Konami has officially disclosed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game’s availability on Apple Arcade. The service will first be removed from the Apple Arcade catalogue on August 20, after which the game will become completely inaccessible on September 3, meaning players will no longer be able to launch or play the experience. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s history and the decision to discontinue it.
“Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players,” the statement read. “However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September].” The company went on to thank its community, saying, “We would like to express our gratitude to all of our players for their enthusiastic support throughout the years.
The entire development and operations team sincerely thanks you for being part of this journey.” Grimoire of Souls originally debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, initially rolling out only in Canada. After a brief run, the original version was discontinued a year later.
Konami then chose to revive the game as part of its Apple Arcade lineup, expanding its reach to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms. In the Apple Arcade incarnation, the developers stripped out the original in‑game currency system and micro‑transactions, overhauled the user interface, and upgraded the visual presentation to meet the higher standards expected of a premium subscription service.
The decision to pull the game aligns with a broader trend of legacy titles being retired as subscription services evolve. Konami is not alone in this wave; several other games are slated for shutdown in the coming months. For example, the popular racing title Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to cease operations in September, followed by Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Destruction AllStars in November.
These closures reflect shifting priorities within the mobile and subscription gaming markets, where developers and publishers must balance ongoing maintenance costs against player engagement and revenue potential. For fans of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the shutdown means that any progress, unlocked characters, or saved data will become inaccessible after the September 3 cut‑off.
Players who wish to preserve memories of the game may want to capture screenshots or record gameplay footage before the final date. While the game will no longer be downloadable or playable, its legacy lives on as part of Konami’s broader Castlevania franchise, which continues to inspire new entries and remakes across multiple platforms.
The removal also serves as a reminder of the impermanent nature of digital-only titles. Unlike physical media, which can be archived or resold, games that exist solely in the cloud or as part of a subscription can disappear when the service provider decides to end support. This reality has prompted discussions within the gaming community about preservation, ownership, and the importance of clear communication from developers regarding the lifespan of their products.
In summary, Konami’s announcement signals the imminent end of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls on Apple Arcade. The game will be delisted on August 20, and will become completely offline on September 3, after which it will no longer be playable.
The company expressed heartfelt thanks to its player base, acknowledging the support that kept the title alive for several years. This shutdown is part of a larger pattern of service terminations affecting multiple games across various platforms, underscoring the evolving dynamics of the mobile and subscription gaming ecosystems.