Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse: Konami and Dead Cells Devs Set October 15 Launch

Konami is returning to the side-scrolling haunts that built its reputation, announcing that Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse launched on October 14, 2026, for some regions, with a global release on October 15, 2026. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Developed in partnership with Dead Cells studios Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the $29.99 action-platformer arrives as the franchise’s first original 2D entry in 18 years. It is a generational handoff in more ways than one: the house of Dracula is officially bringing in the modern indie developers who spent the last decade refining the genre Konami helped create.

Xbox Wire confirmed the launch details ahead of release, noting that the title supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing cross-ownership between console and PC at no additional cost. The release arrives 40 years after Simon Belmont first picked up a whip in 1986, landing right alongside other high-profile new releases this week.

The details

• Release date: October 15, 2026
• Price: $29.99 (includes Xbox Play Anywhere for console and PC)
• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
• Developers: Konami in partnership with Evil Empire and Motion Twin
• Pre-order bonus: Alucard Style Costume

What is Belmont’s Curse?

Set in 1499 Paris, the story centers on Rose Belmont, daughter of series veterans Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades. Upon arriving in a burning French capital summoned by the Bishop, Trevor turns over monster-hunting duties to his daughter, leaving Rose to navigate a castle-adjacent map filled with mythical creatures and French historical figures.

Visually, the project swaps classic 2D sprites for cel-shaded 3D character models tuned to mimic graphic 2D art. The rendering setup allows dynamic lighting effects throughout the dark environments, such as enemy silhouettes shifting backlit against windows before fading into full view as Rose approaches.

How the systems work

Combat and progression incorporate tarot mechanics through a deck of Arcana passed down from Rose's mother Sypha. Players upgrade these abilities through a system called "Works of Mercy," which ties spell improvements directly to completing specific in-game achievements and combat challenges.

Defeating main encounters also introduces a distinct narrative setup: vanquished bosses linger as voices inside Rose's head, providing continuous voiced commentary and banter across the map. "'You’re trapped in here with me!' Rose quips at the start of regular arena fights," Xbox Wire editor Will Fulton wrote, noting the character's aggressive playstyle.

Why it matters

For nearly two decades, the 2D action-exploration genre—famously dubbed "Metroidvania"—has been sustained primarily by independent studios refining Konami’s structural blueprint. By partnering directly with Evil Empire and consulting with Motion Twin, Konami is testing whether bringing outer genre specialists into its flagship property can successfully reboot its long-dormant 2D lineage.