As the Castlevania franchise marks its 40th anniversary, Konami has set the stage for a landmark year for the beloved vampire-slaying series, blending nostalgia with fresh promise. Next month, players will receive Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, the first mainline entry in the franchise in more than 12 years, while the developer simultaneously unveiled a sweeping anniversary trailer tracing the saga from the original 1986 NES classic to the upcoming release. Beyond the celebratory footage, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a subtle but telling detail: a quartet of key art portraits that appear to hint at a long-rumored collection of the series’ 3D-era titles, reigniting speculation about Konami’s next major re-release.
The trailer, which walks viewers through four decades of gothic action, features four portraits positioned at roughly the one-minute-and-22-second mark. The first showcases Belmont’s Curse, the franchise’s newest chapter, but the remaining three represent games that have yet to be re-released on modern platforms: Castlevania: Lament of Innocence, Castlevania: Curse of Darkness, and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. Given Konami’s track record of bundling nearly every other entry in the catalog into collections over recent years, the placement of these three titles suggests they could form the centerpiece of a new compilation.
A Trio of 3D Legends
What unites these three games is their departure from the series’ traditional side-scrolling formula. Rather than the 2D platforming that defined the franchise’s early years, all three are 3D action titles that expanded the series’ scope and ambition.
Castlevania: Lament of Innocence debuted in 2003 for the PlayStation 2, earning slightly warmer reception than its predecessor, the original Castlevania for the N64. Two years later, Curse of Darkness introduced a more open-ended structure reminiscent of Symphony of the Night, deepening the series’ exploration of branching narratives and character-driven exploration. Then, in 2010, MercurySteam delivered Lords of Shadow, a reboot frequently cited as the finest 3D Castlevania to date, with its cinematic presentation and refined combat.
The selection of this particular trio is telling. These are widely regarded as the strongest 3D entries in the franchise. The original N64 Castlevania is often considered too clunky by modern standards, while the more recent Lords of Shadow 2 drew criticism upon release. By spotlighting these three, Konami appears to be signaling a collection built around the series’ most acclaimed three-dimensional offerings.
“With Belmont’s Curse leading the charge, we’re proud to honor the legacy that has defined four decades of gaming, and this anniversary celebration marks a new chapter for the entire Castlevania family.”
Konami
A Pattern of Re-releases
Konami has been remarkably active in re-releasing Castlevania titles over the past several years, establishing a clear precedent for the kind of collection fans may now anticipate. In 2019, the company launched the Castlevania Anniversary Collection, pairing the first four games with quirky inclusions such as Kid Dracula. Two years later, Castlevania Advance Collection brought together the trio of Game Boy Advance entries alongside Castlevania: Dracula X. Most recently, the Dominus Collection re-released all three DS games in 2024.
With nearly every other installment already made available, it is logical that Konami would now turn its attention to its 3D catalog. Even if these games never matched the critical acclaim of their 2D counterparts, they represent a vital and beloved chapter of the franchise’s history.
Looking Ahead
Belmont’s Curse remains the immediate focal point, arriving next month as the franchise’s first mainline release in over a decade. Meanwhile, Konami has also announced that the original Castlevania will be available free on mobile for a limited time, further expanding the series’ accessibility to a new generation of players.
While Konami has not officially confirmed a Castlevania 3D collection, the deliberate placement of these three titles within the anniversary trailer has fueled widespread community optimism. If the pattern of recent releases holds, fans may soon see a compilation that finally brings the 3D-era Castlevania games to modern consoles, completing the franchise’s re-release journey and giving longtime enthusiasts a chance to experience these landmark titles in a single package.
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