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Super Castlevania IV

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Title Screen

Super Castlevania IV

Also known as: Akumajou Dracula (JP)
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Platform: SNES
Released in JP: October 31, 1991
Released in US: December 1991
Released in EU: 1992


EnemyIcon.png This game has unused enemies.
TextIcon.png This game has unused text.
DebugIcon.png This game has debugging material.
LevelSelectIcon.png This game has a hidden level select.
RegionIcon.png This game has regional differences.


ProtoIcon.png This game has a prototype article
PrereleaseIcon.png This game has a prerelease article
NotesIcon.png This game has a notes page

Apparently Konami couldn't decide whether to market this as a "Super" version of the original Castlevania or as a sequel to the NES trilogy, so they decided to do it both ways and gave it the confusing title of Super Castlevania IV.

Sub-Pages

Read about prototype versions of this game that have been released or dumped.
Prototype Info
Read about prerelease information and/or media for this game.
Prerelease Info
Miscellaneous tidbits that are interesting enough to point out here.
Notes

Stage Select

Stage Select!
Menu code for an unused but functional stage select exists at SNES address 009A63-009B97. However, it doesn't appear to be connected to anything. The following set of Game Genie or Pro Action Replay (PAR) codes can be used to access it. The instructions say "Choose stage with L & R, start by pressing START. Pause and then press SELECT to return to this screen."

Game Genie Pro Action Replay (PAR)
17B5-DFAF
BCB5-D4DF
10B5-6FA4
DDB5-64D4
0ABE-6404
A9BE-6464
B0BE-64A4
6DB2-DDAF
00947763
0094789A
009A7764
009A7800
009AF94C
009AFAC5
009AFB94
0094D380

Instructions:

  1. Enter the codes at bootup, then start a new game.
  2. Use the L or R shoulder buttons to change the stage index.
  3. Pressing the A button while holding L or R greatly increases the cursor speed.
  4. Press Start when finished.

Stage B-4-2

Advancing directly to stage B-4-2 using any stage modifier (not just the stage select) will not load all graphics for that screen as the game expects you to start at the foot of the B-4-1 staircase. Going down the stairs and back up again will refresh the screen and fix the issue.

(Source: Rusty, JLukas)

Unused Enemy

SuperCastlevaniaIV-Bat.png
Present in the ROM is a leftover of bat enemy variant from a prototype build, but it seems to have been cut in the final because they are annoying to deal with. To see it in action in Stage 3 (Cave), change the value at 0x289FA from 0x3F to 0x4B in a headerless US ROM.

(Source: bogaa)

Unused Text

No pointers exist for these text strings:

INPUT YOUR PASSWORD
YOUR PASSWORD
MAP DISP

Regional Differences

Title Screen

Japan International
Dracula's favorite drink! Drink fountain is out of order.

The Japanese logo drips blood onto the ground via animation. This was removed for the overseas versions.

Map

Japan International
Super Castlevania IV map logo comparison 1.png Super Castlevania IV map logo comparison 2.png

The different logos are seen on the map screen as well.

Introduction

Japan International
Dracura is the least of your worries when you're about to battle Dracula! Dracula doesn't need any religious icon.

It's pretty obvious that a cross has been removed from the huge grave, and if you look at the background you'll see no less than eight more crosses that ended up being deleted. But harder to notice amongst the cross apocalypse is the Engrish "Dracura" on the grave in the Japanese version, which was rubbed out as well.

Story

Japan International
Super Castlevania IV story comparison 1.png Super Castlevania IV story comparison 2.png

In the Japanese version, the story is written in white characters whereas the international versions use the available green HUD font instead. While the Japanese story is a retelling of the story seen in the Japanese manual of the first Castlevania game, the English text makes us believe Simon is over one hundred years old in this game.

Password Screen

Japan International
C4-password2.png C4-password1.png

The stained-glass decoration atop the password screen in the Japanese version displays Jesus Christ and a cross.

The Stables

Japan International
Super Castlevania IV stables comparison 1.png Super Castlevania IV stables comparison 2.png

The crosses seen on the fields in the background of this stage were all changed into rocks (broken tombstones?) and moss. Also, note the change in HUD font from a unique font to a version of the bog-standard NES-era font. On the bright side (no pun intended), the text was given a shine effect and made brighter and far more visible.

Graveyard

Japan International
Super Castlevania IV graveyard comparison 1.png Super Castlevania IV graveyard comparison 2.png

Crosses removed, again.

Main Hall

Japan International
C4-statues1.png C4-statues2.png

The nude statues in the background of this stage were given clothes in the international versions.

The Dungeon

The blood-filled pools and the blood that drips from the ceiling in the Dungeon/Torture Chamber was made green-colored, effectively turning the hazardous liquid into acid.

Japan International
Super Castlevania IV spikes comparison 1.png Super Castlevania IV spikes comparison 2.png

The blood seen on the spikes was also changed into green.

Japan International
Super Castlevania IV coffin comparison 1.png Super Castlevania IV coffin comparison 2.png

In the first part of this stage, the coffins in the distant background had their crosses removed.

Japan International
It could be lava. Too bad Simon doesn't have a Varia suit.

The coffin graphic in the second part of the stage features yet another removed cross.

The Treasury

Japan International
Super Castlevania IV treasury comparison 1.png Super Castlevania IV treasury comparison 2.png

Throughout this stage, the very tiny "crosses" on the distant piles of gold in the background were modified. Konami really went to great lengths to get rid of all crosses and cross-shaped accessories (except the Rosary item, of course).

Snapper Casket

Japan International
SuperCastlevania4Casketjp.gif SuperCastlevania4Casket.gif

The coffins that attack Simon in various stages had their crosses removed.

Audio Differences

For some reason, the sound effects for the upgraded forms of Simon's whip (the Chain Whip and the Morning Star) were altered for the international versions. In the Japanese version, it actually sounds more like a chain.

Chain Whip

Japan International

Morning Star

Japan International