Konami Kukeiha Club ‎– Castlevania: Rondo Of Blood - Original Video Game Soundtrack / Castlevania: Dracula X - Original Video Game Soundtrack

Mondo Repress of this album and variant being released today.

I believe this pressing was limited to /1500, unless Mondo does a repress in the same colorway.

Having the SNES version of the soundtrack--when it's not available anywhere else--is the real highlight of this release. Although a very brief soundtrack lasting only 29 minutes, most of the arrangements are made better through the filter of the SNES sound chip. "Divine Bloodlines" is the MVP of the arrangements, with an honorable mention go to "Dance Of Phantasms" (aka the boss theme) sound fuller in the SNES version compared to slightly more midi source of the PC Engine version. Not that I'm putting the original PCE soundtrack down, it's all a matter of personal tastes. I do like the late '90s anime sound that comes through with the redbook-based score, as it also matches the illustrations of the game. Can't say no to that beloved system-error theme that is "Op. 13" or goofy aptly-titled "Mary Samba".

The packaging of this release is fascinating. Because both versions of the game are represented, both sides of the LP reflect their own cover of the specific version. I had to be careful about taking the records out, because due to the reversible nature of the jacket (also reflected in the gatefold art), one side can have the record slide down instead of up. It's designed for each side to be taken a record out from the right side, so taking records out the normal gatefold way can't be applied. At least from my end, anyway; I CAN put both records upright like normal, but that rationale hurts the direction of the design.