Update: October 9, 2003 at 12:30PM EST
After much searching, NCS finds a supplier with a small batch of the Castlevania "Aria of Sorrow" game and the artbook. The book contains 10 thick pages of various Castlevania artwork from artist Ayami Kojima who has provided the art for Castlevania since PS1 Symphony of the Night. The back of the book contains a 3-page foldout which chronicles the critical dates of the Dracula chronology as it pertains to the Belmont clan. Most stunning artwork in the book, in our opinion, is the bloody red two-pager that Kojima painted for the re-release of the Akumajou Dracula game.

Story/Background
2035 A.D. The first solar eclipse of the new millennium dances across the dark skies when protagonist Soma Cruz and his friend Mina Hakuba trek to the summit of a mountain to view the event. Unfortunately for the two friends, they wander into the eclipse and soon stand outside Dracula’s castle. Although the head vampire was destroyed 36 years ago, a new terror appears to have taken residence at the dark lord’s domain. Without provocation, the two are attacked by skeletal warriors and a winged beast outside the daunting castle. With Mina wounded, Soma treks into the castle to discover the mysteries within, find his oppressor and along the way, collect some souls in order to escape Dracula's castle.

As Soma begins the game, he’s armed with a simple knife which may be plugged into shuffling skeletal warriors and flitting bats. Progress further and new weapons may be acquired to battle undead legions and armored knights. One of the first new weapons is a long-spear which may be hurled at foes from a distance. Soma’s special ability is the absorption of souls of those he has slain and the acquisition of their unique powers or skills.

Players may trade collected souls with other gamers through a Gameboy Link Cable.