As the Castlevania franchise marks its impressive 40th anniversary, Konami is reigniting excitement among long-time fans with multiple projects that celebrate the iconic vampire-slaying series.
Most notably, Konami has announced an all-new instalment entitled 'Belmont's Curse', set for release later this year.
The eagerly anticipated game is being developed by Motion Twin and Evil Empire, the acclaimed studios behind the award-winning 'Dead Cells'.
This announcement, revealed during a recent showcase, signals Konami’s intent to breathe new life into their legendary franchise for a new era of Nintendo Switch players and seasoned veterans alike. While anticipation for Belmont’s Curse builds, the Castlevania community has another cause for celebration.
As highlighted by Retro Dodo, independent creator Timaeus has unveiled 'Castlevania 1: Fortified Army,' a transformative ROM hack of the original 1986 Castlevania classic.
Designed for retro hardware enthusiasts and collectors, this unofficial version reimagines the foundational NES title with a host of innovative enhancements. 'Castlevania 1: Fortified Army' introduces several key updates: the adventure boasts brand-new levels, reworked enemy behaviors, infinite lives for more accessible gameplay, refreshed visual assets, and a moodier, "low-pitched" soundtrack that deepens the game’s haunting atmosphere.
Notably, Timaeus has improved the experience by allowing players to retain their whip upgrades and subweapons even after losing a life, reducing the frustration factor and enabling smoother progression.
The hack also features an increased number of breakable blocks throughout the levels, encouraging deeper exploration and rewarding discovery. For those who crave a heightened challenge, Fortified Army includes an optional Hard Mode.
This mode restricts the number of lives, raises enemy damage, limits subweapon options, and introduces extra adversaries on each stage, further testing the mettle of experienced vampire hunters. This innovative ROM hack arrives at a significant moment for the franchise, complementing the official announcement of 'Belmont's Curse.' Konami’s proud legacy with Castlevania stretches across multiple Nintendo consoles, from its 1986 NES debut through numerous critically acclaimed entries on Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo Switch (via the Castlevania Anniversary Collection on the eShop).
With fresh takes from both indie creators and established studios, Castlevania’s 40th anniversary is set to be a milestone year for old and new fans alike. 'Castlevania 1: Fortified Army' is now available for download, inviting adventurous players to experience a bold reinterpretation of one of gaming's most enduring franchises.
Most notably, Konami has announced an all-new instalment entitled 'Belmont's Curse', set for release later this year.
The eagerly anticipated game is being developed by Motion Twin and Evil Empire, the acclaimed studios behind the award-winning 'Dead Cells'.
This announcement, revealed during a recent showcase, signals Konami’s intent to breathe new life into their legendary franchise for a new era of Nintendo Switch players and seasoned veterans alike. While anticipation for Belmont’s Curse builds, the Castlevania community has another cause for celebration.
As highlighted by Retro Dodo, independent creator Timaeus has unveiled 'Castlevania 1: Fortified Army,' a transformative ROM hack of the original 1986 Castlevania classic.
Designed for retro hardware enthusiasts and collectors, this unofficial version reimagines the foundational NES title with a host of innovative enhancements. 'Castlevania 1: Fortified Army' introduces several key updates: the adventure boasts brand-new levels, reworked enemy behaviors, infinite lives for more accessible gameplay, refreshed visual assets, and a moodier, "low-pitched" soundtrack that deepens the game’s haunting atmosphere.
Notably, Timaeus has improved the experience by allowing players to retain their whip upgrades and subweapons even after losing a life, reducing the frustration factor and enabling smoother progression.
The hack also features an increased number of breakable blocks throughout the levels, encouraging deeper exploration and rewarding discovery. For those who crave a heightened challenge, Fortified Army includes an optional Hard Mode.
This mode restricts the number of lives, raises enemy damage, limits subweapon options, and introduces extra adversaries on each stage, further testing the mettle of experienced vampire hunters. This innovative ROM hack arrives at a significant moment for the franchise, complementing the official announcement of 'Belmont's Curse.' Konami’s proud legacy with Castlevania stretches across multiple Nintendo consoles, from its 1986 NES debut through numerous critically acclaimed entries on Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo Switch (via the Castlevania Anniversary Collection on the eShop).
With fresh takes from both indie creators and established studios, Castlevania’s 40th anniversary is set to be a milestone year for old and new fans alike. 'Castlevania 1: Fortified Army' is now available for download, inviting adventurous players to experience a bold reinterpretation of one of gaming's most enduring franchises.
