Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse May Be a Day-One Game Pass Release—But Xbox Hasn’t Confirmed It

A deleted Reel from the official Xbox Game Pass Instagram account reportedly teased Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse as a day-one Game Pass release on October 15, 2026. The footage is notable because it appeared to come from Gamescom 2026 and reportedly gave the game an affirmative thumbs-up when asked whether it was coming to the service. 1831

That does not make the Game Pass release official. Microsoft and Konami have not formally confirmed the subscription inclusion, and the available official purchase and pre-order information confirms the game’s release date without identifying it as a Game Pass title. 1421

What the deleted Reel reportedly showed

The Reel was reportedly titled “is it on Game Pass?” and showed a presenter walking through Gamescom while indicating which games were already available on, or expected to arrive on, Xbox Game Pass. According to reports, Belmont’s Curse appeared near the end of the video and received a positive gesture before the post was removed. 1831

The deletion is why the clip is being treated as a possible leak rather than a formal announcement. It could have been an accidental early reveal, or the result of a promotional video using incomplete or incorrect information. Without a follow-up from Xbox or Konami, the footage cannot establish the final subscription terms.

What is confirmed about the release

The October 15, 2026 release date is official. Konami announced the date alongside pre-order information for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Steam. 4 Xbox’s showcase materials also describe the game as a 2D action-exploration title from Konami, Evil Empire, and Motion Twin, with Xbox Series X|S, PC, cloud, and Xbox Play Anywhere support. 32

The game is also planned for Nintendo Switch, although the timing and availability of that version have been presented separately in Konami’s platform information. 59

What has not been confirmed is whether the October 15 launch will be included in Game Pass. The Xbox Showcase’s prominent placement and the game’s Xbox-focused marketing do suggest a close promotional relationship, but they do not prove exclusivity or a subscription agreement. 432

What kind of game is Belmont’s Curse?

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse is set in Paris in 1499, 23 years after Trevor Belmont defeated Dracula. The city is engulfed in flames as monsters emerge, sending Trevor and his daughter Rose into the crisis. Rose is the new protagonist, wielding the Vampire Killer alongside additional weapons and abilities. 192125

The game combines classic Castlevania combat with modern action-exploration design. Confirmed and promotional material identifies returning enemies including Medusa, Death, and Carmilla, alongside newer threats such as Joan of Arc. 111921

A central feature is the Arcana system. After Rose defeats bosses, they are sealed into tarot-like cards that can provide spells and new traversal abilities. That gives the boss encounters a role beyond simple progression: each victory can expand how Rose moves through and fights across the game’s world. 2124

Why the leak matters for Game Pass

A day-one release would be significant because Belmont’s Curse is a major third-party title with a recognizable franchise behind it. It would also fit Xbox’s continued use of selected new releases as Game Pass attractions, even as the service’s day-one policy has become more qualified.

Microsoft’s current Xbox Game Pass messaging describes day-one games as “select” titles, and its Ultimate listing specifically excludes new Call of Duty releases from that promise. 4445 Microsoft also reduced the U.S. price of Game Pass Ultimate from $29.99 to $22.99 per month while stating that future Call of Duty games would no longer join the service at launch. 4853

That context makes the alleged Belmont’s Curse inclusion especially interesting: if accurate, it would show Xbox continuing to use day-one access for selected non-Call of Duty releases rather than abandoning the model entirely. But that remains an implication, not a confirmed business decision tied to this particular game.

The bottom line

The strongest version of the report is narrow: a deleted official Xbox Game Pass Reel reportedly indicated that Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse would be available on Game Pass on October 15, 2026. The Reel was reportedly recorded during Gamescom 2026 and appeared to give the game a positive answer when asked about Game Pass. 1831

The release date itself is confirmed, but the Game Pass claim is still unverified. Until Xbox or Konami updates the game’s store information or publishes a formal announcement, players should treat Belmont’s Curse as an October 15 release with a possible—rather than guaranteed—day-one Game Pass launch.