No Souls, No Items
For an extra challenge for the duration of "Castlevania," there are two code names entered to remove some of the helpful collectibles. Souls are special abilities earned by defeating certain enemies in the game, and items can be used to refresh your hit points or mana points, or extend your character's stats. Items can be removed from the game by entering your name as "NOITEM" when starting a new game file, and Souls can be removed with the name "NOSOUL."
Game Completion Bonuses
Even after finishing "Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow," there are many challenges left to unlock. Beating the game will give two new modes of play: Hard mode and "Boss Rush" mode. Boss Rush pits you against all the bosses in the game in a row, with minimal health refills and using a character from any game file. Hard mode is a more difficult version of the whole game where enemies have stronger resistances to your attacks and more health. You can also enter "JULIUS" as your name and play as the vampire hunter Julius Belmont in their second game.
The Forbidden Area
There is one special area of the map that players miss. Three rooms over from the teleporter in the underground reservoir room is a waterfall blocking your path. If you have the Undine soul equipped, your character can walk on water toward the waterfall. Use this ability while changed into a demon by the Devil, Curly or Manticore soul to run through the waterfall. Inside is the forbidden area, with the powerful Claimh Solais sword, the Eversing Armor and the Joyeuse weapon. These are some of the strongest items in the game.
Fast Money
Money is difficult to collect in Castlevania since most enemies drop only small amounts to none. However, the monster Mimic gives your character a new soul ability. Mimic's soul makes enemies drop money every time they hit you, in amounts equal to the damage they have given. You can find a Mimic near the second save room in the chaotic realm; kill it multiple times until it drops the soul. Simply enter and leave the room after each kill until the soul is dropped, equip the soul and take some damage near a save point to stay alive.