Comparison

Lode Runner Classic vs Knight Lancer

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

Knight Lancer

Engage in arcade jousting with ragdoll physics and satisfying combat. Embark on a quest to reclaim honor, customize your knight, and challenge others in online multiplayer. Experience critical hits and a story mode filled with missions.

Highlights
  • Arcade jousting gameplay
  • Ragdoll physics
  • 18 Mission Story mode
  • Free Play mode
  • Character customization
  • Online multiplayer
  • Daily winning spree challenge
Features
Read full description

Welcome to KNIGHT LANCER, an arcade jousting game where your skill is rewarded with epic ragdoll physics! Your lands have been taken, your family name bismirched. But you have your lance and a horse - what more does a knight need? Set off on a journey to regain your honour! Toss caution (and your ragdoll enemies) to the wind and become: a Knight! Features: - 18 Mission Story mode, and Free Play - Skillful and satisfying jousting mechanics - Bone-crunching Critical Hits - Ragdoll physics - Character customization - Online multiplayer - Daily winning spree challenge

Screenshots

Lode Runner Classic4 screens
Knight Lancer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Knight Lancer at Free against Lode Runner Classic's $2.99. Knight Lancer also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (83% vs 52%). Lode Runner Classic's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence 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

Knight Lancer is free to download; Lode Runner Classic costs $2.99 up front. Knight Lancer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Lode Runner Classic asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Knight Lancer holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Knight Lancer has 11K 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 83% of Knight Lancer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lode Runner Classic ships an update every 5 weeks, Knight Lancer monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Lode Runner Classic versus Knight Lancer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLode Runner ClassicKnight Lancer
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (34 ratings)4.7 (11K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.3% of reviews83.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3411K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB414 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTozai, Inc.BABAR SAEED JANJUA

Customer experience

Lode Runner Classic

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

Knight Lancer

All ratings10,981 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral4.3%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews955 reviews
Positive83.5%
Neutral6.0%
Negative10.6%

Bugs and requests

Lode Runner Classic

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Knight Lancer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Home screen bug where knight falls off the map
  • Armor and shield purchases not working
  • Difficulty progressing to Duke rank in certain castles
  • Opponents not moving at times, causing player to leave the arena

Requested features

7 requests
  • More customization options for armor, helmets, shields, and horses
  • Ability to customize character during campaign
  • Different horses with unique stats
  • Skill mechanic to reduce lance bounce
  • Ability to rematch after a draw
Show 2 more
  • Royalty opponents should have larger hitboxes
  • Offline tournaments, PvP duels, and other gameplay modes beyond just jousting

In-app purchases

None

Lode Runner Classic

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Knight Lancer

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Game$2.99

Questions

Is Lode Runner Classic free?
Lode Runner Classic costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Knight Lancer free?
Knight Lancer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lode Runner Classic or Knight Lancer?
Knight Lancer is rated higher. Lode Runner Classic averages 3.9 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while Knight Lancer averages 4.7 from 11K ratings.
Do Lode Runner Classic or Knight Lancer have ads?
Knight Lancer shows ads; Lode Runner Classic does not.
Which is updated more often, Lode Runner Classic or Knight Lancer?
Lode Runner Classic ships an update every 5 weeks, and Knight Lancer monthly. Most recently, Lode Runner Classic was updated on November 1, 2026 and Knight Lancer on November 5, 2026.

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