Castlevania (Enhanced Graphics Hack) Playthrough (No Death)

Castlevania NES (Enhanced Graphics Hack) Playthrough (No Death). Played by ArekTheAbsolute. This is a graphics overhaul of the first Castlevania game made by KYA for 30th anniversary of NES CV release. The graphics are mostly transferred from the game’s mobile phone version. The missing tiles are taken from Vampire Killer, Castlevania Bloodlines, or touched up. Nothing else is changed - the gameplay is left intact.
Arek: "I did not set any additional challenges for myself during this playthrough so it is just a “No Death”. Made a few mistakes on latter levels (seems I am quite rusty at playing this game) but overall I am satisfied with it. Mostly recorded it to make watchers aware of this patch."
See also: Castlevania (NES) Walkthrough (No Subweapons!!) • Video

[@ruthmcnally310]

The perfect play through for Dracula's 120th anniversary.

[@paxhumana2015]

Go fuck yourself, +Kahli Balto!

[@anattablue]

That is ye olde mlp. I think it's more of a classic cartoon throwback thing. Not a brony thing

[@justsomerandomguy8320]

925th*

[@retro3188]

I love the pic, having grown up around MLP, during G4.

[@retro3188]

And now the 125th anniversary of Dracula.

[@jeffreypark8764]

The original Castlevania is just one of those games that gamers will never let go of. Countless remakes and enhancements are always coming out, and I'm very happy to see such a classic constantly revised and resurrected, like Dracula.

[@azh698]

If you want a great Castlevania remake, try out GZDoom, it's a Doom clone based on the original Castlevania with sprites and enemies from the original up to Symphony of the Night.

[@eizneckam4936]

This almost looks like some kind of Castlevania All-Stars or something. Also, nice playthrough.

[@Larry.R]

Yeah. It's like how Castlevania would look like on Super Nintendo. "Super Castlevania".

[@ikagura]

Looks almost like a Snes port

[@daikaiser9394]

not really, looks more in par with the Ninja Gaiden port for PC-Engine, still preatty awesome if you ask me

[@darrendavenport3334]

DaiKaiser 93 not really ... it looks like an Snes port

[@k4rec4]

DaiKaiser 93, Well said, Sir! These graphics really pumped up the game to a 16-bit level, although still below SNes or even Genesis capabilities... But definitely on pair with the earlier 16-bit systems that hit the market back in the day, just like PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16!

[@samirjohnson4524]

It certainly *LOOKS* like one

[@SuxMenner]

It doesn't look like SNES for me, it really just looks like arcade type sprites.

[@mammothplant]

Even with updated graphics, the final boss's second phase still looks goofy as all hell. Never change, OG castlevania.

[@FLYNN_TAGGART]

FYI this isn't a ROM hack, it's an "HD texture pack" meant for emulators. The game itself isn't modified at all. The graphics are taken from the mobile port, with a few tiles from Vampire Killer and Bloodlines. That being said, it's a really good looking, even if it isn't running on the NES.

[@gamerbrosmaximuz7125]

btw to anybody who is curious, this is not an actual rom hack/mod, it is an emulator hack and could not actually play on a NES. Epic none the less

[@joshmartimez2235]

I like the brighter and alternative colors. The original game is a little muddy looking when it comes to colors and i understand that was intentional. Great video.

[@Jayce_Alexander]

Graphically, this gives off a Master System vibe.

[@AndrewAmbrose]

I’ve never seen anything this beautiful from an nes game

[@inceptional]

This is what I imagine it might have looked like if it were released on the Sega Master System.

[@salamathesusatbiyernesulit2161]

That hallway before you fight Death is still the shit. Axe Armors and Medusa Heads. I remember as a kid that part gave me a lot of aggravations.

[@RpTheHotrod]

Castlevania had the best of music for its time.

[@LoveFor298Yen]

It’s beautiful My only criticism is that the long bat bridge on the final stage should have a blue skybox like the rest of the level- for consistency and contrast purposes

[@Brittonbubba137]

It's impressive how shading and added detail are able to make everything look better.

[@justsaynei]

I'm so happy this video graced my timeline! This is amazing!

[@superbros64deluxe]

This looks like something you'd see on the sateleview.

