Castlevania: Belmont's Curse Demo Hides Fighting Game Easter Eggs

Did you catch the secret fighting game nods in the Castlevania: Belmont's Curse demo? The developers are clearly fighting game fans, and they've hidden some awesome Easter eggs for you to find.

The demo dropped on October 1, 2026, giving you a taste of the combat as Rose Belmont slices through 1500s Paris with her sword and magical tarot cards. It's a treat for Metroidvania fans, packed with secret areas. One of these areas hides a pair of brass knuckle-style MMA gloves called Cestus. This weapon stacks damage the more you hit enemies, so you'll want to keep the pressure on.

After Rose attacks with Cestus, she strikes a pose for a few seconds. These poses cycle randomly, but they're not just for show—each has a unique animation. Eagle-eyed players quickly noticed striking similarities to classic fighting game characters. Twitter/X user StockeTepes compiled a video showing Rose mimicking the idle stances of Ryu, Chun-Li, Oro, Sagat, Mai Shiranui, and Akuma/Oni. Even Spider-Man's iconic pose from Marvel vs. Capcom 2 made the cut.

Other fans pointed out that Rose's air-to-air combo with Cestus mirrors Akuma's Zanku Hadouken (or M. Bison's Hell Attack, depending on who you ask). It's a loving tribute that fits right in with Castlevania's history. The series has always tipped its hat to fighting games—remember Alucard's spell inputs in Symphony of the Night? They read like fighting game motions. The Fist of Tulkas weapon basically let you throw a Hadouken. In Portrait of Ruin, Martial Arts moves required special inputs. Konami even released Castlevania Judgment, a fighting game, in 2008.

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse launches on October 15, 2026. While you wait, there are over 30 Castlevania games to play. If you need recommendations, Symphony of the Night, Super Castlevania IV, and the original are solid picks. Plus, the iconic soundtrack is getting a live power rock-symphony in March 2026 with shows in London, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. It's a great time to be a Castlevania fan—but a terrible night to have a curse.

Will you be picking up Belmont's Curse when it launches? What's your favorite Castlevania game? Let us know in the comments!