It's probably the best title in the huge Castlevania saga that finally got ported on the Nintendo DS. There's no console in the world that hasn't had the honor of hosting Konami's masterpiece and our favorite vampire hunting heroes are back, with the same manga hair-styles and the trademark whip that would make Indiana Jones jealous. You will be able to control two different characters: vampire hunter Jonathan Morris and Charlotte Aulin, a young witch. Also, you can switch characters whenever you want or combine their powers into extremely powerful combos.

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin is a platform game with RPG stat-building elements. Similar to the Metroid series, certain areas are inaccessible until the player defeats key enemies and obtains critical items. Along the way, the player must defeat a horde of monsters that roam the various rooms of the castle with the weapons he or she finds along the way. The more enemies the player defeats and the stronger the enemy, the more experience points they get, which enables them to level up and improve their abilities. 

HINTS

Defeating Doppleganger

The following trick is useful if you have already unlocked the Nest of Evil portrait. When you get to the last area, there is a save point near the last room. Go back to the surface and restock on potions, high potions, tonics, and high tonics. After that, go back to Nest of Evil and go to the last save point using the teleport stones. Before saving, unequip both Jonathan and Charlotte of everything. The last Boss of this portrait is the infamous Doppleganger. The Doppleganger will take on the form of either Jonathan or Charlotte. The Doppleganger will have the same equipment, weapon, and skill of either character once you enter the room. After entering the room quickly re-equip your characters with the strongest equipment, weapon, skill, and team skill for them. You will be able to take out the Doppleganger very quickly. After the fight you will receive the last team skill on the skill list in the next room.

The easiest way to defeat the Doppelganger (in the Nest of Evil) is not having him attack you at all. There is a glitch with one weapon that allows you to attack the Doppelganger without being hit back. Equip the Illusion Fist weapon to Jonathan (obtained after completing Boss Rush Course 2 within five minutes) and the Encyclopaedia weapon and Berserker spell to Charlotte. Do not equip any armor for either character. When the fight begins, backdash against the wall and call Charlotte to use Berserker, doubling your now-unceasing attack. If you are fighting Jonathan, he will not attack you back; if you're fighting Charlotte, switch to the Kaiser Knuckles weapon for Jonathan and you can attack Charlotte without her hitting you. This is an effective strategy, especially when you want to earn SP quickly.

Changing skeleton

Go to the portrait that resembles a school (the one that you must complete to kill Brauner). There is a room that contains two witches (that throw "Energy Light" spells) and a skeleton in the background. Reenter the room several times to see the skeleton covered in organs. Note: This may require a few attempts.

Here's a video of this game: