Konami

Game Description: All of the legendary action and adrenaline of the famed Contra series comes to the PlayStation 2 with Contra: Shattered Soldier. Massive, screen-filling boss characters, a Contra series staple, do everything they can to keep players from proceeding through the multiple action-packed missions, while environmental threats such as swarms of bugs, aggressive enemies and alien encounters keep players on their toes.

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.

Certain transitions simply arent meant to succeed. Whether it is a book being adapted for the big screen, a singer tempting fate in acting or vice-versa, there will always be cases where the newly created product or effect will tarnish the initial reputation. As the Playstation and Nintendo 64 gradually left the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo to rest in peace, it became a common practice to take video game series, which had made themselves well known on 8 and 16-Bit systems, and to create three dimensional sequels for them. Among these sequels can be found highly successful titles such as Super Mario 64 or The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time. This, however, isnt to say that every sequel to bring a series in the third dimension has been well received. When Konami followed in this trend, it did so by introducing, among others, its whip slashing, vampire hunting line of games known as Castlevania. The result, Castlevania 64, shows that the series is better off remaining a two-dimensional side-scroller.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes

Game Description: Castlevania is a bloody-good 3D vampire-hunting experience that adventure fans won't want to miss. You take the role of either the whip-toting Reinhardt Schneider or Carrie Fernandez, a young girl with magical powers. Both characters have separate (though similar) storylines, complete with entirely different endings and a couple of stages that are exclusive to each character's quest. The game is set to a real-time clock function, so while slicing and dicing the bad guys players need to be aware of the time, because it wouldn't do to be caught somewhere dangerous after dark.

The original Metal Gear Solid is one of the most important and most distinctive titles in video game history. Like its sequel, Metal Gear Solid created a considerable uproar when screenshots and movies were first leaked to the public. When it was released in 1998, it quickly became one of the most popular games ever, causing a heated debate over the merits of the game.

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 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.

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.