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.

Konami's Castlevania fighting game might not be exactly what fans were hoping for, but from this first batch of screenshots there's no denying that Castlevania Judgment for the Wii has a certain aesthetic appeal to it. Besides, trying to make an enjoyable traditional Castlevania game in 3D have failed miserably, so why not? Judgment could very well deliver the 3D versions of our favorite characters that we desire without us having to suffer through another botched attempt at recreating 2D greatness like Castlevania 64 or Lament of Innocence.

It's official. Castlevania Judgment, the first 3D fighting game to bear the Castlevania brand, is coming to the Wii this Fall. Series producer Koji "Iga" Igarashi is helming the project with a little help from manga artist Takeshi Obata, the man in charge of character designs this go 'round. Obata may be best known for his work on Death Note and the Blue Dragon manga adaptation.The title was revealed in this month's Nintendo Power.

The Castlevania Judgment release points out that the Wii game will feature head-to-head battles via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Fans of wireless signals will also be thrilled to learn that Castlevania Judgment can wirelessly connect to the Nintendo DS via Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, unlocking "bonus gameplay content." Guess that confirms this little rumor, eh?

Full release is after this.

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]

Castlevania Judgment Coming...Sometime

Spotted in the US Patent and Trademark database, Castlevania Judgment will probably be among the next Castlevania games we see. While its platform was unspecified, given that Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia was recently leaked as the next DS title, we're assuming this game will be for one of the other various platforms. Any guesses? Oh, who are we kidding, we don't care what platform you think it's on. We're sticking with our "Eye of Judgment" expansion theory. We're also going to keep wearing this tin foil on our head...just in case.

Place judgment on another Castlevania trademark [Siliconera]