Sean helps Simon Belmont resurrect Dracula to end his curse once and for all.
The original Castlevania is a classic, but there were many variations across different consoles. The NES version focused more on arcade-style gameplay, but the MSX experience was quite different. When creating a sequel, Konami took more from the latter. Rather than knock down abilities and weaponry when injured, Simon Belmont can now collect items and upgrade weapons at shops, which will persist even after enough failures that a continue is needed. There are NPCs, towns, and other locales that can be revisited throughout the game, as opposed to the strictly linear progression of the NES predecessor. In fact, this more RPG-like system is quite a bit like another maligned sequel, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link!
Sean has chosen Castlevania II: Simon's Quest as the first Producers Pick "Honorable Mention", plucked from the poll of January 2024. The game feels topical, given our recent experience with the Zelda II enhanced remake, and how the changes to that game have brought the two more in line. Also, both games were Sean's favorites as a kid, and the first titles he got along with his first NES back in 1989. 35 years later, it's time to see what he remembers about playing this game!