Chessplode vs Mini Chess 5x5
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Chessplode
This app offers a unique twist on chess where capturing a piece causes others in the same line and column to explode. It's designed to be fun and accessible, even for those who aren't skilled at traditional chess, offering both single-player and multiplayer modes.
- Exploding pieces on capture
- Real-time multiplayer battles
- User-created levels
- Local multiplayer mode
- AI opponent practice
- Customizable color themes
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Chessplode is modern chess for everyone, it makes chess fun even if you're bad ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, one simply move... can change all game. -- THE MODERN RULE -- Chessplode is pretty much like chess with a really BIG twist... - CAPTURE a piece and everything in the same LINE and COLUMN will EXPLODE... - But if a KING is in that LINE or COLUMN it will be a really *boring* chess capture (no explosions) -- THINK DIFF... *DISTINCT* -- This rule is pretty tricky, in regular chess you need to defend your KING, but in Chessplode it can save your pieces. Remember, you can't capture some pieces because you could get check. Sometimes you will checkmate capturing a piece that explodes. And other you will be afraid of having several pieces in the same line or column...(POP!) -- FRIENDS (Who love chess) REVIEW -- They find Chessplode a great challenge and love how they need to change the old way of thinking even if they are winning... a bad move and they will run out of pieces. -- FRIENDS (Who *meh* chess) REVIEW -- Chess + Explosions... you got my attention. Some of these friends were casual chess players and others didn't really feel the attraction for chess. Both find Chessplode a really fun game. When they were playing regular chess they were not good, now they are the kings of the hill. -- FEATURES -- * FREE TO PLAY * Realtime chess battles multiplayer with people around the world. * In multiplayer you can send an emoji (to express your feelings) with every move you submit. Instant fun! * Play Levels created for other players, you can find really madness here, but you can undo your move... everyone can make a mistake. * Create your own custom Level and submit it to everyone can play it. Challenge the world! * Try local multiplayer battles with friends in the same device. Head to head! * Practice playing versus Ziri. * A lot of different color themes, play day and night with your favourite colors. Thank you for playing "Chessplode"! I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it ;) Support: Are you having problems? http://twitter.com/juaxma http://twitter.com/chessplode hello@juan.ma Privacy Policy: http://juan.ma/chessplode/privacypolicy/ AppPreview Music: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music/track/jazzy-frenchy © Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo / juan.ma
Mini Chess 5x5
Experience a unique chess variant on a 5x5 board. Play against AI with adjustable difficulty or use it as a physical board for two players. Enjoy a streamlined chess experience with simplified rules.
- 5x5 chess board variant
- Play against computer AI
- Multiple AI difficulty levels
- Two-player mode
- Simplified chess rules
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A chess variant on 5×5 board, the simplified version of the classic chess. You can play against the computer (several levels of difficulty) or use the app as a chess board when playing with a partner. Exceptions from the standard chess rules: the pawn double-move and castling are not allowed.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Chessplode at 4.5 against Mini Chess 5x5's 3.5. Chessplode also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 12 months) and review sentiment (61% vs 43%). Mini Chess 5x5's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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. Chessplode sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Mini Chess 5x5 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Chessplode holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chessplode has 573 ratings behind it against 79, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Chessplode's written reviews are positive against 43% of Mini Chess 5x5's.
Chessplode ships an update every 2 weeks, Mini Chess 5x5 every 12 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Chessplode | Mini Chess 5x5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (573 ratings) — better | 3.5 (79 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 61.2% of reviews — better | 43.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 573 — better | 79 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 12 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 86 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Juan Manuel Altamirano Argudo | Golmium |
Customer experience
Chessplode
Mini Chess 5x5
Bugs and requests
Chessplode
Reported bugs
4 issues- Won't open or get stuck on certain screens
- Issues with king movement and checkmate detection
- Crashes and freezes, especially when AI is thinking
- AI issues with thinking and repeating moves
Requested features
9 requests- Add local multiplayer mode
- Add classic chess mode
- Add more basic puzzles
- Add ability to go back to previous levels
- Add option to remove explosions
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- Add Repetition end-condition
- Add Resign button
- Add themed boards
- Add online levels and multiplayer
Mini Chess 5x5
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Chessplode
- +100 Undos$0.99
- Generous Tip$0.99
- Massive Tip$1.99
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- INFINITE UNDOS$1.99
- Amazing Tip$2.99
Mini Chess 5x5
- Mini Chess 5x5 full version$0.99
Questions
Is Chessplode free?
Is Mini Chess 5x5 free?
Which has better reviews, Chessplode or Mini Chess 5x5?
Do Chessplode or Mini Chess 5x5 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Chessplode or Mini Chess 5x5?
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