# What the Shell — Simultaneous Gomoku + Captures

> Strategic board game of capturing turtles and claiming eggs with simultaneous play. (iPhone/iPad app by Chuck Smith.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-the-shell/id925447970 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chuck Smith](https://appshunter.io/developer/290402113)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Board, Strategy
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 137 MB
- Languages: French (France), German (Germany), American English, Korean, European Spanish, Esperanto, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Dutch and 2 more
- Released: 2015-01-28
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-the-shell/id925447970/reviews.md

## What is What the Shell?

You both move at the same time, in secret. Only when the turtles land do you find out whose plan just fell apart.

Oh no — this ain't your traditional five-in-a-row. What the Shell is the one you reach for when you and a friend are bored on the couch: "Wanna play What the Shell?" A game between two beginners can be over in three minutes, and somehow you're still at it two hours later, laughing every time your minds collide and another egg turns up on the board.

"Simultaneous play boosts the fun of this intuitive, yet surprisingly deep board game."
— Matthias Titze, Clarc producer (German Computer Game Award winner)

There's no taking turns, and nobody goes first — so nobody gets the first-player edge. You lock in your move, your friend locks in theirs, and the board resolves both at once. Strategy still wins games, but you're up against a mind you can't see, and you never know where she just played.

Sandwich two of their turtles and they're gone. Both reach for the same square and your turtles crash into an egg — and an egg is a curious thing: you can capture it, or hatch it. One bold move flips a game you'd already written off. Capture at the right moment and a chain reaction can tear through the position your friend spent the whole game building. It's never won or lost until the last move.

Made for two:
• Sit down together, each on your own phone or tablet, and battle it out face to face — best enjoyed in the same room
• Or play online at your own pace, whether your friend's across town or across the world
• No one around? Tap Quick Match for a random opponent, or take on the panda offline, from an easygoing Newcomer to a tough Expert
• Got a controller? Connect it to your iPad or iPhone and play however you want

Read the board, then read your friend. Capture a couple of turtles, deal with the eggs, line up five in a row — and enjoy the look on his face when it all comes together.

## Key features

- Dynamic and original gameplay
- Simultaneous play
- Capture opponent's turtles
- Claim neutral eggs
- Play against AI
- Play with friends

## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-the-shell/id925447970/reviews.md

### 5/5 — 面白い

*2020-06-18*

二抜き連珠を同時配置にした画期的なゲーム。戦略性が広い。

### 5/5 — One of my favorite mobile games

*2019-11-26*

I don’t play mobile games as often as I used to, and when I do, I don’t typically play games like this. But boy is this one addicting when I get into it. There’s a little learning curve as you understand the ways of playing well, but you quickly build skill. It’s fun with a bot, and good lord do I have a hard time putting it down if I’m playing it with a friend.

### 5/5 — Witzige Idee

*2019-11-26*

Sieht auf den ersten Blick aus wie “Vier gewinnt”, aber das gleichzeitige Setzen bringt eine ganz neue Dimension ins Spiel. Echt unterhaltsames Strategiespiel...

### 5/5 — Relaxing & Challenging

*2019-11-26*

The graphics & music set a zen mood for this entertaining game. You’ll find yourself duped one game and victorious the next. It’s a quick learning curve and fun to jump on and play

### 5/5 — Super für zwischendurch

*2019-11-25*

Macht echt Spaß, aber man muss sich erst ein wenig reinfuchsen. Für zwischendurch perfekt!

### 5/5 — Fantastic Game!!!

*2015-02-20*

I love how original this game is. The game is challenging and fun for anyone of any age; especially between couples, friends, and family!! I also really enjoy the calm music and artwork. It helps soothe me to think clearly as I put my brain to the test. Overall fantastic game! Definite recommend!!

### 5/5 — Turtley Awesome

*2015-02-07*

This app is great! A game, but one that involves a little brainpower. Also, turtles. What's not to love? :)

## Frequently asked questions about What the Shell

### What is the main objective in What the Shell?

The main objective is to capture your opponent's turtles and claim neutral eggs to gain an advantage. While not explicitly stated, the goal is to outmaneuver your opponent and achieve victory through strategic captures and board control.

