The Retro Critic

Kid Dracula

After Kid Chameleon and Cowboy Kid comes…

Kid Dracula, a Game Boy game whose existence is a bit surprising to say the least.

For one thing, it’s both a spin-off and a sequel.

Oddly, Kid Dracula is indeed a spin-off of Castlevania and a sequel to a Famicom Kid Dracula game. That said, going into this one, don’t expect Castlevania: this really is a more kid-friendly, cuter take on that world.

Visually, it looks more like Kirby’s Adventure than it does the classic vampire game. Kid Dracula himself is much more adorable than Castlevania’s Simon Belmont, with a big friendly face, a Syndrome-style (from The Incredibles) haircut and a mischievous grin. At the end of each level, he swings his cape around and laughs his 8-bit butt off.

Now I’m not usually a big fan of “kidding-up” popular franchises but that’s only because, more often than not, the result is slight and forgettable. Luckily, with Kid Dracula, actual effort was put into making the game instantly likeable and overall really fun.

Kid Dracula plays a lot like a Mega Man game although it’s much, much easier. and altogether simpler in its design. The goofy-looking enemies you face are either direct references to Castlevania, fun references to horror movies or completely surreal beings that should never see the light of day.

I mean…

Jason is even in this game!

You know, for all the little kids who are big fans of Friday The 13th Part III!

Earlier on, you fight more typical bad guys such as Frankenstein monsters:

And Igor-looking fellows:

But then, very quickly, the game gets bored of these guys and decides to go insane by throwing out just any random thing. Like, the first thing that pops into Konami’s head.

Little Shop Of Horrors flower buds with sunglasses and giant tree bugs, for example.

Why would a plant need sunglasses?

And who would be crazy enough to create such tiny eyewear?!

You realise very quickly that logic isn’t exactly in the cards with this one and that’s absolutely fine. Why would you expect realism in something called Kid Dracula?

Then again, why would you expect the witch from Bewitched to be in this?

Wait, wait – wait.

What is with that cloud?

I…

I don’t know what it’s trying to do with its eyes but I don’t like it.

STOP LOOKING AT MEEEEEE!

Like I said, Kid Dracula gets pretty surreal. It’s like about halfway through it decided: “hey, forget vampires. What else is awesome?”.

Yup, big robots. Check.

Oh, aliens! Gotta have aliens.

But what about giant Clifford-style dogs?

That’ll do.

Could be a lion, though, I’m unclear on that.

Boss-wise, you either end up battling a bigger version of an enemy you’ve already fought, arch-nemesis Galamoth (at the very end):

Or something much more disturbing.

Like, rapid ageing clansmen?

Well this got dark quickly!

Can’t believe there’s a swastika in a Game Boy game, even if it is a reverse one. And a character aging quickly and dying tragically in front of your very eyes.

Some cool things you get to do in the game include turning into a bat:

(yes, that tree has a mouth)

With your head still human, for some reason.

I guess, in a weird way, every game needs a little Leslie Nielsen in it.

Oh, you also get to carry the most kick-ass weapon near the end of the game.

Yes, because umbrellas are always effective against volcanoes.

And baby lion dogs.

(note you’re actually on another planet at this point)

All in all, Kid Dracula may not be super consistent in terms of what it’s going for but overall, it’s a really enjoyable little game to play which not only looks great and plays great but includes loads of clever in-jokes and nifty, well-designed, challenging levels.

Yes the game is a little bit kid-friendly in its approach and isn’t quite as tough and rewarding as Castlevania but it’s still a nice surprise and well worth playing. I mean, if a game reminds you of the likes of Kirby’s Adventure, Mega Man, Castlevania and Super Mario Bros. all at the same time, that makes it a bit derivative but also based on awesome things so at least it’s borrowing from the best.

Also give the Famicom game a go, if you can find it.

*shudder*

I hate clouds.