Konami is bringing back 2D Castlevania, and the price is lower than most people expect: $29.99.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse arrives this week, and a few details are easy to miss, including a launch date that differs between Steam and consoles and a Windows 11 requirement on PC. This guide covers the release date, price, editions, PC specs, the free demo and what previewers have said so far.
Updated October 15, 2026 with launch-week review scores. Originally checked on October 13 against Steam and published reports of Konami’s announcements. We have not played the full game, so we are not offering hands-on impressions.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Release Date
Konami’s announcement, as reported by Gematsu, puts the launch on October 15 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC through Steam and the Xbox PC app. A Nintendo Switch version is planned for later in 2026, with no date given in the sources we checked.
Steam is the exception. Its store page lists October 14, a day earlier than the publisher’s date. That may be a time zone effect, but we could not confirm it. We also found no official unlock hour, so plan on the date and check your storefront on the day.
The takeaway: October 15 is the official launch, and Steam players may see it a day sooner.
Price and Editions
| Edition | Price (US) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $29.99 | The game |
| Midnight Edition | $39.99 | The game, a Digital Sound and Art Gallery, Trevor Style Costume, Sypha Style Costume and the Family’s Grace relic |
Pre-orders on both editions include an Alucard Style Costume. The Digital Sound and Art Gallery is a separate application with more than 100 pieces of artwork and an in-app music player, according to RPG Site.
Whether the extra $10 is worth it depends on how much you care about costumes and concept art. Nothing in the Midnight Edition changes the core game, based on the listings we saw.
PC Requirements: Windows 11 Is Listed
Steam lists the following. The game is Windows-only.
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-8400 | Intel Core i5-10400 |
| RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | GeForce GTX 1650 | GeForce RTX 3060 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Version 11 |
| Storage | 10 GB | 10 GB |
The storage figure is small for a modern game, but the OS line deserves attention. Steam lists Windows 11 even for the minimum tier. If you are still on Windows 10, check the store page again before you buy, and be careful about assuming it will run. We have not tested it, so we cannot say whether Windows 10 works.
The takeaway: the hardware bar is modest, but the OS listing is the part most players will trip over.
The Demo and Save Transfer
A free demo launched on October 1 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC through Steam, according to MonsterVine. It covers the opening stages. Your progress carries over to the full game if you use the same platform and account, so keep the demo save, and update the full game to its latest version before transferring.
If you are on the fence about the price, the demo is the cheapest way to find out whether the controls suit you.
What Kind of Game Is It?
Steam describes it as a 2D action-exploration game set 23 years after Castlevania: Dracula’s Curse, following Rose Belmont. Gematsu’s report places the story in Paris in 1499, with Trevor Belmont and his daughter Rose fighting monsters during a fire-engulfed night. Evil Empire and Motion Twin are credited as developers, with Konami publishing.
Konami’s feature list includes whip-based combat with movement mechanics, seven weapon categories and relics for customization, and bosses such as Death, Medusa, Carmilla and a new fight against Joan of Arc. Defeated bosses become tarot-card Arcana that grant spells and special actions.
What Previewers Say
Early impressions are positive, with a caveat. A Push Square roundup quotes Eurogamer calling it a return to the series’ platforming roots, IGN saying it had an absolute blast, and Kotaku saying it feels like Castlevania.
The concerns are about whether the quality holds up. PC Gamer, which played about three hours, worried the game could end up a greatest-hits collection and hoped for more inventive weapons. Nobody in that roundup gave a total length, so we cannot tell you how long the game takes to finish.
Review Scores: What Critics Are Saying
Reviews went live on October 13. According to Pure Xbox, the game stood at 86 on Metacritic (88 on Xbox) and 85 on OpenCritic. Individual scores it lists:
| Outlet | Score |
|---|---|
| GameSpot | 10/10 |
| DayOne | 9.5/10 |
| CGMagazine | 9.5/10 |
| Gamer Social Club | 9/10 |
| IGN | 8/10 |
| Radio Times | 8/10 |
| Push Square | 7/10 |
| VGC | 6/10 |
A Vice review roundup says reviewers most often praised the combat, exploration and whip-based movement, along with the new lead, Rose Belmont. The criticism is more varied. IGN felt some of the series’ charm was lost, Game8 said the game plays it safe, and one outlet cited frustrating mechanics and a lack of guidance. Scores can shift as more reviews arrive, and we have not played the game ourselves.
The takeaway: critics are broadly positive, but the spread from 10/10 to 6/10 means the demo is still the best way to judge whether it suits you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the demo. It is free and your save carries over.
- Ignoring the Windows 11 listing. Check it before you pay.
- Assuming Steam and consoles unlock together. Steam lists October 14, the publisher says October 15.
- Buying the Midnight Edition for gameplay. The extras are costumes, a relic and an art and music gallery.
- Waiting for a Switch date that has not been announced. Konami has only said later in 2026.
FAQ
When does Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse come out?
October 15 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, per Konami’s announcement. Steam lists October 14.
How much does it cost?
$29.99 for the Standard Edition and $39.99 for the Midnight Edition.
Is there a demo?
Yes. It has been available since October 1 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch and Steam, and saves carry over on the same platform and account.
What are the review scores?
Pure Xbox reports 86 on Metacritic and 85 on OpenCritic, with individual scores from 10/10 at GameSpot to 6/10 at VGC.
Is it coming to Nintendo Switch?
Yes, later in 2026, with no date announced.
Final Thoughts
At $29.99 with a free demo, Belmont’s Curse is an easy game to test before you commit. Try the opening stages, check the Windows 11 line if you are on PC, and decide from there. If you are building a launch-week plan, our Planet Zoo 2 launch guide, Enshrouded 1.0 guide and Modern Warfare 4 early access guide cover the other big releases, and there are more in our game guides.
Sources: Steam store page, Gematsu, RPG Site, MonsterVine, Push Square, Pure Xbox, Vice.
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