Kotaku: Castlevania Judgment

Castlevania Judgment's Final Three Revealed

Mike Fahey — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:00:00 MST

Castlevania Judgment for the Nintendo Wii is only two weeks from release, and Konami has just revealed the final three characters for their brawler take on the classic platforming series. While I am saddened to inform you that this will not be your chance to play one of the annoying Medusa heads, you are getting three classic characters from Castlevania history. First up, two characters from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, the young priestess Sypha Belnades and the dashing thief Grant DaNasty, rounding out the third game's playable cast, with Alucard and Trevor already announced.

Coming in last is Cornell, whom the luckier among us might not remember as the man-beast protagonist from Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness for the Nintendo 64. In Judgment, Cornell is stuck in werewolf form, unable to change back into human form. Poor guy. Hit the jump for screens featuring the final three, along with character bios for those of you hungry for more information who can't be bothered to just hit up Wikipedia.

Character Biographies:

Grant Danasty
Grant Danasty used to live as a noble thief (much like Robin Hood) all the while aspiring to become a vampire hunter like Trevor. As the most agile man in Transylvania, Grant Danasty joined forces with Trevor to defeat Dracula. Since overpowering Dracula, Grant Danasty has become a true champion of good, devoting his time to restoring the town to the days before Dracula's rule.

Cornell
Cornell, a proud werewolf whose martial arts are said to be invincible, has come to rescue his younger sister Ada, who was kidnapped and taken to Dracula's castle. With the blood of beast-men in his veins, in Castlevania Judgment, Cornell is transformed into a wolf and unable to change back.

Sypha
Sypha is a tough, strong-willed witch who uses fire, lightning and ice magic. Affiliated with the church, Sypha hides her true nature by wearing priestly clothes. While Sypha has not yet met Trevor, fate has determined that they will defeat Dracula together and then marry.

Castlevania Judgment's Latest Trio Of Gothic Misfits

Mike Fahey — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:40:00 MDT

While I was uncertain about Castlevania Judgment before, their current trend of releasing characters three at a time has me downright troubled. The game comes out next month, and while part of me thinks this could just be a clever way to build up suspense for the game's release, the more cynical side of me suspects they are just making the whole thing up as they go along. These new screenshots show off three new characters, Carmilla, the eternal servant of Dracula, Trevor Belmont, the Belmont named after my old dog, and Golem. Yes, we get to fight as Golem, and while he certainly looks cool, he was hardly at the top of my list. Hell, I'd rather play as an annoying flying Medusa head than Golem. Oh well, there's still time. *crosses fingers*

Three New Castlevania Judgment Characters Revealed

Mike Fahey — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:30:00 MDT

I'm so very conflicted about Castlevania Judgment. Mixing classic and current Castlevania characters together in a fighting game is such a cool concept, but from what we've seen so far it looks like the implementation of said concept is severely lacking. Now, with the release of the game only a month away, Konami finally reveals a few more characters for the game, adding to the already announced Alucard, Simon, Dracula, and Maria.

Joining the cast from Castlevania: Bloodlines is Eric Lecarde, lance man extroidinaire. Representing the ladies we have Shanoa from Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia. Finally, from every Castlevania game, the end all and be all, Mr. Death himself. Well there goes play balance. You can't win over Death.

Judge Castlevania Judgment's Graphics For Yourself

Mike Fahey — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:40:00 MDT

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.

Konami Whips Up Castlevania Judgment, An Online 3D Fighter For Wii

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:40:21 MDT

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.

Release Marks Iconic Franchise’s Next Generation Debut on Wii and its Entry Into the Fighting Game Genre

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Castlevania Judgment, the first Castlevania title in the fighting game genre, is currently in development exclusively for Wii. Developed by legendary Castlevania series producer Koji "Iga" Igarashi, Castlevania Judgment bridges the past with the present as it pits several generations of the Belmont clan against a host of characters that span the franchise's 22-year history.

"We wanted to take this addition to the signature Konami franchise in a direction that really sets it apart from the previous Castlevania titles in the series," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "The Wii Remote and Nunchuk capabilities, along with the iconic characters, make this game the ideal entry point into the fighting game genre. This combination is certain to thrill old and new fans of the franchise. "

With 3D environments rendered on Wii, players can choose sides in an epic battle of good versus evil using iconic Castlevania characters designed by famed manga artist Takeshi Obata. Using the motion-sensing controls of the Nunchuk and Wii Remote, players can slash, stab and whip their way across a variety of stages and environmental elements with various surrounding objects as weapons. Select characters can also set traps and make use of monsters on the field to achieve victory in a clash of epic proportions. As an added bonus, players are also able to compete head-to-head using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and connect with Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia on the Nintendo DS to unlock bonus gameplay content.

Castlevania Judgment will be released in North America Fall 2008 on Wii.

Wii Castlevania Revealed! It's A Fighting Game?

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:40:09 MDT

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

Mark Wilson — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:40:00 MDT

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]