The Short Version
Castlevania has hit its 40th anniversary, and Konami is marking it by giving away the original 1986 NES game free on iOS and Android. The app is titled Castlevania 40th Anniversary, and it's only available until October 24, 2026 — after that, it's delisted from the stores.
Alongside the free app comes a large retro-collection sale. Konami's main Castlevania collections are discounted up to 80% — through October 1 on Steam and through October 7 on the PlayStation Store. It's an ideal moment to jump into the series or revisit its classics.
The series' starting point, the original game, launched on the Famicom Disk System on September 26, 1986. Exactly 40 years later, its origin returns free on your phone.
Sources: KONAMI · VideoGamesChronicle · Shacknews
At a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Occasion | Castlevania's 40th anniversary |
| Free game | Original NES Castlevania (app: Castlevania 40th Anniversary) |
| Free platforms | iOS · Android |
| Price | Completely free |
| Download deadline | October 24, 2026 (delisted afterward) |
| Retro sale (Steam) | Through October 1 |
| Retro sale (PS Store) | Through October 7 |
| Original release | September 26, 1986 (Famicom Disk System) |
The Free Giveaway — How and Until When
What's free is not a fancy remake — it's a port of the 1986 original as it was. Search Castlevania 40th Anniversary on the App Store or Google Play, download it, and there are no in-app purchases or extra costs.
The key detail is the deadline. The app is only distributed until October 24, after which it's pulled from the stores entirely. In other words, if you don't grab it now, there's no official way to get it later. If you have any interest in the series — or in experiencing the blueprint of retro action — download it before the window closes.
| Free giveaway checklist | Detail |
|---|---|
| App name | Castlevania 40th Anniversary |
| Where | App Store · Google Play |
| Cost | Completely free (no IAP) |
| Deadline | October 24, 2026 |
| Caution | Delisted after the deadline — no re-download |
The Retro Sale Running Alongside
The free app isn't the whole story. To mark the anniversary, Konami is deeply discounting its official Castlevania collections. If you want more than nostalgia for the original, this is the core of the deal.
| Collection | Discount | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Anniversary Collection | 80% off | Eight early classics |
| Advance Collection | 70% off | Game Boy Advance-era gems |
| Dominus Collection | 50% off | The DS trilogy and more |
The sale windows differ by platform: Steam runs through October 1, the PlayStation Store through October 7. The Anniversary Collection at 80% off is the best value for newcomers. Taste the original via the free app, then expand into a collection if it clicks — a natural on-ramp.
Forty Years of Legacy
The 1986 original was a side-scrolling action game in which whip-wielding vampire hunter Simon Belmont climbs Dracula's castle. Precise jumps, weapon management, and punishing difficulty set the bar for action games of the era.
The series later completed the blueprint of exploration-driven action — the very "Metroidvania" the genre is half-named after — with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997). The Belmont saga, its iconic music, and its gothic-horror aesthetic still echo through countless indie games four decades on. This 40th-anniversary campaign matters because it reopens the starting point of that long lineage, for free.
Notably, the anniversary video Konami released contains a moment that some fans read as a possible tease for a "3D collection," stoking hopes for further announcements. That said, it's fan speculation — not confirmed by Konami.
For Players in Korea
Castlevania has a devoted retro-action following in Korea, and both the free app and the sale are easy for local players to use.
- ▶Free app: Check first whether it's downloadable on the Korean App Store and Google Play. Since it's free, grab it within the window (October 24) as a precaution.
- ▶Language: The original is a low-text action game, so the language barrier is minimal. For the collections, check the supported-languages list on the store.
- ▶Using the sale: Steam shows prices in won on visit and closes October 1; the PS Store closes October 7. The Anniversary Collection (80% off) is the easiest entry point.
- ▶Watch out: The free app can't be re-downloaded after the deadline — don't put it off if you're interested.
Official Video
Castlevania 40th Anniversary Celebration | KONAMI (official)
The GamePeak Verdict
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| What happened | Castlevania's 40th; original NES game free on mobile |
| Where | iOS · Android (app: Castlevania 40th Anniversary) |
| Deadline | Until October 24 — delisted afterward |
| Also | Retro collection sale (Anniversary 80%·Advance 70%·Dominus 50%) |
| Sale ends | Steam October 1 · PS Store October 7 |
| Best for | Retro/Metroidvania fans, series newcomers |
Konami's campaign runs against the grain of the usual "charge again for an old classic" remaster playbook. It hands the series' origin over free for a limited time, then backs it with a deep sale. If you've ever wondered about Simon Belmont's first steps four decades ago, this is the best — and cheapest — way in. The only cost is time: once October 24 passes, the door closes.
Sources: KONAMI · VideoGamesChronicle · Shacknews · Time Extension