# Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse *Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse*, known as *Akumajō Densetsu* in Japan, is a 1989 action-platformer developed and published by Konami for the Famicom (1989) and NES (1990/1992). Set in 1476, it follows Trevor Belmont, a vampire hunter, as he battles through Dracula’s forces to defeat the Count, who threatens Wallachia. Unlike *Castlevania II*’s open-world, it returns to linear platforming with branching paths and multiple characters: Trevor (whip), Sypha Belnades (magic), Grant DaNasty (agility), and Alucard (Dracula’s son, bat transformation). Featuring 10 stages (15 in Japan due to extra difficulty), players use the Vampire Killer whip and sub-weapons (e.g., axe, holy water) against gothic enemies and bosses like the Cyclops. With stunning 8-bit visuals (using the MMC5 chip in Japan), a legendary soundtrack by Hidenori Maezawa and others, and three endings, it’s a series highlight, selling well and re-released on Virtual Console (Wii/3DS/Wii U) and *Castlevania Anniversary Collection* (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC). ## Why Play Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse? *Castlevania III* blends tight platforming with RPG-like character switching, offering varied playstyles: Trevor’s balanced whip combat, Sypha’s powerful spells, Grant’s wall-climbing, and Alucard’s bat form. Branching paths (e.g., clock tower vs. caves) and three endings based on companion choice boost replayability. Its 10 stages (2-4 hours main story, 6-10 for completion) feature challenging platforming, traps, and iconic bosses like Doppelganger. The Japanese version’s superior sound (VRC6 chip) and higher difficulty enhance the experience. Its polished controls, gothic atmosphere, and iconic tracks (e.g., “Beginning”) make it a must-play for retro ROM and platformer fans, though its high difficulty and no-save system may overwhelm newcomers. ## Game Features - Play as Trevor Belmont, with Sypha, Grant, or Alucard (switchable at specific points) - Wield the Vampire Killer whip and sub-weapons (dagger, axe, holy water, cross, stopwatch) - Navigate 10 stages with branching paths (15 in Japan); 3 endings based on companion - Battle gothic enemies (skeletons, mummies) and bosses (Cyclops, Skull Knight, Dracula) - Experience authentic NES gameplay on our retro ROM platform or in *Castlevania Anniversary Collection* (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) ## Play Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse Online Slay vampires today! Our website, Classic Joy Games, lets you play *Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse* instantly with no downloads, optimized for modern browsers using NES emulators. Alternatively, enjoy it on Wii/3DS/Wii U Virtual Console, *Castlevania Anniversary Collection* (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC), or sites like RetroGames.cz or EmulatorGames.net (Japanese *Akumajō Densetsu* ROM recommended for better audio). Physical copies are available on eBay/Amazon ($30-$80). Ideal for fans of retro ROMs and gothic platformers! Note: For emulation, use Mesen or Nestopia for optimal performance; Japanese version requires VRC6 audio support. Join players worldwide and enjoy *Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse* on Classic Joy Games. Start your hunt now and defeat Dracula to forge the Belmont legacy!