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Castlevania: The Adventure gets a lot of flack from fans of the series. It was released in December of 1989, very soon after the launch of the Game Boy handheld. In fact, I can very vividly remember it being part of my first batch of games for the old gray brick. That being said, there is of course a certain level of nostalgia that I (and anyone else who got The Adventure that Christmas) can't help but shake for the game.

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In fairness to the realists out there, there's certainly plenty to not like about Castlevania: The Adventure. For starts Christopher Belmont moves agonizingly slow. And his jumping skills are pretty terrible to boot. This wouldn't be such a problem if The Adventure didn't rely so heavily on platforming -- unfairly difficult platforming. Another thing that seems to bother fans of the series is the lack of stairs. Instead of stairs there are chains or ropes to clime to each new level. I personally aren't bothered by this devise, even if it is less than comfortable. Admittedly the one big omission that does baffle my mind is the lack of secondary weapons. Y'know all those daggers, crosses and holy water you're used to in other Castlevania games? Well, they're not here.

Having said all that, I can't help but enjoy The Adventure. Sure it's way too hard. I've still never beat it over twenty years later. But I can't help but get a certain satisfaction out of feebly trying. Like I said, for me this was one of the first Game Boy games I ever played. Which made it rather amazing in and of itself.

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