[@hexapotato]

Amazing run didn't thought you could finish it without dying keep up the good work

[@Frosted_Moontips]

1:17 *sees you grab wall chicken despite having full health* REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-

[@neoasura]

The graphics look a LOT like Castlevania Chronicles.

[@madhatter8508]

Calm down dude, they're not THAT good.

[@xDTHECHEMISTx]

I was legit sittin here watching your vid humming to the tunes in those stages. Nostalgia buzz

[@thatwasprettyneat]

whoever did this is very talented

[@franciscor390]

Looks good, very nice colors while still maintaining the nes feeling.

[@PolarPhantom]

Are you planning a no death run of that Netflix Castlevania series coming up?

[@setsers1]

PolarPhantom LMAO

[@PolarPhantom]

Oh god, I forgot I made this joke here as well.

[@janmarcoperezbatres2203]

It was effectively a no death run.

[@ryanschmidt3913]

They patched out no death runs with the latest season.

[@kamina1978]

An excellent job with the restoration of this great classic. A perfect gamepaly too.

[@jimmybob5541]

This is really pretty. I wish Konami would make a new classic styled game that looked like this. They could so easily turn out a classic castlevania game that just blows the originals out of the water. Like a sonic mania for castlevania

[@Masta686Yamato]

It looks like a Turbografx 16 game

[@godheart256]

Gustlik RGZ Mk2 Or SNES and PSX game

[@bigoof9654]

@@godheart256 Snes and PlayStation don't look like this....are you fucking blind mate?

[@BlindFlowMC]

NeoApocalypseMatheusX Psx graphics aw man im dead 😂

[@rlpn6710]

Remember that Rondo of Blood was a Turbografx game

[@jdaywork2693]

Cool that fans can do these kinds of things! Thanks for sharing!

[@Guyverman01]

This is how it would've looked had it been released on Arcade originally as opposed to NES.

[@setsers1]

HOLY SHIT!!! THIS IS AMAZING It looks like it came out of the arcades!

[@RockandMetal645]

Holy crap this looks gorgeous!

[@16-BitKev]

the missing snes remastered version! they should've​ made an snes Castlevania trilogy like they did with the ninja gaiden trilogy

[@timm_3r]

It looks marvelous. I think all the digits should be white for contrast and easier recognition.

[@BobbyCharlz]

Brilliant work here, someone holler at Konami to make this official. Excellent enhancement/port!

[@questionblock8949]

awesome! as someone who is obsessed with oldschool CV, i really wish they would make a new CV game with 8bit and 16bit graphics slightly enhanced. Keep it simple

[@gjtrue]

@18:18 Simon Belmont: *The battle has consummated...*

[@johnnycenate91]

**Continues to spam Holy Water at impossible speeds**

[@MegaBrandOn]

Wow. This was epic. I'm just speechless. Awesome job.

[@KyosukeShigeru]

This is how you celebrate a series milestone.

[@TheSonicbandicootX]

Looks like a early Master System Game, amazing

[@ancientone5903]

Imagine a Enhanced Graphics Hack for Castlevnaia 2: Simon's Quest.

[@ivanmegafanboy1981]

Combined with the ROM hack Castlevania 2: Redacted, please.

[@mendyjuniorcarelaacosta884]

I would like, see it

[@EnkiSSSRank]

It exists. I'm actually playing it at this moment. It's called Castlevania 2: Simon's Quest Revamped.

[@Nefhith1337]

3:56 I don't know how many times I died on that spot on Harmony of Despair.

[@notyepdranel961]

It was very clearly not meant for characters that jump high and are floaty!

[@duke3250]

I like this so much better than a remake or an HD reskin.

[@whoanelly-]

This is fantastic. While I will always cheris the 8bit charm the updated graphics was a treat visually...I loved the way the Grim Reaper looked! Was also great to keep the orginal 8bit music. Vampire Killer and Heart of Fire in this game is the best version IMO along with Bloody Tears in CV2....Music Box Vampire killer is only other version I like to listen to

[@HaunterOfKanto]

Man this looks hella good!

[@ivorbiggun7014]

This is how I imagine it would of looked if it was on the Sega Master System

[@nakano15]

That hack shows how graphically good can be a game on NES engine, very impressive.

[@thomaspleacher2735]

This looks like Castlevania if it had been ported to the TG-16. :D

[@TheYoked88]

The golden age of gaming.

[@imkerrusin]

Not sure if anyone knew this or not, but if you did the Hadouken trick on the controller (Down, Down Right, Right and attack), Simon will shoot a fireball when he cracks his whip in the nes game

[@volkerball85]

This is pretty much what the game would've looked like if it had been released on the Sega Master System.

[@solarflare9078]

This is what the Amiga version should've looked like.

[@Ghaleonh41]

Great playthrough! I just did the same a few weeks ago! If only this could be permanently patched to a ROM...

[@luisvilca4467]

Omg, it took me over 3 hours to finish the game.

[@Norrbottning]

Should've done the same for the sound that still sounds 8-bit

[@bigoof9654]

This is a texture pack for a modded NES emulator dude

[@jdaywork2693]

Nicely done!

[@retro3188]

I love this!

[@BobbyCharlz]

@10:11, proof that you are mortal, ha ha ha; brilliant play through!😅

[@kraid80]

Stage 3 best Castlevania song ever!

[@RIFCHE23]

Vampire killer ost.

[@lcunha1900]

Great gameplay! Great rom hack!

[@xannimex4561]

Looks great. You play more stuff like this? Romhacks and such?

[@LemonRush7777]

Looks great! I hope someone repackages this into a rom.

[@aaronbruceladner1983]

If I Played This, I'd Make Sure to Whip All Those Candles

[@procow2274]

Gets hit 3 times Im rusty :(

[@gordyowl9455]

The PC-88/98 game?

[@procow2274]

@@gordyowl9455 @_@

[@Vikashar]

Dracula needs to stop stashing whip power-ups in his garden

[@PhantomHavok]

This is possible on the NES? Looks more in line with the Master System!

[@psikappa007]

Muy bien jugado mi amigo. GG

[@VJFranzK]

There's more gritty texture on the background, but that doesn't equal "enhancement" in all cases. ; - ) To some, the brighter original colors are better.

[@LeonomusPrime]

But the graphics "Are enhanced." They are slightly larger, and much more detailed, the text book definition of an enhancement. Just because some people might prefer how the older version looks, doesn't mean this isn't an "enhanced" version.

[@leam1978]

VJ FRANZ K though i like this mod, i too mourn the color palette change

[@Pirateyware]

How in the world is this still NES?! Custom chip(s)? This breaks everything I know about NES color rules.

[@LotoTheHero]

Because it isn't a rom hack. It's a graphics hack using an emulator to handle the custom graphics.

[@Pirateyware]

Ah. I feel like that should be clarified, then. "Hack" is really misleading, as it makes it seem like it's something done to change the game itself, not the system running it.

[@Pirateyware]

On that note, would it also be possible to patch an emulator in such a way that the audio is changed? I'd be really interested to see if there's some way to process the audio data to play it in a different "soundfont" of sorts, with different duty modes of pulse wave sounding like different real instruments, the triangle wave sounding like an actual bass, etc.

[@LotoTheHero]

My inital reaction was similar to yours. I knew the NES wasn't capable of those graphics, so I figured it had to be a remake or something. But looking it up shows that it's a modified version of nestopia(IIRC) that is using a graphics pack. It is a bit confusing to call it a hack, as it isn't the typical way of doing things, but I think the end result is great. :D

[@LotoTheHero]

Yea, I'd think so. You'd basically be telling the emulator instead of doing this, do this. Though that'd be a more complicated under taking.

[@VahnRibeiro]

Stage 1 - Easy Stage 2 - Easy Stage 3 - Easy Stage 4 - Medium Stage 5 - Hard Final Stage - Hard

[@notamobilesprout4175]

Vahn Jones All of them are hard

[@ezehogan]

I missed all of them as a kid. When I went back I played Castlevania III first. After beating that one, this game is a walk in the park by comparison. I agree with this breakdown.

[@mushroomhead3619]

0:37 Osama ghosts!!

[@herrflantier3739]

Holy shit, that looks so much better.

[@Sinn0100]

This looks pretty striking for an early Nes game. Is this running on stock hardware?

[@ryankrakinski8926]

Shadowserg, my dude, my main man, you should totally do a boss run of all five Stafy/Starfy games. The first four are in Japanese, but I tell ya, it's all worth it.

[@Alianger]

Looks like a game gear game now, not bad.

[@MrRicardoBelmondo]

¡Excelente mejora!

