Castlevania: Belmont's Curse and Konami's New 2D Game

After more than a decade without a new original chapter, Konami has confirmed Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, a brand-new 2D action game that marks the return of the legendary vampire-hunting saga. The announcement celebrates the franchise's 40th anniversary, reached in September 2026, and represents the first truly new entry since Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, released in 2014.

Who is behind the project

Development is handled by Evil Empire, the French studio responsible for keeping Dead Cells alive over the years, with consulting support from Motion Twin — the pair that had already collaborated on the Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania expansion in 2023. Konami is publishing, choosing to entrust the legacy to a team with a strong identity in the action and exploration genre.

A new Belmont on stage

The protagonist is Rose Belmont, daughter of hunter Trevor Belmont and sorceress Sypha Belnades. The story takes place in 1499, about two decades after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, and brings the action to a setting new to the series: the streets and catacombs of Paris, where the cursed castle manifests in the heart of the city.

Armed with the sacred whip Vampire Killer, Rose must descend into the depths of the French capital overrun by monstrous creatures to face bosses, free Parisians from the darkness and unravel the mystery behind the castle.

How it plays

Konami describes Belmont's Curse as an "exploration-based 2D action game." The structure relies on a non-linear map that combines the castle and the surrounding city, in the acclaimed style of the metroidvanias the series itself helped define. Progress involves defeating enemies, earning experience and hunting for upgrades and key items that gradually unlock new areas.

• A variety of weapons and spells to master
• Bosses and creatures scattered across the castle and Paris
• Exploration rewarded for those who investigate every corner

Platforms and release date

The game is set to launch on October 15, 2026, in time for Halloween, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam) and, confirmed later, Nintendo Switch on the same date. Pre-orders are already open, with a new trailer revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase featuring artwork by the acclaimed manga artist Katsuya Terada.

Midnight Edition

For the most dedicated fans, Konami has prepared the Midnight Edition, which includes a digital art and sound gallery with 71 tracks, alternate costumes inspired by Trevor and Sypha, and the relic item "Family's Grace." All pre-orders and early purchases also earn an Alucard-style costume, while the physical edition comes with a SteelBook and an optional tarot card.

With a new Belmont name, a fresh setting and a studio sharp in the genre, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse arrives as the 40th-anniversary gift fans have awaited since 2014.