Difference between revisions of "Castlevania: Bloodlines"

From Sega Retro
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'''''Castlevania: Bloodlines''''', known as '''''Vampire Killer''''' (バンパイアキラー) in Japan, is an entry in the ''Castlevania'' series, and the first of two games to reach [[Sega]] systems. ''Bloodlines'' was the subject of much debate at the time, as even though it has a considerable amount of violence and many depictions of blood, Sega's [[Videogame Rating Council]] only gave the game a "GA", the lowest rating possible. This affected the European release, which was heavily censored and renamed '''''Castlevania: The New Generation''''', and the Australian release kept the name while remaining identical to the American release in content. The game was released exclusively for the [[Sega Mega Drive]].
 
'''''Castlevania: Bloodlines''''', known as '''''Vampire Killer''''' (バンパイアキラー) in Japan, is an entry in the ''Castlevania'' series, and the first of two games to reach [[Sega]] systems. ''Bloodlines'' was the subject of much debate at the time, as even though it has a considerable amount of violence and many depictions of blood, Sega's [[Videogame Rating Council]] only gave the game a "GA", the lowest rating possible. This affected the European release, which was heavily censored and renamed '''''Castlevania: The New Generation''''', and the Australian release kept the name while remaining identical to the American release in content. The game was released exclusively for the [[Sega Mega Drive]].
  
−
''Bloodlines'' takes place in 1917 and does not feature the Belmont clan featured in previous games. It is also the first game not to take place exclusively within in Romania.
+
''Bloodlines'' is the first game not to take place exclusively within in Romania.
  
 
Compared to other Castlevania games, Bloodlines was faster and more dynamic, e.g. it's possible to jump onto stairs.  Weapons can be powered up, which also exchanges the equipped subweapon (axe, boomerang,...) into a smartbomb.
 
Compared to other Castlevania games, Bloodlines was faster and more dynamic, e.g. it's possible to jump onto stairs.  Weapons can be powered up, which also exchanges the equipped subweapon (axe, boomerang,...) into a smartbomb.
  
 
Like most Konami games on the [[Sega Mega Drive]], Bloodlines has become rather expensive.
 
Like most Konami games on the [[Sega Mega Drive]], Bloodlines has become rather expensive.
 +
 +
==Story==
 +
{{quote|The ancestors of the Belmont family are doomed to confront the power of evil incarnate......Dracula!
 +
 +
In 1917, a countess sought to revive the long dead spirit of the vampire. Her name was Elizabeth Bartley.
 +
 +
To revive him, she needed to travel all over Europe, enlisting help from all the powers of darkness.
 +
 +
Two young vampire hunters set out to fulfill their destiny.... Push back the evil hordes and drive the vampire back into his dark netherworld.|Opening sequence}}
  
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
−
===Playable Characters===
+
By default {{A}} attacks, {{B}} jumps and {{C}} uses a special weapon; controls can be changed at the options menu. Each special weapon require a different number of jewels per use, and {{up}}+{{C}} causes a stronger variation with the special weapon, which uses up more jewels than usual.
 +
 
 +
===Playable characters===
 
{{sectionsNewStart}}
 
{{sectionsNewStart}}
 
{{SectionsNew
 
{{SectionsNew
 
| name=John Morris (Johnny Morris in the Japanese version)
 
| name=John Morris (Johnny Morris in the Japanese version)
 
| image=Castlevania MD JohnMorris.png
 
| image=Castlevania MD JohnMorris.png
−
| desc=Whip user
+
| desc=John Morris was born in 12 December 1895 in Texas, USA. He is the son of Kincy Morris (who died upon defeating Dracula), and descendant of the Belmont family. His weapon is a whip, known in game as the "Vampire Killer".
 +
 
 +
* '''Swing with Whip:''' He can lash his whip at ceiling blocks and swing forward by holding {{up}} then pressing {{A}} midair.
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{SectionsNew
 
{{SectionsNew
 
| name=Eric Lecarde
 
| name=Eric Lecarde
 
| image=Castlevania MD EricLecarde.png
 
| image=Castlevania MD EricLecarde.png
−
| desc=Spear user
+
| desc=Eric Lecarde was born in 3 May 1892 in Segovia, Spain. He became a vampire hunter after Elizabeth Bartley changed his girlfriend into a vampire. His weapon is a spear, known in game as "Alcarde Spear" (also known as "Witches Spear").
 +
 
 +
* '''Mega Jump:''' He can jump 3x higher by holding {{down}} then pressing {{B}}.
 +
* '''Spinning Lance:''' He is also able to spin his spear back and forth if the player hold {{A}} and press {{left}}/{{right}}.
 
