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The Sega Saturn version of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was only released in Japan and, like the Japanese name of the PlayStation version, was called Akumajō Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight. This edition was more of an update rather than a port of the game. In addition to the entire original Symphony of the Night, it included new stages, music, enemies and items that were absent in the Sony versions, plus a playable version of Maria Renard. It is also possible to play as Richter Belmont or Maria Renard from the beginning of the game without having to do extra efforts to unlock them. The story, with the exception of a boss battle with Maria in order for Alucard to gain the Holy Glasses, is the same as the original game's. It is also the second and final Castlevania game to be released for a Sega platform, as Sega left the console business and became a multi-platform third party developer and publisher in 2001 following the discontinuation of the Sega Dreamcast.

Version differences[]

While it sounds like the superior game on paper (especially considering the Saturn's general history with 2D games), this port is bogged with performance issues. The load times are more frequent and much longer. There is now slowdown in areas where none had existed in the original version, and some of the rooms were split in two or missing entirely. Rather than maintaining the Saturn's increased resolution, the game was stretched to fit the screen, causing some sprites and graphics to be distorted. Some of the sound and graphical effects were also down-sampled. For example, some enemies have different death animations, and the Game Over sequence uses a fade-through-white transition instead of a screen-melt transition. Transparencies are also non-existent, making certain things like the waterfall and the mist effect look less than spectacular. Because of this, the "Invisible" cloak (also known as the Crystal Cloak) was removed and replaced with the Glaring Cloth (although it shares the same menu icon), which is bright white rather than see-through and grants immunity to Dark to compensate for the visual downgrade. A new mantle was also added that increased Constitution by seven, called the Rainbow Mantle. Instead of the invisibility effect, it changed colors periodically. Additionally, Richter had an alternate outfit closer to the official artwork that could also be seen while fighting against him but that still didn't quite match Ayami Kojima's artwork due to the absence of the white shirt and long hair that Richter is depicted with in that artwork. Lastly, the Master Librarian no longer sells boss tactics, and map completion data is still made with the PSX version in mind. Unfortunately, critics have often deemed the Saturn content as clashing with the original design of the game.

While the Saturn version was ultimately denounced by Assistant Director IGA, it does maintain a legacy. The Underground Garden area is thought to be an unused idea from the PSX edition, as the door to its equivalent area (leading to a normally-inaccessible save point) can be opened originally via glitching. Unused audio for a lost ending in the PSX version also indicated some variant of the Maria battle. The Alucard Spear also appeared in the Saturn version, a novelty weapon but one that would one day end up in the hands of Eric Lecarde.

In latter editions of the Japanese PSX version, the Fairy Familiar could sing to Alucard much like she could with the Song Lyrics Card in the Saturn version. When the PSP version, The Dracula X Chronicles, was announced, there was fan outcry to merge the best of the Saturn version (such as Maria and the God Speed Shoes, an ability found in the start of the second castle that allowed Alucard to run like Richter) with the PSX version to make the best quality version possible. IGA did listen somewhat and included a new version of Maria in the PSP version. This new Maria played more like her Rondo of Blood self. She is also fought for the Holy Glasses much like the Saturn version.

  • Saturn version on YouTube
  • PSP version on YouTube

Her battle music, often considered one of the best in the series, was, however, replaced with Richter's battle theme. Her sprite when playing and battling against her is also slightly different from her normal set of sprites. Despite these improvements, the PSP version would also see some panning due to its imperfect porting and many game-crashing glitches.

Character gallery[]

For additional artworks, please visit Nocturne in the Moonlight Artwork.

Playable characters[]

New enemies[]

Several enemies appear in this edition that do not appear in any other edition. For a list of all enemies, see Symphony of the Night Bestiary.

