Konami has revealed the next installment in the legendary Castlevania series, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, during the XBOX Games Showcase 2026. This highly anticipated title is scheduled for release in October 2026.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Castlevania franchise is set to receive its 26th main entry. Konami, in collaboration with Evil Empire, proudly announced Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, which serves as a direct sequel to the 1989 classic, Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. While Evil Empire is leading development, Motion Twin is also involved in a consulting capacity, bringing their expertise from their previous collaboration on Dead Cells to this new chapter in the iconic series.
The official story description from Xbox Wire details that the game is set “23 years after 1989’s Castlevania: Dracula’s Curse.” It further elaborates on the narrative, focusing on the development of young Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades. The game aims to blend the series’ traditional structure with modern enhancements, offering increased freedom and speed, tarot-based Arcana skills, and more. Players will embark on a mission to save a devastated Paris before Dracula’s curse can consume Rose, and will face Death himself. Rose will wield the Belmont family’s iconic weapon, the “Vampire Killer” whip, which functions both as an offensive tool and a means of traversal across challenging environments.
The introduction of Rose as a new female protagonist marks a significant and welcome shift for the series, echoing recent trends in game storytelling that explore familial bonds, similar to the reveal of Laufey in Sony’s recent State of Play. The trailer showcased impressive visuals and dynamic gameplay enhancements. A voiceover from Rose’s mother, Sypha, adds depth to the narrative, saying, “God has given you another chance, Rose. You must use it wisely to better control your curse and strengthen yourself,” hinting at a story that will explore Rose’s past and future.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is slated for release on October 15, 2026. The game will be available on XBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC, featuring Xbox Play Anywhere functionality.