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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: OdenAndEvil on June 28, 2011, 10:07:43 AM

Title: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: OdenAndEvil on June 28, 2011, 10:07:43 AM
On a Retro game Forum, a friend wrote this...

Alright. So anyone who has played Castlevania IV (which I assume is everyone here) and has seen the commercial (shown below) will notice the significant graphical differences, enemies shown outside of the final copy, and even changes in level design - possibly different levels entirely! Plus, a stage selection? Could it have been like Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge on the Gameboy?

So, there's obviously lots of differences. But on top of that, it looks like the gameplay and screens shown in the commercial itself is from prototype/beta screens.

Castlevania IV Commercial (SNES) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJgRfqMZiEU#)

That being said, I think there's plenty of reasons to assume an actual prototype cartridge was produced, just like every other game. So...

Is there any information on such an item still existing? It doesn't seem like there's really any around... If there is, there's not really any information about it online, either. I'd be interested in getting some information on it. Or finding it... Any ideas, comments, or anything?
----End----

I never seen this either b4.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Nagumo on June 28, 2011, 10:55:42 AM
I think your friend would have as much luck finding the beta version of Bloodlines. I guess he should just hope it shows up at ebay someday.     
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: VampirehunterB on June 28, 2011, 01:00:26 PM
this is amazing, not only is it an additional version of the best game ever, but it is also a rarity treasure beyond recognition..One must do everything in power to find it..or at least find more info about it!!
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Claimh Solais on June 28, 2011, 01:10:58 PM
THROUGH A ROOM!!!
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: OdenAndEvil on June 28, 2011, 02:21:39 PM
He wont be happy about this info´s. hehe ^^°
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Neflyte on June 28, 2011, 04:04:16 PM
Interesting how Simon's color scheme is very close to the PS Chronicles version...I like it.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: X on June 28, 2011, 04:26:18 PM
Except that SCV4 came out before the PC X68000 CV game so maybe they used the beta Simon as a template for the other.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Inccubus on June 28, 2011, 04:41:35 PM
How can you tell with such a grainy, discolored image? Looks more or less like the one in the final version but darker. Then again, everything is darker. Would be great to get our hands on a dump of that prototype, though.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on June 28, 2011, 07:53:24 PM
I love the "THROUGH  A ROOM"!  Classic.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Neflyte on June 28, 2011, 09:39:32 PM
Except that SCV4 came out before the PC X68000 CV game so maybe they used the beta Simon as a template for the other.
I know SCV4 came out first, I'm saying the character palette is similar.
How can you tell with such a grainy, discolored image? Looks more or less like the one in the final version but darker. Then again, everything is darker. Would be great to get our hands on a dump of that prototype, though.
Watch the video carefully, you'll see the color similarity. I actually like the darker one better than the finished product. I would love it if a rom dump turned up of this prototype!
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Nail_Bombed on June 28, 2011, 11:51:52 PM
"THROUGH A ROOM!".... and a stable. Don't forget that stable. 8)
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Claimh Solais on June 29, 2011, 12:01:02 AM
"THROUGH A ROOM!".... and a stable. Don't forget that stable. 8)

ROOM!!! was the best part though. It was so vague. XD
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: X on June 29, 2011, 04:45:09 PM
They just don't make commercials like that anymore  :'(
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Thomas Belmont on June 29, 2011, 09:30:08 PM
I think your friend would have as much luck finding the beta version of Bloodlines. I guess he should just hope it shows up at ebay someday.     


Are there actual videos of the Bloodlines beta floating around?
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Nagumo on June 30, 2011, 11:04:29 AM
No, but there are screenshots. But you probably already know that.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: OdenAndEvil on June 30, 2011, 04:27:47 PM
I found that yesterday

http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/2/bl-beta.htm (http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/2/bl-beta.htm)

ist about bloodlines beta.  Some screenshots and the beta cartdrige. ^^
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: X on June 30, 2011, 11:01:44 PM
Maybe someone could contact TARA200 and ask if he/she would be kind enough to put this game in rom format for the rest of us? That sprite of the princess of moss actually looks better then what they ended up using.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: VampirehunterB on July 05, 2011, 08:57:42 AM
Could this be an authentic hidden clockwork track from the original game?
UNUSED Super Castlevania 4 song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVkHtP-2DkI#)
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Dark Nemesis on July 05, 2011, 09:06:45 AM
If i remember correct, whoever is that guy or girl, has stated that he/she is not going to make a rom of the game for legal issues......... :'(


