The dreaded d-pad on the 360 controller does take a bit of a bite from this game's controls, as Alucard's learned spells are a tad difficult to perform with the mushy pad. It never causes too large an issue, as the magic spells are never really 'needed' through the game; and generally still work with some practice.
Being a ten year-old title, it does show its age graphically. The game is a port of the Playstation version, with no discernable upgrade in graphics. Being a 2-D side-scroller, it is debatable whether or not touching up the visuals would have made any difference. The game gets the job done with its graphics, but serves as a reminder as to why next-gen is so impressive. The game's ever-changing soundtrack actually stands up very well against the test of time, as the gothic orchestral theme continues to impress by seamlessly shifting into metal at just the right moments. The painfully cheesy voice acting remains intact, but never distracts from the otherwise brilliant game.
While most Arcade games will earn repeat plays with difficult achievements, Castlevania earns it with incredibly deep gameplay. True, the game does offer its fair share of hard-earned Achievement Points, but the RPG Adventure play of the classic game is what will keep this game near the top of the played games list. Depending on the ending you choose, the game's regular six-plus hour gameplay offers a second wind of in the form of the 'Inverted Castle'; turning the castle upside down with increasingly difficult baddies to battle. If simply seeing what lies ahead in the upside-down castle is not enough, gamers earn Achievement Points by exploring every nook and cranny of both the regular and Inverted Castle. SOTN is one of the few games on Arcade where the Achievement Points feel like a bonus, rather than the only thing pulling you back; marking the first Arcade game deep enough to warrant full 1,000 Achievement Points.
Although 800 Microsoft Points ($10) may sound like a steep price for a title as old as this, consider that used Playstation versions of this title are going for upwards of $40 still on eBay. The game holds up better than the majority of games even half its age, and provides a rich gaming experience that will have 360 owners drooling in anticipation of the next great retro release on Arcade.
