Comparison

Lode Runner Classic vs PAC

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

Head to head
About

Lode Runner Classic

Navigate maze-like levels, collecting gold while dodging enemies. Blast blocks to create paths or trap pursuers. Enjoy 150 classic levels with modern enhancements like zoom and adjustable speed.

Highlights
  • 150 classic levels
  • Two game modes
  • Screen magnification
  • Adjustable play speed
  • Customizable color palettes
  • Worldwide leaderboards
Features
Read full description

DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON FOOL’S GOLD Play the authentic Lode Runner… this is the real deal! AWARD WINNING GAMEPLAY Lode Runner Classic combines the game play and all 150 levels of the award-winning Apple II original Lode Runner with graphics and features engineered for today's advanced smartphones. The game's frantic action takes place in maze-like, static levels, where a single player dodges enemies while running and climbing to reach and claim stacks of gold. No jumping is allowed. And shooting enemies is forbidden, but you can blast blocks to access lower platforms or trap pursuing enemies. Winding your way through ever-increasing levels of complexity makes for a superior challenge, but now you can choose to play any one of the 150 levels at any time. EXCITING NEW FEATURES Although the gameplay remains true to the original Apple II version, there are plenty of new features to enhance the experience. You can magnify the screen around the Runner, set the play speed, adjust the coloring of the art and compete for top spot on the worldwide leaderboards. •150 puzzling levels – all unlocked and accessible •Two game modes – Expedition and Time Attack •New magnification effect – zoom the action around the Runner •Multiple play speeds – super slow to superfast action •Fully adjustable color palettes •Worldwide leaderboards •Multiple control schemes •Illustrated How to Play section "When the first Lode Runner came out on the Apple II, the last thing I expected was that the game would be alive and kicking on a platform as advanced as today’s smartphones more than 25 years later. It's really gratifying to me that so many people are still interested in the game." Douglas E. Smith, Original Creator “In the early days, there was Lode Runner. I consider it a real puzzle game. That was my favorite for many, many years. It’s such a good combination of dynamic stuff, the finger-work, and real planning and puzzle-solving. Every level was a real puzzle with its own mechanics, its own dynamics, its own kind of solution. At the same time, it was an arcade game to play. This combination was done absolutely right. I can’t imagine any other game with such inventive and unusual design.” Alexey Pajitnov, Tetris Creator Interview with Edge Magazine Tozai Games and Lode Runner are trademarks of Tozai, Inc. registered or protected in the US and other countries. Lode Runner is protected under US and international copyright laws ©1983-2017 Tozai, Inc. All rights reserved.

About

PAC

Navigate an endless maze, munching dots and avoiding ghosts. Outsmart a glitching world with over 15 unique power-ups. Experience a classic arcade adventure reimagined for mobile.

Highlights
  • Endless maze gameplay
  • Over 15 power-ups
  • Avoid the Glitch
  • New ghost characters
  • Controller support
Features
Read full description

** Apple Best Games of 2015 ** ** Facebook The 10 Most Talked About Games of 2015 ** ** The Game Awards 2015 Nominated Best Mobile/Handheld Game ** From the creators of Crossy Road… Cherries are red Ghosts are blue Munch a power pellet Get Lasers too! PAC-MAN 256 is the maze that never ends. But the Glitch is coming for you… ------------------------------- FEATURES: ● PAC-MAN perfectly reinvented for your mobile phone or tablet ● Outsmart ghosts with over 15 ridiculous power ups: Laser, Tornado, Giant and much more ● Stay ahead of the super-villain lurking in PAC-MAN since the beginning: The Glitch ● Take on a new gang of revived retro-ghosts including Sue, Funky, and Spunky ● Waka waka on PAC-DOTS and string a 256 combo for a super special surprise ● Controller support Like us: facebook.com/CrossyRoad facebook.com/Pacman facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU facebook.com/BandaiNamcoVancouver Follow us: @CrossyRoad @BandaiNamcoEU @BandaiNamcoCA @3sprockets Have any problems or suggestions? You can reach us at support-pacman256@bandainamcoent.eu. *iPhone 4 devices are not supported

Screenshots

Lode Runner Classic4 screens
PAC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PAC at Free against Lode Runner Classic's $2.99. PAC also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (88% vs 52%). Lode Runner Classic's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On update cadence, ads and iOS requirement 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

PAC is free to download; Lode Runner Classic costs $2.99 up front. PAC sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Lode Runner Classic asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PAC holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PAC has 21K ratings behind it against 34, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Lode Runner Classic's written reviews are positive against 88% of PAC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lode Runner Classic ships an update every 5 weeks, PAC every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Lode Runner Classic versus PAC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLode Runner ClassicPAC
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (34 ratings)4.7 (21K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.3% of reviews88.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3421K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB153 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTozai, Inc.BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe

Customer experience

Lode Runner Classic

All ratings34 ratings
Positive67.6%
Neutral5.9%
Negative26.5%
Written reviews128 reviews
Positive52.3%
Neutral10.9%
Negative36.7%

PAC

All ratings20,510 ratings
Positive92.2%
Neutral3.5%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews2,104 reviews
Positive88.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative7.9%

Bugs and requests

Lode Runner Classic

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

PAC

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Game resets on phone calls or notifications
  • Ads don't work properly
  • Inability to pause and resume without losing progress
  • Incompatibility with newer devices
  • Glitches with 256-dot chains and power-up timers

Requested features

12 requests
  • Multiplayer mode
  • More themes and customization options
  • Gradually increasing difficulty
  • More power-ups
  • More frequent power-up spawns
Show 7 more
  • Boss battles
  • Bonus coin rewards for iOS/Android
  • More fruit options
  • Dodge-able objects
  • Beam power-up on iOS/Android
  • More game modes
  • Map editor

In-app purchases

None

Lode Runner Classic

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

PAC

One-time10
  • Credit Boost$0.99
  • Classic 80's Theme$0.99
  • The Grid Theme$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Welcome Pack$0.99
  • Robotz Theme$0.99
  • CEDX Theme$0.99
  • PAC-MANIA Theme$0.99
  • The Arcade$0.99
  • Unlimited Credits$4.99
  • Coin Doubler$4.99

Questions

Is Lode Runner Classic free?
Lode Runner Classic costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PAC free?
PAC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lode Runner Classic or PAC?
PAC is rated higher. Lode Runner Classic averages 3.9 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while PAC averages 4.7 from 21K ratings.
Do Lode Runner Classic or PAC have ads?
Neither Lode Runner Classic nor PAC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lode Runner Classic or PAC?
Lode Runner Classic ships an update every 5 weeks, and PAC every 6 weeks. Most recently, Lode Runner Classic was updated on October 26, 2026 and PAC on October 27, 2026.

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