Castlevania Turns 40 as Konami Makes the Original Game Free on Mobile

Castlevania is officially 40 years old. Four decades after the series began with Akumajō Dracula in Japan, Konami is marking the milestone by bringing the original game to modern mobile devices for free for a limited time, while also launching discounts across several Castlevania titles and announcing further anniversary projects.

The anniversary falls on September 26, 2026, the date Konami records for the original release of Akumajō Dracula on the Family Computer Disk System in Japan. The franchise would later reach international audiences under the Castlevania name, beginning with its NES release in 1987 in North America.

For players discovering the franchise for the first time — or longtime fans returning to where it began — the anniversary celebration combines a free mobile release with discounts, music projects, a planned orchestral concert and a new game scheduled for October.

Konami Makes the Original Castlevania Free on Mobile

The centerpiece of the anniversary campaign is the original Castlevania, which is now available as a free app through the App Store and Google Play.

Konami says the mobile release is available for a limited time through October 24, 2026. The game is a direct port of the original title, allowing players to experience the early adventure of Simon Belmont and his battle against Dracula on smartphones and tablets.

The mobile listing also states that the game can be played offline and will remain playable on devices after the availability period ends for players who obtained it during the promotion.

That makes the anniversary giveaway more than a short-lived promotional trial. It gives a new generation of players a way to experience the game that established the franchise while allowing longtime fans to revisit one of gaming’s foundational action titles.

Where Castlevania Began in 1986

The Castlevania story began on September 26, 1986, when Akumajō Dracula was released for Japan’s Family Computer Disk System.

Konami’s official history identifies that release as the beginning of the series. The game introduced the central conflict between vampire hunter Simon Belmont and Dracula, establishing the gothic setting, supernatural enemies and whip-based combat that would become closely associated with Castlevania.

The international Castlevania release followed on Nintendo’s NES, helping take the franchise beyond Japan. From there, the series expanded across home consoles, handheld systems, computers and later mobile platforms.

Over the following decades, Castlevania developed an extensive mythology around the Belmont family, Dracula and the recurring battle between vampire hunters and supernatural forces. Its distinctive combination of side-scrolling action, exploration, gothic imagery and demanding combat helped establish a recognizable identity within video-game history.

The 40th Anniversary Celebration Goes Beyond the Free Game

Konami’s anniversary plans extend well beyond the mobile release.

The company has launched discounts of up to 80 percent on selected Castlevania titles across major digital storefronts. On the PlayStation Store, the promotional period runs from September 23 through October 7, while the Steam promotion runs from September 24 through October 1.

Among the discounted titles are Castlevania Anniversary Collection, Castlevania Advance Collection, Castlevania Dominus Collection and Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood, with the exact discount varying by title and platform.

For players who want to explore the franchise beyond its first installment, the anniversary sale effectively creates a temporary opportunity to access several different eras of Castlevania at reduced prices.

Castlevania’s Music Gets Its Own Anniversary Spotlight

Music is another major part of the 40th-anniversary celebration.

Konami says music from Castlevania Black & Red is arriving on streaming platforms on September 26, coinciding with the anniversary date. The company is also preparing a special orchestral concert for spring 2027.

The planned Castlevania 40th Anniversary An Orchestral Concert is scheduled for London, Tokyo and Los Angeles, extending the anniversary celebration beyond video games and into live music.

A New Castlevania Game Is Also on the Way

The anniversary is not simply a look back at the franchise’s past. Konami is also preparing a new chapter.

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is scheduled to launch on October 15, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam and Nintendo Switch.

The game is being developed with Evil Empire and Motion Twin and is described by Konami as a new exploration-focused 2D action game that combines the identity of Castlevania with new elements.

The story is set in Paris in 1499, 23 years after the events of Castlevania III. Players will follow Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont, as she battles monsters across the city and Dracula’s castle using weapons and abilities that include the legendary Vampire Killer whip.

Why the 40th Anniversary Matters for Castlevania

Castlevania’s anniversary arrives at an interesting point for a franchise that has repeatedly moved between platforms and forms of entertainment.

The series began as a relatively straightforward action game centered on a vampire hunter, but its identity expanded over time through sequels, handheld games, collections, animated adaptations, music releases and other projects.

That longevity is part of what makes the 40th anniversary significant. Rather than simply re-releasing an old game, Konami is using the milestone to connect several generations of the franchise — from the original 1986 release to modern collections, a new game and projects outside the traditional video-game format.

The free mobile release also lowers the barrier for newcomers. Someone encountering Castlevania for the first time in 2026 can now start with the game that launched the series nearly four decades ago without purchasing it during the anniversary promotion.

What Players Can Expect Next

The anniversary program is only the beginning of Konami’s current Castlevania push.

The free original game remains available through October 24, while selected discounts run across PlayStation and Steam during their respective promotional windows. The next major game release is Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse on October 15, followed by the planned orchestral concerts in 2027.

For a franchise that began with a single vampire hunter entering Dracula’s castle in 1986, the 40th anniversary is therefore being marked across games, mobile, music, live events and new content.

The Bottom Line

Castlevania’s 40th anniversary is giving both longtime fans and newcomers a reason to return to the franchise. Konami’s decision to make the original game free on mobile puts the series’ beginnings within easy reach, while the anniversary discounts, music projects and upcoming Belmont’s Curse point toward a broader revival of the brand.

Four decades after the original game arrived in Japan, Castlevania is still being used as a foundation for new releases rather than simply preserved as a piece of gaming history.

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