# Block 89: Brick Puzzle Game — Retro handheld game, no ads

> Retro brick puzzle game with dot-matrix display and 8-bit sound. (iPhone/iPad app by dsd 164.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/block-89-brick-puzzle-game/id576780993 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [dsd 164](https://appshunter.io/developer/489465257)
- Category: Games, Casual, Puzzle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 18 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.0 · 7 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-12-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/block-89-brick-puzzle-game/id576780993/reviews.md

## What is Block 89?

Play with blocks like it's 1989! A handheld brick puzzle game with a dot-matrix display, retro sound effects, and that satisfying feeling of getting better without noticing.

Block 89 is designed around flow - the difficulty rises gradually across 20 levels, keeping you in that sweet spot where the challenge matches your skill. Easy to pick up, hard to put down.

Features:
- Dot-matrix LCD screen with authentic pixel rendering
- Light and dark mode (monochrome inverted, a minimal masterpiece)
- 8-bit sound effects
- 10 different block shapes on a 16×16 grid
- 20 levels of progressively increasing difficulty
- GIF replay sharing - show off your best games
- No ads. No in-app purchases. No subscriptions. No internet required. Just the game.

Score points by completing lines with blocks. Simple - but it gets difficult quickly.

Oh, and yes: this is the same guy that brought you Snake '97.

Cheers from Amsterdam,
Willem.

## Key features

- Dot-matrix LCD screen
- Light and dark modes
- 8-bit sound effects
- 10 block shapes
- 20 levels
- GIF replay sharing
- Offline play

## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/block-89-brick-puzzle-game/id576780993/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Good app👍👍👍😍😍

*2016-06-22*

I have had a lot of fun already and plan to play in. The future. I am going to Florida soon and am looking for apps so this is definitely one I will play.i recemend Snake 97' the one that makes your phone look like a Nokia.this app and the snake one has a old feel and I like that.I will end this review now before I take up too much space so I suggest you get both games I mentioned also Atari breakout is good too bye!👋✌️

### 5/5 — Good app

*2013-05-20*

👍

### 5/5 — good

*2013-02-09*

It's a fine falling block game. Controls are on-screen buttons in their own space, which honestly works better than EA's Tetris, where your fingers keep covering up the game screen. Might do better with controller support (I have an iCade Mobile myself).

### 1/5 — Not a very good

*2013-01-11*

Meh

## Frequently asked questions about Block 89

### What is Block 89?

Block 89 is a retro brick puzzle game designed to emulate the feel of classic handheld devices from the late 1980s. It features a dot-matrix display, 8-bit sound effects, and a gradually increasing difficulty across 20 levels.

### Does Block 89 have ads?

No, Block 89 is completely ad-free. The developer explicitly states 'No ads. No in-app purchases. No subscriptions. No internet required. Just the game.'

### How many levels are in Block 89?

Block 89 features 20 levels with progressively increasing difficulty. The game is designed to keep players in a flow state where the challenge matches their skill.

### What devices can I play Block 89 on?

Block 89 is available for iPhone and iPad. It is designed to run on iOS devices.

### Is Block 89 suitable for children?

Yes, Block 89 has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for younger players. Its simple mechanics and classic gameplay are generally appropriate for a wide audience.

### Can I play Block 89 offline?

Yes, Block 89 does not require an internet connection to play. The developer emphasizes that it is a game you can play anywhere, anytime.

### How does Block 89 compare to other brick puzzle games?

Block 89 distinguishes itself with its authentic retro presentation, including a dot-matrix display and 8-bit sound. It focuses on a smooth difficulty curve and a pure, ad-free, offline gaming experience.

### When was Block 89 last updated?

The latest version of Block 89 is 2.0, which was last updated on February 15, 2026. This indicates a commitment to ongoing development and support.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 2.0 — 2026-02-15

Completely rebuilt from the ground up. Block 89 has been rewritten from scratch with a new rendering engine, new gameplay mechanics, and a fresh visual identity.
What changed:

- No ads, no tracking, no in-app purchases. Just blocks.
- New dot-matrix LCD display with purple-grey device bezel
- Dark mode: monochrome inverted display, one tap to switch
- Refined difficulty curve across 20 levels, designed to keep the challenge fair
- GIF replay generation: share a timelapse of your entire game
- Haptic feedback on every move, landing, and line clear
- Redesigned colourful plastic control buttons
- New score and level display rendered in dot-matrix pixels

Same game you remember, built fresh for 2026.

### 1.2 — 2013-05-09

- minor bug fixes

### v1.1 — 2013-01-06

- greatly improved gameplay
- more fun 
- prevented situations where game became too difficult

### v1.0 — 2012-12-20

No release notes.

## Apps similar to Block 89

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Brick Game - Retro Games](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brick-game-retro-games/id1180013455) | 4.5 (164) | Free | Games |
| [Astro Pinball](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astro-pinball/id6744948059) | 4.6 (110) | Free | Games |
| [Snake - Classic Retro Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snake-classic-retro-game/id1038338589) | 4.5 (170) | Free | Games |
| [Snake](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snake/id468638551) | 4.1 (118) | Free | Games |
| [Snake Game ++](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snake-game-plus-plus/id6446233038) | 4.6 (477) | Free | Games |
| [ProgressBar95 - retro arcade](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/progressbar95-retro-arcade/id1474374114) | 4.8 (2,964) | Free | Games |

## More apps by dsd 164

- [Snake '97: retro phone classic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/snake-97-retro-phone-classic/id438052745)
- [Lemmid - online toolbox](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lemmid-online-toolbox/id1327213822)
- [Locountus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/locountus/id1500218791)
- [Gran Fondo: Ride & Run](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gran-fondo-ride-and-run/id6502285146)
- [Outburn 87 Retro Arcade Racing](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/outburn-87-retro-arcade-racing/id6759494825)

All apps by dsd 164: https://appshunter.io/developer/489465257

## Related topics

[dsd 164](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/dsd-164)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-05.*