Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PSP)

Command Alucard in this remastered version of Symphony of the Night.

JP release: 8th November 2007
NA release: 23rd October 2007
EU release: 15th February 2008
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
IGN Review: 8/10
Platforms: PSP
Version Played: PSP

The Dracula X Chronicles came with a new version of Symphony of the Night, a new port based on the PS1 version with a few extra things. It’s not a complete port made to suit the PSP, as the resolution is kept the same, with the game running in a small box with the original black borders (I have no idea why they couldn’t cover those up with the border) and nothing has been enhanced graphically. You can zoom in or stretch the game if you want.

They did a good job with the port overall, as it feels just like an emulated version of the game, playing exactly how it’s supposed to play. The game even features a few extra things seen in the Saturn version in the forms of the extra familiars, although the extra areas and the really useful item inventory slot have not been added, which is a shame, as the latter solves an annoying issue with the game.

The dialogue has also been re-translated and recorded with a new cast. The translation is much better, but the “correct” dialogue is rather bland. On top of that, the new voice acting is just safe, making the dialogue now rather unremarkable. There was a certain charm with the original. Not just in the bad translation, but also in the over the top melodramatic voice acting.

Maria Mode is the other major thing that appears from the Saturn version, but completely re-done. She now has her moveset from Rondo of Blood and it feels great to start off with. By the end, she ends up doing so little damage to enemies that it ends up becoming an immense challenge, the hardest of all three.

This version of Symphony of the Night is a great version, especially for handhelds at the time, and even more so when it’s an unlockable bonus in another game. But the game just deserved more.

Great

Once you do have it, the game runs beautifully and is mostly free of technical issues or glitches. Keep in mind though that the screen will be cropped, but that’s to be expected.
Ryan Clements, IGN

Remake or remaster?

This game really needs a proper remaster.

Official Ways to get the game

This version of Symphony of the Night is available on Castlevania Requiem on PS4.