video_games:castlevania_symphony_of_the

One half of the Metroidvania equation and the inspiration for decades of indie games, Castlevania Symphony of the Night remains an important part of gaming history. I actually never owned the original, but the picture of Dracula's castle from the PS1 box art remains eternally burned into my brain from staring at it many times at my friend's house hoping one day I'd be able to afford it. Alas, by the time I could, I no longer had the time to game. Sad.

PLAYSTATION - 1997

PROS:	- Least amount of lag - Pixel perfect
CONS:	- Maria is not playable - Missing some enemies, items, familiars, and areas found in other releases - Noticeable slow-down on occasion
NOTES:	- Enhanced image quality is possible when using the disc via PS2 or PS, with some very minor visual effects issues - The Japanese version has two additional familiars which can be found in later releases

SEGA SATURN - 1998

PROS:	- Richter has an additional outfit [Access by Holding up while selecting Richter with the C button] - Four new areas to explore: CLICK FOR SPOILER [Underground Garden, Cursed Prison, Hell Garden, Soul Prison] - There are additional enemies and a new boss in the new areas - Additional items, and familiars - A sound test is included with an expanded soundtrack that has new versions of classic tracks - Two additional characters are available immediately as opposed to having to unlock them - Unique version of Maria with possible exclusive soundtrack
CONS:	- Released in Japan only - Longer load times - Dithered transparency effects - Same resolution as PlayStation, but stretched to match Saturn's output causing a slight, but noticeable pixel deformation - More slow-down in some spots than the PlayStation version - Must go to the pause menu to access the map [More annoying than you might think due the frequency it's typically accessed]
NOTES:	- There is an “Ultimate” patch that resolves some of the issues - New Boss Battle against CLICK FOR SPOILER Maria with unique theme

XBOX ARCADE - 2007

PROS:	- Game is rendered at 240p, but has additional display options
CONS:	- Compressed soundtrack/audio - Minor input lag - Missing additions found in the Sega Saturn version
NOTES:	- Based on PlayStation version - FMVs removed - Can't disable the wallpaper - “I Am the Wind” was replaced with “Admiration of Clan”, as the closing theme.

SONY PSP - 2009

PROS:	- Maria is playable, but has a different move-set that is more consistent with her appearance in Rondo of Blood - Suspend and quicksave features added - Two additional familiars CLICK FOR SPOILER [Fairy and Nose Demon] - Japanese dialogue available - Some bugs and glitches were patched out [sorry speedrunners]
CONS:	- Must find item in Rondo of Blood to unlock SotN - Minor graphical bugs such as the background in Death's first cutscene
NOTES:	- New voice actors - Slightly altered localization - Some re-recorded sound effects for voices, grunts, monsters, and familiars - “I Am the Wind” was replaced with “Mournful Serenade”, as the closing theme. - Boss Battle against CLICK FOR SPOILER Maria but theme song is no longer unique

PLAYSTATION 4 - 2018

PROS:	- 1080/4k Upscaling [Also appears to render at a higher base resolution] - Least amount of slow-down [Even better than PSP]
CONS:	- Almost unnoticeable input lag
NOTES:	- Emulated PSP version [see above for additional pros/cons] - Use full display mode for best scaling accuracy - 3D effects are rendered at a higher resolution - Trophies added - DualShock 4’s vibration, analog stick and speaker supported

CUTSCENES

This is sort of a spoiler, but possibly worth a partial watch if voice acting quality is a deal breaker for you. You can always use the Japanese audio.