---
title: "Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Unofficial Fan Guide"
description: "Castlevania: Belmont's Curse launches October 15, 2026 on PS5, Xbox, PC and Switch from $29.99. Release times, reviews, editions, demo, story and guides."
canonical: https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-14
---

# Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Unofficial Fan Guide

**Castlevania: Belmont's Curse** is a 2D action-exploration game from Konami and Evil Empire that launches on **October 15, 2026** for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox on PC, Steam and Nintendo Switch, starring Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont, in the burning Paris of 1499.

[Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Release Date Trailer (official, Konami)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRgOG0Phue8): Konami's official release date trailer, first shown at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2026. It announces the October 15, 2026 launch and shows Rose Belmont fighting beneath the catacombs of Paris and through Dracula's castle, with original artwork by Katsuya Terada.

## The game in one minute

- **Out October 15, 2026** (All platforms, same day): PS5, Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox on PC, Steam and Nintendo Switch. PlayStation and Xbox listings unlock at local midnight in each region.
- **$29.99 or $39.99** (Standard or Midnight Edition): The Midnight Edition adds a soundtrack and art gallery app, two costumes and a relic. Pre-orders and early purchases get Rose's Alucard Style Costume.
- **Metacritic 86 on PS5** (As of 2026-10-14): Critics call it one of the best Castlevania games in years; the main complaint is that it plays it safe in a crowded genre.
- **Free demo** (Progress carries over): The opening chapter, from the Parisian sewers to the first boss, The Fallen, is free on PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X\|S and Steam.
- **Paris, 1499** (23 years after Dracula's Curse): Rose carries Dracula's curse in her right arm and hunts the monsters pouring out of a castle that has appeared in the heart of Paris.
- **Whip and Arcana** (Not a roguelike): The Vampire Killer swings Rose across chasms, and defeated bosses become tarot-card Arcana spells. The map is hand-crafted, not procedural.

## Quick facts

**Castlevania: Belmont's Curse key facts, checked 2026-10-14**

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Developer | Evil Empire, jointly with Konami; Motion Twin (Dead Cells) as adviser |
| Publisher | Konami Digital Entertainment |
| Release date | October 15, 2026, all platforms |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox on PC, Steam (Windows), Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | 2D action-exploration (Metroidvania), single-player |
| Price (USD) | $29.99 Standard, $39.99 Midnight Edition |
| Age rating | PEGI 16, ESRB Teen |
| Frame rate | 60 fps on PS5, Xbox and PC; 30 fps on Switch |
| Languages | Text in 11 languages; voice acting in English and Japanese |
| Series | 26th main Castlevania game, made for the series' 40th anniversary |
| Setting | Paris, 1499, on the original Castlevania timeline |

## What is Castlevania: Belmont's Curse?

Belmont's Curse is the first brand-new console Castlevania since Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 in 2014, and the first traditional 2D entry on the series' original timeline since Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia in 2008. Konami announced it at Sony's State of Play on February 12, 2026, as the franchise's 40th-anniversary game; the first Castlevania launched on the Famicom Disk System in 1986, and the series turned 40 in September 2026.

The lead studio is **Evil Empire**, the team that ran updates and DLC for Dead Cells, including the 2023 expansion Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania. Motion Twin, the studio that created Dead Cells, is involved in an advisory role. The direction comes from Emmanuel Nouaille and Yukiko Hokao, with Tsutomu Taniguchi producing, Matthew Willis writing and Daniel Asadi composing.

Despite the Dead Cells pedigree, this is **not a roguelike**. Konami's Tommy Williams has said the game does not use Dead Cells' roguelike progression, and the map of the castle and the surrounding Paris districts is hand-designed rather than procedurally generated. Structurally it follows Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997): one large, interconnected, auto-filling map, experience levels, equipment and abilities that open new routes.

## When can you play it?

The release date is **October 15, 2026** everywhere. The official PlayStation Store pages unlock it at local midnight, which is 04:00 UTC in the US (9:00 PM PT on October 14) and 22:00 UTC on October 14 in Germany, France and Spain; Xbox Store pages show the same regional-midnight pattern. Steam and Switch hours are not confirmed as of 2026-10-14. Every region and time zone is on our [release date and unlock times page](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/release-date).

## What critics are saying

> **Review snapshot as of 2026-10-14:** Metacritic shows 86 on PS5 (46 critic reviews), 84 on PC (18) and 88 on Xbox Series X (6), all “generally favorable”; the Switch score is still “tbd”. OpenCritic showed 85 (“Mighty”) with 97% of critics recommending in our October 13–14 snapshot. These are third-party scores, not ours.

Praise centres on fast, acrobatic traversal, the tarot-card Arcana system, the bosses and the art and music; GameSpot and Shacknews gave it perfect scores, and TheGamer's review roundup calls it the best-reviewed Castlevania since 2005. Criticism is consistent too: Push Square, VGC and Creative Bloq say it plays it safe in a genre crowded with modern alternatives, and Siliconera flags performance issues on Switch. Read the full [Castlevania: Belmont's Curse reviews roundup](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/reviews) for scores by outlet and our buying advice.

