Castlevania, the whip-wielding franchise that has haunted players since 1986, marked its 40th anniversary this week with a heartfelt tribute video from Konami–but eagle-eyed fans may have spotted a hidden message buried in the footage. As the studio celebrated four decades of Dracula-slaying action, the retrospective featured a series of portraits lining the halls of Dracula’s castle, each showcasing cover art from the series’ 3D-era entries. Among them appeared a fourth portrait for the upcoming Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, which launches in October 2026, sparking speculation that Konami could be quietly teeing up a compilation of the cult-classic three-dimensional games.
The tribute, released to coincide with the milestone, pays homage to Simon Belmont, the original protagonist of the 1986 Famicom classic, as well as the influential titles that shaped the franchise over the following forty years. On the surface, it reads as a charming look back at a beloved series. Yet the placement of those portraits–featuring Lament of Innocence, Curse of Darkness, and Lords of Shadow alongside the brand-new Belmont’s Curse–has led some observers to wonder whether Konami is hinting at a new collection that bundles together the PS2 and Xbox 360/PS3-era 3D Castlevania games.
A Portrait Gallery With A Possible Message
Right near the end of the video, Belmont takes a brief stroll past a row of unruined portraits inside Dracula’s castle. The artwork displayed is unmistakable: cover art from three of the franchise’s most acclaimed 3D titles, plus a fourth for the October 2026 release. The timing is deliberate enough to invite interpretation, though Konami has offered no official confirmation of any compilation.
There’s a good chance the games were chosen simply because they feature some of the best cover art in the franchise. But a Castlevania collection isn’t uncommon, and the way these titles are being positioned suggests the studio is thinking about how to bring them back to life.
Darryn Bonthuys, GameSpot
It is worth noting that Konami has a history of assembling these kinds of packages. The Castlevania Anniversary Collection from 2019 gathered eight games spanning the first ten years of the series, while the Castlevania: Dominus Collection bundled all three DS-era entries alongside the 1988 Haunted Castle arcade game. A 3D-focused compilation would fit comfortably within that tradition.
Confirmed Celebrations And A Busy October
While the collection remains unconfirmed, Konami did confirm a slate of promotions tied to the anniversary. Select Castlevania titles will see sales, and new vinyl record soundtracks are available to preorder for fans who want a physical keepsake of the series. Meanwhile, Castlevania on mobile is also free for a limited time through the iOS and Android stores, giving newcomers a chance to dip their toes into the franchise at no cost.
For dedicated fans, next month’s release of Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse represents a major moment for the series. Following the departure of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 in 2014, the franchise effectively went on hiatus, aside from the two compilations released in the interim. The Netflix animated adaptations demonstrated that there was still an appetite for the IP, and last year it was announced that Evil Empire–the developer behind The Rogue Prince of Persia–was reviving Castlevania for PC and console.
Looking Ahead
So far, Belmont’s Curse appears to be a return to the series’ roots, following Rose Belmont through the ruined streets of Paris on her quest to stop Dracula. The game will let players turn tough bosses into powerful allies, and a demo is scheduled to go live on October 1 ahead of the October 15 release date. Beyond the immediate launch, there is genuine hope for more Castlevania in the future. Konami’s decision to outsource development to studios like Bloober Team and Screen Burn has produced several excellent new entries that have redefined what the franchise can be, and a compilation of the cult-classic 3D games sandwiched between fresh releases could be a fitting way to kickstart a genuine Castlevania renaissance.
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