Aria of Sorrow is incredible
Dawn of Sorrow is better if you play it before Aria of Sorrow (It's more original that way; it's a better game, it just feels to similar to Aria if you play both)
Circle of the Moon
NOT CASTLEVANIA 2
Circle of the Moon is probably the most underrated. I think it's awesome, and it's especially awesome as a starting point (for newer Metroid-esque Castlevania's), because you get to see how they gradually refined the formula in subsequent games.
I've played EVERY Castlevania, except for the newer 3D ones for Xbox/PS2.
Crusty VGchartz old timer who sporadically returns & posts. Let's debate nebulous shit and expand our perpectives. Or whatever.