History Trivia / CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight

*** In the original [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation PS1]] release, Death, the Ferryman, the Master Librarian, and the ghost priest are all voiced by Dennis Falt, although the priest's lines were DummiedOut.
** In the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable PSP]][=/=][[UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 PS4]] rerelease, both Dracula and Death are voiced by Creator/PatrickSeitz in the English dub.
** The ghost priest, Devil Familiar, Sword Familiar, and Shaft are all voiced by Creator/TonyOliver in the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable PSP]] rerelease and versions based on it. This time, the priest's lines are used.

* DisownedAdaptation: Assistant director, programmer, and scenario writer 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, later released as part of the ''Castlevania Requiem'' bundle for the Playstation 4, vs. the original [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation PS1]] version, which can be found in the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationNetwork PlayStation Store]] for the Playstation 3, and the [[UsefulNotes/XboxLive Xbox Live Arcade]] for UsefulNotes/Xbox360.

* MarthDebutedInSmashBros: Shaft was cut out from ''Castlevania: Dracula X'', 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 [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]]'s cartridge format), so most players outside Japan first knew about him in this game.

** [[https://castlevania.fandom.com/wiki/Castlevania:_The_Bloodletting#Interviews Another]] ''Rondo of Blood'' follow-up 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. Several developers, including IGA, were reassigned to work on ''Symphony of the Night'', and it is believed that Richter's sprite was reworked into Fake Trevor.
** 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 suggested 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. This was to be expanded as an alignment system where Alucard would be in touch with his light side if he used subweapons a lot and dark side if he used magic a lot, which would've affected the ending, and some early subtitles were even proposed that highlighted this aspect of the game. Additionally, familiars weren't [[GameBreaker playtested extensively]] since the developers barely had time to add them to the game.

** A conversion 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 for a while]]... however, a prototype was eventually found and dumped, and WebVideo/StopSkeletonsFromFighting found out that [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jwtM3EamcQ it was actually SHOCKINGLY far along in development]], with the game entirely playable from start to finish, and seemingly most of the game's content present and intact, albeit definitely in need of more development polish.

** Richter Belmont and Shaft are voiced by Creator/KiyoyukiYanada.

** In the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable PSP]][=/=][[UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 PS4]] rerelease, both Dracula and Death are voiced by Creator/PatrickSeitz in the English dub.

* InspirationForTheWork: Igarashi and the designers took a lot of cues from the ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'' games when making ''Symphony of the Night''. The game's exploration, backtracking, and the initial inability to explore the castle without the proper items and abilities all stem from this.

* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: While the [=PS1=] and [=PSP=] versions are both available on modern platforms, the Saturn version has never seen a rerelease.

* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: While both the [=PS1=] and [=PSP=] versions are available on modern platforms, the Saturn version has never seen a rerelease.

* MeaninfulReleaseDate: ''Castlevania: Symphony of the Night'' was released in 1997, a full century after the original ''Literature/{{Dracula}}'' novel was published in 1897. The game itself also takes place in 1797, a full century ''before'' the events of the original novel.

** A conversion 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]].

** In the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationPortable PSP]][=/=][[UsefulNotes/PlayStation4 PS4]] rerelease, both Dracula and Death are voiced by Creator/PatrickSeitz.

* DuelingDubs: The PSP version, later released as part of the ''Castlevania Requiem'' bundle for the Playstation 4 vs. the original [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation PS1]] version, which can be found in the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationNetwork PlayStation Store]] for the Playstation 3.

** 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 suggested 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. This was to be expanded as an [[CharacterAlignment alignment system]] where Alucard would be in touch with his light side if he used subweapons a lot and dark side if he used magic a lot, which would've affected the ending, and some early subtitles were even proposed that highlighted this aspect of the game. Additionally, familiars weren't [[GameBreaker playtested extensively]] since the developers barely had time to add them to the game.

* DuelingDubs: The PSP version, later released as part of the ''Castlevania Requiem'' bundle for the Playstation 4 vs. the original [[UsefulNotes/PlayStation PS1]] version, which can be now found in the [[UsefulNotes/PlayStationNetwork PlayStation Store]] for the Playstation 3.

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

* QuoteSource:
** OneWingedAngel

** Several {{Cut Song}}s. The "Nocturne" lullaby would be used in the Saturn version under certain circumstances as well as the later Japanese 1.2 rerelease, and a rendition with English vocals was included in the PSP version. The foreboding "Silence" would partially used in the SoundTest added to the English and PSP versions. Two sequenced tracks remain completely unused.

** Several {{Cut Song}}s. "Nocturne" would be used in the Saturn version under certain circumstances as well as the later Japanese 1.2 rerelease, and a rendition with English vocals was included in the PSP version. The foreboding "Silence" would partially used in the SoundTest added to the English and PSP versions. Two sequenced tracks remain completely unused.

** [[https://castlevania.fandom.com/wiki/Castlevania:_The_Bloodletting#Interviews Another]] ''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. Several developers, including IGA, were reassigned to work on ''Symphony of the Night'', and it is believed that Richter's sprite was reworked into Fake Trevor.
** 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 suggested 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 stated 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 suggested 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.

** IGA also stated 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.

** [[https://tcrf.net/Castlevania:_Symphony_of_the_Night_(PlayStation)/Unused_Voice_Clips 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 some are alternate takes. Two particular fragments stand out. The first is extended dialog with Richter and Maria after saving the former, which is partially restored in the PSP[=/=][=PS4=] version by temporarily keeping them as [=NPCs=]. The other is dialogue for an unimplemented bad ending where Maria intervenes in the Richter fight only for Shaft's orb to then transform her into a monster, much like Annette's alternate fate in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX'' and the ''[[VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood Rondo of Blood]]'' remake, with Alucard lamenting her and Richter's deaths.

* SequelFirst: Unless you count ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDraculaX''.

** IGA also stated 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.