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Castlevania: Dracula X

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This page details pre-release information and/or media for Castlevania: Dracula X.

To do:
There may be more E3 '95 pics.

Joypad International #043 June 1995#

Joypad_International_43_Juin_1995_Page09.jpg Joypad_International_43_Juin_1995_Page14.jpg

This issue has two different sections previewing the game. Note that the health bar of the player seems to be empty in every screenshot, which would cause death in the final version.

Prerelease

Final (USA)

There are three candles in the preview version. The final game only has one and it is placed differently. The preview is also missing a Bonehead enemy, however it is possible the player already killed it.

Prerelease

Final (USA)

The candle is placed higher in the preview version.

Prerelease

Final (USA)

The preview version has a Peeping Eye enemy, whereas in the final version only Merman enemies can be found in this area.

To the right there is also an extra candle in the preview version.

GameFan July 1995 Preview#

From Volume 3 Issue #07, some pictures of the demo seen at that year's E3.

  • The second screenshot has a knife on the ground. The final game has no sub-weapons in this area.

Prerelease

Final (Japan)

The third image shows an early version of Stage 3.

  • The background has fewer pillars and an extra statue.
  • There is only one candle present, and its placement is different.
  • There is no enemy in this area in the final game.

Prerelease

Final (Japan)

The fourth image shows the very beginning of Stage 1.

  • The candles have different placement.
  • The health bar isn't full, implying that the player was hit by an enemy. There are no enemies yet at this point in the final.

[Unknown preview] with early version of Stage 2 and Stage 3#

To do:
name and issue of magazine

Stage3EarlyVer.jpg

Several screenshots are identical to the above Gamefan preview, most likely the same version is being showcased here and the screenshots were provided by Konami. This preview shows more of the early versions of stage 2 and 3 with stage 2 having a pillar on the right side of the screen during the boss fight and the more detailed graphics and some of the decorations on stage 3 missing from the final game.

Prerelease

Final (JP)

Stage 2 boss: there is pillar on the right side of the screen in the preview version, it was removed in the final version and the two stairs were moved further to the right creating more gameplay space as a result.

Prerelease

Final (JP)

The first room of stage 3: although the layout appears to be identical, all the background graphics are different. Surprisingly the preview version appears more detailed with shadows under the platforms which are missing from the final version.

Prerelease

Final (JP)

Another room from stage 3. The table was changed to a rock platform, presumably to make it more obvious that the only way through is by jumping on top of it. The cabinet and chairs are missing from final, replaced by curtains. At the bottom the placement of the statues differ, furthermore the design of the lights hanging on pillars seem to differ.

Prerelease

Final (JP)

The placement of many candles differ.

E3 1995 Footage#

Watch on YouTube

Live footage of the game from Konami's stand during E3 1995, showing early title and continue screens. The sign above the TVs also mention Castlevania - The Bloodletting coming to PlayStation and Saturn

E3 Preview

Final

Castlevania - Dracula X E3 95 Title Screen.jpg
Castlevania - Dracula X E3 95 Continue Screen.jpg Castlevania - Dracula X (USA) Continue.png

(Source: Anthony Parisi's video tapes)