Konami is giving away the original Castlevania as a free mobile app for a limited time, allowing iOS and Android users to revisit the game that started the long-running series at no cost. The promotion is part of Konami’s celebration of Castlevania‘s 40th anniversary, which officially arrives tomorrow.
The series began with Akumajō Dracula, which launched for the Japan-only Famicom Disk System on September 26, 1986. Four decades later, the original remains the starting point of a genre-defining metroidvania series that has expanded far beyond its linear action-platforming roots, making Castlevania one of over a dozen major gaming franchises celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2026. The first adventure follows vampire hunter Simon Belmont as he enters Dracula’s castle, armed primarily with his family’s signature whip.
How to Claim Castlevania for Free on Mobile Devices
The special freemium version of the first Castlevania game, titled Castlevania: 40th Anniversary, is available from September 25 until October 24 at 11:59 p.m. JST (10:59 a.m. ET / 7:59 a.m. PT / 4:59 p.m. CEST). October 24 is only the deadline for claiming the game: users who download it during the promotional period can keep playing it afterward and redownload it at will. Konami has confirmed its anniversary edition of the iconic metroidvania can also be played offline once installed.
Castlevania: 40th Anniversary Free Download Links
Although Konami describes the new release as the original Castlevania, the mobile app is not actually based on the September 1986 Famicom Disk System build. Instead, Konami identifies it as the 1993 Famicom cartridge version, a later release of what is essentially the same game, but with several additions, including an Easy mode that reduces the overall damage Simon takes and removes the knockback effect that is normally caused by enemy hits.