Xbox 360 Fanboy

Speaking to Game Informer, Castlevania creator Koji Igarashi took some time to discuss the next console version of the series. Of particular interest to our console of choice is that Igarashi states the Xbox 360 would make the "best platform" for the next console iteration of Castlevania. The reason, according to Igarashi, is that the U.S. market is the biggest market for the series and that the PS3 is doing as well in the U.S. What's interesting about the interview is that Igarashi makes it sound as though the Xbox 360 will be the only platform for the next Castlevania, more or less pinning the hopes of a PS3 version on the success of Metal Gear Solid 4.

When asked about whether the next console Castlevania would be 2D or 3D, Igarashi noted that he'd like to use an approach similar to the upcoming Dracula X Chronicles for PSP, which uses 3D models restricted to a 2D plane. Igarashi says that if the technique is accepted -- i.e. if Dracula X Chronicles sells well -- he'll consider doing the console version in a similar style. 2D Castlevania titles have typically fared better than the 3D outings, so here's hoping Dracula X Chronicles lives up to its pedigree. Either way, you can rest assured that we'll be playing the next version on Xbox 360.

[Via Joystiq]

At GDC earlier this year, we asked Castlevania creator Koji Igarashi if he would consider making an original Castlevania title for Xbox Live Arcade. He told us that he was interested, but didn't elaborate beyond that. We hope you haven't been keeping your hopes up, because Igarashi has more or less declared that an XBLA iteration isn't in the cards. When asked by 1UP if a new downloadable Castlevania title was in the works, Igarashi responded, "There are two reasons why I am reluctant to create a game for such channels: 1. The price is frankly too low for what we'd want to do, and 2. Most of the next gen players are expecting really high fidelity games, so I'm really not eager to go that route."

While an XBLA iteration seems doomed, Igarashi did note that preliminary planning for a new Castlevania title on consoles has begun. Unfortunately, there are no concrete details yet. We're just shooting from the hip here, but we'd bet good money it will feature vampires.

Koji Igarashi, the producer of recent entries in the Castlevania series and assistant director of Symphony of the Night, gave a presentation on 2D games at GDC last week. Specifically, his presentation centered on the differences between developing 2D games and 3D games. Igarashi noted a few philosophical differences between 3D and 2D games, but also noted a few advantages that hadn't occurred to us. For instance, 2D games are easier to produce, faster to design, and faster to implement. Of course, all of this is generally cheaper than 3D production as well.