Koji Igarashi Tries To Explain Castlevania Judgement Hate

Konami's Koji Igarashi is the Castlevania guy. And when fans play a Castlevania game, they know, more or less, what they are getting themselves into. But Castlevania Judgement is different! It's a fighter, but now. And the early buzz around the game hasn't been so hot. Why does Igarashi think that is?

When you have a franchise like this, that’s become popular in a certain type of game style and you change that so drastically, I understand the responses is going to be negative... I also felt a lot of the response was, I guess, unjustified in the sense that they based their [response] on just hearing about it or maybe seeing a couple of screen shots and making a whole assumption.

Insert Igarashi sad face.

Koji Igarashi Calls ‘Castlevania Judgment’ Fan Criticism ‘Unjustified’ [Multiplayer] [Pic]

Ever since it was revealed that the new Castlevania game for the Nintendo Wii, Castlevania Judgment, would be a fighting game, one question has been on fans' minds. Is that really Fahey standing next to Castlevania creator Koji Igarashi, and why does he look so rough? I am hunching down to try not to tower over Iga out of respect, as he just spent several minutes answering my questions via translator. Questions like, "Why a fighting game?"

Igarashi's answer? It's not a fighting game. See? Simple.

Wii Castlevania Revealed! It's A Fighting Game?

According to GoNintendo, the latest issue of Nintendo Power reveals the proud return of the Castlevania series to consoles. Castlevania Judgment is, believe it or not, a 3D fighter, pitting classic characters from throughout the series against each other in mortal combat. Yes, not at all the exact opposite of what Castlevania fans have been asking for.

GoNintendo's report from the mag hints at appearances from characters like Simon Belmont and Alucard, the use of sub-weapons like holy water and boomerangs, and (surprise!) motion controls.

Odd, yes, but while Konami may not be known for its fighting games — outside of Yie Ar Kung Fu — it had dabbled in 3D fighters when they were in their heyday. It was also responsible for one-third of the line-up Dream Mix TV World Fighters, a Japan-only fighting game that featured Simon Belmont and Solid Snake and was terrible.

Nintendo Power reveals Castlevania Judgement for Wii…a 3d fighter?! [GoNintendo]

Wii Castlevania Later This Year?

While Konami Castlevania dude Koji Igarashi has expressed hesitance about the Wii and the Wii-mote in the past, apparently he's warmed up to the Nintendo platform! Comic book mag Preview has let it slip that the franchise is getting a Wii title released this fall. The info slipped while Preview was giving the skinny on the PR campaign for the comic based on PS2 game Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, stating the the comic book will be "cross-promoted with 2008 video game releases, which include games for Nintendo Wii and DS (Fall 2008)". Unconfirmed and unsurprising, really.

Castlevnia Comic [Badger Comics via CVG]

Castlevania Dude On Kojima's MGS4 Decision

Konami's official Castlevania guy Koji Igarashi has been involved in something like 11 games in that franchise. What does Iga think about fellow Konami colleague Hideo Kojima closing the chapter on Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4? Says whip-carrying Iga:

[Metal Gear] is something that Kojima-san has worked on for a long time... That’s his decision and I completely respect him for doing that. Maybe the franchise as a whole will continue. And that’s maybe something that Kojima is thinking about, right? Snake might be at an end, but it could continue in other ways. I don’t know exactly what he’s thinking, but let’s see what he does.

Okay, if you say so. Let's!
Koji Igarashi Isn't Tired [MTV] [Pic]

Koji Igarashi, Castlevania Game Maker, Indy Jones Lover

Ooooooh!

The big news for many at last night's Konami Gamer's Night was the official announcement of a new Castlevania game for the Nintendo DS. Mr. Igarashi himself was on hand to introduce Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, complete with his trademark cowboy hat and whip. This new Castlevania marks the first time that the franchise will feature a female lead character, a raven haired beauty named Shenoa.

The story takes place years after the Belmont family has completely disappeared, but Dracula is still going strong. Many organizations have cropped up to try and defeat the vampire but the only ones who seem up to the task are the mysterious Order of Ecclesia. The art style for the characters has changed from the traditional anime style to a much more pleasing (to me anyway) illustrative style that really shows of the beauty of the female protagonist in particular.

A trio of supposed screen shots from an unreleased Castlevania game for the Nintendo DS have made their way online, ones that could possibly reveal Koji Igarashi and team's follow up to Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin. Are they real? They certainly look real enough, with a timestamp that would indicate a December 25, 2007 build of the game, one that would appear to feature a female protagonist and yet another "Metroid-vania" style adventure. Igarashi has gone on record as saying that Konami is working on a third Castlevania title for the DS, but we can't say for sure whether this is it.

Hit the jump for the full sized pic and more info.

Igarashi Confirms New Castlevania DS

Koji Igarashi is apparently not one to keep secrets...if you don't count the hundreds of sarcophagi in his basement. That's why when Wired asked him if another Nintendo DS Castlevania game was on its way, he didn't do the whole, "err...uhh...no announcement at this time...what's that?? "turn into a bat an fly away* maneuver.

We're doing another Nintendo DS version. There hasn't been an official announcement, but we're doing it...we want people to enjoy the PSP version, and afterwards we're announcing it. So, please wait a little bit."

Castlevania Producer Whips It Out At Signing

Iga Eyes Xbox 360 For Next Console Castlevania

Konami Whips Up Two Castlevania Mobile Games

Never one to rest on their Castlevania laurels, Konami and crew readying two new Dracula slaying adventures, this time on the platform everyone can agree on: the mobile phone. The previously mentioned Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow showing at the Leipzig Games Convention is simply a mobile phone remake of the Game Boy Advance release of the same name. However, Konami also announced it would be bringing an all-new original Castlevania, known as Castlevania: Order of Shadows, to mobile carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Networks, among others, this September.

The game follows the adventures of a new character Desmond Belmont, which means the Castlevania series entry on Wikipedia is just about due for an argument on canon. More details on the development and associate blog for the both of you interested in mobile gaming after the jump.

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