Original Castlevania Made Free for 40th Anniversary

Konami is marking the 40th anniversary of the iconic Castlevania franchise by offering the original 1986 action-platformer as a free download on mobile platforms. Players on iOS and Android can claim the NES classic at no cost through October 24, 2026, giving fans a chance to revisit Simon Belmont's initial quest to defeat Dracula.

The giveaway arrives alongside preparations for Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, a brand-new mainline entry scheduled to launch on October 15. Developed by Evil Empire, the studio recognized for its work on Dead Cells and The Rogue Prince of Persia, the upcoming game is set in the year 1499. The story follows Rose, daughter of Castlevania III protagonist Trevor Belmont, as she fights through Paris and Dracula's citadel armed with the Vampire Killer whip.

Ahead of the full release, Evil Empire will release a playable demo on October 1 for Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The trial allows players to complete the entire first chapter, with saved progress carrying over to the main game. Frame rates are set at 60 frames per second on PC and current-generation consoles, while the Nintendo Switch version targets 30 frames per second.

To complement the new announcements, Konami has heavily discounted previous entries across digital stores. The following collections are currently on sale on the PlayStation Store through October 7 and Steam through October 1:

Castlevania Anniversary Collection: 80 percent off
Castlevania Advance Collection: 70 percent off
Castlevania Dominus Collection: 50 percent off

PlayStation users can also buy the Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood pack at a 70 percent discount, while Steam shoppers can get 80 percent off the Lords of Shadow series and its related expansions.

Konami is extending the 40th-anniversary celebrations into other media as well. The official soundtrack for Castlevania: Black & Red has been added to major music streaming platforms, and an orchestral concert tour is planned to visit London, Tokyo, and Los Angeles in spring 2027.