History Trivia / CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight

** A [[https://castlevania.fandom.com/wiki/Castlevania:_The_Bloodletting#Interviews different]] ''Rondo of Blood'' sequel was in development circa 1994 for the UsefulNotes/Sega32X[[note]]incorrectly named ''Castlevania: The Bloodletting'' by fans, which may have been a [[WorkingTitle tentative title]] for ''Symphony of the Night'' as Konami [[https://castlevania.fandom.com/wiki/Talk:Castlevania:_The_Bloodletting#Castlevania:_The_Bloodletting_Promotional_Brochure_from_1995 attributed it]] to a [=PlayStation=] and Saturn title[[/note]], which would have featured different designs for Richter and an older Maria, as well as possibly a new rival character based on Richter's original design[[note]]the rival character is unconfirmed to have been designed for this game specifically, but the fact that the Sega 32X was developed by Sega of America and this character was said to appeal to overseas tastes makes it likely[[/note]]. All that is shown of the game is some spritework of these characters, with Richter's sprite being reworked into Fake Trevor. Several developers, including IGA, were reassigned to work on ''Symphony of the Night''.
** In a [[https://shmuplations.com/symphony/ 1997 developer interview]], IGA revealed that the initial plans for the story was to put it in the same setting as ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaBloodlines'', with the first idea being to include the final Belmont as your enemy and another idea being to reveal that Alucard dealt the [[FinishingMove finishing blow]] on Dracula instead of Quincy Morris. IGA also stated that much of the planned scenario had to be cut due to pacing issues, including characters such as Elizabeth Bartley from ''Bloodlines'' and Gilles de Rais, the latter of which would go on to appear in the [[UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 N64]] ''VideoGame/{{Castlevania|64}}'' and ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaLegacyOfDarkness Legacy of Darkness]]''. In another interview at the time, IGA suggests that the reason Alucard can use holy weapons despite being Dracula's son is because his mother Lisa may be descended of holy blood, which is a detail that isn't mentioned in the game.
** IGA also states in pgs. 126-127 of ''The Dracula X Chronicles''' [[http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/cv-rob/tdxc-guidebook.htm official Japanese guidebook]] that storage and time were also factors in cutting many things in the planned scenario. Maria's boss fight for the Holy Glasses was indeed intended for the [=PlayStation=] version, meaning that the recordings present in the Saturn and PSP versions were all reused from the original development. He also suggests that the unused ending where Maria becomes a monster (see DummiedOut above) was one of the ideas he had if Alucard defeated Richter despite being able to see Shaft's ball, but in the final game, there is no difference in the ending if Alucard defeats Richter with or without the Holy Glasses equipped, only if he obtained it or not. Additionally, according to [[https://tcrf.net/Akumajou_Dracula_X:_Gekka_no_Yasoukyoku_(Sega_Saturn)/Developer_Notes Saturn developer's notes by Yoshinori Suzuki]], this "Black Maria" had graphical assets with an entirely different set of attacks compared to what was used in the Saturn version.
** IGA revealed more during a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqheYYeA4k4 "Devs Play" Special]] (times in notes). English narration was originally recorded for the prologue, but it was cut since it was considered absolutely terrible by the US PR people, though it was rewritten and re-recorded for the PSP version[[note]](25:09)[[/note]]. The reason the menu screen looks so bare and ungothic is because it is a PermanentPlaceholder that ended up in the final game due to time constraints, so IGA made sure that placeholders looked more polished as a rule in the future[[note]](28:32)[[/note]]. In the [=PlayStation=] English dub, Alucard originally let out a BigNO after Death takes his stuff, which even the Japanese developers realized was lame, so they scrambled through the recordings and found a "what?" clip that better fit the tone and asked if they can use it[[note]](35:39)[[/note]]. A special move called "Darkness Edge" was to be [[CombinationAttack used with the Sword familiar]], with lines recorded for each them preparing the attack and then shouting "Darkness Edge!" together, but the developers couldn't figure out how exactly the skill would work in the game[[note]](1:04:09)[[/note]]. Alucard would have had a bedroom maintained by a "Skeleton Carpenter" NPC who constructed more of the room over the course of the game and could decorate it with certain collectibles[[note]](1:06:27)[[/note]], which was to be located where the save room now is at the top of the Outer Wall[[note]](1:22:21 & 1:40:05)[[/note]]. An idea was toyed around of a skeleton candlelighter who relit any candles you broke in order and quickly ran away if approached, but if caught and beaten, then the candles would no longer be fixed between screen transitions[[note]](1:07:46)[[/note]]. The vase at the bottom of the Outer Wall was supposed to grow more and more roses over time[[note]](1:31:45)[[/note]]. Finally, Alucard's Nightmare almost didn't make the cut in time[[note]](2:03:43)[[/note]], and the Succubus' toplessness was more evident in-game[[note]](2:06:44)[[/note]].

