Castlevania is undoubtedly one of the richest series in gaming when it comes to the number of games! There are spin-offs, remakes, reinterpretations and at least four different timelines that can leave anyone feeling “lost.”
Worse still, there are books and even radio dramas that complement the main story. There are also games that were originally part of the chronology and later discarded, and vice versa. Nevertheless, the main chronology has been made available on several occasions, whether through a preorder for a game in the series, magazines, a book, official websites and so on. Since we at Epic Play also love the Castlevania games, we have brought you the chronology of the series' main games.
Note: We chose to include videos of the battles against the various incarnations of Dracula. Only press play if you do not mind spoilers!
Leon Belmont Era
1094 - Lament of Innocence (PlayStation 2 - 2002)
Starring Leon Belmont, a Romanian knight of the Crusades, this is the first conflict between the Belmont family and Dracula, although at the time he was not known by that name.
Leon invades the mysterious castle that appeared in the city after his wife, Sara Trantoul, was captured. In this game, we learn how the legendary “Vampire Killer” whip was created and how the legendary villain emerged, while another recurring enemy also makes its first appearance: Death.
12th to 14th Centuries (Official Timeline)
During this period, the legendary “Vampire Killer” is passed down from generation to generation, but at a price: social isolation, as people eventually became afraid of the power bestowed upon the Belmonts. What society itself did not understand was that this feeling fed the villain's power, and during this period he became known as Dracula Vlad Tepes.
Trevor Belmont Era
1476 - Dracula´s Curse (Nintendo 8-bit - 1989)
Dracula rises from the dead and begins destroying Europe with his army of monsters. Secret hunters try to eliminate them, but all are defeated and, left with no choice, they begin calling for the Belmont family to return and destroy him.
This time, the protagonist of the story is Trevor Belmont, who will have the help of the thief Grant Danasty, the sorceress Sypha Belnades and Alucard, who makes his first appearance in the series.
1479 - Curse of Darkness (PlayStation 2 - 2005)
Three years after Dracula's defeat, his curse continues to infest Europe, bringing disease and violent behavior.
Amid so many problems, Hector, a Devil Forgemaster who worked for the king of vampires, decides to rebel after the death of his wife. Over the course of the adventure, he encounters Trevor, Julia and St. Germain.
Christopher Belmont Era
1576 - The Adventure / Adventure Rebirth (Game Boy - 1989 / Wii - 2009)
About 100 years after the events of Curse of Darkness, Dracula mysteriously returns to life.
Rumors suggest that the Bartley family was responsible for this, and it is here that the legend begins that “every 100 years, when faith in God is forgotten, Dracula will return to life.” With his Vampire Killer, Christopher Belmont was chosen to defeat him.
1591 - Belmont´s Revenge (Game Boy / Color - 1991)
Fifteen years after Dracula was defeated by Christopher Belmont, it was discovered that he had not been completely destroyed. He had escaped in the form of mist and remained in seclusion until he regained enough power to take revenge.
Meanwhile, a ceremony is being held in the city to present Christopher's son, Soleiyu Belmont, with the legendary Vampire Killer, since he is now a fifteen-year-old. On the morning after the celebrations, Dracula uses his powers to take control of Soleiyu and kidnaps him. Four different castles then appear, and Christopher Belmont must rescue his son, defeat Dracula once again and save the world.
Simon Belmont Era
1691 - Castlevania / Vampire Killer / Super Castlevania IV / Chronicles (Various Platforms)
The first game in the series was released in 1986 for the Famicom in Japan and two years later for the NES in the United States. It is also the franchise's most reinterpreted title, both in the form of remakes and reboots.
Set 100 years after Dracula's last defeat, Christopher Belmont has become the legendary vampire hunter who defeated the villain. Faithless men manage to bring the king of vampires back to life along with his castle.
Simon Belmont, a descendant of Christopher and the current wielder of the legendary Vampire Killer, sets out on a mission to destroy Dracula. He completes his mission, but does not know that he has been cursed.
1698 - Simon´s Quest (Nintendo 8-bit - 1988)
Seven years after defeating the Prince of Darkness, Simon Belmont discovers a curse inside his body that will lead him to his death. The solution? Bring the villain back to life and defeat him once again. In addition, Dracula's monsters reappear in Transylvania and begin terrorizing the population.
With no alternative, Simon Belmont takes his legendary Vampire Killer whip and travels through several towns to help their residents and search for parts of Dracula's body, which are being kept in five different mansions. Fate will bring Simon and Dracula together in battle once again.
Juste Belmont Era
1748 - Harmony of Dissonance (Game Boy Advance - 2002)
Simon's grandson, Juste Belmont, continues the tradition and is the next member of the family to receive the legendary whip. Eventually, a mysterious castle appears among the clouds and his childhood friend, Lydie, is kidnapped.
Juste Belmont joins forces with a friend, Maxim, and the two invade the place. Eventually, they discover that the terrible villain can return to life through the remains of the Prince of Darkness.
