Konami has made public its plan to discontinue Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls next month, marking the end of the title’s presence on Apple Arcade. The game will be taken off the subscription platform on August 20, and two weeks later, on September 3, its online services will be fully shut down, rendering the experience unplayable for anyone who has not already downloaded it. In an official statement posted on its website, Konami reflected on the game’s journey since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021. "Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the company wrote.
"However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The publisher went on to thank the 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." The origins of Grimoire of Souls trace back to September 2019, when Konami first released the title as a free‑to‑play mobile game for iOS and Android users in Canada. That initial version featured in‑game currency, microtransactions, and a layout optimized for small touch screens.
After a year of operation, the original mobile version was discontinued, but the concept was resurrected later that same year when Konami secured a spot on Apple Arcade. The re‑launch arrived on iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS, and it came with a host of improvements designed to align the game with the premium, ad‑free experience promised by Apple Arcade.
Key changes in the Apple Arcade edition included the removal of all microtransactions and virtual currency systems, a complete overhaul of the user interface, and graphical enhancements that took advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities. By eliminating the pay‑to‑win elements, Konami aimed to provide a more balanced and accessible experience for both longtime fans of the Castlevania franchise and newcomers drawn in by the platform’s curated library. Despite these upgrades, the game’s lifespan on Apple Arcade was limited.
The decision to end service follows a broader trend in the industry where subscription‑based platforms periodically prune their catalogs to make room for fresh content. Konami is not alone in this process; several other titles are slated for removal in the coming months.
For instance, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to shut down in September, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will follow in October, and Destruction AllStars is scheduled for November. The removal of Grimoire of Souls will affect players in a few ways.
Existing owners who have already downloaded the game will lose the ability to launch it after September 3, as the online components that power multiplayer modes and content updates will be disabled. Those who have not yet added the title to their device library will find it missing from the Apple Arcade storefront after the August 20 delisting date. Because the game no longer relies on microtransactions, there are no pending purchases to refund, but Konami has not announced any compensation or migration offers for affected users.
For fans of the Castlevania series, Grimoire of Souls represented a unique entry that blended the classic gothic aesthetic and monster‑hunting gameplay with a more casual, collectible‑focused structure. Players could assemble a roster of iconic characters from across the franchise, each with distinct abilities, and explore a variety of dungeons that were procedurally generated to keep the experience fresh. The game’s design encouraged repeated playthroughs, rewarding players with new gear, costumes, and upgrades as they progressed.
Looking ahead, Konami’s statement suggests the company remains committed to supporting its broader portfolio, even as specific services wind down. The acknowledgment of player support underscores a desire to maintain goodwill among its audience, a factor that may influence future releases or revivals of beloved IPs.
While Grimoire of Souls will no longer be accessible, the legacy of its attempt to bring a storied franchise to a subscription model will likely inform how developers approach similar projects in the future. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will cease all online functionality on September 3, ending its availability to players. Konami has expressed thanks to its community and placed the game’s removal within a larger wave of upcoming service terminations across various platforms.
Those interested in preserving memories of the title may wish to capture screenshots or record gameplay before the shutdown, as the opportunity to experience the game officially will disappear shortly thereafter.