Enemy Data: Saturn Exclusive Enemies(edit)
Image Name - Game
Description
Statistics Items Location Notes
Water Leaper 10. Water Leaper (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Jolly creature of the river. Their texture is similar to chicken meat. Strong: Water
Weak: Fire, Thunder
Level: 3
HP: 10
Exp: 12
Underground Garden
Skeleton Beast 11. Skeleton Beast (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Artificial beast made from the collection of various animal bones. Weak: Holy
Level: 3
HP: 6
Exp: 8
Underground Garden
Skeleton Breeder 15. Skeleton Breeder (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Skeleton of a tracking soldier who walks with a Skeleton Beast. Weak: Holy
Level: 4
HP: 12
Exp: 10
Underground Garden
Red-gargoyle 65. Gargoyle [Lv. 15] (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
A living statue. The Demon Castle's automatic crime prevention system made of terra-cota. Level: 15
HP: 50
Exp: 50
Drop: $100, Zircon
Underground Garden
Saturn gardener 83. Gardener (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
The Demon Castle's mad gardener will not spare those who ruin the garden. Weak: Fire
Level: 20
HP: 130
Exp: 120
Drop: Orange, Peanuts
Underground Garden
Venus Human Trap 84. Venus Man Trap (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Giant venus fly trap that preys not on flies but humans. Weak: Fire
Level: 20
HP: 128
Exp: 100
Drop: Banana, Woodland Shield
Underground Garden
Jinmenju 90. Human Face Tree (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Always smiling due to its fruitful, human-faced results. Weak: Holy
Level: 21
HP: 250
Exp: 125
Drop: Apple, Antivenom
Underground Garden
Will O' Wisp 97. Will O' Wisp (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
A desecrated soul whose hatred never fades. Level: 23
HP: 4
Exp: 90
Drop: Potion, Manna Prism
Cursed Prison
White-gargoyle 101. Gargoyle [Lv. 25] (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
A living statue. The Demon Castle's automatic crime prevention system made of marble. Level: 25
HP: 80
Exp: 150
Drop: $400, Resist Stone
Cursed Prison
Saturn-specter 103. Specter (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
An immaterial ghost that can only be extinguished with a weapon of holy attributes. Strong: Fire, Thunder, Ice, Poison (all tolerance), Dark, Curse, Cut, Hit (all absorb)
Weak: Holy
Level: 25
HP: 20
Exp: 120
Drop: Antivenom, Manna Prism
Cursed Prison
Copper armor 113. Copper Armor (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
An antique piece that is very valuable. Strong: Cut
Level: 30
HP: 230
Exp: 300
Hell Garden
Wraith 116. Wraith (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Beware of contact with this terrible spirit of death. Weak: Holy
Level: 32
HP: 300
Exp: 220
Drop: Pentagram, Muramasa
Soul Prison
Saturn wight 121. Wight (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
The light manipulating the corpse is the true body. Weak: Holy
Level: 34
HP: 280
Exp: 210
Drop: Dark Shield, Skull Shield
Soul Prison
Black-gargoyle 122. Gargoyle [Lv. 35] (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
A living statue. The Demon Castle's automatic crime prevention system made of granite. Level: 35
HP: 110
Exp: 250
Drop: Hammer, Double Blade Axe
Soul Prison
Skeleton Leader 131. Skeleton Leader (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Leader of the skeleton soldiers. Its bones were torn apart during a duel in the castle. Weak: Holy
Level: 36
HP: 444
Exp: 250
Underground Garden
Skeleton Guardian 135. Skeleton Guardian (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Skeleton equipped with shield and spear. Assigned to guard important places. Weak: Holy
Level: 37
HP: 320
Exp: 500
Hell Garden
Efreet 156. Efreet (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Angry demon. Literally, a man who burns. Strong: Fire (absorb)
Weak: Ice
Level: 46
HP: 330
Exp: 700
Drop: Fire Mail, Marsil
Hell Garden
Maria SS 157. Maria Renard (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only) [ edit ]
Vampire hunter looking for Richter Belmont. Strong: Holy, Stone (both immune)
Weak: Dark
Level: 48
HP: 400
Exp: n/a
Guard: Holy Glasses
Castle Center (Alucard only)
Weapons: Knife (Triple Arc Throw)
Abil: Energy Shot (level 1, level 2), Summon Byakko, Guardians Knuckle

New areas[]

New items[]

For a complete list of items Alucard has in this game, see Alucard/Symphony of the Night.

Alucard has some new items available in his quest.

Item Data: New Items
Image Name - Game
  Type - Users
Description
Attributes / Consume Statistics / Sell Found Notes
Satquip-dagger-1- Astral Dagger (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  Short Sword (Dagger) - Alucard
[edit]