}}
 
}}
 
|}
 
|}
Line 85: Line 101:
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 +
<!-- should these be deleted or reused somewhere? -->
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
Castlevania MD Stage1 Intro.png
 
Castlevania MD Stage1 Intro.png
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| icon=MD
 
| icon=MD
 
| consolesplus=82
 
| consolesplus=82
−
| consolesplus_source={{num|30|page=92/93}}
+
| consolesplus_source={{num|30|page=92-93|pdf=ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf|pdfpage=92}}
 
| cvg=83
 
| cvg=83
 
| cvg_source={{num|147|page=62-63|pdf=CVG UK 147.pdf|pdfpage=62}}
 
| cvg_source={{num|147|page=62-63|pdf=CVG UK 147.pdf|pdfpage=62}}
 
| gamepro=80
 
| gamepro=80
−
| gamepro_source={{num|56|page=46/47|pdf=GamePro US 056.pdf|pdfpage=48}}
+
| gamepro_source={{num|56|page=46-47|pdf=GamePro US 056.pdf|pdfpage=48}}
 
| gamesmaster=70
 
| gamesmaster=70
−
| gamesmaster_source={{num|15|page=48/49}}
+
| gamesmaster_source={{num|15|page=48-49}}
 
| joypad=86
 
| joypad=86
−
| joypad_source={{num|29|page=112/113/114}}
+
| joypad_source={{num|29|page=112-114|pdf=Joypad FR 029.pdf|pdfpage=112}}
 
| mdag=91
 
| mdag=91
 
| mdag_source={{num|20|page=22-25}}
 
| mdag_source={{num|20|page=22-25}}
Line 145: Line 162:
 
| mms_source={{num|16|page=X2-X7|pdf=MMS16 CastlevaniaReview.pdf|pdfpage=2}}
 
| mms_source={{num|16|page=X2-X7|pdf=MMS16 CastlevaniaReview.pdf|pdfpage=2}}
 
| playerone=92
 
| playerone=92
−
| playerone_source={{num|40|page=68/69/70/71}}
+
| playerone_source={{num|40|page=68-71|pdf=PlayerOne FR 040.pdf|pdfpage=68}}
 
| segamaguk=86
 
| segamaguk=86
−
| segamaguk_source={{num|2|page=91/92|pdf=SegaMagazine UK 02.pdf|pdfpage=91}}
+
| segamaguk_source={{num|2|page=91-92|pdf=SegaMagazine UK 02.pdf|pdfpage=91}}
 
| segapower=70
 
| segapower=70
−
| segapower_source={{num|52|page=38/39}}
+
| segapower_source={{num|52|page=38-39}}
 
| segapro=84
 
| segapro=84
−
| segapro_source={{num|30|page=60/61}}
+
| segapro_source={{num|30|page=60-61}}
 
| stc=87
 
| stc=87
 
| stc_source={{num|25|page=11}}
 
| stc_source={{num|25|page=11}}
Line 196: Line 213:
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 +
{{multicol|
 
<references />
 
<references />
 +
}}
  
 
{{Castlevania}}
 
{{Castlevania}}
  
 
[[Category:Sega Channel games]]
 
[[Category:Sega Channel games]]

Revision as of 02:01, 23 October 2016

n/a

CastlevaniaBloodlines title.png

Castlevania: Bloodlines
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Konami
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥7,8007,800 T-95043
Sega Mega Drive
US 		T-95076
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-95076-50
Sega Mega Drive
DE
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£44.9944.99[1]
Sega Mega Drive
AU

Castlevania: Bloodlines, known as Vampire Killer (バンパイアキラー) in Japan, is an entry in the Castlevania series, and the first of two games to reach Sega systems. Bloodlines was the subject of much debate at the time, as even though it has a considerable amount of violence and many depictions of blood, Sega's Videogame Rating Council only gave the game a "GA", the lowest rating possible. This affected the European release, which was heavily censored and renamed Castlevania: The New Generation, and the Australian release kept the name while remaining identical to the American release in content. The game was released exclusively for the Sega Mega Drive.

Bloodlines is the first game not to take place exclusively within in Romania.

Compared to other Castlevania games, Bloodlines was faster and more dynamic, e.g. it's possible to jump onto stairs. Weapons can be powered up, which also exchanges the equipped subweapon (axe, boomerang,...) into a smartbomb.

Like most Konami games on the Sega Mega Drive, Bloodlines has become rather expensive.

Story

“ The ancestors of the Belmont family are doomed to confront the power of evil incarnate......Dracula!

In 1917, a countess sought to revive the long dead spirit of the vampire. Her name was Elizabeth Bartley.

