Grab the original Castlevania for free while it lasts!

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the iconic Castlevania series. Since its inception, the franchise has spawned numerous games, spin-offs, and adaptations chronicling the relentless battle of the Belmont family against Dracula and the forces of darkness. It all began in 1986 with the launch of the original game on the Famicom in Japan. To celebrate this milestone, the original game is being offered for free, but only for a limited time.

The announcement was made on the official Castlevania website, expressing gratitude to fans: “As a token of our appreciation to all the players who have supported the series over the years, we are thrilled to share the game that started it all.” The classic NES version of Castlevania is now available as a free mobile app for both iOS and Android. Players have until October 24 at 23:59 JST to claim it, but they will retain access to the game even after the promotional period ends.

The original Castlevania introduced gamers to Simon Belmont and the lore of the Belmont clan, legendary vampire hunters facing off against Dracula. It also marked the debut of the Vampire Killer, the series’ signature whip. Heavily inspired by classic horror films, the game’s sequel, Simon’s Quest, played a significant role in shaping the Metroidvania genre. Despite its age, the game remains impressively engaging.

It’s been over a decade since the last new Castlevania title, with Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 releasing in 2014. While Konami has released several remasters and collections since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting a genuine revival, which is finally on the horizon. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is set to launch on October 15, returning the series to its 2D roots.

Belmont’s Curse takes place two decades after Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse and follows Rose Belmont, the daughter of the previous hero, Trevor. Like Simon before her, she will wield the Vampire Killer. The game is being developed by Evil Empire, the team known for Dead Cells and The Rogue Prince of Persia. Their expertise in Metroidvania titles should ensure that Belmont’s Curse delivers the experience fans are hoping for.

Nintendo players can finally join in on the excitement as well.