Konami has officially disclosed 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 service will first remove the game from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20, and two weeks later, on September 3, the servers that power the experience will be shut down, rendering the game unplayable for anyone who has not already downloaded it. In a statement posted on the company’s website, Konami reflected on the game’s lifecycle.
"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 publisher 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 debuted in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play title available on iOS and Android devices 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 in September 2021, expanding its availability to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac. The re‑launch came with a number of significant changes: the in‑game currency and micro‑transaction model were removed, the user interface was overhauled, and the graphics received a noticeable upgrade to meet the higher standards expected of Apple Arcade titles. The decision to pull the game from the platform aligns with a broader trend of older mobile and streaming titles being retired as their player bases dwindle or as contractual agreements expire.
Grimoire of Souls joins a short list of other games that are slated for shutdown in the coming months. For example, Nintendo’s Mario Kart Tour is set to cease operations in September, followed by the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem in October, and finally Destruction AllStars, which will go offline in November. For fans of the Castlevania franchise, Grimoire of Souls offered a unique take on the series’ classic gothic horror themes.
The game allowed players to collect and summon a roster of iconic characters from across the Castlevania universe, each equipped with distinct abilities and combat styles. The gameplay blended elements of action‑RPG and card‑collecting mechanics, encouraging strategic team building and frequent progression through a series of increasingly challenging stages.
When Konami first introduced the title on Apple Arcade, it was praised for its polished visuals and smooth performance on Apple hardware. The removal of micro‑transactions was especially welcomed by players who preferred a pure, subscription‑based experience without the pressure of additional purchases. Over the course of its two‑year run on the platform, the game amassed a dedicated, albeit niche, community that regularly engaged in online leaderboards, shared strategies on social media, and participated in seasonal events hosted by the developers. The shutdown process will follow Apple Arcade’s standard protocol.
Existing owners who have already downloaded the game will retain the ability to launch it until the September 3 cut‑off date, after which the authentication servers will be disabled. New users will no longer be able to acquire the title after the August 20 delisting, and any in‑game progress or purchases made prior to the shutdown will become inaccessible once the servers go dark. While the closure of Grimoire of Souls may be disappointing to its fans, Konami’s statement underscores a broader strategic shift toward focusing resources on newer projects and platforms.
The company has hinted at upcoming releases and updates across its portfolio, suggesting that the energy once devoted to maintaining the Castlevania mobile experience will be redirected toward fresh titles that can leverage current hardware capabilities and evolving player expectations. In summary, Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be removed from Apple Arcade on August 20, with its online services terminating on September 3. The game, which began as a free‑to‑play mobile title in 2019 before finding a home on Apple Arcade, will no longer be accessible after that date. Konami thanked its community for their support and placed the title among a series of upcoming service closures, including Mario Kart Tour, Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem, and Destruction AllStars.
Players who wish to preserve any memories of the game are encouraged to capture screenshots or video before the final shutdown.