Castlevania: The Adventure

Castlevania: The Adventure was an extremely early title that released for the Game Boy in late 1989, and was the only game outside of the launch titles to release for the console that year. Although it does still feel and resemble the mainline series, the game suffers from a number of questionable design choices.

C:TA was shortened in length compared to the original trilogy and, if on a roll, can be completed in under an hour total, likely under 30 minutes. There is the same amount of ghoul-whipping as before, and the combat feels fluid. What does not feel fluid is the player character himself, who slugs along the ground, has a wonky directional jump that requires "takeoff room" to execute, only whips in one direction, and falls like a rock. You'd think Konami would try to remain cognizent of the game's shortcomings in the level design, but this game features more pure platforming challenges than the whole of the original trilogy. I really wish I was joking.

You're going to get a lot of Ninja Gaiden 3 bird jump moments, where you feel just totally incapable of making an already precise jump because of an enemy that is just as difficult to hit. Luckily, bottomless pits are in shorter supply and it really just necessitates a walk up to the platform to try it again, but with a time limit hanging over your head this feels like it's taunting you. Add in the fact that the toughest platforming sections come right between the final checkpoint in a stage and the boss fight and you'll be frustrated with the movement controls early and often.

A lot of these complaints apply just as well to the original Castlevania, so you may scoff at me and be able to breeze through this just fine. But those of us who prefer more fluid platforming mechanics will not find a lot of joy here.