Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow

THE BAD:
Wish it were even longer

SUMMARY:
Three wonderful Castlevania GBA games in as manu years...how do they do it? Deal with the devil? A legion of undead coders slaving away at night, perhaps? All i know is that Aria of Sorrow is the best GBA title to date--it perfectly blends the exploration-based gameplay of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PS1) with a refreshing story (set in 2035 and packed with cool twists) and a fiendishly addictive new Pokemon-like power-up system. Well, you dont gotta Catch 'em all, but 110 of the game's foes drop uniquie ability-bestowing orbs, or "souls", you can equip(or trade with friends via Link Cable). Snatching these souls to customize your abilities makes this romp through Drac's abode feel distinctively different and more rewarding than the previous GBA 'Vanias, Circle of the Moon and Harmony of Dissonance.
Beyond this excellent soul system, Aria still outclasses its forerunners--the eerily beatiful graphics look great, the equipment you pick up is creative (you can wield everything from handguns to swords made of lightning), and the music's a big improvement over HOD's janky tunes. Also, expect a sizable challenge this time around, as the regular enemies pack quite a punch and some of the bosses are hellishly nasty.