One of our members (Nags) asked for this week's showdown. Mainly due to the recent release of Symphony of the Night on the Xbox Live Arcade. If anyone else has a showdown request which hasn't been done, please feel free to drop the staff a PM anytime. :)

The Metroid games are, in general, much better paced and have a better aspect of challenge to them. The series has excellent longevity and is consistently alot of fun to play.

However, I just prefer the Castlevania series more. Firstly, I think the music is not only of better quality, but it creates more of an atmosphere. When it comes to art, Castlevania completely destroys that of the Metroid franchise. But most importantly, I favour the gameplay over Metroid. The bosses and enemies are generally more varied than those in the Metroid series, the whipe/choice of weapon and the various support systems, whether they be the DSS card system, the Soul system, the Relic system, or just the sub weapons, are more fun to use than some beams and missiles.

I guess you can only compare the more recent Castlevania games to Metroid.

I voted Metroid, since I love the series, and basically I've played more games in the Metroid series than those in the "Metroidvania" series :P Both are brilliant franchises, but I'd have to give it to Metroid.

The more recent Prime titles on the GCN are excellent, particarly the first one, Tallon IV is such an artisitc beatiful world, though Echoes does also have its brilliant moments. Cant wait for Corruption on Wii :D

Oh yeah, and Samus is the best gaming chick! :P

Samus is THE videogame chick but Alucard is infinitely cooler as an actual character imo. Lament of Innocence on PS2 was a better 3D castlevania, I reckon it was better than devil may cry anyway.

I voted for Castlevania, I've played more Castlevania than I have of Metroid - that's about the only reason behind my choice :P

Pep for you.

Oh, wait...

Do I even need to say my answer here? I think you guys know by now just how much of a METROID fanboy I am. Of course I can't make a fair comparison anyway due to never having the pleasure of experiencing a Castlevania game (that will change when I get myself some MS points) but even if I did experience the Castlevania games I still think Metroid would win out. I can't explain why I think that, it just feels like that would be the case. As for art direction, perhaps in 2D installments Castlevania wins but if you are talking 3D installments than Metroid's art direction shits all over Castlevania's if you ask me. Both Prime games have been absolutely beautiful and Corruption is looking to expand on that even more.

Plus as Borg says, Samus is the gaming chick. ;)