That Super Castlevania IV unused track, is great!!! ;D
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Flame on July 05, 2011, 10:46:37 AM
Could this be an authentic hidden clockwork track from the original game?
UNUSED Super Castlevania 4 song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVkHtP-2DkI#)

CV 3's clock tower music always was a personal favorite of mine.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Claimh Solais on July 05, 2011, 10:50:54 AM
Wait. Wait. Did I just hear the epitome of awesome? :O
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on July 05, 2011, 02:08:28 PM
That's totally an April Fools' Joke, but it sounds nice. :)
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: cecil-kain on July 05, 2011, 04:14:22 PM
That's totally an April Fools' Joke, but it sounds nice. :)

I dunno.  This track sounds inconsistent and confused --it's all over the place.  Too amateurish to fool me.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: X on July 05, 2011, 04:32:52 PM
I agree with Cecil-Kain however the tune gave me a slight cv3/Scv4 vibe so it wasn't bad either  :)
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: VampirehunterB on July 05, 2011, 09:09:03 PM
cant stop looking at the prototype, this Must be found..!
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Thunderbrand on July 07, 2011, 04:40:43 AM
Regarding the Bloodlines prototype, it was stated that it was given to gaming magazines so they could review the game early. If that's the case, then just how many copies of this prototype were made? Was it given to many magazines or just some of the bigger ones? Did they get more than one copy or just one copy per magazine? No matter what there can't be that many left in existence at all these days but I wonder how many were initially released...
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Nagumo on July 07, 2011, 06:46:22 AM
The prototype seems to be from July (or November, I don't know) 1993. The actual game was released the next year in March. Any gaming magazine that already had a review/preview of the game before that time should have had that prototype I think.  :-\     
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: BMC_War Machine on July 07, 2011, 09:07:18 AM
They just don't make commercials like that anymore  :'(
Ha, you think THAT is cheesin' it? check out the Castlevania : The Adventure commercial!! Nothing say ol' school corniness than a gameboy that flies around with bats wings!!!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: VampirehunterB on July 07, 2011, 11:51:11 AM
Regarding the Bloodlines prototype, it was stated that it was given to gaming magazines so they could review the game early. If that's the case, then just how many copies of this prototype were made? Was it given to many magazines or just some of the bigger ones? Did they get more than one copy or just one copy per magazine? No matter what there can't be that many left in existence at all these days but I wonder how many were initially released...


interesting indeed..
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: DoctaMario on July 07, 2011, 12:49:15 PM
Man, the version of CV4 in the commercial is UGLY!  :P Seems like it was just a beta itself.

Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: X on July 07, 2011, 04:21:52 PM
Quote
Man, the version of CV4 in the commercial is UGLY!  :P Seems like it was just a beta itself.

It is the Beta version otherwise we would've had all those levels in the final release a long time ago... Kinda disappointing since it makes for a more complete game.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: crisis on July 08, 2011, 10:02:46 PM
I have this beta, 2 of 'em in fact (had a third, but I got too hungry)

No big deal, whutevaa
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Corpsecrank on July 13, 2011, 01:20:23 AM
Man is anyone else thinking about how corny that commercial is/was. Reminds me of the commercial for link's awakening on the gameboy which I still remember watching as a kid lol.

Anyhow I doubt you would be able to find even a shred of info about what is shown short of contacting konami directly which is not going to be easy either. Even if you did contact them they probably would not be able to help you much.

You would really need the help of someone well known in the industry that covers gaming. They might be able to request information like that and get a solid response. Otherwise you are out of luck.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Slayer on July 13, 2011, 01:34:37 AM
I have this beta, 2 of 'em in fact (had a third, but I got too hungry)

No big deal, whutevaa

I know you're joking, but you're breaking my heart, here. I need to see some Super CV4 Beta  :'(
How else will I remember that things are SLIPPERY when they're WET!!
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: crisis on July 15, 2011, 09:21:22 PM
ppl thought I was joking when I said I have 12 SotN tiger handhelds....  :P
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Laughing skeleton on July 16, 2011, 12:04:19 PM
Hmm the first stage of CV4 looks like it was modeled off the haunted ship from CV3 in this version.
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Claimh Solais on July 16, 2011, 01:40:15 PM
ppl thought I was joking when I said I have 12 SotN tiger handhelds....  :P

Yeah, when you say you have something CV-related, I'll never know if you're joking or not. >.>
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: X on July 16, 2011, 05:55:26 PM
Quote
ppl thought I was joking when I said I have 12 SotN tiger handhelds....  :P

I saw that thread. THAT was NO joke  :o
Title: Re: Castlevania IV Prototype?
Post by: Slayer on July 16, 2011, 09:46:50 PM
12
12?
12?!