### How does simultaneous play work in What the Shell?

Simultaneous play means both players take their turns at the same time. If both players attempt to occupy the same space, a neutral egg will block it, adding an element of unpredictability and requiring players to anticipate their opponent's moves.

### Can I play What the Shell offline?

Yes, What the Shell offers the ability to practice against different AI difficulties, which can be played offline. This allows for strategic practice without needing an internet connection.

### Does What the Shell support multiplayer?

Yes, What the Shell supports playing against a friend on two devices or even on a single device. This makes it easy to challenge friends to a game anywhere.

### What are the AI difficulties in What the Shell?

The app description mentions practicing against different AI difficulties, indicating a range of challenges for solo play. Specific difficulty levels are not detailed, but they are designed to provide varied strategic experiences.

### Is What the Shell suitable for children?

Yes, What the Shell is rated 4+ and is described as enjoyable for children and teens, as it encourages strategic thinking skills and builds self-confidence. The gameplay is fast-paced and challenging.

### How often is What the Shell updated?

The last update for What the Shell was on February 7, 2020, with the latest version being 2.3. This indicates a moderate update frequency, with the game receiving maintenance and potential improvements over time.

### What languages does What the Shell support?

What the Shell is available in high-quality localizations for English, German, Japanese, and Esperanto. This allows a global audience to enjoy the game in their preferred language.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.7.1 — 2026-08-27

NEW: Real-time play for testers (ask if you want to join)
NEW: Streamlined Sign in and register flow on iOS - invite ALL your friends to test! ;)
NEW: Avatar banner lights up for whoever moves first each turn
Polish: Your username is on your own banner in online games
Polish: Clearer countdown labels in real-time games
Fix: More stable push notifications

### 3.5.4 — 2026-08-19

Polish: The game clock counts down in seconds for the last five minutes
Fix: Games no longer get stuck after tapping a notification
Fix: Tapping a finished-game notification now replays your opponent's last move
Fix: Your badge count matches your games list
Fix: Abandoned games stay in your list and say how they ended
Fix: Controllers can reach the games-list dialogs and the replay controls

### 3.5.3 — 2026-08-11

• Challenge a friend by username and start on the board right away
• Games that end by resignation or the clock now show a proper ending
• The Next Game shortcut is back when your opponent is online in another game
• Signing in is more reliable, and takes you straight to your games
• Tapping a whattheshell.games link now opens the app
• Invite a Friend opens the share sheet again
• Backing out of a replay now cleans up properly
• Minor language improvements

### 3.5.2 — 2026-08-06

• Two missed turns on time = forfeit, now clearer
• Push notifications recover on their own if they stop arriving
• Turn reminders always alert, even with an earlier one unread
• Full game history now loads on a fresh install
• Finished games stay in sync across your devices
• Badge stays accurate when a notification arrives mid-game
• Replay controls no longer catch taps meant for the game-over panel
• Tournament games now offer "Back to Games" when they end
• Smoother move confirmation, minor language tweaks

### 3.5.0 — 2026-07-29

• Replay a finished game — step through it a move at a time, or hold to jump to the start or the end
• Panda opponents are now numbered, so you can see the difficulty at a glance
• Tutorial translation refinements in German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese
• Opening a declined invite no longer claims your opponent won

## Apps similar to What the Shell

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Othello Puzzle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/othello-puzzle/id6746629043) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Games |
| [Lucky Hunter: Auto Battler](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lucky-hunter-auto-battler/id6749298780) | 4.0 (6) | $5.99 | Games |
| [Froggles Battles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/froggles-battles/id6743435306) | — | Free | Games |
| [Tortuga Companion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tortuga-companion/id1441267245) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Games |
| [戦略と知略が交錯するオセロゲーム！](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/id6698853206) | — | Free | Games |
| [Shell Bound](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shell-bound/id6464113215) | — | Free | Games |

## More apps by Chuck Smith

- [Dominion Minion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dominion-minion/id339042584)
- [Kutimo - Habit Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kutimo-habit-tracker/id6759386764)

All apps by Chuck Smith: https://appshunter.io/developer/290402113

## Related topics

[the word for today chuck smith](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-word-for-today-chuck-smith)

---

*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 2026-09-01.*