Konami has officially confirmed 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 removal process will unfold in two stages: first, the game will be stripped from the Apple Arcade catalogue on August 20, and then, on September 3, the servers that support the game will be shut down, rendering it unplayable for anyone who still has it installed.
In a statement posted on the company's website, Konami reflected on the game's history and its decision to end support. "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 title for iOS and Android devices, but only in the Canadian market.
After a year of operation, the original version was discontinued. Konami later revived the game as part of Apple Arcade, expanding its reach to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms. This relaunch came with a series of notable changes: the in‑game currency and micro‑transaction mechanics were removed, the user interface was overhauled, and the visual fidelity received a substantial upgrade to meet the expectations of a premium subscription service. The decision to retire Grimoire of Souls follows a broader trend within Konami and the wider mobile gaming industry, where several titles are being phased out as subscription models evolve and player bases shift.
In the coming months, other games are also slated for shutdown. For example, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to cease operations in September, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will follow in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars is set to be taken offline in November.
The removal of Grimoire of Souls from Apple Arcade means that new users will no longer be able to discover or download the game after August 20. Existing owners will retain access to the installed app until the server shutdown on September 3, after which any online features, including multiplayer matchmaking, leaderboards, and cloud saves, will cease to function. Players who wish to preserve any offline content should consider backing up their data before the final shutdown date. While the game’s closure may disappoint long‑time fans, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on the title’s contributions to the Castlevania franchise.
Grimoire of Souls offered a unique blend of classic side‑scrolling action with modern RPG elements, allowing players to collect and upgrade a roster of iconic characters from the series. Its transition from a free‑to‑play model with micro‑transactions to a subscription‑based, ad‑free experience demonstrated Konami’s willingness to experiment with different monetization strategies.
Looking ahead, Konami has hinted that it will continue to invest in new experiences for both console and mobile platforms, though specifics remain under wraps. The company’s broader portfolio includes recent releases such as the highly anticipated remake of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and the upcoming mobile title “Eternal Sonata,” which aim to blend nostalgic gameplay with contemporary design.
In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will become completely unplayable after the September 3 server shutdown. Konami expressed heartfelt thanks to its community for their support over the years and acknowledged the game’s evolution from a limited free‑to‑play launch to a polished Apple Arcade offering.
As the gaming landscape continues to shift, both players and developers will need to adapt to the inevitable cycles of launch, support, and eventual retirement of digital titles.