What it is
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is a new 2D action-exploration game from Konami and Evil Empire, with Motion Twin providing advisory support. It returns the series to side-on combat and gothic adventure, but gives the Vampire Killer a more flexible role in movement as well as fighting. Set in 1499, it follows Rose Belmont as Paris burns and a new generation of monsters gathers around Dracula's Castle. The UK release is Thursday, 15 October 2026.
- UK release
- Thursday, 15 October 2026; 00:00 BST for the PS5 digital release
- Platforms
- Nintendo Switch, PS5, PC via Steam, Xbox Series X|S
- Developer
- Evil Empire
- Publisher
- Konami
- Genre
- 2D action-exploration; action RPG
- PEGI
- PEGI 16
- Mode
- Single-player
- Online mode
- No — single-player only
- UK price
- £24.99 Standard digital; £34.99 Midnight digital
- Frame rate
- 60fps on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC; 30fps on Nintendo Switch
Story and setting
The game takes place in medieval Paris, 23 years after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse. The city has been engulfed by flames and attacked by monsters emerging from the shadows. Trevor Belmont, the hero who defeated Dracula, travels down the River Seine with his daughter Rose after Paris sends out a call for help.
Rose is the protagonist and a young vampire hunter in her own right. Armed with the sacred Vampire Killer whip and a wider selection of weapons, she explores the burning streets, the Paris catacombs and the looming Dracula's Castle. The official story description says that Rose becomes caught in a dark conspiracy beneath the disaster, but Konami has not yet explained the full cause of the outbreak or how Dracula fits into the plot.
How it plays
Belmont's Curse is built around exploration-led 2D action rather than a roguelite structure. The revealed gameplay shows Rose moving through interconnected-looking gothic areas, fighting monsters, finding hidden chambers and uncovering items. Konami has specifically highlighted a faster, more fluid take on Castlevania movement, with the whip used to swing, reposition and close distance as well as strike enemies. The reveal also showed familiar zombies, breakable walls and concealed health-restoring meat.
The Vampire Killer is only part of Rose's arsenal. Weapons are divided into seven categories, while Relics provide offensive and defensive effects that can be combined to shape a preferred battle style. Bosses including Death, Medusa and Carmilla, alongside the new Joan of Arc encounter, are sealed into Rose's tarot cards when defeated. These become Arcana, whose abilities can be used to cast spells and unlock special actions.
Trailers and latest news
The 12 February 2026 State of Play announcement trailer introduced the 1499 Paris setting, Rose's monster-hunting journey, the Vampire Killer and the game's brighter, more colourful interpretation of Castlevania's gothic style. The Gameplay & Commentary trailer, released on 9 April, focused on the blend of combat and exploration, including the whip's traversal uses and the wider Paris setting.
Konami's 8 June release-date trailer, shown during the Xbox Games Showcase, revealed additional environments and bosses, including sections beneath Paris and inside Dracula's Castle, while confirming the 15 October launch and the Midnight Edition. The Bloody Tears trailer, listed by Konami on 4 September, offered a closer look at the environments, exploration and boss encounters, and accompanied the reveal of the English voice cast. A demo covering the opening chapter is due on 1 October, with save data transferable to the full game on the same platform and account.
Platforms, editions and UK price
The confirmed platforms are Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PC via Steam and Xbox Series X|S, with the Xbox version also playable on Windows PC through Xbox Play Anywhere. The PlayStation Store lists a UK digital launch time of 11pm UTC on 14 October, which is midnight BST on Thursday, 15 October. Switch is capped at 30fps, while the other listed versions target 60fps.
The Standard Edition contains the main game. The Midnight Edition adds a separate Digital Sound & Art Gallery with more than 100 pieces of artwork and the soundtrack, plus the Trevor Style Costume, Sypha Style Costume and Family's Grace Relic. UK digital pricing is £24.99 for Standard and £34.99 for Midnight. Pre-ordering or buying early adds the Alucard Style Costume. Konami's European site links UK customers to Amazon, GAME and Smyths Toys listings, while the physical Midnight Edition is confirmed; retailer stock, the UK SteelBook allocation and exact physical pricing vary by shop.
What remains unconfirmed
Konami has confirmed a single-player experience and the platform versions above, but has not announced online multiplayer, co-op, competitive modes or any other online game mode. There is no confirmed post-launch expansion, season pass, New Game Plus mode or additional playable character either.
Game Pass and PlayStation Plus inclusion have not been announced. Konami has also not published a full PC specification sheet, a recommended completion time or a detailed breakdown of every weapon, Relic and Arcana. Those details should not be treated as settled until the publisher releases them.
Not yet confirmed
- Game Pass and PlayStation Plus availability have not been announced.
- The UK price, retailer availability and SteelBook allocation for the physical Midnight Edition are not confirmed consistently across retailers.
- The 1 October demo's UK release time has not been announced.
- Post-launch DLC, a season pass, New Game Plus and additional playable characters have not been confirmed.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse: your questions
When is Castlevania: Belmont's Curse released in the UK?
It launches on Thursday, 15 October 2026. The PS5 Store lists the digital version going live at 11pm UTC on 14 October, which is midnight BST in the UK.
What platforms is Castlevania: Belmont's Curse on?
It is coming to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PC via Steam and Xbox Series X|S. Xbox Play Anywhere also covers Windows PC through the Xbox ecosystem.
Does Castlevania: Belmont's Curse have online multiplayer?
No. The confirmed game mode is single-player, with no online multiplayer or co-op announced.
How much does Castlevania: Belmont's Curse cost in the UK?
The digital Standard Edition costs £24.99 and the Midnight Edition costs £34.99. Midnight adds the Digital Sound & Art Gallery, three in-game bonuses and the full game.
Is Castlevania: Belmont's Curse coming to Game Pass or PS Plus?
Neither service has been confirmed for the game at launch. Konami has only announced the paid editions and the pre-order Alucard Style Costume.
