Konami has officially disclosed that its Apple Arcade exclusive, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls, will be taken offline next month. The company confirmed that the game will be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, after which it will become unplayable as the service that hosts it shuts down on September 3. In a statement posted on Konami’s website, the publisher explained that while the title has enjoyed a dedicated player base since its debut on the platform in September 2021, the decision has been made to discontinue the service at the start of 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 message went on to thank the 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." Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls originally arrived on mobile devices in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title for iOS and Android, initially released only in Canada. After a year of operation, the mobile version was discontinued, and Konami later re‑introduced the game as part of the Apple Arcade subscription service, expanding its availability to iOS, tvOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms.
The relaunch came with a suite of improvements: the in‑game currency and micro‑transaction mechanics were stripped out, the user interface received a redesign, and the graphics were upgraded to take advantage of Apple’s hardware capabilities. The upcoming shutdown of Grimoire of Souls is part of a broader trend of games leaving online services in the coming months. Notably, the popular mobile racing title Mario Kart Tour is slated to end its service in September, followed by the cartoon‑themed shooter Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, which will close in October.
The final game on the list is Destruction AllStars, a vehicular combat title that will cease operations in November. The decision to retire a game from a subscription platform like Apple Arcade often reflects a combination of factors, including player engagement metrics, the cost of maintaining server infrastructure, and the strategic direction of the publisher. For Konami, the removal of Grimoire of Souls may also be tied to the company’s broader focus on its core franchises and upcoming releases. While the game will no longer be accessible after September 3, existing players who have downloaded the title prior to its delisting will retain the ability to play offline until the final shutdown date, after which the game will cease to function entirely.
Fans of the Castlevania series have expressed mixed feelings about the news. Some appreciate the opportunity that Grimoire of Souls provided to explore the series’ lore in a free‑to‑play, mobile‑friendly format, while others lament the loss of a unique entry that blended classic Castlevania aesthetics with modern, touch‑based gameplay. The game’s removal also raises questions about the preservation of digital titles that rely on online services for functionality.
Without the ability to host servers, many such games become unplayable, highlighting the challenges of maintaining access to digital media over the long term. In response to the shutdown, Konami has encouraged players to share their favorite memories and screenshots on social media, using the hashtag #GrimoireFarewell, as a way to celebrate the community that formed around the title.
The company also hinted that future Castlevania projects may appear on other platforms, though no specific details have been released at this time. Overall, the imminent delisting and subsequent shutdown of Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls marks the end of a distinct chapter in Konami’s mobile and subscription‑service endeavors.
While the game will no longer be available after early September, its legacy will live on through the experiences of the players who explored its gothic realms, battled familiar monsters, and contributed to the enduring popularity of the Castlevania franchise.