** IGA revealed more during a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqheYYeA4k4 "Devs Play" Special]] (times in notes). English narration was originally recorded for the prologue, but it was cut since it was considered absolutely terrible by the US PR people, though it was rewritten and re-recorded for the PSP version[[note]](25:09)[[/note]]. The reason the menu screen looks so bare and ungothic is because it is a PermanentPlaceholder that ended up in the final game due to time constraints, and IGA made sure that placeholders looked more polished as a rule in the future[[note]](28:32)[[/note]]. In the [=PlayStation=] English dub, Alucard originally let out a BigNO after Death takes his stuff, which even the Japanese developers realized was lame, so they scrambled through the recordings and found a "what?" clip that better fit the tone and asked if they can use it[[note]](35:39)[[/note]]. A special move called "Darkness Edge" was to be [[CombinationAttack used with the Sword familiar]], with lines recorded for each them preparing the attack and then shouting "Darkness Edge!" together, but the developers couldn't figure out how exactly the skill would work in the game[[note]](1:04:09)[[/note]]. Alucard would have had a bedroom maintained by a "Skeleton Carpenter" NPC who constructed more of the room over the course of the game and could decorate it with certain collectibles[[note]](1:06:27)[[/note]], which was to be located where the save room now is at the top of the Outer Wall[[note]](1:22:21 & 1:40:05)[[/note]]. An idea was toyed around of a skeleton candlelighter who relit any candles you broke in order and quickly ran away if approached, but if caught and beaten, then the candles would no longer be fixed between screen transitions[[note]](1:07:46)[[/note]]. The vase at the bottom of the Outer Wall was supposed to grow more and more roses over time[[note]](1:31:45)[[/note]]. Finally, Alucard's Nightmare almost didn't make the cut in time[[note]](2:03:43)[[/note]], and the Succubus' toplessness was more evident in-game[[note]](2:06:44)[[/note]].

** IGA also states in pgs. 126-127 of ''The Dracula X Chronicles''' [[http://www.vgmuseum.com/mrp/cv-rob/tdxc-guidebook.htm official Japanese guidebook]] that storage and time were also factors in curring many things in the planned scenario. Maria's boss fight for the Holy Glasses was indeed intended for the [=PlayStation=] version, meaning that the recordings present in the Saturn and PSP versions were all reused from the original development. He also suggests that the unused ending where Maria becomes a monster (see DummiedOut above) was one of the ideas he had if Alucard defeated Richter despite being able to see Shaft's ball, but in the final game, there is no difference in the ending if Alucard defeats Richter with or without the Holy Glasses equipped, only if he obtained it or not. Additionally, according to [[https://tcrf.net/Akumajou_Dracula_X:_Gekka_no_Yasoukyoku_(Sega_Saturn)/Developer_Notes Saturn developer's notes by Yoshinori Suzuki]], this "Black Maria" had graphical assets with an entirely different set of attacks compared to what was used in the Saturn version.

** A [[https://castlevania.fandom.com/wiki/Castlevania:_The_Bloodletting#Interviews different]] ''Rondo of Blood'' sequel was in development circa 1994 for the UsefulNotes/Sega32X[[note]]incorrectly named ''Castlevania: The Bloodletting'' by fans, which may have been a [[WorkingTitle tentative title]] for ''Symphony of the Night'' as Konami [[https://castlevania.fandom.com/wiki/Talk:Castlevania:_The_Bloodletting attributed it]] to a [=PlayStation=] and Saturn title[[/note]], which would have featured different designs for Richter and an older Maria, as well as possibly a new rival character based on Richter's original design[[note]]the rival character is unconfirmed to have been designed for this game specifically, but the fact that the Sega 32X was developed by Sega of America and this character was said to appeal to overseas tastes makes it likely[[/note]]. All that is shown of the game is some spritework of these characters, with Richter's sprite being reworked into Fake Trevor. Several developers, including IGA, were reassigned to work on ''Symphony of the Night''.

** In the PSP[=/=][=PS4=] rerelease, both Dracula and Death are voiced by Creator/PatrickSeitz.

* CompletelyDifferentTitle: The game's original Japanese subtitle was ''Nocturne in the Moonlight''.
* CreatorBacklash: Takayuki Fuji, one of the game's musicians, [[https://twitter.com/Tak_Fujii/status/1236481421738311680 isn't fond of ''The Tragic Prince'']], as he neglected to tune his guitar before recording the cut of the song that ended up in the final game.
* DisownedAdaptation: ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' producer Koji Igarashi wasn't very fond of the UsefulNotes/SegaSaturn port, which was developed by a different team (Konami Computer Entertainment Nagoya), as noted in the June 2007 issue of ''Play Magazine'':

* DuelingDubs: The PSP version vs. the original [=PS1=] version, which can be now found in the UsefulNotes/PlayStationStore.

** There's a whole bunch of unused audio clips. Some are translated-but-not-used quotes that normally play over the GameOver screen in the Japanese version, some are mid-battle taunts, and a few are lines of dialogue for an unimplemented bad ending where Maria is possessed and/or transformed into a demon, much like Annette's alternate fate in ''Rondo of Blood'' remake, with Alucard lamenting her and Richter's deaths.

* MarthDebutedInSmashBros: Shaft was cut out from the [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX SNES version]] of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'' despite appearing in the original [[UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 PC Engine]] game (as ''Dracula X'' was a ReformulatedGame on account of the lower memory capacity of the SNES's cartridge format), so most players outside Japan first knew about him in this game.

