Castlevania 2 Walkthrough: Berkeley Mansion - Dracula's Rib
Map of Berkeley Mansion

Simon arrives at Berkeley Mansion to collect a bone of Dracula (the rib). To begin, select the white crystal to make a blue platform appear that serves as an elevator. Like all platforms that go up and down in Castlevania 2, if you jump while it's going up, you'll be "projected" a bit and jump higher than usual. Thus, if you want to reach the platform on the right directly, it's better to jump a split second before rather than waiting for the platform to be at the very top, otherwise you risk falling into the water. Then kill the armored guard with his spear from the platform, then jump to the right while being right on the edge otherwise you'll be "short" (and splash).

Then go to the nails and climb, then continue left and climb with a few jumps (you'll need to be right on the edge). Take the stairs just on the left and climb again. There, go right.

At one point, the ground changes height (2 bricks higher). Watch out, trap!!! It's a bit annoying, there are a few fake tiles in the game and the first 2 are among them (you can throw holy water to satisfy yourself). So you need to be a bit on the edge before jumping to the "floor" above. Then, you can go all the way to the right and let yourself fall.

Now go down the nearby stairs. On this floor, go left, take the first stairs up, continue left and talk to the guy in the big cape. He sells you the oak stake (there will be one seller per mansion) which will allow you to break the orb containing the remains of Dracula (again, like in all the houses).

Retrace your steps a bit and go down the next 3 stairs. If you wish, you can find 2 secrets (one to the left of the seller and the other a bit further down to the right).

After going down the 3 stairs, be very careful, you need to go right but there's another trap!!! This one is very mean because it sends you back to the beginning (and even further than the beginning in fact). After going down then, the 2 tiles at the level of the second post are fake tiles, you'll need to jump over them. You can still use holy water if you want to see where "it goes through". If you jumped the hole and the skeleton didn't push you back in, you've made it.

Climb the stairs then the 2 platforms and use the stake to break the sphere and get Dracula's rib. Retrace your steps and, to save time, let yourself fall into that damn fake tile trap then go completely to the left following the path. There you are, out of Berkeley Palace in good health and with one of Dracula's ribs which will help you out if you're a bit peckish. Note that it also serves as a shield when equipped. Stay still or jump without striking, it will surely serve you well.

With the rib in hand, Simon continues the adventure.