What Happened to Castlevania: Belmont's Curse?
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is an upcoming 2D action-exploration video game, serving as the 26th main entry in the long-running Castlevania franchise. Developed by Evil Empire and published by Konami, with Motion Twin in an advisory role, the game is scheduled for release on October 15, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Nintendo Switch version to follow. It commemorates the franchise's 40th anniversary by returning to its classic Metroidvania roots.
Quick Answer
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a highly anticipated 2D action-exploration game, officially announced in February 2026 and slated for an October 15, 2026 release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with a Nintendo Switch version to follow. Developed by Evil Empire and Konami, it marks the Castlevania franchise's 40th anniversary, returning to its beloved Metroidvania roots with a new story set in 1499 Paris. Players will control a successor to Trevor Belmont, wielding the iconic Vampire Killer whip to explore a non-linear world and battle demonic creatures.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline9 events
Original Castlevania Released
The first Castlevania game is released, establishing the franchise that 'Belmont's Curse' will commemorate its 40th anniversary.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Released
This marks the last main console entry in the Castlevania series before the announcement of 'Belmont's Curse'.
Konami Shifts Strategy, Greenlights New Castlevania Titles
Konami reportedly begins to greenlight new entries in its tentpole franchises, including Castlevania, as part of a return to console and PC game development.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Enters Production
Development for 'Castlevania: Belmont's Curse' officially begins.
Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Expansion Released
Evil Empire and Motion Twin, future collaborators on 'Belmont's Curse', release the 'Return to Castlevania' DLC for 'Dead Cells', showcasing their ability to work with the Castlevania IP.
Official Announcement at Sony State of Play
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is officially revealed during a Sony State of Play presentation, generating significant excitement for its return to 2D Metroidvania gameplay.
Konami Confirms Not a Roguelike
Konami's Tommy Williams confirms that 'Belmont's Curse' is a 2D action-exploration game and not a roguelike or roguelite, addressing fan speculation.
New Gameplay Trailer and Pre-orders Open
A new gameplay trailer is released during the Triple-I Showcase, and pre-orders for physical editions on PS5, Xbox Series X, and Switch become available.
October 15 Release Date Confirmed with New Trailer
A new trailer confirms the release date of October 15, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with the Nintendo Switch version to follow at a later date.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
After a period of reduced focus on traditional console and PC game development for some of its flagship franchises, Konami reportedly shifted its strategy in 2021, greenlighting numerous new entries, including for the Castlevania series. This strategic pivot led to Castlevania: Belmont's Curse entering production in 2022. The game is being developed by Evil Empire, known for their work on 'Dead Cells,' in partnership with Konami, and with Motion Twin providing advisory support. This collaboration follows their successful co-development of the 'Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania' expansion in 2023.
The official announcement for Castlevania: Belmont's Curse came in February 2026 during a Sony State of Play presentation. This reveal generated significant excitement among fans, as it represents the first new console entry in the franchise since 'Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2' in 2014, and notably, the first traditional 2D installment in the series' original timeline since 'Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia' in 2008. Konami has positioned 'Belmont's Curse' as a symbolic rebirth for the franchise, coinciding with Castlevania's 40th anniversary in 2026.
The game is set in 1499 Paris, 23 years after the events of 'Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.' The narrative follows a successor to Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, who must venture into a demon-overrun Paris and the titular castle that manifests in the city. Gameplay emphasizes 2D action-exploration, adhering to the 'Metroidvania' format with a non-linear world, an auto-filling map, and whip-based traversal mechanics. Konami explicitly clarified in February 2026 that despite Evil Empire's previous work, 'Belmont's Curse' would not adopt roguelike elements, instead focusing on a freeform action-exploration experience akin to classic Castlevania titles.
Key turning points include Konami's renewed interest in its core IPs in 2021, the commencement of development in 2022, and the highly anticipated official announcement in early 2026. The game's development team aims to blend the essence of the franchise with fresh innovation, leveraging the expertise gained from the 'Dead Cells' collaboration. As of June 7, 2026, a new trailer confirmed the release date for October 15, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with the Nintendo Switch version expected at a later date. Pre-orders for physical editions are also available. This title is seen as the beginning of 'numerous new products' around Castlevania, signaling a significant revival for the series.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Castlevania: Belmont's Curse made different choices?