Comparison

Manic Marble 4 vs Pocket Marble Runs

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

Head to head
About

Manic Marble 4

Navigate challenging 3D mazes by tilting your device, dodging obstacles, and hitting goal times to unlock new levels. Utilize a speed boost with caution or switch to touch controls for a different experience. Compete for high scores on global leaderboards.

Highlights
  • Intense 3D graphics and physics
  • Accelerometer-based control
  • Optional touch-based control
  • GameCenter leaderboard support
  • Cross-device compatibility (iPhone/iPad)
  • Turbo boost for speed
Features
Read full description

Manic Marble is back with more 3D insanity! Dodge moving obstacles and fly over jumps by tilting and turning your device. Finish the current level in under the goal time to unlock the next one. Need a boost of speed? Hit the "Turbo" button! Be careful - it might send you right off the maze. Features: - Intense 3D graphics and physics (60 frames per second!) - Intuitive accelerometer-based control system - Optional touch-based control - Compete for a Top 10 score with GameCenter leaderboard support - Same app runs on your iPhone and iPad Tips: - Practice controlling your marble on the introductory level. Choose the "calibrate" option to optimize the controls for how you prefer to hold your device. If you don't like the accelerometer control - try switching to touch-based control. - Don't expect to make goal time for a level the first try. Making goal time takes practice and requires completing the level with relatively few mistakes. - If you need to slow down quickly - tilt your device straight back towards you. It's easier to brake when you're not trying to turn. - Use Turbo to get the best possible level time - or make up time lost by falling. Using Turbo is optional - all levels can be beat without using it. Manic Marble 4 has been recoded from scratch using the "Oolong" open source 3D engine. Real Support Got questions? Problems? Just email support@nothinglabs.com.

About

Pocket Marble Runs

Create interactive marble runs and chain reaction machines by simply tracing the screen. Design unique paths and experiment with different devices to watch your creations come to life. This app offers a fun and intuitive way to build complex contraptions with ease.

Highlights
  • Trace screen to create paths
  • Draw lines to create devices
  • Change devices after creation
  • Adjust camera angle and zoom
  • Toggle sound effects and music
  • Enable/disable device shadows
Features
Read full description

Simply trace the screen to create a Marble Runs! An easy-to-use app designed for everyone – it allows them to create fun devices similar to those featured on Marble Runs (Chain reaction machine). Use a dragging motion to draw a line and create a simple device that follows that path, and then try changing the device afterward! The longer the straight line, the more devices you can choose from. Have fun making your device move in many different ways! We plan to add many more devices in the future! *Method of operation: - Trace the screen with your finger to create a path. - Lift your finger to create a simple device. - Tap the device to swap it for another one. - Press the Start button to start. Have fun by changing the angle and the zoom on the camera. - Sound effects: turn them on/off from the options on the top right of the top screen. - Music: turn it on/off from the options on the top right of the top screen. - Device shadows: turn them on/off from the options on the top right of the top screen. *If your smartphone is showing low performance, we recommend turning the shadows off.

Screenshots

Manic Marble 41 screens
Pocket Marble Runs4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Manic Marble 4 at none against Pocket Marble Runs's 4. Manic Marble 4 also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Pocket Marble Runs's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 320). On price, review sentiment 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. Pocket Marble Runs sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Manic Marble 4 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pocket Marble Runs holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pocket Marble Runs has 2.1K ratings behind it against 320, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 85% of Manic Marble 4's written reviews are positive against 80% of Pocket Marble Runs's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Manic Marble 4 ships an update fortnightly, Pocket Marble Runs every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on July 31, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Manic Marble 4 versus Pocket Marble Runs: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterManic Marble 4Pocket Marble Runs
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (320 ratings)4.7 (2.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.8% of reviews — better80.3% of reviews
Number of ratings3202.1K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.2 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB152 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRich Olsonmonois Inc.

Customer experience

Manic Marble 4

All ratings320 ratings
Positive82.5%
Neutral7.2%
Negative10.3%
Written reviews105 reviews
Positive84.8%
Neutral5.7%
Negative9.5%

Pocket Marble Runs

All ratings2,058 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral4.2%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews76 reviews
Positive80.3%
Neutral7.9%
Negative11.8%

User reviews

Manic Marble 4

From 320 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Awesome set of games
  • 👍 Fun and challenging gameplay
  • 💡 Reminds me of old favorites
  • 🚀 Smooth performance

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Issues with controls/responsiveness
  • 🔋 Drains battery quickly
  • 💰 Paid levels are too expensive

Pocket Marble Runs

From 2.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Good game
  • 🙂 Fun and engaging
  • 💡 Helps understand physics
  • 🎨 Interesting style and variety of levels

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Glitches and bugs
  • 🛑 Annoying ads
  • 🤔 Some tricks don't work as expected

Bugs and requests

Manic Marble 4

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Level 4 is unfair and rigged
  • Crashes and compatibility issues on older devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for MFi controllers
  • Disable gyro controls for certain use cases
  • More levels and content
  • Redesign interface and visuals

Pocket Marble Runs

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Premature activation of modules
  • Floating point errors
  • Inconsistent English descriptions

Requested features

5 requests
  • More save file slots
  • Ability to build custom tracks
  • New tricks and modes
  • Larger building area
  • Online level sharing

In-app purchases

None

Manic Marble 4

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Pocket Marble Runs

One-time4
  • No Ads Pack$2.99
  • Tricks Pack$2.99
  • Save Slot Pack$2.99
Show 1 more
  • Combo pack$4.99

Questions

Is Manic Marble 4 free?
Manic Marble 4 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pocket Marble Runs free?
Pocket Marble Runs is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Manic Marble 4 or Pocket Marble Runs?
Pocket Marble Runs is rated higher. Manic Marble 4 averages 4.3 out of 5 from 320 ratings, while Pocket Marble Runs averages 4.7 from 2.1K ratings.
Do Manic Marble 4 or Pocket Marble Runs have ads?
Pocket Marble Runs shows ads; Manic Marble 4 does not.
Which is updated more often, Manic Marble 4 or Pocket Marble Runs?
Manic Marble 4 ships an update fortnightly, and Pocket Marble Runs every 2 months. Most recently, Manic Marble 4 was updated on July 31, 2026 and Pocket Marble Runs on September 24, 2026.

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