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 service will first be removed from the Apple Arcade catalogue on August 20, after which the game will become completely inaccessible on September 3. From that point forward, players will no longer be able to launch or play the title. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifespan and the decision to discontinue it.
"Since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the game has enjoyed sustained support from a dedicated player base," the statement read. "Nevertheless, we have made the difficult choice to end the service in September." The developer also took the opportunity to thank the community.
"We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of our players for their enthusiastic support over the years," the message continued. "The entire development and operations team is deeply grateful for having you accompany us on this journey." Grimoire of Souls originally launched in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android devices, initially rolling out only in Canada. After a brief run, the original version was discontinued a year later. Konami then re‑introduced the game as part of Apple Arcade, expanding its reach to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms.
The Apple Arcade iteration was notable for several significant changes: in‑game currency and microtransaction mechanics were removed, the user interface was overhauled, and the visual presentation received a substantial graphical upgrade. These adjustments were intended to align the title with Apple Arcade’s subscription‑based, ad‑free philosophy and to provide a more polished experience for players. The upcoming shutdown of Grimoire of Souls is not an isolated event.
It forms part of a broader wave of game retirements that Konami and other publishers have scheduled for the latter half of the year. For instance, the mobile racing game Mario Kart Tour is slated to cease operations in September, followed by the animated‑themed shooter Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, which will be retired in October.
The list continues with the vehicular combat title Destruction AllStars, set to be taken offline in November. Industry analysts note that the retirement of online‑dependent games is a common practice when the cost of maintaining servers outweighs the revenue generated, especially for titles that rely on microtransactions or subscription models.
In the case of Grimoire of Souls, the removal of its microtransaction system during the Apple Arcade transition likely reduced its long‑term monetization potential, making continued support less viable from a business standpoint. Fans of the Castlevania franchise have expressed mixed reactions to the news.
While some lament the loss of a unique entry that blended classic gothic aesthetics with modern mobile-friendly gameplay, others appreciate Konami’s transparency and the opportunity to enjoy the game while it remains accessible. Community forums have seen a surge of nostalgic posts, with players sharing favorite moments, strategies for unlocking hidden characters, and tips for maximizing the game’s replay value before the final shutdown date. For those who have not yet experienced Grimoaire of Souls, the window to do so is now limited.
The game offers a roster of iconic characters from the Castlevania universe, each equipped with distinct abilities and combat styles. Players can explore a series of interconnected stages, battling familiar monsters and bosses while collecting upgrades and customizing their load‑outs. The removal of microtransactions means that all content is available through gameplay progression, providing a more straightforward and equitable experience compared to its original free‑to‑play incarnation. If you own an Apple Arcade subscription, you can still download and play Grimoire of Souls until the August 20 delisting, after which the title will disappear from the store but remain playable for existing owners until the September 3 shutdown.
After that date, the game’s servers will be turned off, rendering any online features—such as leaderboards, cloud saves, and multiplayer modes—non‑functional. Konami has not announced any plans to preserve the game in an offline‑only format or to re‑release it on another platform.
As such, the September 3 deadline represents the final opportunity for players to engage with the title in its current form. The company encourages anyone who wishes to experience the game one last time to do so before the service ends.
In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will cease to operate entirely on September 3. The decision reflects broader trends in the industry regarding the lifecycle of online‑dependent games, and it joins a series of upcoming closures that include Mario Kart Tour, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, and Destruction AllStars. Fans are advised to savor the remaining days of gameplay while the servers remain active.