Is it Considered Cheating to use the saving function in the original Castlevania?

[Caprikiwi]

First time playing Castlevania and I have a question about the saving function. If I were to make a save at the start of each stage, i wouldn't need to repeat the earlier stages in a level. Would this be an illegitimate way to play the game? I understand that its up to me how I play, but if theirs an intended way of playing i'd like to do that. I assume it doesn't really matter but I decided to check just in case. Thanks!

[Dgo]

Original games didn't have such function.
This collection of roms includes that function, so no, it's not cheating.
The thing is, former games in past times were hard af bc they needed to last quite a bit, there were no dlc or stuff like that.

You can auto-impose not using save states if you like so, for personal satisfaction but it's no cheating either if you decide the opposite.

Furthermore these games did not include any saving system so, it's the only way to play a bit each time, otherwise you need to finish each game in a run.

TL;DR: it's legit.

[Doomerang]

If anyone tries to lecture you on how you should play the game, smirk and move on with your life.

[quaidis]

What they said. The games would be impossible without the save function, especially the early nes games. You could punish yourself and try to go without, but there are better things you could do with that lost free time and sufficient controller-breaking angst.

[Karvovičius]

I consider it as cheating. It's takes a lot of challenge from games.

[StDragon]

Be happy. If you need to use saves states, then do it. Games are for your fun. If you want, with enough time and practice, you will be able to complete the game without them.

[Capt. Destro]

Honestly for your own sanity and time, use save states.

I start out really good until I get to the last two stages (Death and Dracula) in Castlevania 1.

Save states are a blessing that make up for the clunky controls, bad hit boxes, old school jump mechanic.

Just to be fair, make a check point before each boss. Don't do it mid boss fight, that's rather cheap lol.

Most bosses can also be absolutely cheesed by using the stop watch too.

[Karma]

Define "cheating". :) If you mean in the context of the original game, it's "cheating" because in the original you couldn't save your game. You had to play and practice, then when you felt ready for a full run, you played from start to finish all in one session because that was your only choice. Back in the day, I finished it on my second try at a full run, with countless hours of play and practice before that. So, that's bragging rights. :) But today I would definitely save and not feel the least bit bad about it because who's got time for that?

They wouldn't have added a save function if it wasn't intended to be used now, even if it wasn't available then. I think you're all good.

[Dgo]

Most of the old games were a cheat itself.
Remember Battletoad, MegaMan, etc? Limited continues, insane bosses, insane mechanics. Now and thanks to save states we have a chance, even current games are east af compared to old ones.

[WhitePhantom]

Like most NES games, Castlevania was only as difficult as it was because it was about 30 minutes to get through. They had to make it feel like it was worth the money.
If you beat a level then you overcame that challenge. No sense in forcing yourself to replay the whole thing just for another chance at the part you were struggling with.

[dprog1995]

Actually the developers "cheated" by making those games too hard.

[Wild Dog]

No the devs didn't "cheat" making the game to hard. That's how game were back there for the Arcades it was that way so people will put more coins, for home consoles they were hard so they will last longer.

Back in the 80/90s we weren't as lucky to be able an insane amount of game as we do now. Hell even i have game in steam that i NEVER played.
That was not the case, limited cartridges / floppy disk. So we had to make the best of them....


About the saving is "cheating" only few kinds of players will tell you it is cheating
1)Obsessed players, which will try to be as 1337 as they can
2)Snobs who in the first play will never get a "collection" ONLY REAL HARDWARE

If the feature is in the game and it was set by the developers to be used, then IS NOT CHEATING. Enjoy the games.

[blastvortx]

If you want a purist experience, go ahead and dare a go without saving.

If you feel like saving, to hell with the above, save every chance you get if it gives you chance and make good on any Konami gives you to beat the game. This is Konami's most unforgiving early franchise... behind Gradius. Yeah, you read that right. I staunchly support Contra as 3rd. Konami left it stay in there like the good little emulator this obviously is. Like they say, use what they gave you.

Lastly, it ain't cheating if Konami purposefully lets, nay, ALLOWS you to do it. Nuff said.


[edit] oh, but don't save toooo often. didn't realize you could literally save anywhere. that is something that can backfire drastically, esp since you can only ever have that one save per game, if even, saving at the wrong time and place. yes, i suppose you could copy a safe level save if you knew its location, but that's just waaaaay too much of a hassle. many devs do insert safety precautions against that anyway, so best leave those thoughts alone. the game should be easy enough now considering you have SAVE ANYWHERE plus CONTINUE passwords in pretty much every available corner of the net. I'd rather dare myself to play all without, or even without the Save feature, if and when I can.

TL;DR watchout, backfire from hell. try without as much (not all, but some). you just might find yourself a cooler person than you think.

[Allard]

Originally posted by Caprikiwi:

First time playing Castlevania and I have a question about the saving function. If I were to make a save at the start of each stage, i wouldn't need to repeat the earlier stages in a level. Would this be an illegitimate way to play the game? I understand that its up to me how I play, but if theirs an intended way of playing i'd like to do that. I assume it doesn't really matter but I decided to check just in case. Thanks!

The only illegitimate way to play a game is one that's not satisfying to you. I myself am a purist and would never use them... but then again, when I was a kid, I used cheats like crazy without second thought.

[AshenCue]

Personally, I used save states. I don't think it's cheating, it's literally a feature in the game put by the devs. I kinda understand why they put it though, because if you play the games now, it's way too clunky and hit boxes are so bad compared to modern games. They wanted it to sell.

Same with using the stop watch, it's not your fault that you use an item IN GAME to help you beat a boss or a level. Just like many other games, you use potions, scrolls etc... to help you through the fight. However, you can always challenge yourself and not use them. It's up to you. There are so many ways to play games, as long as you don't use external cheats or in game exploits, you're good.

[𝕊𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕕𝕠𝕟]

It's cheating, as is something that wasn't original designed.

But the point should be, why people put so much weight into cheating?
If you are in a competitive game, I can understand, cause it is disrespectful. But so does a lot of other things, like being a ♥♥♥♥ in the chat, work against your team, and using of external tools to give you an edge, like voice chating.
But in single play experience? The point of games is mostly for entertainment, so have your fun. People that proudly get offended by how someone have their own fun, are insane, and is the same kind of attitude that creates social problems of disrespecting because of differences.

Plus, a lot of people are too proud to admit, but "cheating" can happen in many different ways, from exploiting flaws to having someone else helping your challenge, etc.