It's funny to think I didn't like this game the first time I played it because it's easily my favorite Castlevania now. The control is a bit smoother, the combat a bit faster, and overall has a much more balanced difficulty. Not to say it isn't hard, as there's a couple stages like stage 5 alt that kicked my ass, but it's the good kind of challenge where everything is a bit more fine tuned and forgiving, not to mention it has some of the best boss fights in the series. Pair that all with amazing sound and visuals, and you've got one of the best side scrollers of all time. Richter is my new husband.