To revive him, she needed to travel all over Europe, enlisting help from all the powers of darkness.

Two young vampire hunters set out to fulfill their destiny.... Push back the evil hordes and drive the vampire back into his dark netherworld.

„

— Opening sequence


Gameplay

By default A attacks, B jumps and C uses a special weapon; controls can be changed at the options menu. Each special weapon require a different number of jewels per use, and Up+C causes a stronger variation with the special weapon, which uses up more jewels than usual.

Playable characters

{{{imagewidths}}} John Morris (Johnny Morris in the Japanese version)
John Morris was born in 12 December 1895 in Texas, USA. He is the son of Kincy Morris (who died upon defeating Dracula), and descendant of the Belmont family. His weapon is a whip, known in game as the "Vampire Killer".
  • Swing with Whip: He can lash his whip at ceiling blocks and swing forward by holding Up then pressing A midair.
{{{imagewidths}}} Eric Lecarde
Eric Lecarde was born in 3 May 1892 in Segovia, Spain. He became a vampire hunter after Elizabeth Bartley changed his girlfriend into a vampire. His weapon is a spear, known in game as "Alcarde Spear" (also known as "Witches Spear").
  • Mega Jump: He can jump 3x higher by holding Down then pressing B.
  • Spinning Lance: He is also able to spin his spear back and forth if the player hold A and press Left/Right.

Stages

Castlevania MD Stage1.png Stage 1 - Ruins of the Castle Dracula, Romania
Castlevania MD Stage2.png Stage 2 - Atlantis Shrine, Greece
Castlevania MD Stage3.png Stage 3 - The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Castlevania MD Stage4.png Stage 4 - The Munitions Factory, Germany
Castlevania MD Stage5.png Stage 5 - Versailles Palace, France
Castlevania MD Stage6.png Stage 6 - The Castle Proserpina, England

Trivia

  • The game utilizes a region lockout mechanism, but it can be disabled by holding down the A button during startup. Note that this doesn't affect the title screen and graphics modifications (so it's not possible to turn a censored PAL version into an uncensored NTSC-J or NTSC-U version)

Gallery

  • Castlevania MD Stage1 Intro.png
  • Castlevania MD Stage2 Intro.png
  • Castlevania MD Stage3 Intro.png
  • Castlevania MD Stage4 Intro.png
  • Castlevania MD Stage5 Intro.png
  • Castlevania MD Stage6 Intro.png

Magazine articles

Main article: Castlevania: Bloodlines/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #57: "April 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Magazine (UK) #2: "February 1994" (1994-01-10)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Joypad (FR) #29: "Mars 1994" (1994-0x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Video Games (DE) #1994-06: "6/94" (1994-05-25)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Sega (ES) #11: "xxxx 1994" (1994-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №30, p92-93[11]
83 №147, p62-63[1]
80 №56, p46-47[12]
70 №15, p48-49
86 №29, p112-114[13]
91 №20, p22-25
82 №18, p43
83 №26
90 №16, pX2-X7[14]
92 №40, p68-71[15]
86 №2, p91-92[16]
70 №52, p38-39
84 №30, p60-61
87 №25, p11
Sega Mega Drive
 83
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) NTSC-U
70
[17]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) PAL
60
[18]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) NTSC-J
40
[19]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
63
[20]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
91
[21]
Consoles + (FR)
82
[11]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
83
[1]
Digitiser (UK)
83
[22]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
91
[23]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
83
[24]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[25]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7 (RU)
70
[26]
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
88
[27]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[12]
Gamers (DE)
73
[28]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
70
[29]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[30]
Hyper (AU) PAL
79
[31]
Joypad (FR) PAL
86
[13]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
78
[32]
Max Overload! (UK) PAL
72
[33]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
91
[34]
Mega (UK) PAL
82
[35]
Megablast (DE) PAL
80
[36]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
83
[37]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
90
[14]
Player One (FR)
92
[15]
Power Up! (UK)
78
[38]
Power Unlimited (NL)
74
[39]
Score (CZ)
75
[40]
Secret Service (PL)
70
[41]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
86
[42]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
70
[43]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[44]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
85
[45]
Sega Force (SE)
88
[46]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
84
[47]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
74
[48]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
87
[49]
The Zone (AU)The Zone (AU)
82
[50]
Todo Sega (ES)
85
[51]
Tricks (RU)
74
[52]
Tricks 16 bit (RU) NTSC-U
84
[53]
Tricks 16 bit (RU) PAL
80
[54]
Video Games (DE) PAL
85
[55]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
80
[56]
Sega Mega Drive
 79
Based on
46 reviews

