What are you playing?

[elevenism]

somehow i've never played a castlevania game (despite being a huge metroid fan). guessing i should get on that?

Symphony of the Night is probably my favorite game of all time. The NES and SNES games aren't laid out like Metroid; that started with SoTN.

And there are also 3 spiritual sequels to SoTN on GBA: these are Aria of Sorrow, Harmony of Dissonance and Circle of the Moon.

Circle of the Moon is GOOD, but AoS and HoD are on par with SoTN.

i'm with @Jinsai . You need to play SoTN as soon as possible. it's just, it's one of those things that will make you happier about humanity and the world, knowing that such a game exists.
also, from what i've seen of you and your tastes, you will fucking ADORE the art style and he soundtrack. And the gameplay is kind of like Super Metroid (hence the term Metroidvania,) but with leveling and RPG elements.
If you can't get hold of a copy or a digital version, i will let you borrow mine, but you HAVE to give it back!
That's how bad i want you to play it.