Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (NES): Bloody Tears (Extended)

[@melitonjrcastillo3088]

"What a horrible night to have a curse." "The rising sun has vanquished the horrible night."

[@reality75]

The MORNING sun!

[@StarInbound]

AVGN: ASSSSSSS!!!!!!

[@bikeman223]

I still find the original arrangement of Bloody Tears to be really impressive for the time and technology of '87. It definitely holds up well amongst the multitude of subsequent remixes.

[@Terron29]

its my favorite version and I was born after this game came out, never even played it lol.

[@Curse_of_the_moon]

I feel the same way. I just listened to a few “epic” versions of this, but there’s something oddly satisfying about this version

[@bikeman223]

@@Curse_of_the_moon Isn't weird that it doesn't sound too dated or compressed? (Not sure if that's the correct term). The Dawn of Sorrow, Judgement, Netflix and Smash Bros. versions are pretty fun though. I'm drawing blanks at the moment, but I'm certain there are other classic game tracks whose debut hasn't aged as well.

[@joaonitro5149]

@@bikeman223 examples? The nes music era is, surprisingly, the one that aged less, since it's sounds are so simple.

[@BigPuddin]

The problem with the remixes is that they always add garbage affectations like guitar and generic, synthetic choir as opposed to an actual choir in conjunction with orchestra, harpsichord, and organ. They always turn this piece into a shitty "Gothic rock" thing, and I fucking loathe it.

[@aprev039]

I still come back to the original. That bass line, that pace, everything about it is just perfect.

[@impinator-z4085]

truly it is ,that's why I don't need a remix

[@TheRealJrok]

🥰🥰🥰nostolgic

[@Multienderguy37]

This isn’t the original, the FDS version is.

[@Larsgman]

Same, all the remixes and people doing covers on guitars are all nice and well, but to me - they cannot compare.

[@marcoscabezolajr.8408]

It's punchier, and that makes it perfect

[@BloodyParry]

Japanese composers are absolute synthesizers geniuses.

[@Pianovibes12]

Exactly, so unique and technical

[@lunch_trey]

I may be in the wrong here, but I find it funny how the black sheep of Castlevania has the more banger version of Bloody Tears

[@XenusYard]

"...and it still has that Castlevania atmosphere."

[@wegipie3018]

If power walking were a song it would be this

[@poopsiepop4179]

*Striding*

[@charmanderlover6433]

But you'd have to do the right, power walk. The "Belmont strut" as it were. (Simon, Trevor, and Richter all walk the same way, it's kinda funny tbh)

[@galvinstanley3235]

Bench pressing music.

[@drc4417]

I have fond memories of getting knocked into the water to this epic masterpiece

[@impinator-z4085]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpTTY5SCrrtqmdE

[@charmanderlover6433]

In all honest though, why can't any of the Castlevania heroes swim..?

[@Головастик]

​@@charmanderlover6433most likely, it is eaten immediately by mermans

[@PurpleRupees]

No matter what you think about this game, this song is amazing.

[@BrosinsMusic]

Great game, fun spin on the original format.

[@CoolestSwordFighter]

@@BrosinsMusic nah, the old castlevania games sucked, broken, and relied on obsolete arcade mechanics

[@BrosinsMusic]

@@CoolestSwordFighter Dont hate on my childhood

[@CoolestSwordFighter]

@@BrosinsMusic ok

[@BrosinsMusic]

@@CoolestSwordFighter Great , now would you like to play me in Blades of Steel.

[@charmanderlover6433]

Legend says that if you take a walk while listening to this song, then you will begin to unintentionally do the "Belmont strut".

[@whirl3690]

No other version is as good as the original imo.

[@axtonnine3829]

U right

[@Jasonfeir]

Ong!!!

[@TheMissingLink2]

The version from Dawn of Sorrow is pretty good if you ask me. It's not the OG but it's very enjoyable.

[@slainredd4339]

Yea this is peak NES music

[@HiddelS143]

Boomer… have you heard the Netflix series version?

[@KH4444444444N]

track is fiiiire

[@alvaropenademiguel2308]

This theme is amazing.

