Retro Boy Advance

So today it’s time to talk about a game many consider the greatest GBA Castlevania ever made – Aria of Sorrow . When it was first announced in January 2003, I was cautiously excited about the game and pored over every screenshot and trailer released. But I never really got into the game when I bought it after it was released in May of that same year. I really should have liked it more, because at the time, Aria of Sorrow was as close to Symphony of the Night as one could get. It was just by that time I had moved on from gaming in general and had started to pursue other interests. Still, this is a good time as any to rediscover the GBA games I’ve overlooked. I don’t usually play the same type of game, much less a direct sequel to the game I just recently finished. I like to try finding a different type of game for a different type of gaming experience than the one I had just had. I was thinking of perhaps playing a racing game or a typical jRPG after completing Harmony of Dissona...

It has come to my attention that my carefully thought out name (okay, not really) for this blog was already being used by other people to name their modded consoles. Here's one . Here's another . Ah well. Chalk it up to coincidence!

My first entry into Castlevania was the very first game for the NES. I hate to admit it now but when I played it I thought it was a dumb game. Having come from the Mario School of Perfect Controls, I thought the controls were terrible and awkward. Ugh and let’s not talk about climbing stairs! My standing with the series has improved quite a lot since then though. Having played and enjoyed Castlevania: Bloodlines and Symphony of the Night many times over made me a true fan and I have since actually finished the original NES Castlevanias , along with a few others as well, including Castlevania Chronicles on Playstation. Symphony of the Night however remains my favourite Castlevania to date and while I love the linear platforming of classic Castlevanias , there is nothing I enjoy more than a good Metroidvania-style romp against Dracula. The Game Boy Advance, awesome system that it is, launched with Castlevania: Circle of the Moon , which was a game that was deeply inspired by S...