4 fathers of this game are castlevania 1, not 2, 3, 4, and legends.  "no babies" implies that there hansn't been a castlevania quite like it since.  straight linear levels prgressions w/ boss at end of level.  no eqipment or ability upgrades (minor item power ups think "power up" in altered beast) 2 playable charachters, infiite pits, boss paterns, cheap deaths, romantic atmospheres(ah greece, romania, industrial russia?)...but lacks the non-linear gameplay first spawned by dracula x pc engine (avoid snes dracula x heir equivalent)) and then enhanced by: "symphony of alucard, circle of the useless spell books, aria of should have been titled white night concherto, and harmony of 2 castle rip off of the iverted castle induced by the grandady".  not castle 1, played it recently very cheap hits but solid enough control.  In conclusion I have decided not to buy the new castlevania: "lament of innocence" due to it's devil may cry heritage.  I am glad footsteps are made away from 2d and the tried and true formulas of symphony, but I want a remake of castle 2.  I guess you will have to look there for why.  conclusion...castlevania meets smetroid=it is not...sonic versus mario=getting more linear...decap attack versus chakan=sounds like my teen spirit