[@Engitainment]

To this day I've never played a Castlevania, but I'll never not be blown away by the incredible arrangements the games had - the complexity cannot be understated, and it still moves me

[@Riolu873]

The same goes for me

[@nexo768]

I remember my friend had a subscription to the Nintendo Power magazine, and that's how I learned to beat the game.

[@johnforhan7087]

The song really captured the gameplay material, epic yet ominous. Masterpiece by far

[@miguelchavez2048]

What a terrible night for a curse!

[@hollywoodmkx]

CastleVania II is legendary.

[@fripixels8257]

Bloody hell, this music sure is quite the banger, innit?

[@chrishicks5904]

"I terrify them, Sypha disorients them, Alucard heads over the top while we support him."

[@erikledune9292]

Begin

[@derpjorge]

This song goes so hard

[@angeltheautobot5797]

I wonder if they knew just how much this gem of a track would blow up over the years 🤔

[@Mattimeoo]

I no joke often test myself as a human approaching 40 whether or not my mental faculties are waning or not. I test my 2nd grade self with my old password for end game stuff, which is, (please use it!), EDDF WSUW 532U VPZG. Bloody Tears rules! Castlevania rules! You rule! Keep going!!!

[@robertowoodson4625]

I will try it out

[@Mattimeoo]

@@robertowoodson4625 Do it and give us an update!

[@yazjes6436]

My first Castlevania 😊

[@Logan30001]

What a terrible night to have a curse

[@limeadd]

It’s daytime theme So it’d be more like: The morning sun had vanquished the horrible night

[@volbound1700]

Simon's Quest could have been an AMAZING game. It also departs from the brutally hard difficulty of the other NES Titles (especially Castlevania III) and seems like a nice break. I prefer the action/adventure format and would have loved to see a finished product of Simon's Quest.

[@chrisburgess7066]

Uh... Simon's Quest IS an amazing game wtf you talking about lol

[@megamanzero3486]

@@chrisburgess7066 Well, it's a good game for sure, but was flawed, it suffer from slowdowns, translation errors, typos... In the Japanese version, the town people are deliberately liars, they give false infomations and very few of them give the true, in the American with the translation errors, it's almost IMPOSSBILE to understand what they say. There are some parts that are just so cryptic, like kneeling down using the red crystal to summon a tornado, or kneeling down at a lake with the blue crystal equipped, I don't think anyone was supposed to figure that out, making the game damn near impossble to beat without a guide, but still, it's a very good game

[@adamdenardis5438]

Castlevania 2 Redaction is you answer.

[@volbound1700]

@@adamdenardis5438 Does it add bosses to the game?

[@miguelchavez2048]

@@megamanzero3486 that makes so much sense now, had no idea.

[@blazezaker5631]

2023 and still amazing as ever

[@wyattskinner697]

The music of grinding hearts for the chain whip for 10 minutes

[@luisgonzalez-ii3gc]

Whenever you pick up a whip, chain or rope. Give it a whirl and youll hear this song play in your head

[@ritasimmons36]

One thing i noticed there are several different versions of this song. The bassline on this version has a staccato play. The 10 hour one bassline has a legato play.

[@castlevaniamusicforever]

For curiosity, I went to the 10 hour video and saw your comment there too, and yeah: that one video has the song looping too early (even tho I myself didn't notice that difference in drums when extending the song), whereas mine plays a note 2 times when looping (mistake that I could have fixed probably). Does all of this translate in what you said here? I know pretty much nothing about music and terms associated with it.

[@ritasimmons36]

@@castlevaniamusicforever hehe yeah thats it you got it. I usually hear it when i played the game.

[@VexaS1n]

This is actually an interesting curiosity... I noticed the staccato bassline on here too, when I play the game it doesn't happen to me.

[@CliftonSawit]

fun fact: the original version is the disk Famicom version. the NES version (this one) had an improved PCM channel and more voices leading to the rocking percussion in this version.

[@wolfcl0ck]

Assuming this is a rip of some kind, it's probably a matter of what audio emulation was used.

[@LostBear.]