* SequelFirst: Unless you count the [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX SNES version]] of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood''.
* SleeperHit: The game initially didn't sell particularly well between being a 2D game in the emerging 3D era and the lack of advertising. Good word-of-mouth eventually made it successful, turning out to be one of the better-selling games in the ''Castlevania'' series.

** Unused voice acting featured in the sound files of the PS version reveals an unmade ending in which Maria becomes or is possessed by a demon, which is [[RefittedForSequel reused]] for the Lesser Vampire (a vampirized Annette not unlike the Carmilla-possessed Annette in ''Dracula X'') in the ''Rondo'' [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaTheDraculaXChronicles remake]]. According to developer's notes by Yoshinori Suzuki, this "Black Maria" had an entirely different set of graphics and attacks compared to what was used in the Saturn version.
** A port of the game was planned for the UsefulNotes/GameCom, but it was cancelled [[https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/07/castlevania-symphony-of-the-night-gamecom-cancelled/ with only a few screenshots verifying its existence]].

* FanNickname: "Holy Snorkel" - The Holy Symbol relic from ''Symphony of the Night'', which allows Alucard to survive underwater and happens to resemble a gold snorkel.

** In the PSP/PS4 rerelease, both Dracula and Death are voiced by Creator/PatrickSeitz.

* DuelingDubs: The PSP version vs. the original [=PS1=] version, which can be now found in the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Store}}.

* AcclaimedFlop: Despite its reputation as a classic, the original run of ''Symphony of the Night'' failed to sell over a million copies, thanks to being overshadowed by the trend of 3D polygonal games.

* GameMod: A Chinese hacker was able to fix up many of the issues regarding the Saturn version, decreasing loading times among others.
** Another one based on the original [=PS1=] version eventually became ''too'' ambitious to be a hack, and is currently being worked on as a FanRemake rendered in Unity.

** A port of the game was planned for the UsefulNotes/GameCom, but it was cancelled [[https://www.unseen64.net/2008/04/07/castlevania-symphony-of-the-night-gamecom-cancelled/ with only a few screenshots verifying its existence]].

** Lisa and the Succubus are voiced by Creator/RicaFukami.

** Another one based on the original [=PS1=] version eventually became ''too'' ambitious to be a hack, and is currently being worked on as a remaster rendered in Unity.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Unused voice acting featured in the sound files of the PS version reveals an unmade ending in which Maria becomes or is possessed by a demon, which is [[RefittedForSequel reused]] for the Lesser Vampire (a vampirized Annette not unlike the Carmilla-possessed Annette in ''Dracula X'') in the ''Rondo'' [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaTheDraculaXChronicles remake]]. According to developer's notes by Yoshinori Suzuki, this "Black Maria" had an entirely different set of graphics and attacks compared to what was used in the Saturn version.

* MarthDebutedInSmashBros: Shaft was cut out from the [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX SNES version]] of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'' (a ReformulatedGame at that) despite appearing in the original PC Engine game, so most players outside Japan first knew about him in this game.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Unused voice acting featured in the sound files of the PS version reveals an unmade ending in which Maria becomes or is possessed by a demon, which is reused for the Annette Succubus in the ''Rondo'' remake. According to developer's notes by Yoshinori Suzuki, this "Black Maria" had an entirely different set of graphics and attacks compared to what was used in the Saturn version.

* DuelingDubs: The PSP version vs. the original [=PS1=] version, which can be now found in the Playstation Store.
* MarthDebutedInSmashBros: Shaft was cut out from the [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX SNES version]] of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'' despite appearing in the original PC Engine game, so most players outside Japan first knew about him in this game.

* CompletelyDifferentTitle: The game's original Japanese subtitle was ''Nocturne in the Moonlight''.

* MarthDebutedInSmashBros: Shaft was cut out from the [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX SNES version]] of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'' despite appearing in the original PC Engine game, so most players outside Japan first knew about him in this game.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Unused voice acting featured in the sound files of the PS version reveals an unmade ending in which Maria becomes or is possessed by a demon, which is reused for the Annette Succubus in the ''Rondo'' remake. According to developer's notes by Yoshinori Suzuki, this "Black Maria" had an entirely different set of graphics and attacks compared to what was used in the Saturn version.
* TheWikiRule: The [[http://castlevania.wikia.com/wiki/Castlevania_Wiki Castlevania Wiki]].

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Unused voice acting featured in the sound files of the PS version reveals an unmade ending in which Maria becomes or is possessed by a demon, which is reused for the Annette Succubus in the ''Rondo'' remake. According to developer's notes by Yoshinori Suzuki, this "Black Maria" had an entirely different set of graphics and attacks compared to what was used in the Saturn version.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Unused voice acting featured in the sound files of the PS version reveals an unmade ending in which Maria becomes a demon, much like Annette did in ''Rondo''.

* MarthDebutedInSmashBros : Shaft was cut out from the [[VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX SNES version]] of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'' despite appearing in the original PC Engine game, so most players outside Japan first knew about him in this game.