Castlevania Turns 40: Original NES Classic Is Free on Mobile, Anniversary Sales and What’s Next
Official promotional imagery courtesy of Konami Digital Entertainment.
Castlevania has officially reached its 40th anniversary, and Konami is marking the milestone with something unusually accessible: the original game is available as a free mobile download for a limited time.
The anniversary campaign also includes discounts across several modern Castlevania collections, new soundtrack releases, a planned orchestral concert and another mainline-style 2D action-exploration game arriving in October.
The original Castlevania is free on iOS and Android
Konami says the Nintendo Entertainment System version of the original Castlevania is available free through the App Store and Google Play during the anniversary period. The download window runs from September 25 through October 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. JST.
Importantly, this is not simply a free-play weekend. Konami says players who download the game during the distribution period will still be able to download and play it after the promotion ends.
The series began in Japan in 1986, with its international NES debut following in 1987. The first game established Simon Belmont’s battle through Dracula’s castle and helped define the gothic action style that would evolve dramatically over the following decades.
Castlevania anniversary discounts reach 80%
Konami is also discounting several entries and collections. The exact storefront dates vary, so players should check their platform before buying.
- Castlevania Anniversary Collection: up to 80% off
- Castlevania Dominus Collection: 50% off
- Castlevania Advance Collection: 70% off
- Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood: 70% off on PlayStation
On Steam, Konami’s anniversary promotion also lists discounts on the Lords of Shadow games and related content. The PlayStation promotion runs through October 7, while Konami lists the Steam promotion through October 1.
New music and a Castlevania orchestral concert are part of the celebration
The anniversary extends beyond games. Konami says music from Castlevania Black & Red is coming to select streaming platforms on September 26.
A dedicated Castlevania 40th Anniversary An Orchestral Concert is also planned for spring 2027, with performances announced for Los Angeles, London and Tokyo. Exact dates and ticket details were not included in the initial anniversary announcement.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse arrives October 15
The celebration also points forward. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse launches October 15, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam and Nintendo Switch.
Set in Paris in 1499, 23 years after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse, the game follows Rose Belmont, daughter of Trevor Belmont. Konami describes it as a 2D action-exploration title built around the Belmont legacy, including the Vampire Killer whip.
Why the 40th anniversary matters
Castlevania’s influence reaches well beyond a single long-running franchise. The exploration-focused design associated with later entries—especially Castlevania: Symphony of the Night—became part of the vocabulary used to describe an entire branch of modern action games.
For newcomers, the free original release offers a low-risk way to see where the series started. For longtime fans, the combination of legacy collections, music, a concert and a new game makes this anniversary more substantial than a simple retrospective.
Key dates:
- September 25–October 24: original Castlevania free mobile distribution window
- September 26: Castlevania’s 40th anniversary and Black & Red music streaming release
- October 1: listed end of the Steam anniversary sale
- October 7: listed end of the PlayStation anniversary sale
- October 15: Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse release
- Spring 2027: anniversary orchestral concerts planned for Los Angeles, London and Tokyo
Images: official Castlevania promotional material © Konami Digital Entertainment.