It's fair to say that Konami isn't the force it once was in the world of video games. Not so long ago it was competing with the likes of Capcom, Sega and Nintendo at the top of the market, but these days it is more content pushing out moderately successful titles like Super Bomberman R and less profitable reboots like Contra: Rogue Corps.
However, the news that the company has applied for fresh trademarks for Castlevania (well, Akumajou Dracula, which is the Japanese name for the series) and Metal Gear Rising has predictably got tongues wagging. Trademarks are renewed all of the time, so this doesn't necessarily mean that we're getting new video games – although some recent Metal Gear-related tweets will have gotten fans joining the dots regardless.
The Castlevania series has been dormant since 2014's commercially disappointing Lords of Shadow 2 (assuming you don't count the short-lived smartphone outing, Grimoire of Souls), while 2018's Metal Gear Survive (developed without franchise founder Hideo Kojima) also failed to find an audience. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance – the game referenced in this particular trademark – launched on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013, followed by PC and Nvidia Shield releases later on. Developed by PlatinumGames, it could potentially be coming to other systems in remastered form – or perhaps it's getting a sequel?
Even if these trademarks don't result in new games, you can hardly say that Konami is allowing these franchises to die. Netflix has already produced three excellent animated series based on Castlevania (with a fourth and final series currently in development) while the promise of a big-screen Metal Gear movie is finally being realised thanks to director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, with Star Wars actor Oscar Isaac in the starring role.
[source gematsu.com, via pushsquare.com]
Comments 31
They need them for the stupid CV Pachinko slot machines!
Konami only care about re-releasing their old classics. Lets not forget that they also killed Silent Hill ... ahhh idiots
ridiculous that SOTN is not on switch
@Zuljaras
If not that, then licensing opportunities like lending characters, likenesses, themes, and music to other games.
Such as the costumes in Super Bomberman R, or the Castlevania content in Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
It warms the cockles of my heart to know Konami hasn't completely given up on video game related stuffs. The sequel for Getsu Fuma Den is looking pretty good. They're not all about pachinko profits, at least...not yet.
@Crockin one of the reasons I still use my ps vita
I've be all over a sequel of Revengeance or at the very least a port of the original to Switch.
But what should the sequel be called? I propose Wrathvengetribution.
I want a castlevania collection 2 with the gba and Ds games, or even just gba only if ds can’t be figured out.
put a Castlevania skin on Diablo and you got yourself a STEW!
I want Rondo and Symphony on Switch! Also, a new Castlevania would be nice.
Hmm, a Konami article...
WHERE'S DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION ON SWITCH?????!!!!!!!!
Castle metal gear here we come!!!!
If Metal Gear Rising was ever ported to Switch I would absolutely buy it again.
"Nanomachines, son."
I need Peace Walker. Never got to play it.
Metal Gear Rising sequel please! Give it back to Platinum. That was one of my favorite games from that generation simply because of how fun the gameplay was.
@OldManHermit I’d love a Switch port of the first as well!
Are you sure they didn't trademark "Castlevania and Metal Gear Solid" for a crossover?
They probably had more Pachinko machines plan. So many opportunity for more great games wasted time and time again.
@Crockin
Maybe they'll bring Dracula X
@King-K-Rool Is that you, Anti-Matter?
@COVIDberry I can't believe he hasn't posted his obligatory DDR comment yet. Hope he's OK!
I'm ashamed that I wasn't aware of the Metal Gear movie mentioned in this article. I'm a massive fan of that series and I wasn't aware. Well that's exciting. Anyway, I'm trying so so hard not to get my hopes up about this whole Metal Gear thing going on recently but it's so hard. I'm hoping this trademark thing has something to do with it all. This week we're going to hear something if all the signs are true!
Probably so that they can keep making branded pachinko machines ...
If Rondo or SOTN are ever released on Switch, a proper physical release should be in order.
NINJA APPROVED
@ChromaticDracula If there was a trademark related to the movie it wouldn't come from Konami. Sony Pictures are producing that film on their own terms and Konami is only there by association of the IP. Sony will retain all rights to the film or future films they make with it
I have faith it'll be good considering Jordan Vogt-Roberts has a pretty stellar track record and the interviews he's conducted tells me he really understands the core of what makes Metal Gear such a cool franchise
Glass half full, maybe they’re planning to finance an independent developer to make a new Castlevania and Metal Gear titles?
At this point, I would only be excited if Wayforward Technologies were given the reigns to make a new Castlevania. I don't trust Konami to do the series justice.
@Gs69 yo same and many other konami classics
@Zuljaras Pachinko machines that actually give them a lot of money! And don't blame Konami about Silent Hill, blame Kojima. Actually, Kojima killed not only Silent Hill and Metal Gear, but also Castlevania as well hahaha
Konami is actually doing very well these days. Hopefully they'll release an MGS collection soon, and more hopefully, it'll also come on Switch.
Konami should just focus their attention on Pachinko and the like and simply farm out their IP's to companies that actually want to make games with them. Probably wouldn't present too much hassle.
I'd die for a Suikoden game made by Monolith Soft but am happy enough with Eiyuden Chronicle for now.
@PickledKong64 yeah I think Konami now are just a shell of their former self , an also ran ,I play a lot of retro games and they were a driving force they just don’t seem to be bothered anymore
I'm all in! Come on Konami, some of your fans still believe! Bring about the revitalization!!
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