Castlevania: Dracula X

Castlevania: Dracula X is a platform game developed and published by Konami and based on Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo, which was previously released on the PC Engine in 1993 (never released outside of Japan until the 2007 PSP remake Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles). It is the final Castlevania installment to be released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It shares the gameplay and storyline of Chi no Rondo, but the levels had been completely redesigned and other elements were completely taken out of the game. In Japan, it is known as Akumajō Dracula XX (悪魔城ドラキュラＸＸ Akumajō Dorakyura Daburu Ekkusu?, lit. "Demon Castle Dracula Double X") and in PAL regions, it is known as Castlevania: Vampire's Kiss. Castlevania: Dracula X was released in Australia in an uncensored version, and under the Vampire's Kiss title.

Gameplay
In the PC Engine version, four paths can be taken through the game, while the SFC/SNES release featured only two.

Plot
The setting: medieval Transylvania. One hundred years have passed since legendary hero Simon Belmont defeated the evil Count Dracula and sealed him away for what was supposed to be eternity. The people have long since forgotten about the horror of the undead, thus allowing a few depraved individuals to restore the Prince of Darkness to his former state; sleeping in his coffin by day and preying upon hapless victims by night.

Dracula now plans to get revenge on his old enemy through his descendants by locking Annet, the girlfriend of Belmont's great grandson, Richter, and her sister, Maria, in his dark and gloomy castle.

Once aware of this, Richter takes his ancestor's sacred whip, passed down through the years from father to son, and sets out for Dracula's castle to rescue Annet and Maria, and to seal away the evil Count for good.

Reception
IGNs retrospective on Castlevania referred to this game as one of the best traditional Castlevania games, and that it "holds its own" in terms of graphics, including a brighter color palate, and Mode 7 graphics. They said it did suffer, however, from weak A.I and poor level layout.