# Ransom vs Handheld Game

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ransom at none against Handheld Game's 1. Ransom also leads on iOS requirement (7.0 vs 14.0). Handheld Game's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 23 months) and ratings volume (15 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Ransom costs $1.99 and Handheld Game $1.99 up front. Handheld Game sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Ransom asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Ransom against 5.0 for Handheld Game. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Handheld Game has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Ransom ships an update every 23 months, Handheld Game every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ransom | Handheld Game |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | $1.99 |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ransom/id580349976/reviews) | [5.0 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handheld-game-nes-emulator/id1595901138/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **15** |
| Positive reviews | — | 85.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 23 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 8 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [John Smilanick](https://appshunter.io/developer/548224560) | [Jinan Matrix Information Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1009091575) |

## What reviewers say

### Ransom

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ransom/id580349976)

Craft unique ransom notes with customizable colors, fonts, sizes, and backgrounds. Save your creations or share them via email with friends. Express your creativity through playful note-making.

**Highlights:** Customizable colors, Adjustable fonts and sizes, Background selection, Save notes, Email notes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Handheld Game

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handheld-game-nes-emulator/id1595901138)

Experience classic 8-bit games with a high-performance emulator. Enjoy precise controls, unlimited saves, and local multiplayer. Compatible with MFi controllers and optimized for iPhone and iPad.

**Highlights:** 8-Way Directional Control, Local Network Netplay, Unlimited Save States, Auto-Fire Functionality, MFi Controller Support, Portrait and Landscape Modes

**Features:** Game Controller support, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cheat Codes | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ransom free?

Ransom costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Handheld Game free?

Handheld Game costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Ransom or Handheld Game?

Ransom and Handheld Game are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 15 ratings respectively.

### Do Ransom or Handheld Game have ads?

Neither Ransom nor Handheld Game shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ransom or Handheld Game?

Ransom ships an update every 23 months, and Handheld Game every 3 weeks. Most recently, Ransom was updated on November 1, 2026 and Handheld Game on November 3, 2026.

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