The Great Machine vs The Big Joker
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
The Great Machine
Control a paddle to keep a ball in play and break mechanical capsules across challenging levels. Utilize device motion for ball control, collect power-ups, and unlock new content. This game offers offline play for on-the-go entertainment.
- Paddle control
- Ball breaking mechanics
- Device motion controls
- Power-up collection
- Level unlocking
- Achievement system
- Offline play
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Looking for a fun way to pass the time? Take control of the paddle, keep the ball in play, and break mechanical capsules throughout a series of increasingly challenging levels. Use device motion controls to influence the ball by tilting your device, collect power-ups and coins, earn stars, unlock new levels, and complete achievements. The Great Machine can be played without an internet connection, making it a great choice for commutes, waiting rooms, travel, or whenever you have a few minutes to spare.
The Big Joker
Experience a virtual interactive spades game with integrated video chat. Connect with friends and family while playing, discussing strategies, and keeping track of scores. Features include camera and microphone controls, and recognition of game-specific rules.
- Virtual interactive spades gameplay
- Integrated video chat
- Camera and microphone controls
- Trump card recognition (Big Joker, Little Joker, deuce of spades)
- Score and bid discussion
- Reneges recognition
- Spades lead option
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Download the first ever virtual interactive spades game! Play Spades and video chat. The Big Joker allows you to see and talk to your partner and opponents. Reconnect with friends and family. FEATURES: Camera on/off function Microphone on/off function Big Joker, Little Joker, deuce of spades are trump Discuss and set score or books to bid Recognizes reneges (4 books taken) Can lead with spades
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: The Big Joker at none against The Great Machine's shown. The Big Joker also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). The Great Machine's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for The Great Machine against 5.0 for The Big Joker. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
The Great Machine ships an update daily, The Big Joker every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | The Great Machine | The Big Joker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Daily — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.8 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 406 MB | 209 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Amalh Mendelsohn | Joanne Spruill |
Customer experience
The Great Machine
The Big Joker
In-app purchases
The Great Machine
No in-app purchases
The Big Joker
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is The Great Machine free?
Is The Big Joker free?
Which has better reviews, The Great Machine or The Big Joker?
Do The Great Machine or The Big Joker have ads?
Which is updated more often, The Great Machine or The Big Joker?
Other comparisons
