Konami has made public its plan to retire the title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls next month, ending the game’s presence on Apple Arcade and removing any ability for players to access it. The company confirmed that the game will be taken off the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, and that the servers supporting the title will be shut down on September 3, after which the game will no longer be playable in any form.
In an official statement posted on Konami’s website, the publisher reflected on the title’s lifespan since its debut on Apple Arcade in September 2021. “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 wording underscores that, despite a dedicated community that kept the game alive for almost two years, the decision was made to end official support and bring the service to a close. The announcement also included a note of appreciation for the player base.
"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 statement continued. This expression of thanks highlights the close relationship between Konami’s development team and the fans who engaged with the game’s unique take on the Castlevania universe.
To understand the context of this shutdown, it helps to look back at the game’s origins. Grimoire of Souls first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android devices, initially released only in Canada.
That early version featured in‑game currency, micro‑transactions, and a more modest visual presentation. After a year of service, the original mobile version was discontinued, but Konami saw an opportunity to revive the concept on Apple’s subscription platform. When the game was relaunched on Apple Arcade, it was made available across a broader range of Apple hardware, including iPhone, iPad, iPadOS, tvOS, and Mac.
The re‑release was more than a simple port; Konami stripped out the free‑to‑play monetization model, removing in‑game purchases and virtual currency, and instead offered the experience as part of the subscription. Alongside this shift, the developers refined the user interface, overhauled level layouts, and upgraded the graphics to take advantage of Apple’s high‑resolution displays and powerful processors. These changes were intended to provide a more polished, immersive experience that aligned with the premium positioning of Apple Arcade titles.
Grimoire of Souls is not the only title that Konami is pulling from the service in the coming months. The company’s recent communications indicate a broader trend of phasing out several games that have reached the end of their planned lifecycle. For example, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is slated to cease operations in September, followed by Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and Sony’s Destruction AllStars in November.
This wave of closures reflects the evolving nature of subscription‑based gaming services, where titles are regularly rotated to keep the catalog fresh and to manage operational costs. For fans of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, the shutdown means that any progress saved on the cloud will become inaccessible after September 3, and any offline copies of the game will no longer receive updates or support. Players who wish to preserve their memories of the game may consider recording gameplay footage or taking screenshots before the final date.
While the game’s removal may be disappointing, it also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of digital-only experiences and the importance of enjoying them while they are available. In summary, Konami’s decision to discontinue Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls marks the end of an eight‑month run on Apple Arcade and concludes a longer, albeit intermittent, history that began with its 2019 mobile launch. The company has expressed sincere thanks to its community, and the upcoming removal aligns with a broader pattern of service terminations across the subscription gaming landscape.
Players have a limited window—until August 20 for delisting and September 3 for complete shutdown—to experience the game one last time before it disappears from the platform permanently.