General Info

Emulator used (why isn't this detected automatically...? some guys don't even write this anymore) Snes9x 1.43+ re-recording v10
Aims for fastest time...
Takes damage to save time...
Manipulates luck...
Best ending...

Lalala...

Well, here it is, after a few months of hardcore work. This run obsoletes the published run by 2 minutes and 44 seconds (9880 frames) and multiplies the re-record count by 6. This is my first "professional" run. There's just no useless input in the whole movie. If the command would be ignored, it's not entered. Cosmetic effect...
Note: I tried to end the run as early as possible, so don't press anything before you see the ending sequence... you will die in if you fall into the pits in that room, silly...
Note2: When I save Maria and Annet, you notice I jump to get closer to them. Those cutscenes are scripted, so no time is lost (if you look closely, you'll see that when I save Annet, the screen fades out before Richter leaves the room, proving my point).
Note3: This game doesn't have the II and III upgrades. Instead, it uses a rather weird system: if your hearts amount starts with 2(20-29), you can have 2 sub-weapons on screen at the same time. If it's 3 or greater(30+), you can have 3. To kill Dracula that fast I need exactly those 35 hearts I get in that room right before the fight.

Game Info

There isn't too much to say about the game... It's conversion of the PC Engine game Akumajou Dracula X - Chi no Rondo. The hero is Richter Belmont, the one I read somewhere he's the son of Juste Belmont. Even though the game is pale when compared with Chi no Rondo, it's playable. It's main features:
  • Good graphics (better than Super Castlevania 4... at least this one doesn't look like a Genesis game!)
  • Good soundtrack (mostly remixed versions of the classic BGMs from the previous 8-bit games, very different from the gay techno of Super Castlevania 4!)
  • Old school gameplay (almost the same of the NES games. There's no Tarzan-like swinging with the whip, like it was on the other game... the hero's name is Richter, not Indy)
  • Nice dificulty level.
It has multiple endings as well. In this run, both Maria and Annet are rescued, to reach the best ending.

Versions

There are 3 different localized versions of this game:
  • Original Japanese: Akumajou Dracula XX
  • American: Castlevania - Dracula X
  • European: Castlevania - Vampire's Kiss
The differences between the original and the traslated games:
  • The original Japanese game doesn't have a "Licensed by Nintendo" screen at the start;
  • The collectable Cross sub-weapon is a little different, with one extremity a litlle longer than the other 3;
  • The western versions have white blood.
I've choosen the US version because it's the most popular and easy to find.

Windows on Possible Improvements

If you're interested in obsoleting this movie, it won't be easy (even for you, Shinryuu), but I'd say these are the best points to try:
  • The 3rd boss, the headless knight: if you can manipulate him to jump twice in a row, you're awesome.
  • Stage 5'.1, with the stupid mermen popping out everywhere...
  • Stage 5'.2, if you can manipulate the first moving platform better than I did.
  • Stage 5'.5, mermen again...
  • The 6th boss, Death. Luck manipulation again. When you hit him and he flinches downwards, the axe can hit twice. Maybe you can do better then I did.
Also, if you can figure out that godmodeknockback thing, it would make a big difference, I guess.

Please forgive me a lot and see you next mormon mission!
...goes home backflipping

Truncated: You inserted the key on the first try! Accepted!
I think it's fun that you mentioned that SCV4 looks like a Genesis game when the Genesis Castlevania looks better than both that and this game. :>
Maza: Encoded. I will publish it after couple hours.

NesVideoAgent: Hi! I am a robot. I took a few screenshots of this movie and placed them here. Here goes! Feel free to clean up the list.