Famicom · 1989
Castlevania III
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse introduces branching path progression and three distinct companion partners to the classic whip-cracking Gothic quest.
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FamicomCastlevania III
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Try a related playable game
- Castlevania IIFamicom · Another game or edition in this series
- Castlevania Dracula XSuper Famicom · Another game or edition in this series
- Castlevania: Harmony of DissonanceGame Boy Advance · Another game or edition in this series
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About Castlevania III
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse introduces branching path progression and three distinct companion partners to the classic whip-cracking Gothic quest.
Branching castle routes and spirit partners
Trevor Belmont marches toward Castlevania across a non-linear map screen that splits into upper and lower regional routes. Along the journey, Trevor can recruit three unique allies: Sypha Belnades with elemental magic spells, Grant Danasty with ceiling-climbing agility and dagger throws, and Alucard with bat transformation and fireball flight. You can swap between Trevor and your active spirit partner at will, allowing you to bypass vertical obstacles or decimate aerial bosses using sub-weapon synergies.
Switching characters and conserving sub-weapon hearts
Grant Danasty alters the entire geometry of early stages. While clinging to walls and ceilings, Grant can easily bypass bottomless pit traps and avoid ground-patrolling skeleton knights. However, Trevor remains your highest-damage boss slayer with his fully upgraded morning star whip. Save your heart reserves for Sypha’s freeze spell or Trevor’s holy water when approaching difficult stage-clearing gargoyles.
A multi-route Gothic masterpiece
This is the 8-bit Famicom/NES release. While the original Castlevania was strictly linear, Dracula’s Curse rewards multiple playthroughs with distinct endings based on which companion accompanies Trevor to the final throne room.
Background and mechanics: Wikipedia game reference.
Konami Castlevania III development and regional release notes · Covers the non-linear stage progression and multi-character partner mechanic.
Secret Codes & Cheats
Check the edition and timing requirements before entering a code. Button names refer to the emulated controller; use your assigned keyboard or controller inputs.
Start with 10 Lives
Name save file HELP MEEnter your name as "HELP ME" on the Name Entry screen before starting a new game to begin Trevor Belmont’s journey with 10 reserve lives instead of 3.
Start with Grant Danasty Spirit Partner
Name save file FU FUInput your name as "FU FU" on the name entry register to start the campaign with Grant Danasty already recruited into your spirit party.
Sound Test Jukebox
Name save file AKUMAJYOEnter the name "AKUMAJYO" on the registration screen to open the hidden Konami sound test player and listen to all background music tracks.
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Where can I find more games like this?
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