# Mancala HD — user reviews > 54 indexed App Store user reviews of Mancala HD by Paul Hudson, rated 2.80/5 from 5 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mancala-hd/id376558836/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mancala-hd/id376558836.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 2 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 2 ## Newest reviews (10 of 54) ### 2/5 — Kalaki *2021-07-14, version 3.1* Play this game all the time, but the game has major flaws now. Played a game against the computer and won, but the game said the other player won. Just won a game with a high score and the game said draw. What is going on? ### 3/5 — Need For Speed *2015-11-23* First off this has always been a great app and one I use nearly every day whilst I commute or wait for meeting etc. I used it so much think this is the first time I've ever been compelled to write a review. Usually don't care enough. No doubt the tech update behind the new version is huge but I have stopped using the app - for now at least. The response time of the beads is just too slow. Whilst visually the movement looks great. It just makes playing a fast game too frustrating. ### 2/5 — Where are the glass beads? *2015-10-31* The old version really felt like you were playing with glass marbles on a wooden board. This new version looks ugly compared to that. Please please bring back the glass marbles! ### 3/5 — Good, but... *2012-08-10, version 2.0* This is a very nice app, but please update with what other reviewers have already suggested. Especially multi-tasking support! If I switch apps my game starts over?! Unacceptable! ### 3/5 — Predictable AI *2012-07-25, version 2.0* The graphics and audio quality are nice. The game board and stones should be a little brighter (they are a little dim, and therefore mildly straining on my eyes). The AI seems to respond to my moves with the same move every time. I've figured out a pattern where I can defeat the computer 29-19 (playing four stones) every single game on the Med and Hard modes, and I can defeat the computer on Easy 25-23 every game. I don't play Easy mode very often, so I don't care much about increasing the score differential. Since this app is my introduction to the game of Mancala, I find this predictability quite boring after several games. I've recently purchased a real bored and I'm anxious to compete against a human opponent. It appears this game (actual board and stones) offers a complex game tree with countless outcomes. This app did get me initially interested in the game, however, it doesn't continue to challenge me. Since it was a good introduction, I would recommend it and consider it to be useful but predictable. ### 2/5 — Wish I could rate it higher *2012-06-10, version 2.0* Unfortunately there are a few key issues: 1) The Computer AI isn't very advanced. It uses prescriptive moves, and doesn't appear to "think" in an organic way. 2) No GameCenter integration. Why? 3) No Multi-Tasking support. This is the least forgivable one. Want to reply to that text? Check a reminder or app notification? If you leave this app, you WILL lose your game because there's no multi-tasking support. It's ridiculous, and the reason I just can't keep it on my phone anymore :-/ ### 3/5 — Enjoyable *2012-04-15, version 2.0* I like the music and graphics, but wish there were an option for alternating first play. ### 5/5 — Amazing *2012-01-09, version 2.0* This brings back great memories of playing Mancala with my dad when I was younger. The game play is so realistic it's unbelievable. ### 5/5 — Kid friendly *2012-01-08* This is the only game my 6 year old can sometimes beat me! ### 1/5 — Crashes on launch with ios5 *2011-10-25* Junk! This $1 app stuff is starting to piss me off. If the developers make a crap game, oh well, it was just one dollar... And no way to get a refund. Highway robbery ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Terribly glitchy - not worth the $.99 *2021-04-01, version 3.1* Playing on the Apple TV app and this game is awful and glitchy. The glitches in the game are so bad that, at first, I thought that I had somehow forgotten the rules. The marbles don’t seed properly, they render wherever they please, they don’t capture where they are supposed to, and they didn’t allow me to get any free turns when I was supposed to. I want my $1 back. ### 1/5 — Update ruined good app *2015-11-04, version 3.0* Boohiss ### 1/5 — Me2801 *2015-11-03, version 3.0* New version is terrible. There is no stone count for each cup, and no way to count how many stones when they pile up. Bring back original version. I am deleting this