Block 89 vs Bomb Squad Controller
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Block 89
Experience a classic brick puzzle game with a retro handheld feel. Enjoy a gradual difficulty curve across 20 levels, authentic dot-matrix graphics, and 8-bit sound effects. Share your replays and get lost in the satisfying gameplay.
- Dot-matrix LCD screen
- Light and dark modes
- 8-bit sound effects
- 10 block shapes
- 20 levels
- GIF replay sharing
- Offline play
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Play with blocks like it's 1989! A handheld brick puzzle game with a dot-matrix display, retro sound effects, and that satisfying feeling of getting better without noticing. Block 89 is designed around flow - the difficulty rises gradually across 20 levels, keeping you in that sweet spot where the challenge matches your skill. Easy to pick up, hard to put down. Features: - Dot-matrix LCD screen with authentic pixel rendering - Light and dark mode (monochrome inverted, a minimal masterpiece) - 8-bit sound effects - 10 different block shapes on a 16×16 grid - 20 levels of progressively increasing difficulty - GIF replay sharing - show off your best games - No ads. No in-app purchases. No subscriptions. No internet required. Just the game. Score points by completing lines with blocks. Simple - but it gets difficult quickly. Oh, and yes: this is the same guy that brought you Snake '97. Cheers from Amsterdam, Willem.
Bomb Squad Controller
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NOTE: This is not the game, but rather the controller companion app used by the game. "Bomb Squad" (available on Steam) is required! The game uses the players' own smartphones as controllers and a PC-connected TV that drives the play. Players must work together to defuse a bomb by uncovering a code. Clues to the code are awarded as players complete challenges of the ’non-silent’ variety where the primary skill required is solid communication!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Bomb Squad Controller at every 5 weeks against Block 89's every 4 months. Bomb Squad Controller also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Block 89 ships an update every 4 months, Bomb Squad Controller every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Block 89 | Bomb Squad Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (21 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 21 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 292 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | dsd 164 | Scott Barrett Franklin |
In-app purchases
Block 89
No in-app purchases
Bomb Squad Controller
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Block 89 free?
Is Bomb Squad Controller free?
Do Block 89 or Bomb Squad Controller have ads?
Which is updated more often, Block 89 or Bomb Squad Controller?
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