Never played Castlevania but this soundtrack is awesome!

[@frozenburst6463]

I recommend if you play the first or second game (mainly the 2nd) to watch a guide for it. They are pretty hard and the second one requires you to do stuff that are near impossible to figure out. A good guide I know is U Can Beat Video Games, he goes into good detail the most efficient way to beat these games.

[@saudude2174]

@@frozenburst6463 "the most efficient way to beat games" - anyone who talks like that lacks a private life. Normal people like to enjoy games and dont give a shit about playing them efficiently.

[@frozenburst6463]

@@saudude2174 By playing efficiently, I just mean the youtuber makes a guide that doesn't make you waste time wandering aimlessly looking for something to try and beat the game or 100% it. Because many people in this day might not like how hard a game is with their difficulty and secrets.

[@saudude2174]

@@frozenburst6463 I believe that wandering and searching is the fun part.

[@frozenburst6463]

@@saudude2174 Yeah, for the most part, I too do find it fun, satisfying, and rewarding for finding secrets on my own. But when it comes to games like Castlevania 2, it is a different story. Like how you are supposed to know to kneel on a cliff with the red crystal to summon a tornado. Moments like those are where the wondering around is not fun.

[@rmp.attackerfake9446]

I got into Castlevania because of the Nerd(AVGN). Just finished Castlevania 1 a few days ago, currently on Castlevania 2, with the tips and tricks that had been revealed in his videos, I'm getting even more excited.

[@IgnatianMystic]

You can't stop perdition coming Even as hell's hordes come running You can't stop judgment from falling Even as the night comes calling Bloody tears Rolling down my face As the foul undead Crawl forth from their graves Bloody tears Coursing from my eyes As I fight and pray For the coming Of the cleansing Sunrise Save my Soul, I Pray God hears My pain and dread Fighting the dead As still I shed These Bloody Tears

[@gh0stykins]

help me and others understand your cadence. where do the lyrics start? where do they end? greatness awaits...

[@IgnatianMystic]

@@gh0stykins Kinda hard to explain how lyrics line up with musical notes via text, dude. I'd have to have some way to paste them directly under the sheet music for Bloody Tears. Just try mentally singing the lyrics alongside the song, beginning RIGHT from the very first note of the song. That's the best I can do as far as an explanation.

[@gh0stykins]

@@IgnatianMystic i was basically asking when to start. knowing when you end helps as well. using these two simple guidelines makes following your cadence much easier for any rhythm savvy person to work with. you answered the first question which should do... maybe be a little less standoffish when someone is praising you.

[@IgnatianMystic]

@@gh0stykins Sorry if it came across that way. I wasn't being standoffish at all, bro. Just straightforward. * Shrug *

[@gh0stykins]

@@IgnatianMystic i still love you

[@MrArcadia2009]

I Played this game. The entire game was grinding, but it kept you interested. It's October 29th when I posted this, and it made me think of this song.

[@BadPenny3]

I wonder how many hours of my childhood were spent playing and yet never even getting close to beating this game. I loved this music so much, though, damn.

[@floydboygames1948]

No other video game company is touching Nintendo when it comes to the beats. This is GOATED!!!

[@ResurrectedElvenMonk]

*THE MORNING SUN HAS VANQUISHED THE HORRIBLE NIGHT*

[@Sh_Wh]

They didn’t have to go this hard but they did.

[@Tashie777]

In June and July I get the dream of my life and traveling to Romania to relive all of my favorite Castlevania moments from my childhood. This original is definitely on my playlist!

[@jeromecure4193]

This should literally be the theme for every vampire movie in existence!!!!

[@LuciusOwnZ]

I don't know about that. The blade techno theme still rocks too.

[@TheRealJrok]

The OG RPG that birthed the RPGs today. Simons Quest is definitely a trend setter!

[@DeathScorpi0]

Other than the obvious remark that this version is better than the FDS one and that it's incredibly iconic, I have nothing more to say honestly. I just wonder, how did the composers came up with this song? I often ponder about how such genius and catchy melodies can be created, it clearly shows inspiration from classical music, aswell as terror movie scores, but it's uniqueness is something to behold.

