This was the first castlevania game I completed. Was a blast, did it last year on a retro handheld. Didn't realise it wasn't the first one on GBA. I've since did the other with a subtitle, but have yet to finish the first on GBA that's just called "Castlevania".
For those who enjoy this: Dawn of Sorrow is a direct sequel (same protagonist) on the NDS, and is just as good. It’s one of my favorite Castlevania games.