Comparison

まるどり将棋 vs ToriShogi

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

Head to head
About

まるどり将棋

Features
Read full description

This is an unconventional shogi app for people who are interested in shogi but think it is difficult, or who don't really understand shogi but just want to capture pieces! Unlike real shogi, when you capture an opponent's piece, it is converted into "points", and you can place pieces by spending points. You can freely place your pieces at the start of a game, and all unused pieces become your reserve pieces, so you can choose pieces according to your ability. The places where pieces can be moved and the influence of each piece are visually displayed, so even people who don't know how to move pieces can easily get started. Playing the "Tamago Rule" and "Otori Rule" can also serve as practice for real shogi games.

About

ToriShogi

This app offers a digital version of Tori Shogi, a Japanese chess variant played on a 7x7 board with bird-themed pieces. It features an interactive tutorial, multiple game modes against AI or another player, and saves game records for replay. The app is free, ad-free, and playable offline.

Highlights
  • Interactive piece guide
  • Learn-as-you-play tutorial
  • Two-player mode
  • AI opponent with multiple levels
  • Automatic game saving and replay
  • Offline play
Features
Read full description

■ What is Tori Shogi? Tori Shogi ("bird shogi") is a Japanese chess variant born in the Edo period, traditionally attributed to Ōhashi Sōei, the ninth hereditary shogi Meijin. It is played on a compact 7×7 board with 16 pieces per side — and every piece is named after a bird. Guard your Phoenix, attack with a flock of Swallows, and promote your Falcon into the mighty Eagle. Unusually for an old shogi variant, captured pieces return to your hand and can be dropped back into play, just like in modern shogi. A small board with surprisingly deep tactics. New to the game? The app is built to teach you as you play. Choose Japanese or English at first launch — you can switch any time. ■ Learn as you play - Illustrated guide to all nine pieces: names, movements and promotions - Press and hold any piece during a game to see how it moves - The Swallow rules (the "three Swallows" and drop-mate prohibitions) and the mirrored left/right Quails, all explained ■ Game modes - Two Players: take turns on one iPhone or iPad - vs Computer: Beginner, Easy and Normal levels — a perfect sparring partner while you learn ■ Complete rules, faithfully implemented - Mandatory promotion: Falcon → Eagle, Swallow → Goose - Piece drops, the "three Swallows" rule, the swallow-drop-mate prohibition - Check and checkmate detection, repetition draws ■ Game records - Finished games are saved automatically; save mid-game any time - Replay your games move by move ■ Perfect for… - Shogi and chess players curious about variants - Quick but thoughtful games on a small board - Fans of Japanese tradition, birds and beautiful woodcraft - Playing with kids as a gateway into shogi Everything runs on your device — play offline, on a plane, anywhere. No ads, no in-app purchases, completely free. Enjoy the elegant bird chess of Edo Japan.

Screenshots

まるどり将棋3 screens
ToriShogi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: ToriShogi at none against まるどり将棋's shown. ToriShogi also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 12 months). まるどり将棋's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

まるどり将棋 ships an update every 12 months, ToriShogi every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
まるどり将棋 versus ToriShogi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterまるどり将棋ToriShogi
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size141 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer株式会社まじねこTomohiko Kanai

In-app purchases

None

まるどり将棋

No in-app purchases

None

ToriShogi

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is まるどり将棋 free?
まるどり将棋 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ToriShogi free?
ToriShogi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do まるどり将棋 or ToriShogi have ads?
まるどり将棋 shows ads; ToriShogi does not.
Which is updated more often, まるどり将棋 or ToriShogi?
まるどり将棋 ships an update every 12 months, and ToriShogi every 3 days. Most recently, まるどり将棋 was updated on October 30, 2026 and ToriShogi on October 24, 2026.

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