So I set my alarm for 5:30AM EST in order to make sure I had time to get Castlevania downloaded, only to find that the auto downloader had stolen my thunder. This of course means more time to actually play the game, but I am very protective of my thunder.

The graphics don't look too hot on the 42in television at 1920x1080, but people who have TVs of that size and resolution really have no room to bitch. In all actuality the graphics look too sharp, revealing imperfections you never really got playing on the PS1, but once you start playing the game you don't notice it much. Nice stretching feature for widescreens.

The d-pad sucks. If I haven't established this by now, the 360 d-pad should only be used as a four-way menu selector thingamajig. The analog stick is nice and responsive...guess I've just gotten so used to DS Castlevania that the d-pad was my natural first choice.

Ah, now here we go. It's like riding a bike.

*gets to first boss fight, dies*

Except that bit. Don't being killed by a pterodactyl man with a spear being carried by a flying, flame-shooting demon while riding a bike. Mind you I was on Ritalin as a child, so I could have simply forgotten.

Yes, this is the game I remember. It's on a bigger screen and I am using a completely different controller, but it remains the best Castlevania has to offer. The pinnacle. The toad elevating moment. If you have 800 live points to spare, I highly suggest you pick it up.

Oh, and bookmark this page. You just know the picture up top is going to be used for a cruel Crecente contest somewhere down the line. Michael Fahey