Play Castlevania : Akatsuki no Minuet Online

Oh man, Castlevania: Akatsuki no Minuet—this GBA title flew under the radar back in the day, but it’s got all the gothic goodness you’d expect from the series. That first moment when you step into the castle, whip in hand, with those haunting chiptune melodies setting the mood? Perfect.

It plays like a love letter to classic Metroidvanias—you’ll backtrack through candle-lit halls, stumble upon hidden rooms (usually guarded by something nasty), and slowly piece together upgrades that make you feel like an unstoppable vampire hunter. The bosses are brutal but fair, and the sprite work? Still holds up, especially when you catch little details like flickering torches casting shadows on the walls.

Honestly, it’s a shame this one isn’t talked about more—if you’ve ever lost hours to Symphony of the Night or Aria of Sorrow, you’ll feel right at home here. Just maybe keep the lights on while playing.