10/10 NES Masterpiece Returns For Free In Surprise Release

Published Sep 26, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT

Ben Brosofsky has been writing for Screen Rant since 2022 and editing since 2024. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor's in Cinema & Media Arts. Writing serves as a much-needed distraction from tackling a backlog of Steam games that will never be surmounted.

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The Nintendo Entertainment System birthed plenty of iconic franchises, but only a select few have had the true staying power of Castlevania. Even when the main series went on a hiatus in recent years, its timeless allure remained present, ultimately manifesting in forms like a Netflix animated series and a major DLC for the game Dead Cells.

In the next month, Castlevania is set to return properly with the new game Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, developed by the same team behind the Dead Cells DLC. Before then, however, the series is celebrating its anniversary with a limited-time release of the original NES classic.

As shared on the official website of publisher Konami, the first Castlevania game is now free to download on the App Store and Google Play. The promotional availability runs from September 25, 2026 to October 24, 23:59 JST. That's more than enough time to download the game, but anyone interested in securing it might want to act now before they forget.

The free Castlevania re-release arrives in honor of Castlevania's 40th anniversary, which also makes this the perfect year for the launch of Castlevania: Belmont's Curse. The original title is a lot tougher than a decent portion of the games that followed, but the whip-cracking gameplay formula was already finely-tuned on this first go-round.

If there's any downside to a free mobile port of Castlevania, it's simply that touchscreen controls will only make the experience harder. The classic Castlevania games are generally methodical, though, so the lack of physical buttons shouldn't stop skilled players from being able to master its challenges. Unlike the original NES version, the use of save states can also serve as a last resort to avoid losing significant progress.

There also won't be any need to rush to beat the game, as the limited-time promotional availability only applies to redeeming the game. Once you've downloaded it, you should be set for life, as the app will remain playable after the redemption window ends and requires no online connection. It's a shame that it won't stick around on the storefronts forever, but it's hard to complain when there don't seem to be any other strings attached.

Castlevania might look like a simple or even clunky affair at first glance, but it's hard to overstate just how satisfying it actually feels to master its challenges. If you've never tried out this legendary gaming series, or you're only experienced with the more modern "Metroidvania" entries that kicked off with Symphony of the Night, now seems like the perfect time. Castlevania earned its legacy and then some, making this 40th anniversary release the chance to experience a truly legendary game.