Sphero Play vs MiP Arcade
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sphero Play
Control and play with various Sphero robots using a single application. Explore multiple drive modes, engage in robot-controlled games, and learn basic programming through a block-based interface.
- Multiple drive modes (joystick, tilt, voice)
- Robot-controlled games
- Block Drive programming
- Sports-themed drive modes
- Voice control
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Drive and play games from ONE app with your Sphero Mini, Sphero 2.0, SPRK, SPRK+, BOLT, and BOLT+. Connect and control your robots with several exciting drive modes, use your robot as a controller to play games, or try out Block Drive for an intro to programming with colorful blocks. Features include: DRIVE MODES Drive your robots several ways with the Sphero Play app. Use the joystick and slingshot controls, tilt your device, or use your voice. Our sports-themed drive modes keep things fun with the ability to swing your device to "golf"*, or flick to "kick" your robot. BLOCK DRIVE PROGRAMMING Learn programming basics by controlling your robot with colorful movement and light blocks. GAMES Use your robot as a controller to shoot your way through space, race your vehicle through a tunnel avoiding obstacles and scoring points, or rotate your ball to destroy a polygon of bricks. Need robots? We know a guy. Visit sphero.com and order today. *This mode is not available on iPads.
MiP Arcade
Transform your home into an arcade with this app, unlocking over 20 games and modes for a self-balancing robot. Enjoy multiplayer challenges, brain-training puzzles, remote control driving, and custom dance programming. Track your progress and compete with friends.
- Arcade Mode with multiplayer games
- Brain Train Mode puzzles
- Remote Control driving
- Programmed dance moves
- Score tracking and leaderboards
- Bluetooth and GestureSense technology
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Introducing MiP™ Arcade: the evolution of WowWee's award-winning robot that brings the game room to your home. Discover everything your MiP™ Arcade can do at miparcade.com. Just unboxed your new MiP™ Arcade? Download the MiP™ Arcade app to unlock 20+ games and modes including: NEW! Arcade Mode: Challenge friends and family with multiplayer games! • Basketball Versus - Take turns shooting hoops with 2 players! Who will win? • Tray Pancake Stack - Balance objects on MiP™ Arcade's tray. Stack up and take turns to score. NEW! Brain Train Mode: Test your mind, memory, and reflexes! Includes games like: • Reaction Game: How fast can you react? Follow the app to tap MiP™ Arcade's head, spin each of his wheels, or shake him quick! But be careful, it gets harder the longer you play! • Padlock: How quickly can you spin MiP™ Arcade's wheels to unlock the virtual padlock? It's a race against the clock! • Color Match: Match colors in the app to MiP™ Arcade's chest light. How many colors can you match before time runs out? • Shake Shake: Shake MiP™ Arcade as fast as you can! The more you shake MiP™ Arcade, the higher the virtual shake meter fills up. Can you complete before time runs out! RC Mode • Drive - Drive MiP™ Arcade around with either single or dual joystick control. Awesome Dance Moves with Tap Trax! • Use the MiP™ Arcade app to program MiP's dances and watch him move to the beat! Game On! Play, Unlock, and Level Up! • Keep track of of your scores with the MiP™ Arcade Leaderboard! Enhanced Gameplay with More Accessories! • MiP™ Arcade comes fully loaded top-tier tech like Bluetooth and GestureSense™ technology and keeps you playing non-stop with new accessories! • Each MiP™ Arcade self-balancing robot comes with 1 tray attachment, 1 hoop attachment, 3 MiP™ Arcade basketballs.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sphero Play at 69% against MiP Arcade's 38%. MiP Arcade's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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.
Sphero Play ships an update every 2 months, MiP Arcade fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sphero Play | MiP Arcade |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (37K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 69.1% of reviews — better | 38.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 37K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 193 MB | 1.1 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sphero, Inc. | WowWee Group Limited |
Customer experience
Sphero Play
MiP Arcade
Bugs and requests
Sphero Play
Reported bugs
2 issues- Joystick controls not working as expected
- Alignment issues causing unexpected movement
Requested features
4 requests- More games and activities
- Support for additional Sphero products (e.g. Ollie, BB-8)
- Improved aiming and control precision
- Camera integration to see the Sphero's view
MiP Arcade
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Sphero Play
No in-app purchases
MiP Arcade
No in-app purchases









