Castlevania: Rondo of Blood

The goal is to guide the player character Richter Belmont through nine stages, with four alternate routes, as he searches for his kidnapped beloved Annette and ultimately confronts Dracula in his castle. Richter makes use of a whip as his main weapon and one of six sub-weapons: an axe, a dagger, a bible, a pocket watch, a cross, and holy water. While exploring the castle, Richter can rescue four maidens, including his distant relative Maria Renard who then becomes a playable character. She attacks using her doves and one of six sub-weapons: a white tiger kitten , dragon whelp , baby phoenix , turtle , egg or musical notes.

The first four of these sub-weapons are based upon the four symbols of Chinese mythology. She is additionally more agile, can perform a double jump, and can deal twice the amount of damage that Richter does in each normal attack. However, she takes much more damage each time she is hit. Maria is also capable of doing a special attack called a “Guardian Knuckle”, resulting in a ghostly projection that causes heavy damage to enemies.

Rondo of Blood incorporates elements from the earlier Castlevania games that typically featured linear gameplay and a member of the Belmont clan as the protagonist, and the later entries which emphasized untimed exploration of the environment. Rondo of Blood makes use of untimed stages with a clear beginning, but more than one ending to some levels. This will have an effect on the subsequent environment, monsters, and boss monster that the player character encounters at the end of the level. Items such as money, hearts, and food can be found scattered throughout the areas.

Rondo of Blood also has the Item Crash ability reused in subsequent Castlevania titles, which allows a sub-weapon to be used in a super attack. Its direct sequel, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night , reuses many of the monsters. A secret minigame, Akumajyo Dracula Peke , can be played if the system is missing the required Super System Card; it appears as a hidden unlockable in all re-releases of the game.