# Taipan! Mobile

> Classic 1980s trading and adventure game ported to mobile. (iPhone/iPad app by Fair Oaks Labs, Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/taipan-mobile/id381945962 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Fair Oaks Labs, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/327652659)
- Category: Games, Simulation, Strategy
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.48/5 from 128 App Store ratings · 142 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 3 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2010-07-21
- Data updated: 2026-09-10
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/taipan-mobile/id381945962/reviews.md

## What is Taipan! Mobile?

A complete port of the classic 1982 game Taipan!, balanced to mimic the original Apple ][ release.  This game's look evokes the phosphorescent glow of an early-80's CRT, but its interface has been tailored for ease-of-use on a mobile device.

* Sail the Western Pacific of the 1860's!
* Trade exotic goods!
* Battle fierce pirates!
* Evade customs officials!
* Fend off muggers, cutthroats, and thieves!
* And, Li Yuen reminds you to always pay proper tribute to Tin Hau, the Sea Goddess!

Download the game for free, pay only if you want to extend play beyond 12 months game time.  (We feel confident that you will!)

## Key features

- Sail the Western Pacific
- Trade exotic goods
- Battle pirates
- Evade customs officials
- Fend off criminals
- Pay tribute to Tin Hau

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock | $2.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Taipan! Mobile?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎮 Faithful recreation of classic 1980s Apple II game
- ⚡ Turbo feature speeds up lengthy battle animations
- 💾 Auto-save functionality preserves progress
- 🎯 Addictive gameplay mechanics remain engaging
- 📱 Smooth mobile adaptation with intuitive controls
- 🌟 Nostalgic experience for original players
- 🐛 Includes original game bugs for authenticity

**Cons**

- 💰 Deceptive freemium model with paywall after 5-15 minutes
- ⚠️ Unclear pricing disclosure at download
- 🎲 Difficulty appears artificially inflated compared to original
- 🔄 Restore purchase fails across devices requiring repayment
- 🎯 Limited gun/ship upgrade opportunities
- 🎪 Excessive pirate attacks overwhelm players
- 🔊 Missing sound effects from original
- 💸 $2.99-$3.99 price considered high for retro game

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Restore purchase fails on new devices, requiring repayment
- Game doesn't save properly when home button pressed mid-transaction
- Cannot trade after returning from interrupted session
- Restore purchase temporarily works then requests payment again
- Game freezes or crashes on iOS 11+ for some users
- Starting scenario with 5 guns and 0 cash has zero progression ability

**Most requested features**

- Sound effects and audio from original game
- Option to start with 5 guns and no debt
- Ability to purchase upgrades more frequently
- Modern graphics enhancement or Taipan 2 version
- Larger warehouse capacity and expandable storage
- PC version availability
- Game time indicator for long sessions
- Higher gun capacity limit (beyond 1000)
- Delete previous saved games option

## Recent user reviews (10 of 142)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/taipan-mobile/id381945962/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Crashes all the time!

*2026-08-17, version 1.5*

Crashes more than it works :( used to play this on apple ][+

### 2/5 — iOS 26

*2026-08-11, version 1.5*

After the first year the game exits after every move attempt. There is no purchase option. Or restore purchase.

### 5/5 — Memory Lane

*2025-10-30, version 1.5*

Faithful reproduction of the original. So much fun and as addictive as ever after 40 years. Can’t believe other reviews moaning about having to pay £1.99 for the many hours to into producing this. Well worth it.

### 1/5 — Really

*2025-10-14, version 1.5*

You let me play for 5 seconds and then say I need to pay to continue. I’m sorry, the game is fun, but you really think you can charge for this? It’s like the most portly quickly thrown together app I’ve ever seen there is no effort and you want to charge? I can go play it on my Roku for free

### 1/5 — Scam

*2025-01-06, version 1.5*

This game is a scam. It states that you get 12 months free but I was asked to pay after 15 minutes of installing the game!

### 1/5 — 3 bucks

*2024-12-25, version 1.5*

Bro im not bouta pay 3 dollars for this ig ill js play the slightly worse one on browser 🙄

### 2/5 — Big BUG for iPhone.

*2024-11-15, version 1.5*

After a few rounds, the “Leave Port” option will exit the game. After which the game can’t be played. Saved game also can’t play further. The BUG IS REAL!

### 4/5 — Fun but must pay to unlock

*2024-03-05, version 1.5*

Game is fun and reminds me of the game I used to play in the 1980's.  You must pay to unlock the game to get anywhere in it.  I do not mind paying the $2.99 but it is not indicated anywhere that you must pay to unlock it.  That is pretty uncool.

### 1/5 — Not worth the money

*2024-01-19, version 1.5*

Only give you one year of play, then start charging money, you can find this game on the net for free

### 2/5 — Not as original

*2023-05-30, version 1.5*

The old version of the game let you buy more cannons. Here you can only ever get a few. You can’t survive without paying the pirates.

## Frequently asked questions about Taipan! Mobile

### What is this game about?

This is a complete port of the classic 1982 game Taipan!, set in the 1860s Western Pacific. Players sail the seas, trade exotic goods, battle pirates, and evade authorities. The game aims to mimic the original Apple II release with a mobile-friendly interface.

### What are the main features of the game?

Key features include sailing the Western Pacific, trading a variety of exotic goods, battling fierce pirates, evading customs officials, and defending against muggers and thieves. Players are also reminded to pay tribute to Tin Hau, the Sea Goddess.

### How much does the game cost?

The game is free to download and play. You only need to pay if you wish to extend your gameplay beyond 12 months of game time. This suggests an in-app purchase model for extended play.

### What platforms is this game available on?

The application is described as a 'mobile' game, implying it is available on mobile operating systems such as iOS and Android. The description specifically mentions tailoring the interface for ease-of-use on a mobile device.

### What is the gameplay like?

The gameplay involves strategic trading of goods across different ports, managing risks from pirates and officials, and making decisions to maximize profit and survival. It aims to replicate the experience of the original 1982 game.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5 — 2017-09-21

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Updated for 64-bit compatibility

### 1.4 — 2013-12-05

Enhanced support for 4" iPad/iPod devices (fixed from 1.3)
Enhanced support for iOS7
Dedicated iPad version
* Supports Portrait and Landscape
* All iPad screens are formatted to the //e 40x24 display

### 1.3 — 2013-11-30

**WARNING**
This version contains a bug that breaks Pirate ship rendering on iPods/iPhones.  The game is still playable, however.  A fix has been submitted to iTunes.
**WARNING**

Enhanced support for 4" iPad/iPod devices
Enhanced support for iOS7
Dedicated iPad version
* Supports Portrait and Landscape
* All iPad screens are formatted to the //e 40x24 display

### 1.2 — 2010-10-08

Added classic ship graphics
Added a "Turbo" button for fast combat

### 1.1 — 2010-09-15

Added context-sensitive keypads
Minor display tuning (very minor!)
Fixed two obscure bugs
Formalized a second exploit (see if you can find it)

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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 2026-09-10.*