games. What's the difference, you ask? Well, for Castlevania 1, there is a new tune for the password screen, but it's nothing special. Castlevania 2 originally came out on the disc system for the Famicom so the music is actually a bit inferior to the NES version most of us are familiar with. Konami DID add the music from the NES version of the three best tracks at the end of the CD however. And Castlevania 3 used a special sound chip in Japan, so the music is actually quite a bit improved. Unfortunately, they lumped a bunch of music together on the same track for most of these tunes.

Even though the music isn't the best quality, c'mon, this is CASTLEVANIA music. I recorded this stuff straight from my TV when I was younger. If you did that like me, then you'll probably want this CD. It's pretty cheap and easy to find too.

The Music