[@Omio9999]

The classical inspiration is a clever tie to Fugue's style, if I'm not mistaken, which includes the Funeral March that everyone knows all-too-well. The tie is there to create a symbolic tie to several catholic symbols, without getting *too* verbose about it, allowing the flexibility for the rest of the song. The lighthearted treble line is well-complimented by dark undertones, each being representative of the sides in play - Simon's lighter, treble side using the rhythmic drive to push forward with a (mostly clear - he has human moments) purpose, while the darker side maintains the subtle conniving to keep the listener on their toes, and not easily resolve on any one key. There's a bit more involved, I think, but it would absolutely enter the territory of "stretching" - and I intend to take care of that in the morning.

[@smokebreak2868]

Why this doesn't have at least a million views is something I will never understand

[@bbertgilo1574]

I think the reason why this version will always be the best is because it's the only one that really gives us goosebumps because the nostalgia factor just hits different especially for those who have played the game...

[@demontaeeharrold9534]

Damn this game was hard. Brings back memories 😢

[@trollingisasport]

It's all in those damn basslines. Back in the day Jmusic had fucking fantastic melodic bass.

[@QueenLiliTheRed]

Good workout song

[@BobbyDigital562]

This song is first ballet hall of fame. Arguably the best video game song ever.

[@JnEricsonx]

I dunno, some of the OG Final Fantasy theme should be up there too. Battle with the 4 Fiends for instance.

[@hhds113]

"Destroy the curse and you'll rule Brahm's Mansion." "Dracula's evil knife blurs Camilla's vision."

[@carmennano7724]

open hells gates come forth my servants crush this flea who invades my castle

[@Death_23262]

What a horrible night to have a curse.

[@megamanfan3]

Both Super Castlevania IV and Bloodlines did this theme justice.

[@kaisarsarlack1358]

This was uploaded in my birthday! that's a great gift, thank you.

[@MrArcadia2009]

Many times, in Late October, I come back to enjoy the music. I played Simon's quest many times, when I was younger. Yet again, I am here. (Oct 28th)

[@TheEonAtrocious]

Happy Halloween! I always replay Castlevania on Halloween:)

[@unsungheroes8626]

putting this on while studying makes work feel like am slaying monsters. what a fucking banger.

[@anonfslkf190]

God I love this song! It's on my phone whenever my boss calls me: A horrible to be cursed is coming!

[@skullofglory10]

Simon and Doomslayer would get along quite well.

[@nlogaxx7642]

J.S. Bach would be proud.

[@averageadventurer1644]

This is just simon’s other theme, think about it

[@josh4106]

I want this played on a loop at my funeral. with the mike tysons punch out continue screen thrown in between.

[@dasbroisku]

Castlevania forever

[@hanayaseth]

What a good music to hunt creature of the night.

[@DiddyCanFly]

Castlevania music is so good that it’s probably the one thing that Konami couldn’t miss even if they tried.

[@quickdex]

Best video game song of all time! Subjectively speaking of course... :D

[@LichLordNemo]

When the hordes of hell seek your soul, this shit kicks in and you rig out a shot gun. Busting slugs in demon skulls The music has a story of it's own after all

[@Justforvisit]

Why do you tell the Legend of the DOOMSLAYER here?

[@TB2008Productions]

The greatest theme in the series.

[@Twigs1402]

Agreed

[@thebadash4165]

Simon! Look out!

[@jackstailers3248]

This feels like something Toby fox would create then make the entire game‘s soundtrack a twist on this

[@JarvisBaileyVA]

Here it is, the Castlevania song. The only one to ever exist ever.

[@monsieurchaunceman1679]

The bop of 87

[@bigfatiori]

I don't enjoy it because it's from a game. I legit enjoy it as a piece of music. It really is good.

[@infinity2z3r07]

Even simple music on a 35yr old NES game still sounds amazing Put this in front of some kid who's had their brain cells nuked on mumble rap and lofi edm electrovomit. "WHOAAAAAAA, WTF IS THAT..."

