I mentioned not long ago my desire to have a collection of all the Castlevania games, and how I’d felt discouraged by other people’s willingness to pay a lot of money for these old games. You won’t be surprised to hear that I’ve adapted to this obstacle and have overcome it. I now own several old Castlevania games, though some of them have yet to arrive in the mail from eBay sellers. I’ve developed a set of strategies that is serving me very well, so now I’ve managed to become the owner of the following games. Many of these I already owned before this foray into eBay buying, but here’s the list. Note that all the games are complete, with their original box and manual, except where indicated.

Castlevania (NES) I managed to get a great deal on this one because the box is ripped.

Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (NES) This one was incredible. The cheapest one yet at less than four dollars, and it’s almost brand new. There was pencil writing on the manual, but it erased easily.

The Castlevania Adventure (GB) While nigh unplayable today, no collector should be without this game. I only have the cartridge from a purchase some time ago. Right now it’s on eBay for less than $5. I bought the manual on eBay for $2 and am waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse (NES) Koji Igarashi’s favorite Castlevania game, and mine too. I bought this one at launch but lost it long ago. I got a deal on this one by being very quick on the mouse. I’d like to get the Japanese version as well, because it’s different from the US one, but I’m not sure how practical that would be.

Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge (GB) Widely considered a “fix” of Castlevania Adventure, this game is much more playable. I’ve reached the second-to-last boss. Again, I only have the cartridge. It’s not uncommon on eBay, but it’s a little bit more than Adventure.

Castlevania: Bloodlines (GEN) This one was challenging. After doing my first-ever eBay return of an item that didn’t match its description (still waiting on that refund) I managed to score a near mint copy as part of a lot of complete games, which, if you’re interested, I am now selling off individually on eBay. I expect that will actually turn me a profit. I even did local pickup on this one, saving myself the shipping.

Another challenge here was that there is a reissue of the game in a paperboard box with a black and white manual. This version is more common on eBay (there are several new sealed copies on there) but not much less expensive than the original clamshell design with the color manual. Someone is even selling counterfeit emulated copies of Bloodlines for play in Windows for less than $10. Hello? Konami?

Castlevania Legends (GB) My copy of this game looks like hell, but I’m glad I got it when I did. I spent like $12 for it, but now it’s rare to see a copy under $35 on eBay, even when it’s just the cartridge like I have.

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS1) I had a Greatest Hits copy of this game years ago but sold it. I hadn’t planned to pick it up since I have the game in various forms already, but then I saw the queue for it on Goozex is very short. Minutes after I put it on my list I was matched. I hope the copy that comes is an original pressing, but I doubt it.

Castlevania (N64) Save for Simon’s Quest, the cheapest and most common Castlevania game on eBay, despite the fact that every seller puts “RARE” in the title. My copy’s a little rough, but set me back only $12.

Castlevania Chronicles (PS1) I picked up this one on Half.com, and it set me back $35.

Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (GBA) Quick clicking scored me a complete copy of this rare game for $5. I already have a cart-only copy, and I’ll sell that one once this one comes in the mail.

Castlevania Double Pack (Harmony of Dissonance and Aria of Sorrow on one cart) (GBA) I have a cart-only copy I got some time ago from Gamestop for $18. I found a seller who specializes in boxes and manuals and picked up the box and manual for $4. Still waiting for that to arrive in the mail.

Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (PS2) I had this a while ago, lent it away and never saw it again. I picked up another copy earlier this year on eBay for around $10. It’s very common and inexpensive.

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (PS2) I’ve written about this one a few times, I bought it earlier this year when I got a PS3. It was somewhere around $10 as well.

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS) Preordered and purchased at launch.

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS) Preordered and purchased at launch.

Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles (PSP) Got it on Goozex for an exhorbitant 500 points (about $25) due to high demand. There are hundreds of copies on eBay for around $10.

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS) Preordered and purchased at launch.

The hit list: here’s the games that are eluding me so far.

Super Castlevania IV (SNES) This one’s not too scarce, but the people who want complete copies have deeper pockets than me. Copies are running more than $40 in many cases. To get one less than that, you need to be wiling to buy something from someone who won’t post photos, which is always suspicious. The other concern is avoiding the reissue of the game with a black and white manual, something that can be very difficult.

Castlevania Dracula X (SNES) I’m shocked at how expensive this game is. For a complete copy, one could easily spend $60 or more.

Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness (N64) Not only is this somewhat uncommon on eBay in any condition, it’s very expensive, commanding $20 for just the cartridge in some cases.

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (GBA) Just as with Symphony of the Night, I’ve done a turnaround on this title. I decided for my collection that I want all the games, not just the compilations. That means along with Double Pack, I’m looking for Harmony of Dissonance. This one’s on my Goozex request list, and we’ll see how that goes. Complete copies on eBay go for $20 or more.

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (GBA) This one’s also on my Goozex request list despite being part of Double Pack. Complete copies on eBay go for as much as $30.

Castlevania Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (PCE) I don’t know what I’m going to do about this one. I’ve read that the game is very common used in Japan, but because of perceived rarity and demand, the game easily sells for over $100 here in the US… or at least it did before it came out as part of Dracula X Chronicles on PSP. It’s currently $145 at Play-Asia. Maybe I’ll pick up a copy if I’m ever in Japan.