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Castlevania turns 40 in 2026, and Konami has announced a new 2D exploration-action game, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, for October 15, 2026. The series follows vampire hunters facing Dracula; the new game shifts the focus to Rose Belmont in 1499 Paris and gives the Vampire Killer whip a role in both combat and traversal.
What is Castlevania?
Castlevania is Konami’s action-adventure series about vampire hunters—especially the Belmont family—and their struggle against Dracula. Side-scrolling platforming, demanding action and gothic atmosphere are among its recognizable traits, though the games do not all share identical mechanics or continuity. The official Castlevania portal reflects the breadth of the catalog, including several collections.
When did Castlevania first come out?
Konami dates the series’ debut to 1986 and marks its 40th anniversary in September 2026. That is the franchise’s anniversary framing; it should not be taken to mean every regional version launched on the same day. Konami’s anniversary notice is the basis for the milestone.
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Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is set in Paris in 1499, 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. Its protagonist, Rose Belmont, is identified by Konami as Trevor Belmont’s daughter. She explores the city and Dracula’s castle, using the sacred Vampire Killer whip as well as other weapons and abilities.
#1 Best Overall
- Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse | Night One Edition includes: Main Game, Alucard Style Costume, Digital Sound & Art Gallery, Trevor Style Costume, Sypha Style Costume, and Family's Grace (Relic).
- Medieval Paris, Where the Tolling Bells Herald the End - 1499: Paris is engulfed in flames as monstrous creatures suddenly emerge from the shadows. Armed with the legendary holy whip, the Vampire Killer, Trevor Belmont’s successor ventures into the burning streets and the looming castle to hunt down the beasts. Can they save the city from the brink of destruction?
- Satisfying Whip Action - The iconic whip of the series is now more important than ever! Crack your whip to move around freely like a trapeze artist! Master the whip mechanics and be creative to pounce on your prey like a wolf in fast-paced combats!
- A Large Selection of Weapons and Abilities - The whip is not the only tool at your disposal. You will need to strategically plan your next move in combat and make full use of all the weapons and abilities to stand a chance!
- Environment Hazards That Will make you grit your teeth - Biomes are packed with secrets, traps and puzzles. It is not just about muscles, it's about brains too!
The whip is for movement as well as combat
Konami says players can use the whip to swing through areas, reach hidden rooms and access otherwise unreachable places. The announcement also describes using it in combat from different positions, alongside exploration, secrets, puzzles and traps. These are announced features, not a hands-on assessment of the finished game. Konami’s February 12, 2026 announcement on the PlayStation Blog also describes a colorful art direction that keeps a gothic look and mentions other weapons.
When does Belmont’s Curse come out, and what platforms is it on?
Konami lists October 15, 2026 as the release date and names PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam and Nintendo Switch. The date and platform list come from Konami’s anniversary announcement. Because store listings and regional availability can change, check the relevant local store for current purchase details.
Rank #2
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Edition and bonus details
Konami’s June pre-order notice describes a digital Midnight Edition containing the main game, a digital sound and art gallery with 71 tracks, and three in-game items. The notice also names an Alucard Style Costume as an early-purchase or pre-order bonus. Those terms may vary by region or change; check the applicable store listing and Konami’s official announcement for current details. The earlier notice listed PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Steam for pre-orders, while saying Switch release and pre-order dates would be announced later; that does not establish current Switch pre-order status.
Do you need to play Castlevania III first?
Konami places Belmont’s Curse 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse and identifies Rose as Trevor’s daughter, so that game supplies relevant family and timeline context. The official announcement does not state that playing it is required. If you want that context, the official Castlevania portal lists collections including the Anniversary Collection; it also lists Advance, Dominus and Requiem collections for readers looking for other eras of the series. The portal does not rank them or establish a single best starting point.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Rank #4
- Classics that defined the Castlevania series.
- Includes the "History of Castlevania - Book of the Crescent Moon" ebook.
- This includes eight classic Castlevania games preserved on one disc with a full-color manual.
- The Castlevania Anniversary Collection on physical disc for the PlayStation 4. Also works on PlayStation 5. Region-free.
Rank #3
- LIMITED EDITION: Official Limited Run Games release #251 of the Castlevania Dominus Collection featuring Order of Ecclesia cover art for Nintendo Switch
- GAME FORMAT: Physical DVD-ROM release, not a digital download, packaged in standard Nintendo Switch game case
- CONTENT: Action-packed collection of classic Castlevania games, rated T for Teen by ESRB
- PACKAGING DIMENSIONS: Comes in standard Switch case measuring 6 inches high, 3 inches wide, and 2 inches deep
- REGION AND LANGUAGE: US release with English language support, compatible with Nintendo Switch systems
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