I've been interested in the Castlevania series for a long time now, but due to the series' ridiculous backcatalogue of games, I haven't really known where the best place to start is.

I recently found Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles for ridiculously cheap so I decided I might as well start there.  I know this game has the original Rondo of Blood and (an apparently updated w/ new voice acting?) Symphony of the Night.

What I want to know is, should I start with the PSP update of Rondo of Blood, or should I start with Symphony of the Night?  I know the latter is arguably the most popular game in the series so I thought it may be a good place to start.

The only other problem I have is, does anyone know what the specific differences are between Symphony of the Night on XBLA, PSN, and PSP?  As far as I know the XBLA version has altered sound effects, the PSN version is the original PS1 version, and the PSP version in DXC has a new voice cast.

Many thanks to any and all replies that can clear some of this up for me.

Get them all :P

I don't think there's any major differences between the PS1 version and the XBLA one, so I would start with Symphony of the Night. It's the only one I've played a lot of besides Portrait of Ruin and Circle of the Moon and I personally think it's great. DO IT!

Just wait for the movie.

You got the main differences in the SotN versions. You'll be fine just playing the one on DXC. I personally prefer the original PS1 version that's also on PSN, but that's because I love hilariously bad voices.

Starting with Symphony is fine. You'll have to unlock it in DXC, though by playing the Rondo remake. My other personal favorite Castlevania game is Castlevania IV for the SNES. It's pretty easy by Castlevania standards and a whole lot of fun.

Play the original version of SOTN to get the amazing voice acting.

I believe the XBLA version had some cuts.

It doesn't matter, they're both good places to start. Rondo is just a straight-up platformer with tinges of SOTN elements; SOTN is an action-RPG-Metroid thing sequel to Rondo. They're both really good games.

You are already half-set with SotN on your PSP. If you have a DS w/backwards compatibility, you are set for the other half.

" @KnightsofRound:

If you want to experience Castlevania, your best bet is going to be getting a DS. between it and the GBA (whose library the DS can play) there are 6 of the best Castlevania games ever made, including my personal favorites in Order of Ecclesia, Circle of the Moon and Dawn of Sorrow. 

"

I think you should play SOTN first, just in case you finish Rondo and do not feel like playing another Castlevania game. It's the best in the series in my opinion. Check out the games released on the DS as well.

" @KnightsofRound:

If you want to experience Castlevania, your best bet is going to be getting a DS. between it and the GBA (whose library the DS can play) there are 6 of the best Castlevania games ever made, including my personal favorites in Order of Ecclesia, Circle of the Moon and Dawn of Sorrow. 

"

" @KnightsofRound: I see. since you already own that package, I'd play it through in chronologic order first. after that, maybe 4, circle of the moon or aria of sorrow, and then each of the DS games (dawn of sorrow and order of ecclesia first) "

" @KnightsofRound: I see. since you already own that package, I'd play it through in chronologic order first. after that, maybe 4, circle of the moon or aria of sorrow, and then each of the DS games (dawn of sorrow and order of ecclesia first) "

Definitely play the three DS games, and the GBA ones.

Just don't ignore the older games. Alternate playing one in-between the portable games.

" Just don't ignore the older games. Alternate playing one in-between the portable games. "

There's Virtual Console and I believe the first one was ported to the GBA.

The XBLA one is based on the PS1 version of the game.  If you are looking for Castlevania games like SOTN, check out all three DS games.  All three of them kick ass.  If you are looking for ones like Dracula X Chronicles, check out Super Castlevania IV on SNES (or Wii VC.)

I'd start with Dracula X Chronicles and play SOTN after you unlock it. If you have a DS I also highly recommend the 3 Castlevanias, Dawn Of Sorrow is one of my favorite games.

I think I've only played Circle of the Moon for the GBA. I don't own it, but I remember it being fun.

Considering Symphony of the Night is simply the best game ever made, it could be a good entry into the series.

Castlevania (no extra name) for GBA was the only one I actually finished.

That said, SoTN on XBLA is amazingly good, and the DS ones are fantastic as well.

You should also play Super Castlevania IV and the original NES Castlevania.

I also hear lots of good things about Rondo of Blood and Dracula X although I never played them (they might even be the same thing i'm not sure, dunnothey aren't available here to my knowledge, or if they are probably orrendously expensive.

Definitely play Dracula X.  I wanted that game for the longest time when it was released for the Turbo Duo, so I was extremely happy when Konami released the game on the PSP.  SotN is a great game, but the gameplay is broken (read: easy by Castlevania standards).

Any other 2D Castlevania game is good; make sure you play Dracula's Curse.  I would stay away from Castlevania 2 and Harmony of Dissonance.  The latter is even more broken than SotN, if you can believe it.

Play SotN first. Not only because it's the easiest game to get into for a newbie of a series but also because it's got arguably the most immersive atmosphere along with music in the entire series. 
Or if you want a more traditional approach ,start with Dracula X. Whatever you do,you shouldn't miss the GBA Castlevania games like Circle to the Moon or Aria of Sorrow because they rank amongst some of the best in the series as well. 

The DS games are a lot like SOTN, and if you can get your hands on an SNES, get Super Castlevania 4.

When playing SotN, remember that spamming Holy Water subweapons is your best friend ever. It makes some otherwise nightmare-hard boss encounters easy as pie.
 
I'm looking at you, Minotaur/Wolfman duo.

Well, since someone decided to revive a 6 month old topic, I am justified in using this picture: