Konami was once a true powerhouse, owning legendary properties like Castlevania, Metal Gear, and Silent Hill. But in the mid-to-late 2010s, the company noticeably slowed its AAA output, instead leaning heavily into Japan’s pachinko market and holding tightly to its IPs. For years, its primary gaming releases consisted largely of retro collections and re-releases of classic titles.
Recently, however, Konami appears to be re-embracing the mainstream console market. 2024’s Silent Hill 2 remake was a safe but significant bet, while 2025’s Silent Hill f signalled that the franchise isn’t dead, merely hibernating.
Sony’s February State of Play presentation revealed that Konami has a stacked catalogue lined up for 2026. With a mix of revived classics and brand-new IP, it looks like the publisher may finally be stepping confidently back into the spotlight.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2
After naming 2023’s release Master Collection Vol. 1, a follow-up always felt inevitable. Vol. 2 is set to include Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008), Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010), and Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel (2000).
Most notably, this marks the first modern re-release of Metal Gear Solid 4, a title that remained locked to the PlayStation 3 ecosystem for over 15 years, long considered one of the most inaccessible entries in the series.
Darwin’s Paradox!
In a tongue-in-cheek nod to the previous announcement, Darwin’s Paradox! promises “Tactical Octopus Action”. Players control a displaced mollusc attempting to return to the ocean, sneaking through restaurants, city streets, and evading over-enthusiastic sushi chefs in what appears to be a stylised 2.5D platformer.
It’s quirky, self-aware, and perhaps exactly the kind of creative risk that signals a more confident Konami.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse
The last original Castlevania title was Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, released in 2014, meaning this marks the first brand-new entry in over a decade. Some fans would argue that 2008’s Order of Ecclesia was the last “traditional” 2D outing, making this new title even more significant for long-time followers.
Belmont’s Curse appears to tie directly to Dracula’s Curse (1989), the third entry in the original series, with clear subtitle parallels and even a Trevor Belmont name-drop in the trailer, hinting at a return to the franchise’s Gothic roots.
Silent Hill: Townfall
Continuing the horror franchise’s revival, Silent Hill: Townfall appears to follow a more traditional psychological horror formula. Players control a new protagonist, Simon, in what looks to be a bleak British seaside town.
Interestingly, the series may be shifting into a first-person perspective, a move that mirrors the successful reinvention of its long-time rival, Resident Evil, in 2017. If executed well, this could mark a similar revitalisation for Konami’s horror flagship.
Rev.Noir
In Konami’s final reveal, the publisher introduced a brand-new RPG with a striking anime-inspired art style. Details remain scarce; even the official web page describes the project as “shrouded in mystery.”
What we do know is that the world is plagued by a deadly phenomenon known as “Lightfall,” fatal to those it touches. Players will control an amnesiac boy and a mysterious girl as they attempt to uncover the truth and save their world.
Those are the titles Konami has lined up for 2026. With legacy franchises resurrected, bold new IP on the horizon, and a clear shift back toward traditional game development, the question now isn’t whether Konami is returning, but whether this marks the beginning of a true new golden era for one of gaming’s most storied publishers?
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