[@TB2008Productions]

Simon's Quest is worth playing just to hear this song in it's original glory.

[@NullScar]

I will bury my soul with this tune.

[@thedarklord5129]

NES version is the best. Prove me wrong.

[@FranciscoRodriguez-iq9cb]

Netflix!

[@Meirdom]

@@FranciscoRodriguez-iq9cb Imagine

[@Meirdom]

The problem is i can't

[@thedarklord5129]

@@Meirdom yep

[@FranciscoRodriguez-iq9cb]

@@thedarklord5129 The SNES remake of the song is also good but the NES is just better

[@sylv3053]

"Bloody Tears"? More like "Blood Pumping"!

[@undeadgenesis6713]

This definitely gives me a final boss plot twist vibes..... interesting 🤔

[@esands36]

Cradle of Filth did a fantastic cover

[@jamothegreat6052]

I didn't know that.

[@Jeffrey050711]

I'm learning how to play this on piano.

[@cj.59]

“What a horrible night to have a curse.”

[@JayCruz49er]

Still a banger!

[@jrman9148]

I never knew Army of the Pharoahs sampled this song. Intense

[@GattoriSancho]

I like this more in 8 bit than in any other format of music 😂

[@oskierox]

THIS SONG SLAPS

[@timmyjimmy7413]

This game probably had the greatest potential of all of the Castlevania games(Other than symphony of the night), But they wasted it on selling magazines.

[@cursedpotato64]

Congrats Valmont for the musics from the last Dead Cells DLC

[@Savagekirbypuff]

love it

[@hw5091]

For some reason this basic version is still the best. That's probably why it is.

[@Kxhil]

This song is fire bro

[@Avatarbee]

It is amazing how they made this banging soundtrack on the NES its shitty soundsystem.

[@iantaakalla8180]

While it is primitive, the NES seems to work well for songs that would translate nicely to rock or metal or jazz. This is a neat rock track of the 80s, Mt. Itoi is a nice death metal track, the Mario series is known for jazz, etc. It is probably because the harshness of the soundfonts of the NES work well as a guitar sound equivalent, and the fact that NES songs had to rely on catchy phrases to create interesting music because it could not be so complex paralleled how jazz/rock/metal did those very same things. Though admittedly Mysidia Tower in Final Fantasy 2 does have a neat mystical effect, and plenty of song can be happy and like pop. It’s just that the most popular seem to be like jazz, rock, metal or mystical.

[@joaonitro5149]

How is it shitty?

[@Avatarbee]

@@joaonitro5149 Because the NES doesn't have a dedicated sound chip and can only put out five channels three of which are just beeps in different frequencies.

[@joaonitro5149]

@@Avatarbee And? It's just average, not shitty. May i remind you that before this most video games didn't even had music.

[@Avatarbee]

@@joaonitro5149 Lol no reason to get all offended. NES sound quality is just plain shitty when you compare it to modern systems.

[@Anjin-qg3ie]

Three greatest game themes of all time. 1 mario 2 zelda 3 bloody tears.

[@michaeljordantherealihatep9997]

To all those who think otherwise, this is the greatest Castlevania ever!

[@TotallyNotRunerot_2]

*Laugh’s in castlevania 4*

[@meganick4382]

Not even in the top 5.

[@TotallyNotRunerot_2]

@@meganick4382 *ahem* THAT’S your opinion

[@justmiyalmao]

curse of darkness >yes idc what anyone thinks

[@TheRealJrok]

Def a top 5 the legend that gave birth to every RPG today

[@marvincamera]

After 30+ years up to this day, I still don't know how to processed dracula's rib... 😩

[@vanillaonatree2066]

NES is the best version epic versions tolerable

[@QueenLiliTheRed]

This is a good workout song 🔥

[@randomdude581]

Castlevania two may have its issues, but it gave us one of the best pieces of music in the series, so you at least have to give it credit there

[@henrymason2228]

shit goes so fucking hard

[@LampreyKisses]

NES classic. anyone who doesn't respect the origins of awesome retro music probably hates Deadly Towers too.

[@darkarcheos]

Playing this In Castle Nathria in Wow