Castlevania turns 40: Konami shares anniversary video and gives away original game free on mobile
Konami marks 40 years of Castlevania with an official anniversary video and a limited-time free mobile release of the original game.
The original Castlevania is temporarily available for free as a mobile app via the App Store and Google Play, according to Konami, as part of the franchise’s 40th anniversary.
The promotion runs until October 24, 2026 at 23:59 JST, although it has not been confirmed in all sources whether the offer is worldwide.
What happened
Konami has published an anniversary video celebrating 40 years of Castlevania. In the video description, Konami says the original 1986 game is being given away for free on the App Store and Google Play. The video was posted on Konami’s official channel and is titled Castlevania 40th Anniversary Celebration. The description explicitly states that the offer applies to the original 1986 game and ties the promotion to the series’ 40th anniversary.
Castlevania began in Japan on September 26, 1986 with Akumajō Dracula for the Famicom Disk System. That release is considered the official starting point of the series and makes 2026 the franchise’s 40th anniversary year. The series later grew into one of Konami’s best-known names, spanning both 2D and 3D entries as well as multiple compilations released in later years.
Coverage of the video also mentions references to 3D entries such as Lament of Innocence, Curse of Darkness, and Lords of Shadow. However, Konami has not announced a new collection, so a possible 3D collection remains speculation for now. The available information does suggest the anniversary video looks beyond the first game, but without official confirmation of a new compilation package.
According to the source, the mobile promotion for the original Castlevania runs until October 24, 2026 at 23:59 JST. The available information confirms the temporary free offer, but not clearly whether the promotion applies in every region. A second source also says the promotion began on September 25, 2026, which lines up with the lead-up to the official anniversary on September 26, 2026.
Timeline
1986-09-26: Akumajō Dracula launches in Japan on the Famicom Disk System, marking the start of Castlevania.
2019: Konami releases the Castlevania Anniversary Collection, featuring eight games from the series’ first ten years.
Later: Konami launches the Castlevania: Dominus Collection with three DS titles and additional handheld-era material.
2026-09-25: Konami starts the free mobile promotion for the original Castlevania, according to reporting ahead of the anniversary.
2026-09-26: Castlevania officially turns 40 years old since the Japanese release of the first game.
2026-10-24 23:59 JST: the free mobile promotion ends, according to the source.
Background
Castlevania is one of Konami’s best-known franchises and includes both 2D and 3D entries. According to reporting, the anniversary video references multiple eras of the series, including the 3D games from the 2000s and the Lords of Shadow line. In the official video description, the original 1986 Famicom game is explicitly named as the starting point of the series, directly linking the anniversary to the franchise’s Japanese origins.
Konami has previously released Castlevania compilations, including the Castlevania Anniversary Collection in 2019 and the Castlevania: Dominus Collection. The Anniversary Collection bundled eight games from the first decade of the franchise, while the Dominus Collection brought together three DS titles. In the current anniversary campaign, at least two things are confirmed: a retrospective video and a temporary free mobile version of the original game.
The available sources also suggest the anniversary celebration may be broader than just the free mobile release. There is mention of additional anniversary content, including discounts and other franchise-related promotions, but the exact details are not fully broken out in the provided information. Regional availability for the mobile offer also remains unclear, since the sources mention the App Store and Google Play but do not confirm whether all markets are included.
Speculation about a possible 3D Castlevania collection comes from the way the anniversary video reportedly touches on different games and eras. Titles such as Lament of Innocence, Curse of Darkness, and Lords of Shadow are mentioned, but Konami has not announced a new collection in the provided sources. The safest reading is that the video is a retrospective on 40 years of Castlevania, with a concrete free mobile promotion for the original game and no official confirmation of a new compilation project.
Sources
- Konami / YouTube: Castlevania 40th Anniversary Celebration
- Konami / YouTube: Castlevania 40th anniversary video
- Gamespot: reporting on the anniversary video and possible 3D collection
- Eurogamer: reporting on the original Castlevania’s free mobile release