Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

Game Overview

Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (known in Japan as Dracula II: Noroi no Fūin, meaning “Dracula II: The Seal of the Curse”) was released for the Famicom Disk System on August 28, 1987, and later for the NES in North America on November 24, 1988 (some sources list December 1) and Europe in April 1990.

The story is set in 1698. After defeating Dracula in the first game, Simon Belmont was cursed by the vampire lord. The only way to lift the curse and save himself is to gather the five scattered body parts of Dracula (Nail, Heart, Rib, Eyeball, and Ring), bring them to the ruins of Dracula’s Castle, and defeat him once more. Simon travels the land of Transylvania, visiting towns such as Jova, Veros, Aljiba, and others, exploring five haunted mansions (Berkeley, Rover, Brahm’s, Bodley, and Laruba), and eventually confronting Dracula.

Gameplay shifts dramatically from the first game’s linear stages. The world is open and non-linear, allowing free exploration of interconnected areas including forests, swamps, towns, cemeteries, and mansions. A continuous day-night cycle runs in real time (time freezes indoors): daytime (6:00–17:59) lets players talk to villagers and shop, while nighttime (18:00–5:59) closes towns, fills them with stronger zombies, and makes outdoor enemies tougher but more rewarding in hearts and experience.

Simon retains the Vampire Killer whip, which can be upgraded by purchasing stronger versions in towns. Secondary weapons and items (holy water, dagger, axe, oak stake, garlic, crystals, etc.) are found or bought. Experience points are gained from defeating enemies; leveling increases maximum health and reduces damage taken. Password saves allow progress to be recorded.

The game is notorious for its cryptic clues (many villagers give misleading or incomplete advice) and hidden mechanics, such as using specific items on walls or cliffs. Completion time determines one of three endings: the best ending requires finishing in seven in-game days or fewer.

Though sometimes criticized for its opacity and translation issues, Simon’s Quest pioneered open-world exploration and RPG systems in the series and is an important early example of what later became known as Metroidvania design.

Quick Specifications

• Title: Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (Japan: Dracula II: Noroi no Fūin / ドラキュラII 呪いの封印)
• Platform: NES / Famicom (original Famicom Disk System release)
• Developer: Konami
• Publisher: Konami
• Release Dates: Japan (FDS) – August 28, 1987; North America (NES) – November 24, 1988; Europe (NES) – April 27, 1990
• Genre: Action-Adventure, Platformer, Action RPG
• Mode: Single-player
• Players: 1
• Perspective: Side-view, 2D side-scrolling with open world
• Media: Cartridge (NES), Floppy Disk (FDS)
• Series: Castlevania (second mainline NES entry)
• Notable Features: Day-night cycle, experience/leveling system, multiple endings, password save

Key Features

• Open-world exploration across towns, forests, swamps, and five mansions instead of linear stages
• Day-night cycle that changes enemy strength, town accessibility, and item drops
• Experience points and leveling system that increases health and reduces damage
• Whip upgrades and a wide variety of secondary weapons and key items available through shops or exploration
• Collection of five body parts of Dracula required to access the final castle
• Three different endings based on the number of in-game days taken to complete the game
• Password system for saving progress (FDS version had disk saving)
• Cryptic NPC dialogue and environmental puzzles that reward careful exploration
• Atmospheric gothic setting that expands the world of Transylvania beyond a single castle

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

How does the day-night cycle work?

Time advances continuously while outdoors (roughly four in-game minutes per real second). Daytime runs from 6:00 to 17:59 and allows access to shops and villagers. Nighttime (18:00 to 5:59) closes towns, fills them with zombies, and makes enemies stronger but more rewarding. Time freezes inside buildings and mansions.

How many endings are there and how do I get the best one?

There are three endings determined by in-game days elapsed:

• Best ending: 7 days or fewer
• Normal ending: 8–14 days
• Worst ending: 15 days or more

Why is the game so cryptic?

Many villagers deliberately give incomplete, misleading, or false advice. Key progress often requires using specific items on walls, cliffs, or bodies of water that are not clearly indicated. This design encourages experimentation and exploration.

Can I save my progress?

The original Famicom Disk System version supported saving to the disk. The NES cartridge version uses a password system. Players can record a password at the Game Over screen or certain points to continue later.

What are the five body parts I need to collect?

Simon must find Dracula’s Nail, Heart, Rib, Eyeball, and Ring, each hidden in one of the five mansions. These are required to open the path to Dracula’s Castle and confront him.

Is this game considered a Metroidvania?

Yes. Its non-linear world, item-based progression, backtracking, and exploration focus make it one of the earliest and most influential examples of the genre that later became known as Metroidvania.