# METAL SLUG 3 vs BUBBLE BOBBLE classic

The clearest difference is price: BUBBLE BOBBLE classic at Free against METAL SLUG 3's $2.99. BUBBLE BOBBLE classic also leads on review sentiment (74% vs 31%) and rating (4.5 vs 3.5). METAL SLUG 3's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

BUBBLE BOBBLE classic is free to download; METAL SLUG 3 costs $2.99 up front. BUBBLE BOBBLE classic sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. METAL SLUG 3 asks for nothing beyond the download.

BUBBLE BOBBLE classic holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 876 and 501 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of METAL SLUG 3's written reviews are positive against 74% of BUBBLE BOBBLE classic's.

METAL SLUG 3 ships an update every 3 months, BUBBLE BOBBLE classic fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | METAL SLUG 3 | BUBBLE BOBBLE classic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.5 (876 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metal-slug-3/id530060483/reviews) | **[4.5 (501 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bubble-bobble-classic/id1497822213/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **876** | 501 |
| Positive reviews | 30.6% of reviews | **73.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#76** | — |
| Size | 148 MB | 160 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SNK CORPORATION](https://appshunter.io/developer/343539874) | [MOBIRIX](https://appshunter.io/developer/349276666) |

## What reviewers say

### METAL SLUG 3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metal-slug-3/id530060483)

**Currently charting:** #76 Top Paid · Casual, #144 Top Paid · Action (US App Store)

Experience the classic 2D action shooting game on your iPhone. Fight through diverse stages with a variety of weapons and vehicles. Enjoy branching paths, cooperative multiplayer, and achievements.

**Highlights:** Arcade Mode, Mission Mode, Branching map system, Multiple Slug vehicles, Wi-Fi cooperative gameplay, Game Center achievements

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Classic arcade gameplay
- 🎨 Excellent graphics and visuals
- 🕹️ Nostalgic experience
- 🕹️ Addictive and fun

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎮 Unresponsive and clunky controls
- 🎮 Difficulty with precision movement
- 🎮 Inability to remap controls
- 🐛 Crashes and compatibility issues
- 🎮 Small on-screen controls

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on iOS 7 and newer
- Screen orientation issues
- Grenade button not working with controllers
- Inability to unlock later levels

**Requested features**

- Ability to remap controls
- Larger on-screen controls
- Improved controller support
- Save progress and continue later
- More continues/lives


### BUBBLE BOBBLE classic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bubble-bobble-classic/id1497822213)

Relive the classic arcade experience with this beloved title. Capture enemies in bubbles and defeat them using intuitive controls. Discover power-ups and special bubbles to aid your quest through challenging stages.

**Highlights:** Capture enemies with bubbles, Automatic shot function, Collect alphabet bubbles for extra lives, Power-up items to enhance abilities, Special bubbles with unique effects, Unlockable super game mode

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Purchase 300 Dia | $2.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 500 Dia | $4.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 1,100 Dia | $9.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 3,600 Dia | $29.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 6,500 Dia | $49.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 15,000 Dia | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Authentic arcade experience
- 👍 Nostalgic and fun gameplay
- 💯 Brings back childhood memories
- 🕹️ Classic game mechanics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🎮 Clunky touch controls
- 🔍 Difficulty seeing character
- 💰 Excessive ads and in-app purchases
- 🐛 Crashes and freezes

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes on startup
- Unresponsive controls
- Graphical glitches and visual issues

**Requested features**

- Controller support
- Customizable controls
- Save progress and continue later
- Two-player mode
- Level select or checkpoint system


## Frequently asked questions

### Is METAL SLUG 3 free?

METAL SLUG 3 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BUBBLE BOBBLE classic free?

BUBBLE BOBBLE classic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, METAL SLUG 3 or BUBBLE BOBBLE classic?

BUBBLE BOBBLE classic is rated higher. METAL SLUG 3 averages 3.5 out of 5 from 876 ratings, while BUBBLE BOBBLE classic averages 4.5 from 501 ratings.

### Do METAL SLUG 3 or BUBBLE BOBBLE classic have ads?

BUBBLE BOBBLE classic shows ads; METAL SLUG 3 does not.

### Which is updated more often, METAL SLUG 3 or BUBBLE BOBBLE classic?

METAL SLUG 3 ships an update every 3 months, and BUBBLE BOBBLE classic fortnightly. Most recently, METAL SLUG 3 was updated on November 10, 2026 and BUBBLE BOBBLE classic on November 7, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*