Castlevania (Nintendo NES, 1987) is gothic platforming at its rawest—developed and published by Konami. You’re Simon Belmont, rocking a whip like it’s the deadliest fashion accessory of the 80s, storming Dracula’s castle one brutal staircase at a time.

1. Whip it good: Master the Vampire Killer whip and snag sub-weapons like holy water, boomerang crosses, and axes to keep monsters in check.
2. Classic horror vibes: Every level drips with B-movie atmosphere—werewolves, zombies, and bats that always know when to ruin your jump.
3. Boss battles: Face iconic nightmares like Frankenstein’s monster, Medusa, Death himself, and finally the big bat daddy, Dracula.

Castlevania set the standard for tough-as-nails action games. The soundtrack is legendary, the platforming is ruthless, and the atmosphere is peak 8-bit gothic horror. It’s punishing, it’s unfair, and it’s also unforgettable.

If you’re ready for one of the NES’s most iconic challenges, Castlevania belongs in your collection. Buy retro games on Retro Games eXchange and step into Dracula’s castle for a whip-cracking, rage-inducing good time.