Symphony of the Night tunes up on 360

Konami's original PlayStation Castlevania game heading for Xbox Live Arcade; nearly complete version shown at CES.

When Konami released Castlevania: Symphony of the Night on the PlayStation 10 years ago, it was a resurrection of sorts for the undead franchise. By incorporating gameplay elements from Nintendo's Metroid series of games, Symphony of the Night established a template for 2D Castlevania entries that has endured through multiple installments on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS.

Now the publisher is bringing that formula back to the realm of the living (room). Konami is showing off Castlevania: Symphony of the Night for the Xbox Live Arcade at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. As with most older games brought to Xbox Live Arcade, Symphony of the Night won't be a mere port. Konami has said the game will feature enhanced graphics and sound, widescreen support, achievements, and leaderboards. Players will be able to choose between the original graphics or enhanced visuals that mitigate sprite pixilation when the game is played in high-definition.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is expected to release on Xbox Live Arcade later this year. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's hands-on impressions from the CES show floor.

311 Comments

  • jubail

    Posted Mar 11, 2007 2:06 pm PT

    cant wait to play it

  • I_Got_It_4Cheap

    Posted Feb 3, 2007 8:46 pm PT

    One of the greatest games ever created is now on the XBOX 360...yeah thats an easy one to decide. XBOX360 for president

  • NND1

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 11:43 am PT

    I need this NOWWWW

  • eliasnaruto

    Posted Jan 21, 2007 3:45 am PT

    awsome!!!

  • XlpranksterlX

    Posted Jan 15, 2007 7:37 pm PT

    I want it now!

  • JLCrogue

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 11:13 am PT

    PS3 worth the wait!!

  • MBLMember

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 10:45 am PT

    Being on the fence between Sony and Microsoft let me say this.
    To Sony fanboys - Sony has had some good games like MGS and a somewhat good game run with SOCOM. The clan I've been in since SOCOM 1 has had a boat-load of fun playing the game(s). BUT, you have to admit that Zipper/Sony hasn't bothered their tight ass to improve the graphic content of any of the 4 games. I pulled out of Socom when I saw the giant leap in graphic, A.I. and shear size of maps in Ghost recon 1, on the Xbox. My friends stayed true to SOCOM month after month, but how many times can you hide behind the same rock in a 2x4 map. One last thing, SONY YOU BETTER DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PRICE OF YOUR SYSTEM, 6-7 HUNDRED FOR A GAME SYSTEM ISN'T GOING TO CUT IT. You better look to the past, specifically the 3DO, the price murdered that system. I refuse to pay that kind of money, I don't give a damn if it has Blue-Ray in it, who says that that format will win. When it comes to Sonys track record on establishing a format does anybody remember Sonys venture into the BETAMAX or UMD or DIVX players.
    Microsoft fanboys - I have to admit, when I bought a 360 I was worried by the lack of good titles at launch, but then came Ghost Recon-Advanced Warfighter. It hasn't been until the last couple of months in that the games ARE SHEAR BEAUTY, Call Of Duty 3 and Lost Planet.
    Do we give Sony a chance to see what lies ahead-yes, but I will say this that has always bothered me about Sony, YOU DON"T PUSH YOURSELVES OR YOUR DEVELOPERS to make a graphically pleasing game, I've had PS1 and 2 and through the life of both of those systems you never bother to improve that end of a game. Yes its the game play that matters over graphic beauty, but when I can only think of a FEW games that had GREAT gameplay instead of graphically pleasing 2 games come to mind, SOCOM and MGS, even though MGS has had pretty good graphics, from corridor to corridor(insert sarcasm here).

  • GhostyMcboo

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 9:53 am PT

    PS3: worth the wait? yeah, like 2 years from now when the XBOX 4D or whatever they come up with will be near completion

    IT'S AALLLLL OOOVER OOOOOOVER NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

    I still want a PS3

    PS: crack kills

    PPS: the world ill needs a saviour such as you

  • LexLas

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 9:15 am PT

    !!!! LordelX said.......
    Damn, one of the reasons I wanted a PS3 is so that I could play my PS1 copy of Symphony of the Night....hmmm.
    I think I should get a 360. It's just too awesome now. "
    " Yes this is the same thing in my case as well, I am very tempted but I am sure if you wait there will be more reasons why PS3 will be worth the wait..

  • Jshaw71

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 8:54 am PT

    >

    well, you wana tell us what the japanese text said? hmm? go right ahead

  • grave_rob

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 8:36 am PT

    that's pretty rad i guess...

  • 5UPERMARIO

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 6:42 am PT

    Best News Ive Heard All Year.

  • enoslives7

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 6:34 am PT

    SOTN is the best video game experience I have ever had

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 5:44 am PT

    Konami showing support for the great x360?

    Metal Gear Solid4 is next!

  • LordelX

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 3:40 am PT

    Damn, one of the reasons I wanted a PS3 is so that I could play my PS1 copy of Symphony of the Night....hmmm.
    I think I should get a 360. It's just too awesome now.

  • hart704

    Posted Jan 11, 2007 3:14 am PT

    You all can wait. I'll be over on my PS2 playing it.

  • JReefer1

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 11:47 pm PT

    I still want the ps1 version.But if I had a 360 I dont know if I would, the enhanced graphics for HD makes it hard to throw down 30+ dollars for the original.

