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Is Konami Teasing Us in All the Right Ways?

Is Konami Teasing Us in All the Right Ways?

Miketendo64 , a blog specializing in Nintendo coverage, shared a selection of quotes from its interview with Rich Jones, European Brand Manager for Konami. Although they focused on Super Bomberman R for the Switch, the conversation took a quick tangent into Transylvanian territory, specifically the likelihood of bringing Castlevania to Nintendo’s console. Consider this your cue to begin marinating your optimism in caution.

“All I can say is that there is lots of internal discussions going on within Konami regarding what games we can bring to the Nintendo Switch, other than Bomberman , a game which we are well aware of its heritage and how loved it and Castlevania is,” said Jones. “So much so that Castlevania is getting is getting its own show on Netflix and because of that, we’re hearing a lot of desires from our fans for a new Castlevania series. So we do know there is a demand for a new game, but right now nothing is set in stone as the discussions are still on going.”

It’s been three years since Castlevania: Lords of Shadows 2 , and even longer since Koji Igarashi was involved in the series. The next Castlevania might not happen until many years from now. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Igarashi’s Kickstarter project that aims to be a spiritual successor to Symphony of the Night, will have to suffice. Actually, I fully expect Igarashi’s game to blow anything Konami produces today out of the water, but I’m happy to see that the possibility of a new Castlevania exists.

Here’s the problem: the Konami of today is different from the Konami that produced our cherished classics. It has a lot to prove to gamers who are still sore after the cancellation of Silent Hills, as well as Kojima’s departure. Before that, Konami butchered the Silent Hill HD collection, and the only taste of new content from that franchise comes in the form of a Pachinko machine. But I still remember how outraged gamers were at the announcement of Metal Gear Survive , which some speculate as a spiteful response to Kojima’s departure. Although I attempted to defend it once, I can see where they’re coming from, seeing as it’s quite a departure from Metal Gear Solid V .

Is Konami Teasing Us in All the Right Ways?

I have no idea what to expect from the next iteration of Castlevania game, although I imagine what the inevitable pachinko machine will look like. Igarashi is long gone, and who knows if the Lords of Shadow team will continue to work on it. I would hope for something that’s similar to the DS Metroidvania games, but considering I’m asking this from the company that thought combining Metal Gear Solid with zombies would be a good idea, I believe my hope is misplaced.

However, if Konami wants to get on its fans good side ever again, the new Castlevania – whenever that may happen – is a good start. It’s ok, Konami! You can even add lots of zombies to this. Just maybe pay attention to the TV series when it comes out, and see if you can remember why gamers like the series so much.

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