Topic: JPN PSN Chronicles & SOTN

[Abnormal Freak]

This article shows how to set up a Japanese PSN account on any PS3. My question is, assuming Castlevania Chronicles is on PSN, is it exactly the same version as the disc release? I'd heard the US version of the game excluded some things (the doll voices for one) and I'm curious to have a legit copy of the Japanese game without importing the disc.

Same goes for Symphony of the Night: is it on the Japanese PSN, and which version of the game is it? If I recall, there was a greatest hits type release that had some additional features (like the fairy singing "Nocturne").

And are there any other Castlevania games or games of note on the Japanese PSN? Either stuff unavailable on the US PSN or significant regional differences (gameplay or graphical).

[X]

My question is, assuming Castlevania Chronicles is on PSN, is it exactly the same version as the disc release? I'd heard the US version of the game excluded some things (the doll voices for one) and I'm curious to have a legit copy of the Japanese game without importing the disc.

Do the dolls say anything before you attack them? I'm only familiar with their death screams when you kill them.

[Abnormal Freak]

Yeah, they say things in Japanese, though I don't know what.

Elbryan42, who used to post here, swears by the Japanese version being better.

Video Review - Castlevania Chronicle: Akumajou Dracula

To summarize: Japanese voices are missing (there may be more than the dolls), and a mechanic that allowed you to destroy blocks with subweapons has been removed, which ruins a 1-up trick.

That and the Japanese title screen just looks a whole lot cooler than the cheaply plastered on Castlevania logo.

[Koutei]

Since I don't have PS3, I cannot prepare a reply.
That only one can be said, Castlevania Chronicles hasn't been released yet in Japanese PSN.

EDIT
*Destroy blocks with subweapons: This is the error of the Japanese version Chronicles. In the Akumajo Dracula X68000, a wall cannot be broken by subweapon.

[Abnormal Freak]

Ah, so it was a glitch of sorts and not in the original computer game. Still baffles me that they would have removed the dolls' voices from the US release.

I might just have to buy Nocturne in the Moonlight to see whether or not it's the "PlayStation The Best" version. Either way it'll be nice to have a readily available download version to play.

[PFG9000]

For some reason, I think I have a Japanese copy of Chronicles.  I'm not totally sure, which is sad.  If I have time, I should dig it out and play up to that level to see what the voices are like.

Thanks for the info on making a Japanese account.  I'd really like to buy DoDonPachi and a few other Japanese exclusives.  Do you know of any comprehensive list of all the Japanese PSN releases?

EDIT: After an exhaustive 15-second google search, I found this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PSone_Classics_%28Japan%29.

[X]

I found it distracting whenever the camera was moved and you hear all that clicking and other bits. It would be a much better video if he paused it before moving the camera around.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

I have a Castlevania Chronicles JPN Disc.
I also have Castlevania Chronicles (PSN PSX USA version).
Lastly, I had the ROM for the original Akumajo Dracula, which I played on ex68 (an emulator for PC).

The voices are missing in the USA version for the dolls.  The voices used to say "Who are you?" and "Stop!" I think.  The phrases were "Omae wa dareda?" and "Yamete!"

One thing I used to think made the USA version worse (besides the missing voices) was the inability to switch the audio to RolandGS or Original FM Synth.
However, I later learned that you can enable the game to play these tracks instead of the new tracks by holding L+R or something, while selecting Arranged Mode.  So that alone nixed that negative, but it took a while for that little factoid to be found out.

[Abnormal Freak]

I think it's available in original mode as well. I think you hold down all of the shoulder buttons to get the options menu.

[Maedhros]

I feel like the guy is nitpicking too much.

[zangetsu468]

I might just have to buy Nocturne in the Moonlight to see whether or not it's the "PlayStation The Best" version. Either way it'll be nice to have a readily available download version to play.

I think Nocturne is the better version, although more irritating to access the map. 4 reasons are:

-The extra areas which make traversing the map less rigid/ awkward (the music in the areas are great tracks also)
-Maria is my favourite character
-I know the PS controller is awesome, but the Saturn button layout of the original gamepad is a lot more fluid for Nocturne, I was surprised - it feels like a different game to me
-the tracks sound better; sharper and louder

[Abnormal Freak]

Well, uh...OK! But I was wondering if the PSN release is the original PSX version of the game or the "PlayStation The Best" version which has a couple extra goodies. I'm not sure how the title "Nocturne in the Moonlight" came to refer to the Saturn game exclusively for a few people.

[zangetsu468]

Well, uh...OK! But I was wondering if the PSN release is the original PSX version of the game or the "PlayStation The Best" version which has a couple extra goodies. I'm not sure how the title "Nocturne in the Moonlight" came to refer to the Saturn game exclusively for a few people.

Hmmm not sure it depends on whether the original PAL version had the extra goodies or not. All I can say is the SOTN I bought on the US PSN seems to be exactly the same as the original PSX PAL release. I have a very good memory and I don't recall anything different between the two.