Japan Mysterious different dimension dagger
Attrib: Cut
ATT +12
Find: Cursed Prison
Effect: Overhand Stab
Special: ↓↘→ + [Attack] for Homing Attack (ATT +10)
Satquip-aluspear Alucard Spear (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  2 Handed Weapon - Alucard
[edit]
Mysterious spear used habitually before Attrib: Cut
ATT +28
Find: Hell Garden
Special: ↓↘→ + [Attack] for Flurry of Thrusts (ATT +20 for 7 MP); ←→ + [Attack] for Dash Thrust (ATT +50 for 7 MP) (can be used in midair)
Satquip-doubleaxe Double Blade Axe (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  2 Handed Weapon - Alucard
[edit]
Sharp by two-blades Attrib: Cut
ATT +42
Drop: Gargoyle [Lv. 35]
Satquip-ivy Woodland Shield (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  Shield - Alucard
[edit]
The shield at which a tree soul dwell (fragrance of the rose) DEF +3
Drop: Venus Man Trap (Saturn only)
Effect: Projectile block
Special: Shield Rod or Mablung Sword spell (30 MP): Summon Vines – immobilize and damage enemies (ATT +30, Attrib: Hit)
Umai Delicious Meal (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  Food (Meat) - Alucard
[edit]
Full course (five star) [use] HP +75
Find: Soul Prison
Smelly rice Smelly Rice (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  Food (Bad Food) - Alucard
[edit]
Outdated [use] Attrib: Poison
HP -1
Find: Cursed Prison
Effect: Deals 1 point of damage and inflicts Poison status when eaten; +1 HP with Topaz Circlet equipped
Sain Signed Pencil Board (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  Medicine - Alucard
[edit]
Get it!! Find: Underground Garden (Saturn only)
Effect: Collector's item only
Glaringcloth Glaring Cloth (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  Cloak - Alucard
[edit]
The silvery white shine which tears darkness CON +6
Find: Underground Caverns
Effect: Grants immunity to Dark
Rainbowmantle Rainbow Mantle (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  Cloak - Alucard
[edit]
The mantle from which the color changes with time CON +7
Find: Clock Tower
Effect: Continuously changes color
Songlyricscard Song Lyrics Card (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  Other - Alucard
[edit]
Song lyrics card of "Nocturne" Find: Catacombs
Effect: Enables the Fairy Familiar to sing "Nocturne" if Alucard sits in a chair for a while
Satquip-bootsofgd-1- God Speed Shoes (jpn) - Symphony of the Night (Saturn-only)
  Relic (Shoes) - Alucard
[edit]
Can dash by double tap left or right Find: Castle Keep
Effect: Double tap left or right for dash

Related products[]

References[]

External links[]

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Dracula X: Nocturne in the Moonlight
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (SoN/DXC)
Characters
Protagonists
AlucardMaria Renard (Saturn · DXC)Richter Belmont
Supporting cast
Master LibrarianFerrymanLisa
Antagonists
DraculaDeathShaft
Bosses
Dracula's Castle bosses
Slogra and GaibonDoppleganger Lv. 10HippogryphKarasumanMinotaur and Werewolf
Lesser DemonOlroxSuccubusScyllaCerberusGranfaloonSkeleton Leader (Saturn)
Reverse Castle bosses
Darkwing BatThe CreatureAkmodan IIMedusaFake Trevor, Fake Sypha and Fake Grant
BeelzebubDoppleganger Lv. 40GalamothShaftTrue Dracula
Areas
Dracula's Castle
Final Stage: BloodlinesEntranceAlchemy LaboratoryMarble GalleryOuter WallLong Library
Clock TowerUnderground CavernsRoyal ChapelOlrox's QuartersCastle KeepColosseum
Abandoned Pit to the CatacombCatacombsCastle CenterCursed Prison (Saturn) • Underground Garden (Saturn)
Reverse Castle
Reverse EntranceNecromancy LaboratoryBlack Marble GalleryReverse Outer WallForbidden Library
Reverse Clock TowerReverse CavernsAnti-ChapelDeath Wing's LairReverse KeepReverse Colosseum
CaveFloating CatacombsReverse Castle CenterSoul Prison (Saturn) • Hell Garden (Saturn)
Music
Dracula's CastleCastlevania: Symphony of the Night Original Soundtrack
MIDI Power Pro6Dracula X: RemixiesDracula Music Collection
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles Original Soundtrack
Guides
Futabasha Gekka no Yasōkyoku Official GuideNTT Pub Gekka no Yasōkyoku Official Guide
Shinkigensha Gekka no Yasōkyoku Official GuideBradyGames Symphony of the Night Official Strategy Guide
Prima's Unauthorized Symphony of the Night Strategy GuideKonami Akumajō Dracula X Chronicle Official Guide
Archives
BestiaryInventoryCreditsAchievements & TrophiesRichter ModeMaria ModeThief Mode
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