- For the video game cabinet, see Video arcade.
Castlevania: The Arcade (悪魔城ドラキュラ The Arcade Akumajō Dorakyura: The Arcade?, lit. "Demon Castle Dracula: The Arcade") is a first person action Castlevania game developed and published by Konami, released exclusively for arcades on October 2, 2009, in Japan.
Gameplay[]
Gameplay in Castlevania: The Arcade is similar to a rail shooter. The game is played from a first person perspective, where players use a motion controller to inflict damage to enemies with the main weapon. The characters' movements are scripted and directed by the game. The game includes a multiplayer feature and players can choose to play as two different characters: the Vampire Hunter and the Lady Gunner.
A special LED whip motion control with two buttons is used to input commands. The top red thumb button is used to activate the main weapon, prompting players to wave the controller in order to damage enemies. Enemies can only be attacked with the main weapon when they have a light green ring surrounding them. The yellow trigger is used to activate sub-weapons, such as knives or crosses. Using a sub-weapon allows the player to attack distant enemies that the main weapon can't reach. Sub-weapons are refilled by collecting Hearts (up to 25) strewn about each stage in the form of destructible candles and wooden crates. It is possible to switch between any already collected sub-weapons by pressing a special red button.
Below the life meter is a special gauge which automatically refills whenever the player isn't performing any attacks. When it reaches "MAX", the player can perform a powerful attack that causes massive damage to enemies.
After each level, the game determines how well the player performed, assigns a rank based on different factors, and provides corresponding "bonus points" to the players. These bonus points can be used to enhance the player's stats, recovery, or convert to score.
The game utilizes the e-Amusement Pass, which can be used to save progress during gameplay and unlock a hidden character: the Little Witch.
Other features include:
- Stage selection for any stage the player has already passed through.
- Automatic entry for internet rankings.
- Collaboration with Akumajō Dracula: The Medal.
Collaborations[]
Akumajō Dracula: The Medal[]
If the player uses the e-Amusement Pass to play through Akumajō Dracula: The Medal under the right conditions, a new item will be unlocked in Akumajō Dracula: The Arcade. However, using this new item will lower the player's score.
Akumajō Dracula: The Arcade[]
If the player uses the e-Amusement Pass to play through Akumajō Dracula: The Arcade under the right conditions, the player will receive a new music track during Rush Change in Akumajō Dracula: The Medal.
Current locations[]
North America[]
- Brookfield, Illinois - Galloping Ghost Arcade
- Littleton, Colorado - Round One Arcade
- Greensboro, North Carolina - Round One Arcade
- Exton, Pennsylvania - Round One Arcade
Europe[]
- Dos Hermanas, Spain - Arcade Planet
Asia[]
Japan[]
- Chiba Prefecture - Round One Stadium Ario Kashiwa (3F)
Gallery[]
- Main article: Castlevania: The Arcade/Gallery
Related products[]
Related games[]
- Haunted Castle - The only other Castlevania game originally developed exclusively as an arcade game.
- Akumajō Dracula: The Medal - A slot machine with simulated gambling that has interconnected features with this game. Starring Richter Belmont.
- GuitarFreaks & DrumMania V6 - A guitar and drum rhythm arcade game with tie-ins to this game.
- THE ★ BishiBashi - A competitive minigame collection with tie-ins to this game.
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Some music from the game, such as the remix to "Black Night", is used as part of the game's soundtrack.
Related music albums[]
- Akumajō Dracula Best Music Collections BOX - Contains music from this game on Disc 17.
- Music from Akumajo Dracula Kuro - Contains music from this game on Disc 13
External videos[]
- Arcade Levels streaming
- Castlevania The Arcade (Full Playthrough)(No Commentary Gameplay)(Long Play 78) at YouTube
- Nico Nico Douga - Tags (Japanese, requires registration)
- Nico Nico Douga - Video search for this game (Japanese, requires registration)
- Takasan Richter's walkthrough
- Tokimeki Memorial comical ending (Lady Gunner)
- Tokimeki Memorial comical ending (Vampire Hunter)
- Two Player Mode
External links[]
- Official webpage (archived: September 13, 2018 - Japanese)
- Castlevania Arcade – UK Location Test at Arcade Heroes
- GameFAQs
- Kotaku
- Preserved at Internet Archive
- Silicon Era - Includes gameplay photos.
| Castlevania: The Arcade |
|---|
| Characters |
| Protagonists |
| Vampire Hunter - Lady Gunner - Little Witch |
| Antagonists |
| Dracula |
| Bosses |
| Death - White Dragon - Dullahan - Minotaur - Water Dragon - Were Wolf - Harpy |
| Stages |
| Ruins - Palace - Underground Waterway - Ramparts - Clock Tower |
| Music |
| Akumajō Dracula Best Music Collections BOX |
| Archives |
| Bestiary |