Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is a 2003 handheld metroidvania developed by Konami for the Game Boy Advance. Set in the year 2035, where Dracula's castle reappears during a solar eclipse, it follows student Soma Cruz as he explores the sprawling fortress and gradually uncovers his own connection to the vampire lord.

Its standout feature was the "Tactical Soul" system, which let players absorb the souls of defeated enemies to gain their abilities, from spells and familiars to passive boosts, encouraging experimentation and giving combat and character-building lasting depth. The interconnected castle, gated by new powers, satisfying nonlinear exploration and RPG-style leveling exemplified the series' beloved exploratory style, and multiple endings rewarded thorough play.

Aria of Sorrow is widely regarded as one of the finest handheld Castlevania games and among the best in the entire series. It has been included in modern compilation re-releases, keeping it easily playable and cementing its status as a genre highlight.