Konami has officially confirmed that its title Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be taken offline next month, marking the end of its presence on Apple Arcade. The game, which has been available exclusively through the subscription service since its debut on the platform in September 2021, will be removed from the Apple Arcade catalog on August 20. Following that removal, the servers that support the game will be shut down on September 3, after which the title will no longer be playable by anyone.
In a statement posted on Konami's website, the company reflected on the game's lifespan and the decision to end the service. "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 developers also took the opportunity 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." To understand the context of this shutdown, it helps to look back at the title's origins.
Grimoire of Souls first appeared in September 2019 as a free‑to‑play mobile game for iOS and Android, initially launching only in the Canadian market. After about a year of operation, Konami discontinued the original version, citing strategic realignment and the desire to rework the experience. The company then re‑introduced the game in early 2021 as part of Apple Arcade, expanding its availability to a broader range of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, and Mac computers. The transition to Apple Arcade brought several significant changes.
Konami eliminated the in‑game currency system and removed all microtransaction options, shifting the title from a free‑to‑play model to a fully premium experience covered by the subscription fee. In addition, the development team overhauled the user interface, refined level layouts, and upgraded the visual fidelity to better match the capabilities of modern Apple hardware. These improvements were intended to provide a smoother, more immersive experience for fans of the Castlevania franchise who were looking for a portable, console‑quality adventure.
Despite these enhancements and a dedicated player base, the decision to retire the service reflects a broader trend in the industry: subscription‑based platforms periodically prune their libraries to make room for new titles and to manage server costs. Grimoire of Souls is not alone in this wave of closures. Konami has indicated that several other games are slated for similar fates in the coming months.
For example, Nintendo's Mario Kart Tour is scheduled to end its service in September, followed by the Looney Tunes: World of Mayhem shutdown in October, and the eventual discontinuation of Destruction AllStars in November. The upcoming shutdown of Grimoire of Souls will affect any players who have not yet completed the game or who wish to revisit its content after the September 3 deadline.
Because the title relies on online connectivity for core gameplay elements—such as progress saving, leaderboards, and certain multiplayer features—once the servers are decommissioned, the game will become unplayable, even if the app remains installed on a device. Players are therefore encouraged to finish any remaining challenges or capture any in‑game achievements before the final cut‑off date. From a historical perspective, the Castlevana series has a long legacy dating back to the 1980s, with each new entry exploring different eras, characters, and gameplay mechanics while retaining the core gothic horror aesthetic.
Grimoire of Souls represented a unique entry that blended classic side‑scrolling action with a collectible‑driven progression system, allowing players to assemble a roster of iconic characters from across the franchise. Its move to Apple Arcade was part of a larger strategy by Konami to leverage its rich IP catalog within the growing subscription gaming market.
While the shutdown may be disappointing for fans, it also serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of digital distribution. Games that once lived solely on physical media or static digital downloads are increasingly tied to online services, meaning their longevity can be contingent on ongoing server support and platform agreements. As such, preserving memories through screenshots, video recordings, or personal notes becomes an important way for players to retain a piece of the experience after the official servers are gone. In summary, Konami's Castlevania: Grimoire of Souls will be delisted from Apple Arcade on August 20, and its online functionality will cease on September 3, rendering the game unplayable thereafter.
The company expressed sincere appreciation for the community's support over the years and highlighted the game's evolution from a free‑to‑play mobile title to a premium Apple Arcade exclusive. This closure is part of a broader series of upcoming game retirements across various platforms, reflecting the dynamic and sometimes transient nature of modern digital gaming ecosystems.