Best 8 Music Tracks from Castlevania (1987-1997)

Konami’s Castlevania action-adventure series hardly needs any introduction or explanation: it’s a timeless and well-regarded gaming franchise that was essentially the company’s most successful IP prior to the debut of their Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill titles in the latter part of the 1990s. Of course, a major (and highly celebrated) part of the series’ legacy is its eclectic and well-crafted music; here are the arguably best tracks from each mainline game released within its first 10 years.

Vampire Killer (Castlevania, 1987)

To probably no one’s surprise, “Vampire Killer” – the theme for the opening stage of the original Castlevania game for the NES – is included here for being the very first major piece of music that audiences heard when they booted up and started playing it. The track instantly sets the mood for the gothic (but also somewhat campy) adventure players will be embarking on and has essentially become the series’ overarching main theme, with nearly every major entry including it to some degree – not to mention, it’s been frequently rearranged and remixed both officially and unofficially.

Don’t Wait Until Night (Haunted Castle, 1987)

I’m cheating a bit once again since Haunted Castle isn’t really a mainline title, but the obscure arcade spinoff still features its own unique gameplay, story, and (of course) soundtrack: called “Don’t Wait Until Night” (or sometimes “Can’t Wait Till the Night”), this particular track has a funky, pseudo-rock/pop sound to it that perfectly fits the game’s campy aesthetic. Notably, “Night” was partially incorporated into the penultimate boss theme for Julius Belmont in 2003’s Aria of Sorrow (the same track hyperlinked above) along with another piece called “Heart of Fire” from the original NES game.

Bloody Tears (Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, 1988)

Of course, the track “Bloody Tears” from Simon’s Quest is a very close contender to being seen as the series’ “main” theme, with it also being included in nearly every major entry in the franchise (even utilized in the animated Netflix series). Compared to the adventurous-sounding “Vampire Killer,” “Bloody Tears” has a much more dramatic and urgent quality to it that pushes players to keep moving forward despite the mounting in-game danger; likewise, “Bloody Tears” has been similarly rearranged and remixed to an astounding degree…possibly even more so than “Vampire Killer” has!

Clockwork (Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, 1990)

“Clockwork” – the theme that plays during the third game‘s iteration of the overarching series’ ubiquitous (and generally frustrating) clocktower levels, has been hailed by many as an exceedingly well-composed piece of music despite the NES console’s then-limited sound capabilities. While not as nearly as popular as “Vampire Killer” or “Bloody Tears,” the determined-sounding (and, as some have pointed out, almost baroque-like) track has reappeared here and there in subsequent game titles (appropriately used for clocktower stages), and as various remixes on official arranged albums.

Theme of Simon (Super Castlevania IV, 1991)

Developed as a loose “remake” of the original Castlevania for the NES, 1991’s Super Castlevania IV for the SNES provided an obviously much more mechanically polished and visually/aurally superior title than its three mainline predecessors. Of note is the game’s excellent soundtrack, with the recurring piece “Theme of Simon” arguably being its best: the rousing track – which incorporates a really nice, synthesized pipe organ-like melody – is initially heard in the second half of the very first stage but triumphantly returns during the second half of the final showdown with Count Dracula.

Blood Relations (Dracula X: Rondo of Blood, 1993)

Even though the original 1993 PC Engine version of Dracula X: Rondo of Blood was never released outside of Japan until its unlockable inclusion in the 2007 PSP remake The Dracula X Chronicles, its music was nonetheless well-loved and -remembered by those who heard it back then (even if only in a simplified SNES release). Like with “Theme of Simon,” the opening stage track “Blood Relations of Heaven & Earth” is a rousing, pulse-pounding piece that the original PCE version supplements with an exciting electric guitar melody (also, the Chronicles remix is pretty enjoyable in its own right).

Requiem (Castlevania: Bloodlines, 1994)

Featured as the credits theme for the 1994 Genesis release Castlevania: Bloodlines, “Requiem for the Nameless Victims” is a notably pretty but somber-sounding track that (as its title suggests) seems to be acknowledging the tragic loss of life during the game’s events: specifically, having WWI chosen as its historical backdrop. While not as nearly popular or reused/rearranged than many other tracks on this list, it’s still a genuinely well-crafted and touching piece that provides a sense of bittersweet closure (and has a really great rock cover on the arranged album Perfect Selection Dracula Battle).

Festival of Servants (Castlevania: SotN, 1997)

Despite “Dracula’s Castle” being the arguably more iconic (and also more deserving) track to be selected for this entry, “Festival of Servants” from Symphony of the Night – a game I’ve spoken about more than once – personally comes out on top just for being one of my all-time favorite boss themes in the Castlevania series (and many others). The manner that the very brief but ominous-sounding intro quickly segues into the track’s wailing guitar melody still fills me with an immense amount of excitement and anticipation for the majority of SotN‘s near-perfectly executed boss encounters.

Honorable Mentions

“Dwelling of Doom” (Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest); “Battle of the Holy” (Castlevania: The Adventure); “Chromatische Phantasie” (Castlevania: Belmont’s Revenge); and “Moon Fight” (Akumajō Dracula [X6800] / Castlevania Chronicles).

“Room of Close Associations” (Super Castlevania IV); “Illusionary Dance Music” (Dracula X: Rondo of Blood); “Iron Blue Intention” (Castlevania: Bloodlines); and “Nocturne” [Japanese, English versions] (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night).