Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of the game’s presence on Apple Arcade. The removal process will occur in two stages: first, the game will be delisted from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, meaning new users will no longer be able to discover or download it. Then, on September 3, the service will be shut down entirely, rendering the game unplayable for anyone who has it installed.
In a statement posted on its website, Konami explained that while the title has enjoyed a loyal player base since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021, the company has decided to end support and terminate the service in September. "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 also took the opportunity 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 arrived in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile experience for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada.
After a brief run, the original version was discontinued a year later. Konami later revived the game as an Apple Arcade exclusive, expanding its availability to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS. The re‑launch removed all in‑game currency and microtransaction mechanics, overhauled the user interface, and introduced upgraded graphics to better align with the premium, subscription‑based model of Apple Arcade. The decision to pull Grimoire of Souls follows a broader trend of games being retired from online platforms as their player bases dwindle or as strategic priorities shift.
In the coming months, several other titles are slated for similar fates. Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to cease operations in September, followed by the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem shutdown in October, and the Destruction AllStars service ending in November.
These closures reflect the challenges of maintaining live‑service games that rely on continuous updates, server costs, and ongoing player engagement. For fans of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the upcoming shutdown means that any progress, achievements, or unlocked content will become inaccessible after September 3.
Players who wish to preserve their experiences are encouraged to capture screenshots, record gameplay, or otherwise document their time with the game before the servers go dark. While the offline version of the game will no longer function, the legacy of Grimoire of Souls lives on as part of Konami’s broader Castlevania franchise, which has spanned decades and includes numerous acclaimed entries across consoles, handhelds, and mobile devices. The removal also highlights the evolving nature of subscription services like Apple Arcade. When the platform launched, it promised a curated library of high‑quality, ad‑free games without the need for in‑app purchases.
Over time, some titles have transitioned away from the model, either by being removed, re‑priced, or re‑structured to better fit the subscription framework. Grimoire of Souls’ journey—from a free‑to‑play mobile title with microtransactions to a premium, ad‑free experience—exemplifies this shift. In summary, Konami’s announcement signals the final chapter for Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls on Apple Arcade. The game will be delisted on August 20, and its online services will be terminated on September 3, after which it will no longer be playable.
The company expressed heartfelt thanks to its community, acknowledging the support that sustained the title for several years. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, both developers and players must adapt to the inevitable cycles of launch, support, and eventual retirement that accompany live‑service and subscription‑based games.