Richter Belmont Era
1792 - Rondo of Blood / Dracula X / Dracula X Chronicles (PC Engine - 1993 / Super NES - 1995 / PSP - 2007)
The dark priest Shaft manages to revive Dracula once again. Richter Belmont, whom everyone believes to be Juste's son, has the Vampire Killer and sets out on an adventure to destroy Dracula and save the women kidnapped in his town, including his fiancée, Annette.
Over the course of the adventure, he is helped by a twelve-year-old girl, Maria Renard, who possesses mysterious powers. Even after defeating the Prince of Darkness, Richter Belmont does not know that Shaft has cursed him.
1797 - Symphony of the Night (PlayStation - 1997)
Shaft, who revived Dracula five years earlier, continues to exist as a spirit inside a crystal ball. Richter Belmont, unaware that he has been cursed, falls under the priest's control and intends to revive the Prince of Darkness.
The castle appears once again, but because this time there would be no member of the legendary vampire-hunting family to invade it, Alucard awakens from his deep sleep and enters the place to prevent his father from being revived yet again.
1798 - Castlevania: Nocturne of Reminiscensce (Radio Drama)
Originally part of a Konami web radio program called Akumajo Dracula Radio Chronicle, this “radio drama” was released on CD in Japan in 2010.
After the events of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, the villain Magnus appears in an attempt to revive the castle once again, only this time by making Alucard the lord of darkness.
Absence of the Belmonts — Shanoa Era
1800s - Order of Ecclesia (Nintendo DS - 2008)
A brilliant and skilled member of the Order of Ecclesia, Shanoa, is chosen to wield the power of Dominus.
However, another member of the same group, Albus, steals the pieces that form the legendary power because he envies the protagonist's abilities, and she must recover them. Eventually, she discovers that her leader wants to revive the Prince of Darkness.
Absence of the Belmonts — Morris Era
1917 - Bloodlines (Mega Drive - 1994)
Three years before the events of Bloodlines, the witch Drolta Tzuentes decides to visit the ruins of a castle in Transylvania and uses her magic to revive the vampire Elizabeth Bartley.
She decides to assassinate the crown prince of Austria to start World War I. With the large number of souls sacrificed, she could fulfill her objective: reviving the Prince of Darkness, Dracula.
John Morris has the legendary “Vampire Killer,” passed down by the Belmont family, who, for unknown reasons, were unable to use the whip until 1999. To use its full power, they needed the help of another family, the Lecardes, until the year of the prophecy.
In this context, John Morris and Eric Lecarde join forces to invade the castle and destroy Dracula once again.
1944 - Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS - 2006)
The world is once again in chaos, this time because of the Second World War. The anguish and negative feelings brought about by this catastrophe summon the legendary castle once again, but its prince has not yet returned to life.
With no alternative, Jonathan Morris, John's son, and the sorceress Charlotte Aulin invade the castle to prevent Dracula's resurrection.
Julius Belmont Era
1999 - No Game (mentioned in Aria of Sorrow)
Fan art: Twilightwindwaker777
On August 11, 1999, an eclipse occurs in Europe, fulfilling a prophecy by Nostradamus that Dracula would be revived on this date.
The Belmont clan, who once again have the legendary Vampire Killer, the descendants of Sypha Belnades and Alucard confirm that the Prince of Darkness is returning.
Eventually, Julius Belmont fulfills his destiny and defeats the Prince of Darkness. The difference is that this time, the villain's powers and castle are sealed within the darkness of the lunar eclipse thanks to the Hakuba clan's secret art.
With his powers and castle sealed away, this was the opportunity humanity had long dreamed of to be rid of Dracula once and for all. However, he would still not be defeated so easily. A new prophecy says that he would be reincarnated in 2035.
Dracula's Rebirth
2035 - Aria of Sorrow (Game Boy Advance - 2003)
In Japan, during the solar eclipse of 2035, high school students Soma Cruz and Mina Hakuba are transported inside Dracula's castle, which lies within the eclipse.
After waking up, protagonist Soma Cruz sees that he is trapped and looks for a way to return to Japan. During his search, he encounters Genya Arikado, Yoko Belnades and a man with no memory who identifies himself only as “J.”
Eventually, Soma discovers that he has Dracula's power within him and that the Prince of Darkness will be revived through his body. It seems the story has “turned around,” and this time Soma must “find a way” to keep the villain from returning through him.
2036 - Dawn of Sorrow (Nintendo DS - 2005)
One year after the events of Aria of Sorrow, the world seems to be at peace and Soma Cruz believes his “Dracula” powers have been lost. A woman, Celia Fortner, appears and summons several monsters in an attempt to destroy him, but Genya Arikado appears and saves him.
Arikado then reveals that Fortner is part of a cult that wants to revive the Prince of Darkness, and advises Soma not to go after her. However, he does not follow his advice...
2037 - Akumajo Dracula: Kabuchi no Tsuisoukyoku (Book)
Julius Belmont's pupil, Curtis Lang, and his ally Michelle Danasty must fight the vampire Olrox, who wants to dominate humanity.
