The gaming community has been cautiously optimistic about Konami’s return to gaming over the past few years, but after the company’s dedicated spotlight at the recent PlayStation State of Play event, there’s no longer any doubt: Konami is all in on gaming, and they’re swinging for the fences.
What Happened to Konami?
For years, Konami’s name was synonymous with frustration. The company that gave us Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, Castlevania, and countless arcade classics had seemingly abandoned its roots. Starting in the mid-2010s, Konami shifted its focus away from big-budget video games, instead investing heavily in pachinko machines and mobile gaming in Japan.
The shift was so dramatic that it gave fans whiplash, starting with the cancellation of Hideo Kojima’s Silent Hills and the removal of P.T., its infamous playable teaser. Beloved franchises were left to gather dust while the company chased more profitable ventures in Japan’s gambling industry.
The departure of legendary creator Hideo Kojima in 2015 symbolized this exodus from traditional gaming. For nearly a decade, Konami’s legacy IPs remained dormant, with only occasional mobile releases or repackaged collections to remind fans of what once was. The gaming community watched with disappointment as one of the industry’s most storied publishers seemingly turned its back on the medium that built its reputation.
The Cautious Return
Konami’s return to gaming began tentatively. The release of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 brought classic titles to modern platforms, showing the company hadn’t completely forgotten its heritage. Then came Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a full remake of the beloved PS2 classic that demonstrated Konami was willing to invest in more than just simple ports.
The Silent Hill franchise also saw a resurgence with Silent Hill 2‘s stunning remake, receiving widespread critical acclaim for its faithful yet modernized approach to the survival horror classic. Silent Hill f, a Japan-set entry in the series, generated widespread acclaim with its change in setting, beautiful visual style, and almost souls-like combat.
A Hope Within the Fog
These releases were impressive, but questions remained: Was this just Konami capitalizing on nostalgia, or was the company genuinely committed to creating new gaming experiences?
Gamers remained skeptical. After all, a few remakes and collections didn’t necessarily signal a full commitment to the gaming industry. Was Konami dipping their toe in the water, testing whether there was still money to be made from their dormant IPs? Well, we just received our answer.
A Full Frontal Attack
PlayStation’s State of Play showcase took viewers inside Konami’s Creative Front HQ in Tokyo Bay, offering an intimate look at the talent and passion driving the company’s gaming renaissance. The presentation featured developers and producers speaking directly about their projects, showcasing a level of transparency and enthusiasm that felt refreshing for a company that had remained distant from the gaming community for so long.
What followed was a barrage of announcements that left no doubt about Konami’s intentions. From beloved franchise revivals to brand-new IPs, the showcase demonstrated that Konami isn’t just back—they’re diversifying, innovating, and investing heavily in gaming’s future.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 — MGS4 is Free At Last!
Developer: Konami
Platform: PS5, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Xbox, and PC
Release Date: August 27, 2026
The biggest news for Metal Gear fans came in the form of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2. The collection addresses one of gaming’s most frustrating omissions by finally liberating Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots from the PlayStation 3. For over a decade, MGS4 has remained trapped on Sony’s seventh-generation console, its complex PS3 architecture making ports seemingly impossible. That changes this August.
Frees MGS4 from PS3 Exclusivity: After over a decade, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots finally escapes the PS3 with improved internal resolution, increased frame rate, and customizable controls
Complete Peace Walker Experience: Includes Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD Collection version with fully intact CO-OPS mode (2-4 players) and VERSUS OPS mode (up to 6 players)
Rare Game Boy Title Included: Features Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, the largely forgotten Game Boy Color title from 2000, preserved for modern audiences
Vol. 1 Gets Major Update: Simultaneous release of texture upscaling update for MGS1 and MGS3 in Vol. 1, modernizing visuals while preserving classic gameplay
Premium Bonus Content: Includes scenario books, master books with story insights, Digital Soundtrack Vol. 2, and cross-save bonuses for Vol. 1 owners
Darwin’s Paradox — A Quirky Stealth Platformer
Developer: ZDT Studio
Platform: PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox, and PC
Release Date: April 2, 2026
In a delightful surprise, Konami partnered with indie developer ZDT Studio to create Darwin’s Paradox, a charming 2D puzzle platformer with stealth elements. Players control Darwin, an octopus who must escape from one sticky situation after another using cunning, camouflage, and creativity.
Stealth Meets Puzzle Platforming: Combines environmental camouflage, tentacle-based climbing mechanics, and object manipulation in a colorful 2D world.
Unique Octopus Protagonist: Play as Darwin, using his natural abilities to blend into environments, climb walls and ceilings, and grab objects to solve creative puzzles
Metal Gear Crossover Content: Features a special Metal Gear Solid-themed level that brings the series’ signature stealth gameplay into the 2D platformer format
Try Before You Buy: Demo released immediately on PlayStation Store, allowing players to experience the game’s unique mechanics firsthand
Indie Partnership: Showcases Konami’s willingness to collaborate with talented independent studios to expand their franchises in creative directions
Silent Hill: Townfall — Fear Returns in First-person
Developer: Screen Burn Interactive
Co-Producer: Annapurna Interactive
Platform: PS5 and PC
Release Date: 2026
Konami’s collaboration with Annapurna Interactive and developer Screen Burn delivers a fresh take on the Silent Hill franchise with Silent Hill: Townfall. After the success of Silent Hill 2‘s remake, this first-person survival-horror experience proves Konami is willing to experiment with the franchise’s formula.
Evolution of the Iconic Radio: Introduces the “CRTV,” a pocket television that displays cryptic video signals, allowing players to see through environments, locate threats, and uncover hidden story elements—a brilliant modernization of Silent Hill‘s static-based warning system
First-Person Horror: The perspective makes environmental exploration and puzzle-solving more intimate while amplifying terror during visceral, nerve-wracking combat encounters with no separation between player and horror
Horror-Centric Encounter Design: Emphasizes that fighting isn’t always the answer—dynamic enemy AI hunts players using sight and sound, rewarding strategic use of stealth, distraction, hiding, and the CRTV’s detection abilities
DualSense Immersion: Leverages PlayStation 5 controller features to add weight to combat, create tactile puzzle interactions, and amplify tension—feel enemy footsteps rumble closer through haptic feedback as they hunt you
Annapurna Quality Partnership: Co-production with the acclaimed indie publisher known for narrative excellence and artistic vision ensures a sophisticated, refined Silent Hill experience
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse — A Revival Worth Sinking Your Teeth Into
Developer: Konami, Evil Empire, and Motion Twin
Platform: PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
Release Date: 2026
Konami’s partnership with Evil Empire and Motion Twin (the studio behind Dead Cells) brings Castlevania back to its 2D roots with Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse. Set in 1499 Paris under monster siege, the game features Trevor Belmont’s successor, wielding the legendary Vampire Killer whip.
Dead Cells Pedigree: Motion Twin’s expertise in fluid 2D combat and level design shines through in fast-paced whip combat, where creativity and positioning are rewarded with acrobatic movement
The Vampire Killer Reimagined: The legendary whip serves dual purposes—devastating weapon in combat and essential navigation tool for swinging, climbing, and exploring, creating dynamic encounters where environmental mastery matters
Stunning Visual Evolution: Features a unique, colorful art style that stays true to Castlevania‘s gothic atmosphere while presenting the world in a fresh, gorgeous way that feels both modern and respectful of series history
Classic Castlevania DNA Intact: Maintains beloved series traditions, including hidden chambers, breakable walls, familiar enemies, and multiple weapons (Vampire Killer, Sword, and more to be revealed)
Strategic Combat Depth: Additional weapons beyond the whip expand tactical options, requiring players to plan their approach and make full use of available tools to save Paris from destruction
Rev. Noir — Konami’s Bold New JRPG IP
Developer: Konami Digital Entertainment
Producer: Nobuki Kadoi (formerly Square Enix)
Platform: PlayStation 5, TBA
Release Date: TBA
Perhaps the most surprising announcement was Rev. Noir, a completely original action JRPG that shows Konami isn’t afraid to create new franchises. Produced by Nobuki Kadoi, who previously worked on Gunslinger Stratos and Lord of Vermilion at Square Enix, the game is being crafted by a team of passionate JRPG developers.
Classic JRPG Values in Modern Package: Developed by JRPG veterans who emphasize encounters with companions, character growth, and emotionally stirring narratives—returning to values that defined the genre’s golden age
Compelling Post-Apocalyptic Setting: Set in a world where deadly “rain of light” brings instant death on contact, following a memory-lost boy and a mysterious girl on a journey to stop the catastrophe and save her
Stylish Action Combat: Features fluid, impactful action with a striking, colorful art style that emphasizes visual flair and dynamic combat sequences
Experienced Leadership: Producer Nobuki Kadoi brings expertise from his work on Square Enix titles, promising a JRPG that respects tradition while pushing boundaries
Looking Forward: A New Era for Konami
At the State of Play, Konami demonstrated they’re investing across multiple genres, partnering with talented independent developers, and respecting their legacy franchises while innovating.
From preserving their catalog with the Metal Gear collections to experimenting with first-person horror in Silent Hill: Townfall. From partnering with Motion Twin for Castlevania to creating entirely new IP with Rev. Noir, Konami is covering all bases. They’re not just reviving old franchises—they’re also building new ones.
By bringing developers to the forefront and showcasing the passion behind their projects, Konami is rebuilding trust with a community that had every reason to doubt them. For longtime fans who watched Konami’s retreat from gaming with sadness, this showcase offers something that’s been missing for nearly a decade: hope.
The company that defined genres and created legendary franchises is truly back. Based on what they showed at State of Play, they’re not just returning to their former glory—they’re building something new while honoring what made them great. Welcome back, Konami.