《惡魔城 Advance 精選輯》（Castlevania Advance Collection）是由KONAMI推出的懷舊合輯，於2021年9月24日登上Nintendo Switch平台，同時也登陸PlayStation、Xbox與PC。收錄四款惡魔城系列的經典作品，其中三款來自Game Boy Advance平台，分別是《Circle of the Moon》、《Harmony of Dissonance》與《Aria of Sorrow》，以及來自Super Nintendo的特典作品《Dracula X》。這些作品各自代表惡魔城系列在攜帶式主機上的黃金時期，而如今透過合輯，讓新世代玩家也能體驗這些歷久彌新的2D動作遊戲。

在劇情方面，四款遊戲各自構築獨立的世界觀與角色線。《Circle of the Moon》以吸血鬼獵人Nathan Graves為主角，他必須阻止被復活的德古拉。《Harmony of Dissonance》則讓扮演Juste Belmont，繼承貝爾蒙特家族的鞭子與使命，探索詭異的雙重城堡結構。《Aria of Sorrow》則被認為是Advance時期最具創意的一作，主角Soma Cruz意外捲入未來世界的德古拉城，故事融入轉生、命運與現代世界的元素，劇情成熟且深具戲劇性。而《Dracula X》則是經典的動作平台遊戲版本，講述Richter Belmont拯救戀人與擊敗德古拉的過程，其難度與操作節奏比GBA三部作品更為硬派。

在操作層面，忠實還原原始的按鍵與機制。能夠體驗橫向捲軸探索、升級技能、解鎖地圖、打敗BOSS等傳統惡魔城風格的遊戲玩法。《Circle of the Moon》的卡片系統賦予魔法與被動能力的組合自由度；《Harmony of Dissonance》引入精靈輔助與雙城堡切換機制；《Aria of Sorrow》最具代表性的「魂系統」則讓敵人能力成為主角技能的一部分，強化收集與戰略配置的樂趣。《Dracula X》的操作則更接近《惡魔城X 血之輪迴》，節奏明快但容錯率低，對新手玩家而言頗具挑戰性。

本合集新增幾項現代化功能以提升遊玩體驗。可自由切換地區版（如美版與日版）、使用即時存檔、倒帶功能來彌補失誤，並內建美術設計畫廊與音樂播放器，讓喜愛系列的玩家得以更深入欣賞這些經典之作的製作背景與原創音樂。這些功能在保持遊戲原汁原味的同時，也降低舊作的入門門檻，對現代玩家而言更為友善。

在市場評價方面，普遍獲得好評，特別是在復古玩家與系列愛好者之間更是口碑極佳。許多評論指出這套合集提供高性價比，不僅涵蓋惡魔城GBA時代的精華，還加以精心重製與現代化，使遊戲不只是懷舊，更能以新面貌吸引當代玩家。特別是《Aria of Sorrow》經常被譽為該系列的巔峰之一，劇情、玩法與設計水準至今仍受到讚賞。不過，也有評論提及畫面解析度仍保留原始像素風格，可能不符合部分習慣高畫質的玩家口味，但大多認為這正體現對原作的尊重與保存。

總結來說，《惡魔城 Advance 精選輯》是集懷舊、收藏與可玩性於一身的經典合集。不僅讓老玩家能重溫過去，也為新玩家打開認識惡魔城歷史的大門。透過四款風格迥異的作品，能見證系列在掌機時代的演進軌跡，也能體驗到橫向動作探索類型最經典的魅力。

Castlevania Advance Collection is a nostalgic compilation released by KONAMI on September 24, 2021, for the Nintendo Switch, with simultaneous launches on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. This collection features four classic titles from the Castlevania franchise—three originally released on the Game Boy Advance: Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, and Aria of Sorrow, alongside a bonus title from the Super Nintendo era, Dracula X. These games represent the golden age of the Castlevania series on handheld consoles, now made accessible to a new generation of players through this thoughtfully assembled collection.

Each of the four games features its own standalone story and cast of characters. Circle of the Moon follows vampire hunter Nathan Graves as he sets out to stop the resurrection of Dracula. Harmony of Dissonance puts players in the role of Juste Belmont, a descendant of the legendary Belmont clan, as he navigates a mysterious dual-castle structure. Aria of Sorrow is often regarded as the most innovative of the GBA titles, telling the story of Soma Cruz, a young man who finds himself trapped in Dracula’s castle in a futuristic setting. The narrative weaves themes of reincarnation, fate, and the modern world, offering a mature and dramatic storyline. Dracula X, in contrast, is a more traditional action-platformer that follows Richter Belmont on a quest to rescue his beloved and defeat Dracula. Its gameplay is notably more rigid and challenging than the GBA trilogy, offering a tougher experience aimed at seasoned players.

In terms of gameplay, the collection faithfully preserves the original mechanics and controls. Players can enjoy classic side-scrolling exploration, skill upgrades, map unlocking, and intense boss battles, all hallmarks of the Castlevania franchise. Circle of the Moon features a unique card system that allows players to mix and match magical and passive abilities. Harmony of Dissonance introduces support from elemental spirits and the innovative dual-castle mechanic. Aria of Sorrow shines with its signature “soul system,” enabling players to absorb abilities from defeated enemies, enhancing both the collection aspect and strategic depth. Dracula X offers a faster-paced but less forgiving gameplay style, echoing the feel of Rondo of Blood, making it particularly challenging for newcomers.

To enhance the overall experience, the collection introduces several modern features. Players can switch between regional versions (such as the Japanese and Western releases), use save states, rewind gameplay to correct mistakes, and access a gallery of original artwork and a music player. These additions not only preserve the authenticity of the originals but also lower the barrier for entry, making the games more accessible to modern audiences.

Critically, the Castlevania Advance Collection has been well-received, especially among retro gamers and longtime fans of the series. Many reviewers praised the collection’s value, citing its well-curated content, thoughtful updates, and preservation of classic titles. Aria of Sorrow, in particular, is often hailed as one of the franchise’s all-time best, celebrated for its story, mechanics, and enduring design. Some critiques mention the original pixel-based graphics might not appeal to players accustomed to high-definition visuals, but most agree this stylistic choice honors and maintains the spirit of the original games.

In summary, Castlevania Advance Collection is a masterfully curated blend of nostalgia, preservation, and gameplay depth. It allows veteran players to relive treasured memories while offering newcomers a perfect entry point into the rich legacy of Castlevania. With four distinct titles showcasing the evolution of the franchise on handheld platforms, this collection captures the essence of what made the series an icon of 2D action-exploration gaming.