Super Castlevania IV

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 This game has unused enemies. This game has unused text. This game has debugging material. This game has a hidden level select. This game has regional differences. This game has a prototype article This game has a prerelease article 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

Prototype Info

Prerelease Info

Notes

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

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

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

Map

Japan	International

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

Introduction

Japan	International

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

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

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

The Stables

Japan	International

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

Crosses removed, again.

Main Hall

Japan	International

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

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

Japan	International

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

Japan	International

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

The Treasury

Japan	International

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

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