Comparison

Sphero Play vs MiP Arcade

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Multiple drive modes (joystick, tilt, voice)
  • Robot-controlled games
  • Block Drive programming
  • Sports-themed drive modes
  • Voice control
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Arcade Mode with multiplayer games
  • Brain Train Mode puzzles
  • Remote Control driving
  • Programmed dance moves
  • Score tracking and leaderboards
  • Bluetooth and GestureSense technology
Features
Read full description

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

Sphero Play4 screens
MiP Arcade4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Sphero Play versus MiP Arcade: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSphero PlayMiP Arcade
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (37K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews69.1% of reviews — better38.5% of reviews
Number of ratings37K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size193 MB1.1 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSphero, Inc.WowWee Group Limited

Customer experience

Sphero Play

All ratings36,681 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral2.1%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews517 reviews
Positive69.1%
Neutral6.2%
Negative24.8%

MiP Arcade

All ratings63 ratings
Positive58.7%
Neutral1.6%
Negative39.7%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive38.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative61.5%

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

None

Sphero Play

No in-app purchases

None

MiP Arcade

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sphero Play free?
Sphero Play is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MiP Arcade free?
MiP Arcade is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Sphero Play or MiP Arcade have ads?
Neither Sphero Play nor MiP Arcade shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sphero Play or MiP Arcade?
Sphero Play ships an update every 2 months, and MiP Arcade fortnightly. Most recently, Sphero Play was updated on October 22, 2026 and MiP Arcade on October 12, 2026.

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