Dracula Densetsu (or Castlevania: The Adventure outside Japan) is the first Game Boy entry in the series, and man, does it feel like a handheld version of classic Castlevania—for better and worse. You play as Christopher Belmont, Simon’s grandpa or something, whipping candles and dodging those obnoxious Medusa heads a whole century before the NES games.

The controls are a little stiff, and the whip upgrades weirdly make it shorter at first, which threw me off. But there’s something charming about how it translates the gothic vibe to the tiny screen—moody castles, bats everywhere, and that iconic music (though obviously tinny). Just don’t expect the depth of later games; this one’s pure, simple vampire hunting.

If you’re a Castlevania completionist, it’s a neat piece of history. Otherwise, maybe start with one of the later Game Boy entries.