On the other hand, is not like Medusa in Castlevania has ever looked she was supposed to
IMO, It's closer to the myth so I like it.
Modern interpretation of Medusa(Castlevania, Clashe of the Titans, Kid Icarus, Percy Jackson...) seems to be inspired by Bernini's Medusa(believed to be sculpted sometime in the 1600s, Bernini, as well as other artists basing their depiction on the Roman depiction of Medusa, which looked less monster and more human):
Interestingly enough, given it's bust look and it being believed to be created in the 17th century, doesn't it bare an odd resemblence to the Medusa boss in the first CV game(which starts off as a stone bust that comes to life; the first CV being set in the late 17th century)?