Castlevania: Circle of the Moon

Lore & Background

Circle of the Moon is set in 1830 Europe, in an old castle on the outskirts of the Austrian Empire. The story begins a decade after Nathan's parents and his mentor Morris Baldwin attempted to banish Dracula; Nathan's parents died, but Dracula was sealed. In the present, Morris has trained Nathan and his son Hugh. At the game's start, the vampiress Camilla reawakens Dracula, who destroys the floor under Nathan and Hugh, sending them into the catacombs. Nathan searches the castle, learning that at the next full moon, Morris's soul will restore Dracula's full power. Nathan periodically encounters Hugh, who grows hostile; after defeating Camilla, Nathan fights Hugh, who is under Dracula's control. Nathan breaks the control, and Hugh confesses his jealousy over Nathan inheriting the Hunter Whip. Nathan then confronts and defeats Dracula, escaping the collapsing castle and reuniting with Morris and Hugh.

Reader's Guide

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon is significant as a launch title for the Game Boy Advance, helping define the handheld's early library. It received critical acclaim for its level design, mechanics, music, and scope, and sold 500,000 units worldwide. The game's Dual Set-Up System (DSS) allowed players to combine Action and Attribute cards for 100 different magic effects, a notable expansion on the magic system of Symphony of the Night. Its alternate modes—Magician, Fighter, Shooter, and Thief—altered Nathan's statistics, adding replay value. The game was re-released in the Castlevania Advance Collection in 2021. Critics praised its gameplay and challenge, though some noted dark graphics and stiff character animations. The game's plot and recycled elements received mixed comments, but it was often called a worthy successor to Symphony of the Night.

Did You Know?

• The game was titled simply Castlevania in PAL regions.
• The Dual Set-Up System allows 100 different combinations from 20 cards.
• Alternate modes are unlocked by entering codes: Fireball, Gradius, Crossbow, or Dagger.
• The game sold over 300,000 units in North America and about 200,000 in Europe.

The Dual Set-Up System and Combat Design

Building on the exploration-driven framework that Symphony of the Night established, Circle of the Moon delivers a 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania where players navigate an abandoned castle, learning new skills and acquiring gear that unlocks previously inaccessible areas. Nathan Graves fights primarily with a whip supplemented by ammo-based secondary weapons, while role-playing elements let him level up statistics and collect equipment that augments those numbers. The game's signature mechanical innovation is the Dual Set-Up System, a card-based customization layer for magic attacks. Enemies randomly drop two types of cards—Action cards and Attribute cards—and pairing one of each produces a specific effect. These effects range from passive stat modifications to temporary boosts in offense or defense. With ten cards in each category, the system yields one hundred unique pairings, giving players substantial freedom to tailor their combat style. This layer of strategic depth sits atop the same traversal and combat loop that made the series' earlier GBA-era entries beloved, expanding the magic toolkit without sacrificing the tight, responsive feel of the whip-and-dodge core.

A Story of Rivalry, Manipulation, and Redemption

Set in 1830 on the outskirts of the Austrian Empire, the narrative centers on Nathan Graves and his complicated bond with Hugh Baldwin, son of Nathan's mentor Morris. A decade earlier, Nathan's parents perished during an attempt to banish Dracula, though the vampire was ultimately sealed. Morris trained both young men in combat, entrusting the legendary Hunter Whip to Nathan—a decision that bred deep resentment in Hugh, who believed the weapon was his birthright. When Camilla reawakens Dracula and the floor collapses beneath the two hunters, Hugh abandons Nathan, convinced his rival will only slow him down. As Nathan searches the castle, he discovers that at the next full moon Morris's soul will fuel Dracula's full restoration. Hugh grows increasingly hostile in their repeated encounters, a transformation Camilla hints was engineered by her and Dracula. After Nathan defeats Camilla and then Hugh—whose aggression is revealed to be Dracula's puppetry—Hugh confesses his long-held insecurity and entrusts Nathan with saving his father. The final confrontation with Dracula ends with the castle collapsing, Morris and Hugh reunited, and Nathan formally recognized as a master vampire hunter.

Critical Acclaim and Lasting Legacy

Released in 2001 as both a stand-alone entry in the Castlevania franchise and a launch title for the Game Boy Advance, Circle of the Moon was developed and published by Konami for the handheld. The game moved approximately 500,000 copies worldwide and earned widespread critical praise, with reviewers singling out its level design, mechanical depth, musical score, and overall scope as standout qualities. Its position as a GBA launch title gave it significant early visibility, and the fact that it was conceived as a self-contained adventure—rather than a port or sequel—set it apart in the handheld landscape of the era. The game's legacy endured well beyond its initial release window: on September 23, 2021, it was re-released as part of the Castlevania Advance Collection, a four-game bundle that also included Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow, and Dracula X. The collection launched simultaneously on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, introducing the title to a new generation of players and cementing its place in the series' modern catalog.

Alternate Modes and Stat-Based Replayability

Beyond its standard campaign, Circle of the Moon offers four unlockable alternate modes, each activated by entering a specific code on the file select screen. The codes Fireball, Gradius, Crossbow, and Dagger correspond to Magician Mode, Fighter Mode, Shooter Mode, and Thief Mode respectively. Importantly, these modes do not swap out the protagonist or alter the castle's layout; instead, they reshape Nathan's starting statistics and available tools. Magician Mode begins with reduced offensive and defensive numbers but grants a higher intelligence stat and all twenty DSS cards from the outset. Fighter Mode removes DSS cards entirely while boosting strength and endurance. Shooter Mode increases the capacity for secondary weapon ammunition at the cost of lowered attack, defense, and health. Thief Mode trims offensive and defensive stats in exchange for a dramatically elevated luck value. This design philosophy keeps the core exploration and combat intact while forcing players to adapt their playstyle to a different statistical profile, adding meaningful variety without fragmenting the experience.

Gallery