Basics

This page covers the basics of characters, controls, weapons, and items in Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

Weapons and Controls

Characters
Richter Belmont	Your main choice when first starting the game, Ricther Belmont follows the basic old school Castlevania design since the series inception. He carries a whip, he's out to kill Dracula, and he uses Secondary Weapons (such as the Axe, Cross, and Holy Water) to kill monsters. He has a double jump which results in a quick back flip and a newfound ability called the "Item Crash".
Maria Renard	After being rescued in rescued in Stage 2 after the Minotaur chase sequence, Maria becomes a playable character. Maria plays a bit different than Richter and adds a more light-hearted approach to when playing through the game. Her double jump is very useful (which can be controlled while in the air), her attacks are faster than Ricther's whip attacks (but do less damage) and uses "Spells" instead of secondary weapons like Richter. Maria's spells are based on various animal and mythological creatures.

NOTE?: While the game play remains relatively the same for both Richter and Maria in Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles, the dialog between your character and bosses or other NPCs will change. This is a neat bonus that gives some variety and added replay value.

Controls
D-PAD	Left and Right move your character. Up and Down are used to ascend and descend stairs. Holding Down when on the ground (when not on a staircase) results in your character DUCKING.
Square	This is used to ATTACK. Holding Up and pressing SQUARE results in your character using their Secondary Weapon/Spell.
X	This executes a JUMP. Tap twice quickly with Richter to do a BACKFLIP. With Maria, tap JUMP twice for a DOUBLE JUMP. Hold DOWN while on level ground with Maria to perform a SLIDE.
Circle	Cancels a selection in any in game menu.
Triangle	Exectues the "ITEM CRASH" technique.
Start	Opens up the pause menu.
Home	Gives you the option to quit the game and return to your PSP.

USING THE STAIRS?: Unlike most games, the Castlevania series has a specific rule structure for the use of stairs, that if not followed can lead to devestating results.

Rule 1 —??? To enter a stairwell you need to hold UP or DOWN as you walk toward it. You CANNOT just walk forward and hope that it works. It doesn't. You will fall directly through the stairs (and in most cases, to your death) if you don't enter them correctly. This is the main "non combative" cause of death in these titles. Be warned.
Rule 2 —??? Stay away from stairwells during combat. If you are struck by an enemy and fly at a stairwell, there's a good chance that you'll fall right through it (just as if you didn't enter it correctly). This is another main cause of death in the CV series and should be taken seriously, as it WILL happen to you sooner or later.
Rule 3 —??? Jumping on stairs (or onto stairs) works, but for you to LAND on the steps (not fall through) you have to hold UP before landing. When mastered, this skill is invaluable as it lets you shimmy up stairwells quickly and precisely ... while in combat there is nothing more awesome than leaping at an enemy and killing it in mid-air only to land on a stairwell as if it's just part of the job.

Weapons

These are found by snuffing out candles and breaking hidden walls. Each character has their own exclusive set of Weapons/Spells, each with their own usefulness, properties and overall cost (in Hearts) to use.

Richter's Weapons
Knife	A simple and cheap to use weapon. It flies in a straight line and does moderate damage.
Axe	This weapon is tossed in an upward arc. Great for any enemy that is above you (both airborne and/or enemies that are on a ledge above you)
Cross	Thrown out directly in front of your character, pauses mid-air, and then returns like a Boomerang. The item can cancel out incoming projectiles from both enemies and boss characters, making it insanely useful.
Holy Water	Toss this on the ground and you'll have yourself a small wall of flame that moves in a straight line across the floor. The flame can be followed and provided some protection until the flames dissipate.
Pocket Watch	Gives the ability to slow time. When executed, enemies and enviromental hazzards freeze in place for a brief time, allowing you to attack while everything is stunned. When used properly, the Watch can become an invaluable asset.
Grimoire	When used, this tome will fly around the screen in a swirling arc and damage anything within it's radius. Great as both a defensive and offensive tool against enemies.

Maria's Magic Spells
Cat	Thrown on the ground, the Cat looks for any enemy that it can run into and deals moderate damage.
Turtle	Provides a shield that covers Maria, and is almost invincible. This spell is great when you are surrounded. This Spell can sustain a good amount of damage before breaking.
Dragon	Summons a small green dragon which flies in an arced path forward and deals damage to any enemy in it's path. Deals a massive amount of damage to enemies.
Cardinal	Two red birds fly out at upward angles dealing damage to anything above your character. Can work well against bosses that are being attacked from below.
Egg	Maria tosses out an Egg on the ground and a group of birds fly out upward from it, causing damage to anything in their way.
Music	Maria projects music notes directly in front of her for a short time. These notes are weak in their damage output, but they hit multiple times without fail.

Items

Hearts	Hearts can be found by destroying enemies, breaking candles in the background, or finding hidden walls in a level. Each small Heart that is collected is worth ONE, while a large Heart is worth FIVE. Collecting Hearts is a necessity for using a Secondary Weapon or Spell.
Food	Food is found by breaking hidden areas within a level. A portion of the life bar can be restored when collected, the amount is different depending on the kind of food found. Try attacking walls and corners within levels when your health is low.
Money Bags	Money Bags can drop from enemies, candles, and hidden walls. Each bag is colored and has it's own worth, which is counted toward the credits you spend in the main menu section of the game.
Music Tracks	Music Tracks hidden within some levels and unlock various music tracks in the Sound Assign section in the main menu. You can swap out music in the various stages you have found the Music Tracks.
Magic Jewels	Magic Jewels are the items you find after defeating a boss. It normally signals the end of a stage, but in BOSS RUSH mode a Magic Jewel will refill your life bar to full (thus keeping you prepared for the next encounter).

Item Crash

When you have a Secondary Weapon equipped and your Heart meter is flashing, you have the option to execute an Item Crash. This technique is completely devastating to both bosses and normal enemies, but it uses up your hearts very fast. Each Secondary Weapon has it's own Item Crash variant that is stronger than when it is normally use.