PlayStation

According to ESRB, this game contains: Violence 

Since Im not going to attempt to tackle the meta-issues or any cultural relevance here, Ill focus on the nuts and bolts of the game itself, irrespective of its historical background.

Game Description: A classic Castlevania title that has never been released outside of Japan comes to America. Castlevania Chronicles for the PlayStation features all the elements that made Castlevania one of the premier gaming franchises in video game history: superior 2D Dracula-hunting gameplay, awe-inspiring music, and plenty of extras that every hard-core Castlevania enthusiast must own. Explore the origins of the franchise with one of the first Castlevania games ever created.

For the most part, I agree with a lot of Mike's points regarding Castlevania Chronicles. The game certainly brought back fond memories of earlier Castlevania titles that Ive played in the past. I just wish that I had enjoyed playing it more; unfortunately, the obnoxious difficulty and inconsistent jumping mechanics marred the experience.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood, Violence

Game Description: A fantasy battlefield in which you must raise your sword or summon your magic to conquer an empire torn with vengeance. The 3D battlefields with their many views will place you in life or death situations. Prepare your wit and strength to battle foes from unknown forces. Gallant victories lead to the magnificent Vandal-Heart.

I can't say for sure since Im not privy to the full scope of games released in Japan, but it has seemed to me for a long time that Konami promotes a particular aesthetic in their RPGs. Their two most prominent RPG series in the U.S., Vandal Hearts and Suikoden, have always been similar in theme and tone.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Animated Blood & Gore, Animated Violence

I can't say for sure since I'm not privy to the full scope of games released in Japan, but it has seemed to me for a long time that Konami promotes a particular aesthetic in their RPGs. Their two most prominent RPG series in the U.S., Vandal Hearts and Suikoden, have always been similar in theme and tone. Both series focus on stories of war, and although they do glorify battle and military conflict to some extent, they are striking in that they invariably emphasizewith no ambiguitythe absurdity, contradiction, and pain of war in a moral and social sense. While I enjoy plenty of other RPGs for their elements of fantasy and escapism, I always know that when I come back to Konami I will not be let off so easily. There is a palpable sadness in these games, a sense of hurt and moral outrage that visibly sets them apart from other RPGs that have come to the U.S.

Game Description: You’re the new guy on the construction site, and as luck would have it the foreman put you in charge of the power shovel. If you do well, he’ll give you a bunch of money. However, if you make mistakes, it’ll mean the end of a good job. In order to succeed, you’ll need to tear down buildings, win a speed-loading contest, and destroy a limousine in record time. With dozens of levels and cutscenes, Power Shovel is an entertaining original. Play alone or challenge a friend!