[@Blasterman2720]

Sega: the master system has better graphics than the NES NES & Nintendo: ARE YOU CHALLENGING US?

[@retroman2026]

*wow nice graphics intensifies*

[@OtakuDeju]

This engine seems to be faster. Is this something that can still be done on the NES? Or this is more an SNES game enhanced?

[@gamma_dc8289]

14:17 you said there were no deaths, what is this then?

[@jagergerg9771]

Very clean looking amazinf

[@dadeleemurphy85]

this reminds me of the mobile version they used to have out.

[@asmallbabby4205]

Dracula's demon form looks so ridiculous. I realized that it looks like the developers probably removed his whole torso. I guess to free up cartridge space.

[@thecoton6152]

I'm curious to know how they overcame the 4 color per sprite limit.

[@paulolameiras861]

I loved this game but Super Castlevania 4 is the best in the series, and easily one of the best games of all time.

[@thenightmare2495]

that's debatable because in my opinion castlevania aria of sorrow is the best in the series

[@paulolameiras861]

I meant, in my opinion.

[@somacruz7759]

Me too, Brandon =D

[@wdcain1]

_Rondo of Blood_ is my favorite Vintage'vania game. With its nigh-perfect level design and atmospheric sprite-work, it's one of the few games I honestly consider worthy of the coveted 10/10 which most reviewers give out like candy these days.

[@ralfvanbogaert3451]

I'd have to say SOTN and the GBA/DS games blow SCV4 out of the water. Their music isn't as good however

[@Gammatron64]

How in the world does this hack work? This could never run on an actual NES. I've never seen any other NES hacks like this

[@RockandMetal645]

Gammatron64 Modded Nestopia using a graphics pack according to the Romhacking Forum / comments on here

[@luizfeliz1999]

It is said that the bloodline of the Belmonts is closely linked to that of the dhampir blood....

[@03bgood]

Too bad they didn't make a Castlevania Trilogy remaster for the SNES, like they did with Ninja Gaiden Trilogy. That would've been awesome!

[@ytnukesme1600]

can the actual NES handle this rom? can you dump it on a cartridge and play on an NES?

[@dadeleemurphy85]

VERY beautiful!

[@SoCalJellybean]

Also, if Jafar and the Genie had a love child, it would be this version of Dracula here. 😏

[@SquidProQuo80]

Final version of Dracula didn't shoot fireballs at you at all... what was that all about? Seems way too easy.

[@ildanny80]

I'd take the flying cross with the triple shot all the way to the end ;o)

[@MetalHorrorGamer]

looks great. have to try this

[@Gojiro7]

I get the feeling this is what the game would look like on a Turbo Graphics Hue card

[@setsers1]

Gojiro7 yep

[@darrendavenport3334]

Gojiro7 you dont know much about the TG16 .... and its "Hu Card" not Hue Card

[@ToastyPCvidya]

Darren Davenport Depends. Was the TG16 released in Brazil?

[@tobbeborislyba]

Overworld Key what has zelda botw to do with this hack? lol

[@tobbeborislyba]

Overworld Key lmao man

[@SmoggyLambGG]

The most colors that the NES can display on screen at the same time is maybe ... MAYBE ... 25 colors? And there's only 64 colors to choose from.

[@TalynWuff]

Maybe it's the youtube compression, but I could swear I'm seeing more than 4 colors per 8x8 tile in places...

[@RealEnerjak]

Whoever made this graphics hack also altered the AI and stages somewhat, making it easier. There are some things taken out that, for the most part were pretty cheap ways of making a difficult game.

[@ArekTheDragon]

Absolutely nothing is changed in AI or levels. I played through original game many times and I would notice if something was even a little different.

[@juancarlossalazar2280]

Death looks awesome!!

[@sleepyren_]

this is more or less what the super castlevania IV shouldve looked like. no massive simon sprite on crammed enviroments, but the same player/stage ratio as the NES games

[@itchyisvegeta]

With the exception of the sound, this is what I would image a Genesis version of this game to look like if it was rereleased in a hurry... only with crappier gameplay because it was rushed... like Mega Man Wily Wars.

[@k4rec4]

itchyisvegeta - Or a well made game for PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, since that console's a few steps below Genesis in terms of capabilities... Perhaps, even an 8-bit computer like MSX2 could handle a version like this one.