Konami will launch Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse on October 15, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. While a Nintendo Switch version is planned for 2026, it will target 30fps—half the 60fps performance of other platforms—and currently lacks a firm release date according to some sources.
After a decade of dormancy since 2014’s Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, the series is returning to its side-scrolling roots. Developed by Evil Empire and Motion Twin, the new title shifts away from 3D ambitions and roguelite elements like permadeath to deliver a 2D action-exploration game
focused on classic atmosphere and modern movement.
Nintendo Switch Performance and Technical Trade-offs
Technical specifications for the Nintendo Switch build have emerged, sparking some concern among players. While other platforms will hit 60fps, the Switch version will run at 30fps. This performance gap is notable given the game’s goal of faster and more fluid gameplay
.
Early screenshots from the Nintendo eShop have led some to describe the resolution as a bit blurry
, according to Nintendo Everything. The standard edition for Switch is expected to require roughly 4GB of space, while the Midnight Edition will take up about 6GB. Despite the 30fps cap, the game supports English and Japanese audio, with text available in 11 languages, including Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, and Korean.
Rose Belmont and the 1499 Paris Setting
The story takes place in 1499, 23 years after the events of 1989’s Castlevania 3. Players control Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont. The duo enters a burning Paris after receiving a suspicious letter from a bishop, only for Rose to be swept into a conspiracy lurking beneath the city’s streets.
Rose is designed as a determined protagonist burdened by guilt over her mother’s death. This trauma is visually represented by a fiery red curse creeping from her elbow to her hand and her possession of a tarot deck. To ground the game in its French setting, the developers included a shonen anime version
of historical figure Joan of Arc as a boss.
Whip Mechanics and the Arcana System
The core gameplay centers on the legendary holy whip, the Vampire Killer. The whip serves as both a weapon and a traversal tool, allowing Rose to move freely like a trapeze artist or pounce on enemies with wolf-like speed. This agile responsiveness is intended to modernize the series’ combat while maintaining the weight of traditional controls.
Combat is further deepened by the Arcana system. When Rose defeats legendary bosses—including Death, Medusa, and Carmilla—they are sealed into her tarot cards. These cards then become Arcana, which Rose can use to cast spells and perform unique special actions.
- Weapons: Equipment spanning seven distinct categories.
- Relics: Items that trigger powerful offensive and defensive effects.
Development Philosophy: Balancing Tradition and Innovation
The partnership between Konami and Evil Empire was born from the latter’s previous work on the Dead Cells Castlevania DLC. This familiarity helped the team navigate the pressure of reviving a seminal series.
It was a long journey to find the right balance between familiarity and innovation,
Bérenger Dupré, marketing director at Evil Empire
This philosophy extends to the map design, which features destructible secret walls and areas that remain inaccessible until specific skills are acquired. Konami producer Tsutomu Taniguchi stated that the goal was to go back to its core
while ensuring the experience felt modern.
Pricing and Edition Details
Pre-orders are currently open for two primary editions. The Standard Edition is priced at $29.99 / £24.99 / €29.99 / ¥3,850. The Midnight Edition costs $39.99 / £34.99 / €39.99 / ¥4,950.
| Feature | Standard Edition | Midnight Edition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Game | Yes | Yes | |
| Alucard Style Costume | Pre-order Bonus | Pre-order Bonus | |
| Digital Sound & Art Gallery | No | Yes (71 tracks) | |
| Trevor & Sypha Costumes | No | Yes | |
| Family’s Grace Relic | No | Yes | |
| SteelBook & Tarot Card | No | Physical Version Only |
While the October 15 launch is confirmed for high-end consoles and PC, the Nintendo ecosystem remains a point of contention. Some sources report the Switch version will launch on October 15, while others, citing the official Konami website, state the Switch release is scheduled for 2026 but without a firm date or pre-order window yet. The absence of a native Switch 2 version remains a critical point of discussion for those seeking a technical bump in performance.
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