Konami Announces Multiple New Castlevania Projects for 40th Anniversary

A veteran giant of the gaming industry unexpectedly stole the spotlight during the most recent PlayStation State of Play. Konami, a publisher that has faced significant criticism in recent years for letting its legendary catalog languish, appears to be orchestrating a major comeback. The presentation served as a formal re-emergence for the company, headlined by the reveal of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 and the much-anticipated Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. For fans who feared these franchises had been permanently retired, the news suggests that Konami’s most iconic properties are not only alive but are being granted a fresh lease on life.

In the wake of the broadcast, Konami further energized the community by updating its official Castlevania portal. The site now features a celebratory message marking the 40th anniversary of the series—originally known as Akumajō Dracula—and outlines a bold vision for the future of the vampire-hunting saga.

“The gates of the castle swing wide once more.

This year commemorates four decades since the debut of the original ‘Akumajō Dracula.’ To honor this milestone, the Castlevania franchise is being officially revived.

We begin this journey with ‘Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse.’ To realize this vision, we have partnered with the exceptionally talented teams at Evil Empire and Motion Twin. Their passion for the genre makes them the perfect collaborators to craft a new 2D action-exploration experience that honors the soul of Castlevania while introducing modern innovations.

This release represents just the first of many new projects planned for the series. Prepare yourselves for the return of the gothic nightmare that dwells within the dark.”

— The Castlevania Production Team

Accompanying this announcement, Konami shared a commemorative video showcasing the official 40th-anniversary branding. The logo draws inspiration from the classic cover art of the original NES title, while the montage of franchise imagery has led many to speculate on what other secrets might be hidden in the publisher’s pipeline. You can watch the full anniversary teaser below:

The franchise has endured a lengthy period of relative silence; the last mainline entry, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, hit shelves over a decade ago in 2014. Since that time, the Belmont lineage has largely been relegated to guest appearances in titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Vampire Survivors, and Dead Cells, alongside a handful of retro compilations. That drought officially ends later this year when Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.