![How to get each ending in Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse [MINIMAL SPOILERS]](https://img.g2a.com/700x394/1x1x0/each-ending-castlevania-belmonts-curse/cf86680a53a64840b35649fb)
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse has three endings: Bad, Normal, and Good, also referred to as the True Ending. Fortunately, you do not need three separate playthroughs. The game lets you resume after the first two endings with your progress intact.
For the least backtracking, get them in this order: Bad → Normal → Good.
Minimal-spoiler summary: The Bad Ending depends on leaving the Cursed Horologium running. The Normal Ending requires stopping it with The Shadow. The Good Ending adds the Four Virtues, The Self, and Absolution.
Bad Ending checklist
This is the simplest ending and is worth doing first because it does not block your progress afterward.
- Reach the Clock Tower.
- Continue until you find the Cursed Horologium.
- Do not stop the clock. It must still be running.
- Take the route to the left and continue toward the final area.
- Proceed until the ending triggers.
Already stopped the clock? Equip The Shadow and interact with the Cursed Horologium again to restart it.
Normal Ending checklist
The Normal Ending uses the correct Clock Tower route but does not require the optional Four Virtues sequence.
- Obtain The Shadow Arcana in Notre-Dame.
- Return to the Cursed Horologium in the Clock Tower.
- Equip The Shadow.
- Interact with the Horologium to stop the clock.
- Continue through the newly safe route toward the Master’s Quarters.
- Defeat both phases of the final boss.
- Do not use Absolution afterward.
After the credits, choose to resume your save. You can then finish the optional requirements for the Good Ending without starting over.
Good Ending checklist
The Good Ending, usually called the True Ending, requires four specific Arcana, the Gallery of the Four Virtues, and one final Arcana obtained there.
1. Keep the Cursed Horologium stopped
- Use The Shadow at the Cursed Horologium exactly as you did for the Normal Ending.
2. Obtain the four Virtue Arcana
| Arcana | What you need |
|---|---|
| The Warrior | Progress through the Prison Tower. You will normally already have this. |
| The Judge | Visit the Palace of Justice after collecting at least 12 HP Upgrades and 12 Mana Upgrades. |
| The Whisperer | Collect the Thrilling Eye, Trembling Eye, and Oozing Eye, open the Gate of Flesh, obtain the Ferryman’s Obol, and take it to the Ferryman. |
| The Sage | Complete the four Mirror of Life trials, clear the Hall of Mirrors, then visit the Tomb of the Noble Queen. |
3. Complete the Gallery of the Four Virtues
Go to the Gallery of the Four Virtues in Notre-Dame. Each stained-glass window requires its matching Arcana.
- Courage: The Warrior
- Temperance: The Whisperer
- Justice: The Judge
- Prudence: The Sage
Clear each short trial and ring the bell at the end. You need all four bells.
4. Obtain The Self
- After ringing all four bells, return to the center of the Gallery.
- Interact with the central stained-glass window.
- Complete the encounter inside.
- Collect The Self Arcana and its spell, Absolution.
5. Trigger the Good Ending
- Make sure the Cursed Horologium is stopped.
- Equip The Self.
- Return to the Master’s Quarters.
- Defeat both phases of the final boss.
- Do not skip the scene that follows.
- When the Arcana activation prompt appears, use Absolution.
Easy mistake to avoid: Simply owning The Self is not enough. You must have it equipped and activate Absolution when prompted after the second final-boss phase. Missing that prompt gives you the Normal Ending again.
All three endings at a glance
| Ending | Essential requirement |
|---|---|
| Bad | Pass the Cursed Horologium while it is still running. |
| Normal | Stop the Cursed Horologium with The Shadow and defeat the final boss. |
| Good / True | Four Virtue bells → The Self → stop the Horologium → use Absolution after the final battle. |
Best order for seeing every ending
Get the Bad Ending first. Resume your save, obtain The Shadow, stop the Horologium, and get the Normal Ending. Resume again, complete the Four Virtues route, obtain The Self, and finish with Absolution for the Good Ending.
That route lets you see all three outcomes without replaying the entire game and keeps the amount of ending-related backtracking to a minimum.