In 2001, the first of several Game Boy Advance titles were released. Akumajo Dracula/Castlevania: Circle of the Moon was an early title for the new system. Reception and sales were fairly positive, and the game is mostly seen as a solid entry in the series, albeit a fairly short and somewhat boring entry.
Circle of the Moon returned to the "Metroidvania" style of gameplay that was popularized in 1997's Symphony of the Night. Unlike classic entries in the series, in "Metroidvania" games, you explore various parts of a large castle and unlock various areas of the castle and gain abilities and powers to take on stronger enemies. While taking influence from SOTN, Circle of the Moon was far more unique from SOTN compared to later GBA "Vania" games.
The following year would see the release of the second GBA Castlevania game. This time, the title would no longer be called "Akumajo Dracula" in Japan. The series would be mostly called "Castlevania" from now on in Japan and other territories. Concerto of Midnight Sun/Harmony of Dissonance was the most overt homage to SOTN to date. Featuring very similar visuals, enemies, and sprites, the game was mostly met with favourable reviews when compared to SOTN.
Despite its stellar visual presentation and solid gameplay, the game was criticized for being unoriginal and having a very jarring and low-quality soundtrack. Series mastermind Koji Igarashi was quoted as saying "we sacrificed the audio-quality for the graphics" in HOD. While the music is solidly composed, the fidelity definitely remains in question and can be distracting. Positive reviews and decent sales in the West meant that a third game for the GBA would be produced, despite lackluster Japanese sales.
In 2003, the third and final GBA "Vania" game would see release. Aria of Sorrow/Minuet of Dawn is often considered to be the best portable Castlevania game ever released. Despite the positive reception, sales of the game were quite low in Japan. However, brisk sales in North America ensured that the main entries of the series would remain on Nintendo's portables for several years to come. The main character, Soma Cruz, and his futuristic story would see a sequel in the next portable game in the series.
Despite the limited success of the 3D N64 games, Konami would again make an attempt to bring the long-running series into 3D in 2003. Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (Castlevania in Japan) was a mixed bag. Set in 1094, you take control of Leon Belmont, a ancestor of the clan of Belmonts that we all know and love. The game is largely a backstory to the events leading up to the eternal conflict between the Belmonts and Dracula. The game was met with a mixed reaction. Critics were quick to cite problems with the awkward camera, repetitive gameplay, boring level design, and "Devil May Cry" inspired elements. Many saw the game as moving too far away from the original direction(s) of the series. Few talk about the game today. Like the other 3D entries in the series, the majority of Vania fans prefer the 2D entries of the series.
