The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Dracula's a tough fellow to pin down, so to speak, so it's no surprise that the popular Castlevania series has resurrected the nefarious guy nearly every year since the game's 1987 debut.

Legacy of Darkness is both a prequel and an update to the early 1999 release, Castlevania, for the Nintendo 64. Set eight years prior to its predecessor's narrative, the creepy story introduces a new main character, Cornell, a young gent who moonlights as a werewolf. Dracula's posse has kidnapped Cornell's younger sister, and the man-wolf must conquer a collection of enemies, including Dracula himself, to save her. In addition to Cornell's quest, players can experience entirely unique adventures from the viewpoint of three other characters, adding to the game's replayability.

With a slicker version of its precursor's game engine, Legacy of Darkness features improved graphics (bumped up even a few more notches via an optional high-resolution expansion pack) and redesigned puzzles and levels. Players navigate using a variety of gymnastic-style moves in the third person, with the camera following them from an over-the-shoulder view.

This game is definitely best enjoyed after a garlic-heavy dinner with the lights off and doors locked.