Comparison

Chessplode vs Mini Chess 5x5

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Exploding pieces on capture
  • Real-time multiplayer battles
  • User-created levels
  • Local multiplayer mode
  • AI opponent practice
  • Customizable color themes
Features
Read full description

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

About

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.

Highlights
  • 5x5 chess board variant
  • Play against computer AI
  • Multiple AI difficulty levels
  • Two-player mode
  • Simplified chess rules
Features
Read full description

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

Chessplode4 screens
Mini Chess 5x54 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Chessplode versus Mini Chess 5x5: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessplodeMini Chess 5x5
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (573 ratings) — better3.5 (79 ratings)
Positive reviews61.2% of reviews — better43.3% of reviews
Number of ratings573 — better79
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 12 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size86 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJuan Manuel Altamirano ArgudoGolmium

Customer experience

Chessplode

All ratings573 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral3.8%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews67 reviews
Positive61.2%
Neutral9.0%
Negative29.9%

Mini Chess 5x5

All ratings79 ratings
Positive59.5%
Neutral5.1%
Negative35.4%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive43.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative40.0%

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
Show 4 more
  • 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

5 purchases

Chessplode

One-time5
  • +100 Undos$0.99
  • Generous Tip$0.99
  • Massive Tip$1.99
Show 2 more
  • INFINITE UNDOS$1.99
  • Amazing Tip$2.99
1 purchases

Mini Chess 5x5

One-time1
  • Mini Chess 5x5 full version$0.99

Questions

Is Chessplode free?
Chessplode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Mini Chess 5x5 free?
Mini Chess 5x5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chessplode or Mini Chess 5x5?
Chessplode is rated higher. Chessplode averages 4.5 out of 5 from 573 ratings, while Mini Chess 5x5 averages 3.5 from 79 ratings.
Do Chessplode or Mini Chess 5x5 have ads?
Chessplode shows ads; Mini Chess 5x5 does not.
Which is updated more often, Chessplode or Mini Chess 5x5?
Chessplode ships an update every 2 weeks, and Mini Chess 5x5 every 12 months. Most recently, Chessplode was updated on October 7, 2026 and Mini Chess 5x5 on October 5, 2026.

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