Castlevania: 40th Anniversary brings the original classic to Android and iOS for free

Konami is bringing the original Castlevania to smartphones for the series’ 40th anniversary, giving Android and iOS players a chance to play Simon Belmont’s first encounter with Dracula. Castlevania: 40th Anniversary arrives as a free download for a limited time, featuring the original side-scrolling action, touchscreen controls and offline play. It’s the same castle, the same enemies and the same demanding platforming experience, now available on mobile devices.

Castlevania arrives on mobile for its 40th anniversary

Castlevania: 40th Anniversary brings the original action platformer to Android and iOS without turning it into a remake. Players take control of Simon Belmont, a vampire hunter armed with a whip, as he makes his way through Dracula’s castle.

The mobile release keeps the original game’s stage-based structure, enemy encounters and combat mechanics. There are no new character progression systems or large interconnected areas to explore. Instead, players work through a series of levels, defeat supernatural creatures and face bosses on their way to Dracula.

Konami has adapted the controls for smartphone screens, introducing a virtual touchpad for movement and combat. The game supports offline play, so players don’t need a continuous internet connection once it’s installed.

The original level design remains intact, including its fixed jumping mechanics, carefully positioned enemies and sections requiring precise timing. It’s a straightforward conversion of the original action game rather than a modern reinterpretation.

Where the Castlevania series began

The first Castlevania appeared in Japan on 26 September 1986 for Nintendo’s Famicom Disk System, under the name Akumajō Dracula. It later reached the Nintendo Entertainment System in international markets, introducing players outside Japan to Simon Belmont and his battle against Dracula. The story follows Simon as he enters Dracula’s castle to confront the vampire and his supernatural forces. His primary weapon is a whip, which players can upgrade during the adventure.

The castle contains a mixture of gothic corridors, underground passages and dangerous platforms. Skeletons, bats, Medusa heads and other enemies appear throughout the levels, often attacking from awkward positions or interrupting jumps.

Castlevania went on to become one of Konami’s longest-running franchises, appearing across numerous consoles and handheld systems. Later games introduced different protagonists, interconnected maps, equipment systems and character upgrades. The original game takes a different approach. Its levels follow a fixed sequence, with progress depending on combat, platforming and defeating the boss at the end of each stage.

How Castlevania plays on Android and iOS

Combat revolves around Simon’s whip, which provides a direct way to attack enemies at close and medium range. Players can upgrade it during the adventure, increasing its effectiveness against the creatures occupying Dracula’s castle. Secondary weapons offer more options.

Axes travel through the air in an arc, daggers fly horizontally, and holy water creates an attack across the ground. Crosses provide another ranged option. Using these weapons consumes hearts collected from candles and other objects throughout the levels. Managing these resources becomes part of the game’s combat system, particularly during encounters with larger enemies.

Movement follows the original console mechanics. Simon commits to a jump once he leaves the ground, so players must judge distance and timing before moving between platforms or approaching enemies. The game’s boss encounters draw on familiar horror characters, with each fight introducing different attack patterns and movement requirements.

On smartphones, the virtual controls replace the original console controller. The underlying movement, enemy placement and level layouts remain unchanged, leaving players with the same gameplay structure found in the original release.

Castlevania: 40th Anniversary release date and availability

Konami released Castlevania: 40th Anniversary on Google Play and the Apple App Store on 25 September 2026, marking four decades since the franchise made its debut in Japan. The anniversary edition is available as a free download from 25 September until 24 October 2026. Players who claim the game during this promotional period can continue playing after the distribution window closes.

Android users can find the game on Google Play under Konami’s official publishing account. The release includes touchscreen controls and offline functionality, allowing players to experience the original adventure on compatible smartphones.

Castlevania: 40th Anniversary brings the series’ first adventure to modern mobile devices without changing its core gameplay. For Android and iOS players, it provides direct access to Simon Belmont’s original encounter with Dracula, from the opening stages of the castle to the final confrontation.

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