• Publisher: Konami
  • Release Date: Oct 2, 1997

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. 95
  2. The music is outstanding. It sets the mood perfectly for each scene and makes you feel like you are really in the game.
  3. One of the best games available for the original PlayStation. With all of the new features available, Symphony of the Night is very different from the previous games in the Castlevania series, but it also stands out as one of the best.
  4. This is exactly what I'm looking for in a 32-bit Castlevania game: great graphics and animation, plenty of way-cool Bosses and tight 2D gameplay.
  5. 90
    The music is brilliant too - sometimes daunting, sometimes rousing and always doing what music should - enhancing the action.
  6. Quite possibly the best 2D action side scroller ever.
  7. 100
    A mandatory addition to any Castlevania fan's game library.
  8. Anyone even remotely interested in the world of 2D side-scrollers or the Castlevania series should pick this up – it's a must have.
  10. A certifiable classic. [Feb 2003, p.97]
  11. Featuring a massive quest filled with RPG elements, mind-blowing 2D backgrounds, fantastic character artwork, an astounding soundtrack and osme of the best Castlevania gameplay ever seen, SOTN is a PS one classic that can't be missed. [Nov 2001, p.40]
User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 177 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 57
  2. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. Dec 10, 2012
  2. RichterB.
    Dec 7, 2006
    This game was a break through when it was created not just because the soundtrack was incredible, the visuals were stunning, the variety of characters you could play with, the multitude of weapons and items, infinite combinations of the former and secret powers, but because it offered what a lot of games did not at the time and that was freedom of environment in a 2-D. Super metroid was one of the predecessors to this type of gameplay and it holds its crown for its ability on the Super NES. Castlevania was the definitive for PS because it took that powefully free and entertaining gameplay with a classic story and game to more depth and adventure than ever before. It was similar to Fable on X box or Lament on PS2 but it still out classes both with its sheer amount of charater and playable variability. If only we could have more games with such fun, simplicity and depth that keeps you asking for more. Full Review »
  3. Jun 12, 2011