Konami has officially confirmed that its Apple Arcade exclusive, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, will cease to be available next month. The game will be taken off the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, after which it will remain inaccessible to new players.
A final shutdown is scheduled for September 3, at which point the servers will be turned off and the title will no longer be playable for anyone who has already downloaded it. In a statement posted on Konami's corporate website, the publisher reflected on the game's lifecycle. "Since its launch on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has continued to be supported by many players," the notice read. "However, we have decided to terminate the service [in September]." The company 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." Grimoire of Souls originally debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile title for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada. After a brief run, the mobile version was discontinued a year later. Konami then re‑imagined the game for Apple Arcade, launching it across iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac devices in September 2021. The Apple Arcade iteration eliminated the original's in‑game currency and micro‑transaction model, introduced a cleaner user interface, and featured upgraded graphics to better match the capabilities of Apple's hardware ecosystem.
The decision to pull the title aligns with a broader trend of older online‑dependent games being retired as their player bases dwindle and maintenance costs rise. Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls joins a short list of services slated for closure in the coming months. Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to end its online operations in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November.
Each of these shutdowns reflects the challenges of sustaining live‑service games that rely on continuous server support, regular content updates, and a critical mass of active users. For fans of the Castlevania franchise, Grimoire of Souls offered a distinct experience compared to the series’ traditional console entries. Rather than a side‑scrolling platformer or a 3D action‑adventure, the game presented a card‑based combat system where players collected and upgraded a roster of iconic characters from the Castlevania universe.
Battles unfolded on a grid, and strategic positioning combined with character abilities determined the outcome. The Apple Arcade version also introduced new story elements, voice acting, and a polished visual style that highlighted the gothic aesthetic the series is known for. Although the game will no longer be playable after September 3, existing owners can still retain their progress and any offline content they have downloaded up until that date.
However, any online features, such as leaderboards, multiplayer matchmaking, and periodic events, will cease to function once the servers are shut down. Konami has advised players to finish any ongoing activities and to back up any personal data they wish to keep before the final closure.
The removal of Grimoire of Souls underscores the evolving nature of subscription‑based gaming platforms like Apple Arcade. While the service promises a curated library of premium titles without ads or in‑app purchases, each game still requires ongoing support from its developer. When a title no longer meets the financial or strategic goals of its creator, it may be withdrawn from the catalogue, even if it has a dedicated fan base.
Looking ahead, Konami has not announced any direct replacements for Grimoire of Souls within the Castlevania franchise, but the company continues to explore new ways to bring its classic IPs to modern audiences. Recent projects include remastered editions of classic titles and collaborations with other developers to create fresh experiences that blend nostalgia with contemporary gameplay mechanics. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its online services fully terminated on September 3. Konami expressed sincere thanks to its community, acknowledging the support that kept the game alive for nearly two years on the platform.
The closure is part of a larger wave of online‑only titles ending service in the next few months, reflecting the practical realities of maintaining live games in a competitive market. Players are encouraged to enjoy the remaining days of the game, complete any pending challenges, and save any personal data before the final shutdown.