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KONAMI'S INSTANT CLASSICS FOR: N64 AND PLAYSTATION By Chip And Jonathan Carter Tribune Media Services Back in the day, when the good old 8-bit NES ruled the gaming world, Konami was one of the industry's top dogs. For some reason, the company's fortunes waned for a while, but in the past few months, they've come back with a vengeance. Check out this pair of instant classics from the revitalized game maker: CASTLEVANIA 64, FOR N64 -- This one's a sure bet to end up on everyone's best-of-'99 list The legendary Castlevania series has been one of our favorites since its introduction back in the '80s. Those old NES games were among the best -- and eeriest -- ever created for that platform. The N64 version carries that banner with obvious pride. Castlevania 64 is set in mid-19th Century Transylvania, a country plagued by the vampire's curse for centuries. All had been quiet for a century or so, and the people had thought their nightmare had ended. But Count Dracula has risen again! (Don't he always? That rascal.) He shape shifts into a bat, a wolf, and coils of mist and roams the land sucking the life out of pretty young maidens (at least he has good taste). Worse, he forces the people of Transylvania to swear allegiance to him or die horrible deaths. There are only two people who can challenge Dracula and once again end his evil reign. One is Reinhardt Schneider, descendant of the famous Belmont family of vampire hunters, who hopes to off the tyrant with his whip and wits. The other is Carrie Fernandez, a white witch who's magical powers are -- hopefully -- equal to the dark master's. Best of all, the game and story are different depending on which character you choose -- it's almost like getting two games for the price of one. The story and characters are classic, but even without a great plot; this game would be incredible. The sound and 3-D graphics are horror-movie-perfect -- you'll jump the first time a lightning bolt crashes near your feet in the opening sequence. The monsters are gruesome, the backgrounds eerie and brooding -- the overall effect sets you on edge from the opening in the Transylvanian countryside to the climactic showdown with Dracula. The only possible complaint we could have -- and it's minor -- is the repetitiveness of the enemies. The same baddies keep coming at you in droves in every level. Oh well -- nothing to do but polish 'em off and keep heading for your objective. But don't think you can just hack and slash your way to the finish here -- you'll have to use your head ... or lose it. Leave no stone unturned in your search for clues, and you'll find plenty of power-ups and rewards. And when it comes to solving the puzzles that are the key to every level, you'll have to be sharp. For instance, early in the game you come to a pair of gigantic doors. They loom over you, and there's seemingly no way to open them. A few sharp cracks of your whip up and toward the center unlocks the gate with a resounding crash, though. Later in the same level you'll find a locked gate -- and this time your whip won't work. You have to search the area for a hidden switch that opens the door. Castlevania 64 is an instant classic that keeps a proud tradition alive with aplomb. AGES 10 & UP. A+ SILENT HILL, FOR PLAYSTATION -- Think Resident Evil meets Parasite Eve ... only better, and you've got the gist of this one. You're Harry Mason, a normal man living a normal life, out for a drive with your young daughter in the seemingly normal town of Silent Hill. Suddenly, a little girl darts in front of your car. You swerve to avoid her -- the resulting crash renders you unconscious. When you wake up, you realize your daughter is missing -- and a quick search reveals that most of the inhabitants of Silent Hill are gone, too. A door has opened to a blood curdling, horrific other dimension, and the nightmarish visions from that world now begin to roam our own. You're in a heap o' trouble, buddy. Graphically, this game is advanced beyond belief -- the animated sequences would be right at home in any modern horror movie. But the plot's what really propels Silent Hill. As you explore the town, your actions have consequences in the alternate dimension. Soon, the line between the two worlds starts to blur -- and you don't know whom to trust. You won't mind, though -- the fun in this one comes from figuring out that and all the other puzzles that make the secrets of Silent Hill so compelling. AGES 12 & UP. A+. For more tips, tricks, reviews and news, check us out on-line at http://chitrib.webpoint.com/vgames/ . Or e-mail us at [email protected] . Got a question? An inside tip you'd like to share? Write to Chip and Jonathan Carter in care of this newspaper. While they cannot respond individually, they will answer questions of general interest in their column. (C) 1999 TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC. Techno file index Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA