A collection gathering the handheld GBA Castlevanias, including the superb Aria of Sorrow. Save states, filters, and rewind modernise the experience without betraying its spirit. Essential for anyone who loves the classic metroidvania.
Your verdict
Category
Compilation1 player12+
Description
Four gothic adventures gather vampire hunting, whip in hand, and the exploration of cursed castles. Published by Konami, released worldwide in 2021. A compilation of handheld and 16-bit classics, modern comfort options, art galleries and a remastered soundtrack.
Castlevania Advance Collection review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gathering these classics also means gathering some of the GBA's finest sonic pages. Michiru Yamane's gothic, grandiose compositions for Aria of Sorrow sit beside the baroque themes of Harmony of Dissonance and Circle of the Moon. Between vampiric organs and soaring melodies, the handheld sound chip proves unexpectedly rich, forever serving the atmosphere.
Gameplay
"Masterful"
Gathering the series' peak in handheld 2D alone justifies the buy: Aria of Sorrow reigns, often cited among the best metroidvanias, alongside Harmony of Dissonance, Circle of the Moon and the 16-bit Dracula X. Rewind, filters and galleries modernize without distorting. Circle of the Moon has aged unevenly, its murky readability first of all, but the package remains an ideal entry point.
This compilation gathers three handheld Castlevania titles whose bosses carry the gothic torch: from lords of the dead to mythic beasts, you learn tight patterns and exploit sub-weapons and attack windows. Aria of Sorrow shines brightest, blending retro demand with an addictive soul-collecting system.
An underrated gem
Bundling four gothic chapters born on handhelds and 16-bit hardware looked like a niche operation, and the collection arrived with little fanfare. Yet these adventures rank among the genre's most elegant, between cursed castles and Metroidvania progression. Modern comforts and a remastered score invite you to taste them again, a treat for fans of classy action-adventure.
Is Castlevania Advance Collection still worth playing in 2026?
Castlevania Advance Collection is a model compilation gathering the peak of the series in portable 2D. Aria of Sorrow is here, often cited as one of the best metroidvanias ever made, alongside Harmony of Dissonance, Circle of the Moon and the 16-bit Dracula X. The comfort options, rewind, filters and galleries respect the originals without distorting them. Some titles have aged unevenly, notably Circle of the Moon and its murky visibility, but the set remains an ideal gateway to a golden age of the genre.
