Comparison

Really Bad Chess vs Brixels

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Really Bad Chess

This app reimagines chess with completely randomized pieces, offering a fresh strategic challenge. It's perfect for both seasoned players seeking a new puzzle and beginners looking to learn the fundamentals in a fun, accessible way.

Highlights
  • Randomized chess piece sets
  • AI opponent challenges
  • Ranked, Daily, and Weekly modes
  • Freeplay practice mode
  • Local multiplayer (with IAP)
  • Alternate color palettes (with IAP)
Features
Read full description

Really Bad Chess is just like chess, but with totally random pieces. Try 8 Knights, 4 Bishops, and 3 pawns — why not? As heard on NPR's Weekend Edition 5 out of 5 Stars "An essential puzzle experience for anyone even remotely interested in strategy games" - TouchArcade Whether you play chess daily, or quit just after learning the rules, this small twist will open the door to an entire new world of chess. ------WHATS IN THE “BOX”? The free version of Really Bad Chess lets you compete vs. an AI in Ranked, Daily, or Weekly Challenges. Improve your skills using the included Freeplay mode. A single in-app purchase unlocks Versus Mode so you can compete against your friends locally! It also removes ads, displays captured pieces, and adds soothing alternate color-palettes to choose from. ------REALLY BAD PRESS "Makes chess fun even if you’re really bad" - The Verge "Feels more modern than chess has ever felt" - Applenapps "Really Bad Chess takes a really bad idea and somehow manages to make it a lot of fun." - Pocket Gamer "Really good fun" - MacLife ------A WORD FROM THE DEVELOPER Chess is one of those games I always wished I enjoyed, but its commitment to beauty, elegance, and perfect balance always turned me away. Really Bad Chess removes these boring restrictions and flips chess on its head. As much as random pieces change the game in some ways, I was really surprised to notice how much the game remains the same, and how powerful some pieces are — you've never truly struggled against a pawn until you've struggled against a pawn in the back row. For chess pros, Really Bad Chess will give you a new type of challenge — the pieces & the moves are the same, but you'll have to throw out your openings and your understanding of normal patterns of play. For novice chess players (like most of us), Really Bad Chess greatly opens up the game. Instead of starting by studying openings, in your first games you'll get to discover the joy (and challenge!) of learning how to checkmate. I hope you have as much fun with Really Bad Chess as much as I did making it. -zach

About

Brixels

A relaxing block puzzle game with a vintage aesthetic and strategic depth. Enjoy stress-free gameplay with no timers, and utilize unique features like block blasting and shuffling to clear lines and achieve high scores.

Highlights
  • Vintage aesthetic
  • Stress-free gameplay (no timers)
  • Block blast power-up
  • Shuffle feature for new blocks
  • Recovery feature to save game
  • Strategic line clearing
Read full description

Discover Brixel, the ultimate block puzzle game experience! Embark on a nostalgic yet fresh adventure with Brixel, an innovative block puzzle game that redefines the genre with its vintage aesthetic and clever gameplay innovations. Unlike typical block games, Brixel offers a serene visual experience paired with strategic depth, making it a standout in the puzzle game landscape. Why Play Brixel? - 100% Ad-Free, you will never see an Ad in the app, ever. - Vintage Charm: Escape into a world of soothing colors and elegant designs. Brixel’s unique vintage aesthetic provides a tranquil backdrop to the strategic excitement, setting it apart from the neon intensity of typical arcade block games. - Stress-Free Gameplay: Enjoy the game at your own pace with no timers or pressure. Brixel is designed to be relaxing and allows you the space to think and plan without urgency, making it perfect for unwinding after a busy day. - Block Blasting Power: Find yourself in a tight spot? Utilize the powerful block blast feature to clear unnecessary blocks and keep your game going. Perfect for those moments when the board feels overwhelming and you need a little breathing room. - Shuffle for Fresh Opportunities: Brixel’s unique shuffle feature refreshes your options on the fly. Don’t like the blocks you see? Shuffle for a new set of three and pivot your strategy. It’s all about flexibility and fun. - Recovery Feature: Never face the frustration of a premature game over again. With Brixel’s exclusive recovery feature, you can blast away a few blocks to save your game from ending, preserve your high score, and continue playing. It’s a second chance at breaking your own record! - Soothing for Active Minds: Brixel is not only engrossing; it's also incredibly soothing, particularly for individuals with an ADD or ADHD type of mind. It offers a gentle focus that can calm an overstimulated mind without overwhelming it. How to Play Brixel: 1. Select Blocks: At the start of each turn, you’re given three blocks. Choose one to place on the board. 2. Place Blocks: Drag your chosen block onto the board. Fit it strategically to optimize space and prepare for line clearing. 3. Clear Lines: Complete lines horizontally or vertically to clear them from the board and earn points. The more lines you clear at once, the higher your score. 4. Use Power-Ups: Stuck with too many blocks? Use the block blast to clear space, or shuffle the blocks if you need better options. Rotate blocks to fit them into tight spots, enhancing your ability to clear lines and manage the board effectively. 5. Recover and Continue: If no moves are left, use the recovery feature to blast away some blocks and keep your game alive without losing your high score. Join thousands of players in this captivating puzzle experience! Download Brixel now and start building your way to the top, at peace and at ease!

Screenshots

Really Bad Chess4 screens
Brixels4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Brixels at 100% against Really Bad Chess's 46%. Brixels also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.8) and ads (none vs shown). Really Bad Chess's advantage is ratings volume (1.6K vs 17) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Really Bad Chess sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Brixels sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Brixels holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Really Bad Chess has 1.6K ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Really Bad Chess's written reviews are positive against 100% of Brixels's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Really Bad Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, Brixels weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Really Bad Chess versus Brixels: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReally Bad ChessBrixels
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (1.6K ratings)5.0 (17 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.6K — better17
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.1
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZach GageBundance, Inc.

Customer experience

Really Bad Chess

All ratings1,633 ratings
Positive66.6%
Neutral9.0%
Negative24.4%
Written reviews611 reviews
Positive46.3%
Neutral16.4%
Negative37.3%

Brixels

All ratings17 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Really Bad Chess

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Pieces unable to move as per chess rules
  • Game freezes and crashes
  • Incorrect checkmate detection

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add draw conditions and stalemate rules
  • Implement online/multiplayer mode
  • Provide more difficulty settings
  • Allow custom piece arrangements
  • Sync progress across devices

Brixels

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Really Bad Chess

One-time2
  • 100 Undos$0.99
  • Full Game Unlock$3.99
6 purchases

Brixels

One-time6
  • Token Pack Tiny$1.99
  • Token Pack Small$5.99
  • Token Pack Medium$9.99
Show 3 more
  • Token Pack Large$19.99
  • Token Pack Giant$49.99
  • Token Pack Colossal$99.99

Questions

Is Really Bad Chess free?
Really Bad Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Brixels free?
Brixels is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Really Bad Chess or Brixels?
Brixels is rated higher. Really Bad Chess averages 3.8 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Brixels averages 5.0 from 17 ratings.
Do Really Bad Chess or Brixels have ads?
Really Bad Chess shows ads; Brixels does not.
Which is updated more often, Really Bad Chess or Brixels?
Really Bad Chess ships an update every 3 weeks, and Brixels weekly. Most recently, Really Bad Chess was updated on October 12, 2026 and Brixels on October 1, 2026.

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