Dio, Ozzy Ozborne, Zakk Wylde, and Randy Rhoads. Other characters and locations in the game are references to rock music such as the Crimson Kingdom and Black Slayer. Release The game was self-published by Irem and released on April 28, 1989 for the Famicom (Japanese version of the Nintendo Entertainment System). The game was scheduled for a North American release in the same year, and even received a brief preview in Electronic Gaming Monthly. However, the game was never released outside Japan. Since release, the game has gone onto becoming a rare game that is sought after by collectors. In 2018, the title is noted to cost around $75 USD for just the game, and up to $200 USD for the complete game with box. Also, unauthorized reproductions of the game have been produced and sold as well. In 2018, 29 years after the game was first released, distributor Retro-bit announced that they would give Holy Diver a worldwide physical re-release for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The is the first time the game is released outside of Japan, and the game would be translated into English. The new edition is limited to 2,900 copies, and costs 35 USD for the regular version, and 60 USD for the Collector's Edition . The collector's edition of the game included a display box to house the game, pins, stickers, and artwork. The game was also released on Retro-bit's microconsole the Super Retro-Cade. Reception Multiple reviewers both contemporary and retrospective noted the game as very difficult. Many reviewers and previews also noted the similarity to Konami's earlier Castlevania NES installments, with one publication calling the game a "Castlevania clone". Weekly Famitsu on release gave the game a 22 out of 40 score. Brazilian magazine VideoGame gave the game an overall score of 3 out of 5. In 2018, Destructoid gave the game a positive review. References 1989 video games Irem games Platform games Nintendo Entertainment System games Nintendo Entertainment System-only games Video games developed in Japan Video games set in castles Single-player video games