Celebrating 40 years of Castlevania means looking back and remembering exactly where it all began for me. My first encounter with gothic horror in video games was with the original Castlevania on the NES. That dark atmosphere, the flawless soundtrack, and the brutal difficulty hooked me immediately. I needed more.
Then came the shock. Excited by the first entry, I went straight to Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest. I still remember the impact of that shift today. Moving from a linear action game to a semi-open world with RPG elements, a day-and-night cycle (“What a horrible night to have a curse…“), and cryptic puzzles left me completely stunned by the contrast. It was a brave game, misunderstood by many at the time, but it planted the seeds for what the genre would become in the future.
After the strange departure of the second entry came the masterpiece: Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. “Fantastic” is an understatement. Konami took everything that worked, refined it, introduced branching paths, and added multiple playable characters. Switching over to Alucard or Sypha felt incredible!
Since then, I have closely followed the evolution of the franchise and played almost every title. From the weight of the whip in the 8-bit era to the revolution of Symphony of the Night and beyond. What a saga, what a soundtrack, what a legacy.
Konami Celebrates 40 Years with Free Mobile Release
Konami is kicking off the 40th-anniversary celebrations of Castlevania with a massive gift. The legendary original Castlevania (NES) is currently available for free on both iOS and Android.
「Castlevania（悪魔城ドラキュラ）」シリーズが2026年9月26日で40周年を迎えます。
— Castlevania（キャッスルヴァニア）公式 (@Castlevania_JP) September 25, 2026
40周年を記念して、
・初代『悪魔城ドラキュラ』の無料アプリ配信
・「Castlevania」シリーズタイトルを対象としたセール
・シリーズ楽曲のアナログ盤の発売やサブスク配信
・コンサートや物販催事
が決定しました🎉… pic.twitter.com/vgjmSOUjFH
You can claim the game for free until October 24. Once claimed, it remains in your mobile library permanently.
Full 40th Anniversary Lineup
The free mobile release is just the first step of the full anniversary campaign confirmed on the Official Castlevania Portal:
- Free Mobile App: The original 1986 Demon Castle Dracula free to claim on iOS and Android.
- Franchise Sales: Massive discounts across major gaming platforms for classic Castlevania titles.
- Soundtracks & Vinyl: Official physical vinyl releases and streaming catalog launches for iconic series music.
- Concerts & Events: Live orchestral performances and exclusive commemorative merchandise.
Claim your free copy before October 24, relive the origin of gothic gaming, and long live the Belmont clan! 🦇