version. ### 1/5 — Me *2015-10-29, version 3.0* Hate the new look ,feel sound and most of all music are ruined. Please bring back the old work, I just deleted this one. ### 1/5 — No good. *2015-10-29, version 3.0* No totals in pockets and moves are very slow. ### 1/5 — HATE THE NEW LOOK *2015-10-28, version 3.0* The look of the marbles/pebbles is cheap and awful. Liked the older version much better. Will now be deleting. ### 1/5 — Don't waste your money!!! *2014-01-09, version 2.0* I bought this game in hopes of being able to play mancala, but this game is nothing like the real thing. It just isn't worth the money and I wish I hadn't bought it. The computer cheats also. ### 1/5 — DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!! *2014-01-09, version 2.0* It's not worth the money! I bought it wanting to play classic mancala but it just cheated and is nothing like real mancala you better off just buying the game it self then a virtual one!!! Don't waste your money!!!!!! ### 1/5 — Nooooo *2012-07-20, version 2.0* I wish I could rate this five stars because I love mancala but the game itself isn't very good. Al cheats and takes too many moves. It was not worth my money and I would rather spend 15$ on a real game than but this CHEAP game The price is cheap, but so is the game. Sorry to rain on your parade but it is not a good game I'm very upset - mancala lover ### 1/5 — Aaaahhhhhh *2012-02-14, version 2.0* No mancala it's stupid ai cheater not real mancala ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Thanks! *2015-11-27, version 3.1* Thank you for the Swift tutorials (Google Hacking with Swift ;) ). ### 5/5 — Best in Class *2015-11-09, version 3.1* New update now has a smarter and tougher AI Count of the marbles in pit were added after request Great gameplay ### 5/5 — A good bit of fun. *2015-10-31, version 3.0* Looks great, and the computer can put up a good challenge. Can't wait to play it on my Apple TV!!! ### 5/5 — Fun, challenging, very informative *2012-06-19, version 2.0* My kids started playing with a physical mancala board, and then I bought this app because it's portable. As a bonus, it provides a nice, clear exposition of the rules. Given the nearly bottomless complexity of the game, the designer can be excused for not including a sequence of tutorials for how to strategize. It's better to jump in and learn by doing, and this makes that super accessible. ### 5/5 — A challenging, absorbing game. *2012-04-12* A nice change to have a game that doesn't rely on the random chance of a dice, but your skill at tactics and strategy. Absolute beginners might appreciate a novice level that plays or moves a lot slower to allow a better understanding of optimum play techniques. Thoroughly recommended for hours of engaging play. Try it ! ### 5/5 — 5 Stars *2012-03-12* Played this years ago & really glad to find the App, such an effective yet taxing game. Hours of fun. ### 5/5 — Real Quality *2012-02-19, version 2.0* This game actually teaches you how to play along with presenting good graphics,audio quality that sounds as if your playing the modern version in real life, and presents a challenge! ### 5/5 — Perfect! *2012-01-31, version 2.0* I've been searching for a Mancala app that's actually worth paying for ever since I got my iPhone almost a year ago. Every single Mancala app I've come across was either not worth the money, not in retina display, or so awfully made I was surprised it even made it onto the App Store. I was about to give up, but then I found this app. Let's just say I'm extremely surprised this app only costs $0.99, as it's easily worth more. It's a very well made app with top notch graphics and smooth game play. So many Mancala apps don't have the classic game board and marbles, opting instead to force players to use ugly game boards and stupid looking pieces. All I wanted was an app that was the closest thing to the real game as an app can get, and this app definitely delivered that. I love the game board and marbles and everything else about the app so much. The app is perfect and I hope the developer never changes a thing. If you're looking for a classic, well made Mancala app, this is the one to get. It's perfect in every way and definitely worth the money. ### 5/5 — Works perfect, looks perfect. *2012-01-17, version 2.0* Not sure about other people's issues. This game works perfectly for me. ### 5/5 — Big rip off! *2012-01-13, version 2.0* Do not purchase this cheating game! I want my money back! I cannot continue my turn but the computer's turn is never over and it grabs ball of the marbles. --- *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 2026-06-10.*