  • VengenceZero

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 10:31 pm PT

    Awww man this is great news. I still want my SONIC, SHINOBI 3., and STREETS OF RAGE SERIES. Maybe Throw in TMNT: Turtles In Time. But Anyway, cant wait

  • thor107

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 9:58 pm PT

    Totti I implyed that you are foolish and you have my comment deleted? That is weak, change your pampers lil man

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 9:35 pm PT

    Can we get Magician Lord now, SNK?

  • Otacon_MGS

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 9:16 pm PT

    Now every one can experience the epic opening from SOTN:

    What is a man!?, a miserable little pile of secrets. But enough talk, have at you!

    XBLA ftw

  • psychojakrabbit

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 8:43 pm PT

    Wow Batman that's awesome. Yes, Robin Symphony of the Night one of the best Casltevania game every made.

  • Kravyn81

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 8:39 pm PT

    Anyone know about how much this will cost on Live?

  • TheGamer4Life

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 8:29 pm PT

    I knew it was only a matter of time before Microsoft one upped Sony. Way to go MS... now get final fantasy from square and there will be no stopping the 360.

  • Maverick82102

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 8:21 pm PT

    damn that might be worth buying the 360 for just SOTN

  • juanfraino

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 6:13 pm PT

    dammit, I dont know if I'm gonna buy a 360 just for this... but im gonna do everything I possibly can to play it.

  • stephbm6

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 6:13 pm PT

    I've been playing it for a week on my PSP, and can't wait for the 360 version

  • Inu7

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 5:42 pm PT

    Wow, that is pretty hot. I know I'll be getting it.

  • demiurgency

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 4:47 pm PT

    Ok. Forget Gears. This is the real PS3 killer. I am so totally getting a 360 now. :-)

  • JoeSmith34

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 4:46 pm PT

    THANK YOU, Konami, for releasing this Castlevania game for the Xbox 360, WITH IMPROVED GRAPHICS AND SOUND!!!!

    It is common knowledge that Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is considered the BEST Castlevania game EVER made!!! This is one of the best 2D games ever made in ANY genre!!!

    The fact that Konami is going to enhance this game so that it is optimized to run in the widescreen 16:9 format, include high-definition graphics, include true 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, and feature improved and enhanced graphics with extra detail...those are all AWESOME reasons for me to get this game on Xbox Live Arcade!!!

    Xbox Live Arcade is THE BEST!!!!

  • theKSMM

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 4:05 pm PT

    I love XBOX Live! Arcade and many other retro gaming compilations, but nothing--and I mean nothing--compares to playing original versions of games on emulators or (even better) on the original system that they were designed for.

    Aaah, good times, good times...

  • neoand12

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 3:59 pm PT

    OMG I love this game but if its over $10 no way I will get it.

  • TOTTI2531

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 3:37 pm PT

    thor107, dude, i play games, i havent played SotN, so according to your moronic logic im not a gamer?! WRONG!

  • Enigma2K99

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 3:32 pm PT

    sonofashrub
    LOL. 360 just owned sony.

    How so... people are already playing the PS verion on their PS2....

    Think before you open piehole, grasshoppa...

  • Kempatsu_basic

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 3:24 pm PT

    i love this god damn game

  • thor107

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 3:18 pm PT

    Ha Ha Ha Like I'd spend money for a game that any true gamer already has. The game is a classic thats why I ripped it and play it on my psp all the time. Good to know though I'd like to see some screenshots.

  • Miriani

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 3:17 pm PT

    only wish it had Maria and Richter like the Japanese Saturn edition does. (Yes, the PS version had Richter as an unlockable, but the Saturn edition had them playable from the moment you first pop the disc in your system.)

  • sonofashrub

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 3:01 pm PT

    LOL. 360 just owned sony.

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 2:39 pm PT

    @MidiIncarnate
    "They really should've brought it on the DS where it would probably get sold more, for a higher profit."

    Its probably the same amount of work, but no physical costs associated with it (making carts, printing boxes, shipping, etc), no distribution worries or competing with the other DS titles or going stale on the shelf, etc. It should be a quick download, buyable on impulse, and is available to everyone on Live, as opposed to only a copy or two at your local store, and will remain on Live long after a retail game hits the used/bargain bin/eGouge. So, I'd wager this will ultimately will be much more profitable, especially if they port this version to the Wii, PS3 and even PSP.

  • runstalker

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 2:13 pm PT

    -Awesome game- And:

    "....Symphony of the Night won't be a mere port. Konami has said the game will feature enhanced graphics and sound, widescreen support, achievements, and leaderboards. Players will be able to choose between the original graphics or enhanced visuals that mitigate sprite pixilation when the game is played in high-definition."

    Drool.

  • Cobalt_Strike

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 2:11 pm PT

    I really hope they follow up with Dracula X (TG16 version)

  • mrpeternorth

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 1:43 pm PT

    sweet. this is a fantastic game.

  • Romanticide

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 1:37 pm PT

    omgwtf! AWESOME!

    I want a 360 now JUST FOR THIS GAME! D=

  • Eviltwin

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 1:26 pm PT

    God i love castlevania series

  • HandsomeDead

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 12:55 pm PT

    At least now I don't have to pay an extortionate price for a pre-woend version of the original.

  • Digital-Hero

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 12:32 pm PT

    Classic!

    The music alone is worth the price of admission.

  • ardandil

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 12:20 pm PT

    damn... i may get a 360

  • John_of_Fire

    Posted Jan 10, 2007 12:11 pm PT

    Couldn't be happier. The upgrades make it worth my money. Now I just need to know when I can get my hands on it.

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