Konami has released a mobile port of the original Castlevania for free on the App Store and Google Play to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the franchise. The game, which first debuted in Japan on the Famicom on September 26, 1986, and later arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, is available at no cost for a limited time.
Promotion Details and Availability
The free download period begins September 25 and will run until October 24. In Japan, the promotion concludes at the end of the day on October 24, while other regions have until 11:59 PM on that date. According to Gematsu, players who download the title during this promotional window will maintain the ability to redownload and play the game after the offer expires.
The mobile version is a direct port of the original title that supports offline play. To recreate the feel of the original hardware, the game is displayed in its original aspect ratio, centered on the screen. The surrounding side and bottom margins feature a virtual touchpad with controllers mapped to classic Famicom buttons. Konami described the release as a token of our gratitude to all the players who have supported the series over the years
.
Gameplay and Story
The game is a side-scrolling gothic horror action-adventure that follows Simon Belmont, a young vampire hunter. Using an enchanted whip provided by his father, Simon must navigate 18 stages filled with traps and monsters within Dracula’s castle to defeat the Dark Lord. The original release was noted for establishing core series mechanics, such as sub-weapons and whip combat, as well as its distinctive sound and visuals.
Expanded 40th Anniversary Celebrations
The free mobile release is part of a broader series of anniversary events including discounts, music releases, and a new game title. Konami has launched sales of up to 80% off on several collections across Steam and PlayStation. These discounts include:
- Castlevania Anniversary Collection: 80% off (PlayStation sale ends Oct. 7; Steam sale ends Oct. 8)
- Castlevania Advance Collection: 70% off (PlayStation sale ends Oct. 7; Steam sale ends Oct. 8)
- Castlevania Dominus Collection: 50% off (PlayStation sale ends Oct. 7; Steam sale ends Oct. 8)
- Castlevania Requiem: Symphony of the Night & Rondo of Blood: 70% off (PlayStation sale ends Oct. 7)
Musical celebrations include the release of tracks from Black & Red on selected streaming platforms starting September 26. Additionally, Konami announced Castlevania 40th Anniversary An Orchestral Concert,
scheduled for Spring 2027 in Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo.
Upcoming Release: Belmont’s Curse
The anniversary year concludes with the launch of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse on October 15, 2026. The new entry will be available on Nintendo Switch, Steam, PC via Xbox, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. A free demo for the title is scheduled to arrive on October 1.
Set in Paris in 1499, the story takes place 23 years after the third game in the series. Players will control Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont, as she utilizes the Vampire Killer whip to fight through Dracula’s castle and the burning streets of the city.
Worth a look