Castlevania: Bloodlines

Mega Drive, US
CastleVaniaBloodlines MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Castlevania md us cart.jpg
Cart
Castlevania Bloodlines MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (cardboard)

Castlevania md us cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
CastleVaniaBloodlines MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
CastlevaniaTNG MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Castlevania Bloodlines MD EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, JP
CastlevaniaBloodlines MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
VampireKiller MD JP CartTop.jpg
VampireKiller MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Vampirekiller md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 fb1ea6df
MD5 0f04fc1b5bf8c9a887abcf14ce96b0cd
SHA-1 4809cf80ced70e77bc7479bb652a9d9fe22ce7e6
1MB 1994-03 Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 4dd4e4a5
MD5 10d2e8576380e5c22d8771f470747c98
SHA-1 61aabb1053f090fb6c13968c86170357c5df4eba
1MB 1994-03 Cartridge (EU)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 91b57d2b
MD5 3453bcc79345872034845cc5a7a1b15f
SHA-1 3e709bd27577056abbbd6735021eaffd90caa140
1MB 1994-03 Cartridge (JP)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 84cd103a
MD5 b7ab3ef9d51d2ed9228deaad0203adce
SHA-1 8c4004c0d8cbe211ffa3919fd609653221a0078b
1MB 1993-12 Page

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 File:CVG UK 147.pdf, page 62 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 147.pdf_p62" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ File:SegaPro DE 18.pdf, page 42
  3. ↑ File:GamePro US 053.pdf, page 253
  4. ↑ GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 89
  5. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "May 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 2
  6. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-15), page 61
  7. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 115
  8. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-15), page 11
  9. ↑ Mega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-17), page 92
  10. ↑ Mega, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 92
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf, page 92 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf_p92" defined multiple times with different content
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 File:GamePro US 056.pdf, page 48 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 056.pdf_p48" defined multiple times with different content
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 File:Joypad FR 029.pdf, page 112 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 029.pdf_p112" defined multiple times with different content
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 File:MMS16 CastlevaniaReview.pdf, page 2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MMS16 CastlevaniaReview.pdf_p2" defined multiple times with different content
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 File:PlayerOne FR 040.pdf, page 68 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 040.pdf_p68" defined multiple times with different content
  16. ↑ File:SegaMagazine UK 02.pdf, page 91
  17. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 43
  18. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 44
  19. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 326
  20. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "April 1994" (JP; 1994-03-08), page 19
  21. ↑ Console Mania, "Marzo 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 54
  22. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1994-03-21)
  23. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "May 1994" (US; 1994-04-21), page 79
  24. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  25. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 300
  26. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 7, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 64
  27. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 2 February 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 60
  28. ↑ Gamers, "März/April 1994" (DE; 1994-03-04), page 18
  29. ↑ GamesMaster, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 48
  30. ↑ Hippon Super, "April 1994" (JP; 1994-03-03), page 61
  31. ↑ Hyper, "February 1994" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 46
  32. ↑ MAN!AC, "04/94" (DE; 1994-03-09), page 50
  33. ↑ Max Overload!, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-22), page 34
  34. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 22
  35. ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 43
  36. ↑ Megablast, "2/94" (DE; 1994-03-30), page 32
  37. ↑ MegaTech, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-20), page 18
  38. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, April 02, 1994" (UK; 1994-04-02), page 1
  39. ↑ Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 2, Nummer 4, April 1994" (NL; 1994-03-23), page 36
  40. ↑ Score, "Červen 1994" (CZ; 1994-06-01), page 60
  41. ↑ Secret Service, "Październik 1996" (PL; 1996-10-01), page 72
  42. ↑ Sega Magazine, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-10), page 92
  43. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-03), page 38
  44. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 60
  45. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 46
  46. ↑ Sega Force, "3/94" (SE; 1994-03-29), page 8
  47. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 31
  48. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  49. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "May 13th 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 11
  50. ↑ The Zone (AU)The Zone (AU) "Season 1, episode 3" (1994-05-14, ) (+17:44)
  51. ↑ Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 54
  52. ↑ Tricks, "2/95" (RU; 1995-xx-xx), page 18
  53. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 9
  54. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 51
  55. ↑ Video Games, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-27), page 99
  56. ↑ VideoGames, "March 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 67



John Morris sprite Castlevania games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
 Castlevania: Bloodlines (1994) | Super Castlevania IV‎ (unreleased)
Sega 32X
 Castlevania: The Bloodletting (unreleased)
Sega Saturn
 Akumajou Dracula X: Gekka no Yasoukyoku (1998) | Castlevania: The Bloodletting (unreleased)
Sega Dreamcast
 Castlevania Resurrection (unreleased)
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