## Which edition should you buy?

The **Standard Edition** ($29.99, digital only) is the full game. The **Midnight Edition** ($39.99 digital, also sold physically) adds the Digital Sound & Art Gallery app with 71 tracks and more than 100 pieces of art, Rose's Trevor Style and Sypha Style costumes and the Family's Grace relic. Neither edition offers early access. In Europe, select retailers add a SteelBook to the physical Midnight Edition. Compare everything in the [editions guide](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/editions).

## The story without spoilers

Paris is engulfed in flames and monsters spill from the shadows as Dracula's castle manifests in the middle of the city. Trevor Belmont, the hero who defeated Dracula 23 years earlier, answers a call for help from the local bishop and travels down the Seine with his daughter, **Rose Belmont**. Rose was born shortly before her mother, Sypha Belnades, died of Dracula's curse, and she carries that curse in her right arm. The [story page](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/story) covers the setup and the opening, and the [timeline page](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/timeline) shows where 1499 sits in the series.

## How it plays

Rose's Vampire Killer whip is both weapon and climbing tool: she can latch onto anchors and swing across gaps like a trapeze artist. Defeated bosses are sealed into her tarot cards as **Arcana** that cast spells using MP, and repeating an Arcana's spell under specific conditions completes **Works of Mercy** that upgrade it. Weapons span seven categories, from short swords to spears and gauntlets, and relics add effects when attacking and defending. See the [gameplay guide](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/gameplay) for the full system breakdown.

## Is it like Dead Cells or Symphony of the Night?

Closer to Symphony of the Night. You explore one persistent castle-and-city map, gain levels and keep your progress, as in the Igarashi-era games. What Evil Empire brings from Dead Cells is pace: Konami promises “faster and more fluid gameplay”, and previews describe slides, rolls and whip swings that keep Rose constantly moving. If you want runs that reset, this is not that game; if you want a large hand-made map to master, it is.

## Start here

- [Release date and unlock times](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/release-date)
- [Reviews and Metacritic score](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/reviews)
- [Free demo and save transfer](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/demo)
- [Beginner's guide](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/guide)
- [Official trailers](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/trailers)
- [Boss list](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/bosses)

> This is an **unofficial fan guide**. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Konami, Evil Empire or Motion Twin. Castlevania is a trademark of Konami Digital Entertainment. Read [about this site](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/about).

## Frequently asked questions

### When does Castlevania: Belmont's Curse come out?

October 15, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox on PC, Steam and Nintendo Switch. See the [release date page](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/release-date) for unlock times by region.

### How much does Castlevania: Belmont's Curse cost?

The Standard Edition is $29.99 and the Midnight Edition is $39.99 in the US. Pre-ordering or buying early adds the Alucard Style Costume for Rose.

### Is Castlevania: Belmont's Curse a roguelike?

No. Konami has said it does not use Dead Cells' roguelike progression, and its map is hand-designed. It is a Symphony of the Night-style Metroidvania with persistent progress.

### Who is the main character?

Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont and the late Sypha Belnades, voiced by Abby Trott. She carries Dracula's curse in her right arm. Meet the full cast on the [characters page](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/characters).

### Is there a demo?

Yes. A free demo has been available since October 1, 2026 on PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X\|S and Steam, and its progress carries over to the full game on the same platform and account. Details on the [demo page](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/demo).

### Is Belmont's Curse on Nintendo Switch 2?

There is no native Switch 2 version. Nintendo lists the Switch version as supported on Switch 2 with behavior consistent with Switch, which runs at 30 fps.

### What are the reviews like?

As of 2026-10-14, Metacritic shows 86 on PS5, 84 on PC and 88 on Xbox Series X, rated generally favorable. The [reviews page](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/reviews) lists scores by outlet.

### Who is developing Castlevania: Belmont's Curse?

Evil Empire, the studio behind Dead Cells' updates and DLC, develops it jointly with Konami, with Motion Twin as an adviser. Konami Digital Entertainment publishes it.

### Where does it fit in the Castlevania timeline?

It is set in 1499, 23 years after Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (1476) and 20 years after Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (1479). See the [timeline page](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/timeline).

### Is this the official Castlevania website?

No. This is an unofficial fan guide. The official site is run by Konami at konami.com, and we link to it in every page's sources.

## More about the game

- [Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Release Date and Unlock Times](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/release-date)
- [Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Reviews Roundup](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/reviews)
- [Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Editions: Standard vs Midnight Edition](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/editions)
- [Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Demo Guide](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/demo)
- [Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Beginner's Guide: Tips for the First Hours](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/guide)
- [Castlevania: Belmont's Curse FAQ](https://castlevaniabelmontscurse.net/faq)

## Sources

- [Official site (Konami)](https://www.konami.com/games/castlevania/belmonts_curse/eu/en/)
- [Konami press release (June 8, 2026)](https://www.konami.com/games/eu/en/topics/19188/)
- [Release Date Trailer on Konami's YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRgOG0Phue8)
- [Wikipedia: Castlevania: Belmont's Curse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castlevania:_Belmont%27s_Curse)
- [Steam store page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/4231820/Castlevania_Belmonts_Curse/)
- [Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/castlevania-belmonts-curse/)
- [OpenCritic](https://opencritic.com/game/20804/castlevania-belmonts-curse)