# Sudoduel: Multiplayer Sudoku — Real-Time 1v1 Puzzle Battles

> Real-time competitive 1v1 Sudoku puzzle battles with matchmaking and leaderboards. (iPhone/iPad app by Eric Snyder.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoduel-multiplayer-sudoku/id6756116702 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Eric Snyder](https://appshunter.io/developer/1858557825)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Action, Puzzle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 28 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-12-18
- Data updated: 2026-07-17
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoduel-multiplayer-sudoku/id6756116702/reviews.md

## What is Sudoduel?

Sudoduel is a competitive, pvp sudoku game that transforms the classic puzzle into an adrenaline-fueled multiplayer experience. Challenge players worldwide in real-time. Race to solve grids against real opponents in ranked matchmaking. 

The Concept

Forget everything about leisurely Sudoku. Sudoduel pits players against in a race against the clock and each other. Both players receive an identical puzzle grid and attempt to complete it as quickly as possible. Sudoduel has a leaderboard system, where players can view public rankings and ratings. Players can also send friend and rematch requests. Players communicate in-game via a customizable emote system.

Gameplay Mechanics
Each match revolves around time, completion speed, and accuracy. Each player only has a few minutes to complete the puzzle. Players are rewarded with a time bonus for every correct move. Mistakes are punishing, each incorrect move comes with a significant time penalty. If a player makes a few mistakes, they are at a massive disadvantage - but benefit from precision. 

The win conditions reward both completion and consistency:

Player wins instantly if they complete the puzzle before the opponent. 
Player wins if opponent times out and player has solved more than the opponent. 
If both players timeout, whoever has solved the most cells wins.
In the rare event of a tie at timeout, both players draw.

Real-Time Competition
Powered by WebSocket, Sudoduel delivers real-time gameplay. Seeing your opponent's moves creates an exhilarating experience. Every move is synced between players, creating a shared experience that is immediate and electric. Sending emotes adds a lighthearted twist to communicate with your opponent.

Matchmaking
Sudoduel employs the Glicko-2 rating system, the same algorithm trusted by competitive chess and puzzle platforms worldwide. Each player receives a starting rating and the system continuously refines your skill assessment based on match outcomes. If you win against a more highly rated opponent your rating will soar significantly. The matchmaking system pairs you with opponents within a rating window, ensuring fair matches where the outcome is never predetermined. It's fair, skill-based competition.
The architecture supports seamless gameplay across devices, with mobile responsiveness ensuring you can compete whether you're at your desk or on the go.

Current Features

Sudoduel's core experience is fully operational:

Complete authentication system via Apple/Google with secure signup and login
Sign-up via guest accounts
Automatic player profile creation with Glicko-2 initialization
Curated puzzle library with hundreds of templates.
Server-side solution validation preventing any client-side manipulation
Queue-based matchmaking with intelligent rating pairing
Full lives system with time penalties
Real-time state synchronization between opponents
Fully functional leaderboards
Robust emote system, where players can communicate with each other in-game
Friend system, where players can add friends and send challenges
Blocking and reporting for abusive or cheating players.

The Vision

Sudoduel is the most competitive platform available for sudoku. We aim to provide an esports platform for Sudoku. The roadmap includes adding more difficulty levels and time formats to appeal to more casual players and those who want a harder game. We will also launch leaderboards for different formats, a dynamic league and season system to create more engaging network effects.

Sudoduel is built for Sudoku enthusiasts who crave competition, gamers looking for a new challenge, puzzle gamers who want stakes beyond personal bests, and anyone who's ever thought "I could solve this faster than you." Whether you're a casual player looking to play with friends or a competitor chasing ratings, Sudoduel offers a fresh way to experience a timeless puzzle.

Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Real-time 1v1 Sudoku battles
- Ranked matchmaking with Glicko-2 rating
- Leaderboard system
- Friend and rematch requests
- In-game emote communication
- Time bonuses and penalties

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sudoduel+ | $4.99 | per month |
| Sudoduel+ Annual | $29.99 | per year |


## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sudoduel-multiplayer-sudoku/id6756116702/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Great idea

*2026-03-29, version 1.0.6*

Very good, I would only add the option to change the background color as it hurts my eyes. Also there should be the option to change the game settings when I play with friends, -30 seconds for 1 mistake is a lot.

### 5/5 — Gamified sudoku

*2025-12-18, version 1.0*

Not sure why this idea took so long. Super fun to test your sudoku skills

## Frequently asked questions about Sudoduel

### How does Sudoduel's gameplay differ from traditional Sudoku?

Sudoduel transforms Sudoku into a real-time race. Players compete head-to-head on identical grids, with speed and accuracy being key. Unlike leisurely play, mistakes incur significant time penalties, adding an adrenaline-fueled competitive edge.

### How is matchmaking handled in Sudoduel?

Sudoduel uses the Glicko-2 rating system for intelligent matchmaking. This system, also used in competitive chess, pairs you with opponents of similar skill levels to ensure fair and challenging matches.

### What are the win conditions in Sudoduel?

You can win Sudoduel by completing the puzzle before your opponent, or if your opponent times out and you have solved more cells. If both players time out, the player with the most solved cells wins. Ties result in a draw.

### Does Sudoduel offer any social features?

Yes, Sudoduel allows players to send friend requests and rematch opponents. It also features a customizable emote system for in-game communication, adding a lighthearted element to the competition.

### What subscription plans are available for Sudoduel?

Sudoduel offers two subscription plans: Sudoduel+ at $4.99 per month and Sudoduel+ Annual at $29.99 per year. These plans likely offer enhanced features or benefits within the game.

### Is Sudoduel available on multiple devices?

The current data indicates Sudoduel is supported on iPhones. The architecture is designed for seamless gameplay across devices with mobile responsiveness.

### How often is Sudoduel updated?

Sudoduel was last updated on December 27, 2025, with version 1.0.6. This suggests a relatively recent update and ongoing development for the game.

### What is the age rating for Sudoduel?

Sudoduel has an age rating of 12+. This indicates it is suitable for players aged 12 and older.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.6 — 2025-12-27

- Fixed tutorial bugs and bug with matches not ending properly

### 1.0.5 — 2025-12-26

- Added Push Notifications! Please update and turn notifications on. You can now send and receive notifications for friend and match requests!
- Link to our discord live! Join to chat with other players, set up games, suggest features or report bugs. 
- Button to invite other users (copies link to Sudoduel on clipboard)

### 1.0.4 — 2025-12-22

Connection fixes

### 1.0.3 — 2025-12-21

1. Revamped tutorial and accessible in settings menu - 100x improvement
2. Removed notes and erase button, emote button is more prominent and added forfeit button to leave matches.
3. Added working forfeit button to leave matches
4. When player runs out of time a banner appears on the screen to inform the player. Additionally, the status bar cues users to use emotes to distract their opponent. 
5.. Sudoduel+ users can scroll through all global rankings, not first 100 users.

### 1.0.2 — 2025-12-20

1.0.2 - Continued to fix games freezing. Older devices may still have connectivity issues. 

Added more direction and cues when a player runs out of time. When a player runs out of time, the board dims, a "Out of Time" animation appears, and user is prompted to send emotes to the other player.

Made the entire leaderboard visible for Sudoduel+ users.

## Related topics

[sudoku multiplayer challenge](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sudoku-multiplayer-challenge)

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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 2026-07-17.*