Castlevania celebrates turning 40 by giving away the original game for free
Konami has announced a major celebration for Castlevania’s 40th anniversary, offering the original 1986 NES classic as a free download on mobile platforms. The giveaway is available on both the App Store and Google Play until October 24, 2026.
The original Castlevania, which debuted on Nintendo’s NES console, introduced players to vampire hunter Simon Belmont and his iconic battle against Dracula. The game has become a cornerstone of the action-platformer genre and maintains significant cultural relevance four decades after its release.
To complement the anniversary celebration, Konami is offering other titles in the Castlevania series at deep discounts. The timing coincides with the upcoming launch of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, the franchise’s next mainline entry arriving next month. This new installment features Rose, the daughter of Trevor Belmont from Castlevania III, as she battles through Paris and Dracula’s castle.
The free distribution of the original game serves multiple purposes: it introduces younger players to the franchise’s foundational entry while rewarding longtime fans. The combination of free access to the classic, discounted legacy titles, and an imminent new release represents a comprehensive strategy to revitalize interest in the vampire-hunting series heading into its next chapter.