Castlevania Red Stained

Original game : Castlevania

Platform : NES

Author : H.L.Ash

Release date : 07 October 2022

Category : Improvement

Patch version : 2.x

Modifications : G, L

Downloads : 1225

ROM Information

Database match: Castlevania (USA) (Rev 1)
Database: No-Intro: Nintendo Entertainment System (v. 20210216-231042)
File SHA-1: 0D6E5910D09CBA12FB8B61123E6F3087A90F503C
File CRC32: 9AB191BC
ROM SHA-1: 3DCB69A8C861C041AEB56C04E39ADF6D332EDA3A
ROM CRC32: B668C7FC

Hack description

The original Castlevania has many elements of an old horror movie. From the title screen, with details on the top and bottom resembling a movie tape, some of the bosses (Medusa, Frankenstein, Dracula...) and the final credits, replacing the names of the programmers by "funny" altered ones of famous actors from the past, related to that movie genre.

Inspired by this concept, the Castlevania Red Stained mod was created in a black and white style, as a classic horror film but, with the inclusion of some shades of red on specific objects and enemies during the whole game, providing a reasonable different experience.

Besides those changes, many others were made, such as: new traps added, increased difficulty, many graphical details corrected, fixed some rough areas, reduced unnecessary items (breakable blocks, candles...) and also allowing the treasure before the boss fight against the Mummies of the third stage - "The Crumbling Tower" - to be accessed.

* Still, an optional patch is included, maintaining the same difficulty and level design as the original game, with just minor adjustments.

UPDATE v2.x

Second patch added with the original difficulty restored and new traps removed

UPDATE v2.0

Increased damage done by enemies

Turkey recovers more life

New traps added to most stages

Some enemies added to empty areas

More excessive candles removed

Stronger sub-weapons are more scarce and harder to get

Ground color of the Crumbling Tower is more distinguishable now

Better use of red tones on the laboratory level

Fixed the letter "a" of the title screen to capital

Lots of small graphical changes and fixes

UPDATE v1.5

Fixed a visual bug on the title screen, showing up after the demo of the gameplay ends

Improved the ending screen colors and some details

Many small changes on the appearance of the Laboratory level: less repetitive patterns of the frames and a few different position for curtains, pillars, blocks... at the boss room
Altered the water effect, pillars and some strange background textures of the stairs on the Underground level, as long as some blocks of the boss fight screen were adjusted to better match the new colors of the game

A few more details added for the CV fans to spot

Contributions

Contributor	Type of contribution	Description
H.L.Ash	Hacking

Reviews

If F. W. Murnau made Castlevania	Wolfie	2024-05-23	Version 2.x
Since I wanted the classic gameplay, but a graphical overhaul, I used the original difficulty/original stage layout optional hack. In my opinion, the graphic overhaul gives the game the feel of a classic German Expressionist silent horror movie like Nosferatu or the Cabinet of Doctor Caligari. This works well for a game like Castlevania, where there is not much text, and mood drives the story ahead. I feel like I am playing an 8-bit silent horror movie! It's really cool.

Yes. This is a very cool edition	Uncle_Jo	2022-03-24	Version 1.5
I've never thought Castlevania looked all that great, but never thought a black and white version could be such an improvement. It is an improvement, for sure. It fits this game perfectly. Especially if you are fond of the old Frankenstein and Dracula movies. I was able to add the controls patch to this one just fine as well. This is one I'll be playing all the way through. Perhaps during next Halloween.

Super fun and interesting hack	PullingMadBitches	2022-01-31	Version 1.5
Definitely a great way to play the game, adds a new twist on it and makes it super enjoyable with updated graphics.

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