Super Castlevania IV on SNES is one of those games that just feels right from the moment you press start. The moody gothic soundtrack kicks in, and suddenly you're Simon Belmont, whip in hand, storming Dracula's castle like it's personal. The first level throws you right into it—zombies shambling toward you, bats dive-bombing out of nowhere, and those damn Medusa heads that still mess me up after all these years.

What really stands out is how smooth everything moves. The SNES Mode 7 effects make the backgrounds twist and warp as you climb staircases, and Simon's whip has this satisfying eight-directional snap to it—way better than the stiff NES version. You'll find yourself poking around every corner too, because there are hidden power-ups tucked behind breakable walls (look for the cracks).

It's tough, but not unfair. You'll die a lot, especially against bosses like the bone-tossing Slogra, but every failure feels like you could've dodged that one attack if you'd timed your jump better. And that final stretch through Dracula's throne room? Pure adrenaline. This is peak Castlevania—atmospheric, punishing, and weirdly addictive even when it makes you yell at the screen.