Konami has officially confirmed that its Apple Arcade‑only title, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, will be taken offline next month. The company disclosed that the game will be removed from the Apple Arcade catalogue on August 20, after which it will cease to function entirely on September 3, meaning that no player will be able to launch or play the experience beyond that date. In a statement posted on Konami’s website, the publisher reflected on the title’s lifespan.
"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 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." The journey of Grimoire of Souls began well before its Apple Arcade incarnation. Originally released in September 2019, the game debuted as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android devices in Canada.
That initial version featured a traditional mobile monetisation model, including in‑game currency and microtransactions that allowed players to purchase upgrades and cosmetics. After roughly a year on the market, Konami discontinued the original mobile version, citing a strategic shift toward a more curated, subscription‑based distribution. In September 2021, the title resurfaced as part of Apple Arcade, Apple’s subscription service that promises ad‑free, no‑microtransaction experiences.
For the Apple Arcade launch, Konami stripped away all forms of in‑game purchases, removed the virtual currency system, and overhauled the user interface to better suit larger screens such as iPadOS, tvOS, and macOS. In addition to these functional changes, the development team upgraded the visual fidelity, polishing textures, improving lighting, and refining character animations to deliver a more immersive rendition of the classic Castlevania universe. The re‑release was met with a warm reception from both longtime fans of the franchise and newcomers drawn to the convenience of the subscription model.
Players praised the game’s deep combat system, which blends traditional side‑scrolling action with RPG‑style progression, allowing them to collect and equip a wide array of weapons, armor, and magical abilities. The title also featured a rich roster of characters drawn from various entries in the Castlevania series, each bringing unique skill sets and playstyles to the battlefield. Despite its popularity, the game’s lifecycle on Apple Arcade was always intended to be finite.
Subscription services frequently rotate titles to keep their libraries fresh, and Konami has indicated that the decision to retire Grimoire of Souls aligns with broader strategic considerations, including resource allocation for new projects and the natural aging of the game's technology stack. Grimoire of Souls is not the only title slated for removal in the near future. Konami has listed several other games that will also be taken offline in the coming months. Mario Kart Tour, the mobile racing game from Nintendo, is set to shut down in September.
Following that, Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem will cease operations in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars will be discontinued in November. This wave of closures reflects a growing trend among publishers to consolidate their online services, focusing on titles that promise sustainable player bases and revenue streams. For players who have invested time in Grimoire of Souls, the shutdown means that all progress, unlocked characters, and in‑game achievements will become inaccessible after September 3.
Konami has not announced any compensation or data export options, so fans are encouraged to enjoy the game fully before the final cut‑off date. The removal from Apple Arcade on August 20 will also mean that new players will no longer be able to download the title, effectively ending any opportunity for fresh engagement. The broader gaming community often reacts to such closures with a mix of nostalgia and disappointment.
While subscription models like Apple Arcade provide a convenient way to experience a curated selection of games without ads or extra fees, they also come with the inherent risk that titles may disappear without warning. This reality underscores the importance of preserving gaming experiences through archival efforts, community backups, and, where possible, the release of offline versions that can be played without reliance on a central server. In summary, Konami’s Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20 and will become completely unplayable on September 3. The company thanked its supporters, highlighted the game’s evolution from a free‑to‑play mobile app to a polished Arcade exclusive, and placed the shutdown within a larger pattern of service terminations affecting several high‑profile titles across the industry.
Players who wish to experience the game one last time should do so before the scheduled removal, as the opportunity will not return once the service is terminated.