The Atari 8-bit community continues to push the boundaries of what the classic XL/XE hardware can do, and one of the most exciting homebrew efforts in recent years is the ambitious Castlevania VBXE project. This fan-made port aims to bring the iconic 1986 NES action-platformer Castlevania to Atari’s 8-bit computers—enhanced by the powerful VBXE graphics upgrade, which allows for richer colors, smoother animation, and near-16-bit presentation compared to stock hardware.
Created by developer Thelen (aka Mariusz), this project has been in development for multiple years and continues to evolve. What’s already been shown publicly is generating major excitement in the retro scene.
A New Level of Visual Detail for the Atari 8-Bit Line
VBXE is a graphics expansion that adds modernized capabilities to the Atari XL/XE—similar to what the SuperFX chip did for the SNES or what enhanced cartridge mappers did for the NES.
Castlevania VBXE takes full advantage of this by delivering:
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High-color backgrounds with deep gradients and smooth shading
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Animated sprites that closely match or exceed the NES original
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Large, detailed environments like Dracula’s castle entrance
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A polished title screen displaying the game’s gothic aesthetic with near-console-quality artwork
The title screen shown above already demonstrates the incredible graphical fidelity the project is aiming for. It feels unmistakably “Castlevania,” yet astonishing for Atari hardware.
Gameplay That Honors the Original
From the footage shown so far—including the video below—the game retains the iconic feel of the NES version:
🔗 YouTube WIP footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYF0bGOc0Vc&t=267s
Players can expect:
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Simon Belmont’s classic whip mechanics
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Familiar enemies like zombies, bats, and skeleton warriors
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Side-scrolling exploration through Dracula's castle
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Faithful recreations of the original level layouts
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Smooth movement and responsive controls
The developer has been gradually adding new enemies, environments, and gameplay systems while testing performance on real hardware, ensuring the final product feels both authentic and optimized.
Development Progress & Community Support
Indie Retro News has periodically covered updates on the project, highlighting its steady progress:
Key takeaways from the development updates include:
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The game is being written in assembly for maximum performance
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Sprite handling and animation have been carefully tuned
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New sound and music tools are being explored for improved audio
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Performance remains strong even with multiple enemies onscreen
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Thelen continues to polish artwork, backgrounds, and lighting effects
It’s clear that this is not only a port—it’s a passion project, crafted with attention to authenticity and respect for both the Castlevania legacy and the Atari XL/XE hardware.
Why This Project Matters
Castlevania VBXE represents more than just a port:
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It pushes the limits of what Atari 8-bit computers can deliver
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It shows how modern expansions like VBXE can breathe new life into retro systems
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It brings a beloved classic to a platform that never had it
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It highlights the continued strength and creativity of the Atari homebrew community
Just as Castlevania defined action-platforming on the NES, this project could become one of the standout achievements of the Atari XL/XE homebrew scene.
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