this is the first castlevania i have ever played and also the first snes game i felt compelled to finish.
It has great 2d action game play where you have to flick your whip in 8 directions and use slow paced platforming to get around the levels. There are also special items which are not completely useless which some people like to tell you.

The atmosphere is amazing and the soundtrack is one of the best I've ever heard! Amazing game, holds up really well