Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Sean helps Simon Belmont resurrect Dracula to end his curse once and for all.
The original Castlevania is a classic, but there were many variations across different consoles. The NES version focused more on arcade-style gameplay, but the MSX experience was quite different. When creating a sequel, Konami took more from the latter. Rather than knock down abilities and weaponry when injured, Simon Belmont can now collect items and upgrade weapons at shops, which will persist even after enough failures that a continue is needed. There are NPCs, towns, and other locales that can be revisited throughout the game, as opposed to the strictly linear progression of the NES predecessor. In fact, this more RPG-like system is quite a bit like another maligned sequel, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link!
Sean has chosen Castlevania II: Simon's Quest as the first Producers Pick "Honorable Mention", plucked from the poll of January 2024. The game feels topical, given our recent experience with the Zelda II enhanced remake, and how the changes to that game have brought the two more in line. Also, both games were Sean's favorites as a kid, and the first titles he got along with his first NES back in 1989. 35 years later, it's time to see what he remembers about playing this game!
Watch every chapter of the quest:
• Dracula’s Rib: youtube.com/live/fzu0pf3mNSc
• Dracula’s Heart: youtube.com/live/QXD7vF6cNNU
• Dracula’s Eyeball and Nail: youtube.com/live/uwsC6MH4qtU
• Dracula’s Ring: youtube.com/live/cnlWUAAsjxI
Check our this playlist for the other awesome Castlevania games we’ve already played here and on the @FamicomDojo channel:
• Castlevania Series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTuqSB_eoUiT-TYxSzn0CgYSDTMcgVk00&si=bXZyvky6Ah0_rMO_
Jump to your favorite part:
• 00:00:00 - NES Classic Edition
• 00:06:31 - Castlevania
• 00:12:30 - Simon's Quest
• 00:35:26 - Brahm's Mansion
• 00:47:42 - Veros Town
• 01:10:02 - Coming up on Famicom Dojo
Follow Famicom Dojo:
• Patreon: patreon.com/FamicomDojo
• Website: famicomdojo.tv
• Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famicom-dojo-video-game-podcast/id282442598
• Facebook: facebook.com/FamicomDojo
• Threads: threads.net/@famicomdojo
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/famicomdojo.bsky.social
• Instagram: instagram.com/FamicomDojo
SeanOrange is a retro game fan from the US. Vinnk is a retro import fan who took things one step further and moved to Japan. Together they make Famicom Dojo: a web series dedicated exploring the Japanese history of video games and consoles from the other side of the Pacific.
#Castlevania #NES #LetsPlay #livestream
Sean helps Simon Belmont resurrect Dracula to end his curse once and for all.
The original Castlevania is a classic, but there were many variations across different consoles. The NES version focused more on arcade-style gameplay, but the MSX experience was quite different. When creating a sequel, Konami took more from the latter. Rather than knock down abilities and weaponry when injured, Simon Belmont can now collect items and upgrade weapons at shops, which will persist even after enough failures that a continue is needed. There are NPCs, towns, and other locales that can be revisited throughout the game, as opposed to the strictly linear progression of the NES predecessor. In fact, this more RPG-like system is quite a bit like another maligned sequel, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link!
Sean has chosen Castlevania II: Simon's Quest as the first Producers Pick "Honorable Mention", plucked from the poll of January 2024. The game feels topical, given our recent experience with the Zelda II enhanced remake, and how the changes to that game have brought the two more in line. Also, both games were Sean's favorites as a kid, and the first titles he got along with his first NES back in 1989. 35 years later, it's time to see what he remembers about playing this game!
Watch every chapter of the quest:
• Dracula’s Rib: youtube.com/live/fzu0pf3mNSc
• Dracula’s Heart: youtube.com/live/QXD7vF6cNNU
• Dracula’s Eyeball and Nail: youtube.com/live/uwsC6MH4qtU
• Dracula’s Ring: youtube.com/live/cnlWUAAsjxI
Check our this playlist for the other awesome Castlevania games we’ve already played here and on the @FamicomDojo channel:
• Castlevania Series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTuqSB_eoUiT-TYxSzn0CgYSDTMcgVk00&si=bXZyvky6Ah0_rMO_
Jump to your favorite part:
• 00:00:00 - NES Classic Edition
• 00:06:31 - Castlevania
• 00:12:30 - Simon's Quest
• 00:35:26 - Brahm's Mansion
• 00:47:42 - Veros Town
• 01:10:02 - Coming up on Famicom Dojo
Follow Famicom Dojo:
• Patreon: patreon.com/FamicomDojo
• Website: famicomdojo.tv
• Podcast: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famicom-dojo-video-game-podcast/id282442598
• Facebook: facebook.com/FamicomDojo
• Threads: threads.net/@famicomdojo
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/famicomdojo.bsky.social
• Instagram: instagram.com/FamicomDojo
SeanOrange is a retro game fan from the US. Vinnk is a retro import fan who took things one step further and moved to Japan. Together they make Famicom Dojo: a web series dedicated exploring the Japanese history of video games and consoles from the other side of the Pacific.
#Castlevania #NES #LetsPlay #livestream
