Comparison

Lode Runner Classic vs This is Blast!

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

This is Blast!

Engage in a vibrant color-matching block shooter where you aim, tap, and blast matching colors. Overcome clever puzzles and tricky obstacles with explosive combos for a satisfying gameplay experience. Enjoy regular updates with new levels and seasonal events.

Highlights
  • Color-matching block shooter
  • Simple tap-to-aim mechanics
  • Explosive combos and chain reactions
  • Challenging puzzles with obstacles
  • Eye-catching visuals and smooth effects
  • Regular updates with new levels
Features
Read full description

Dive into This is Blast!, the ultimate color-matching block shooter! Line up your shots, tap to aim, and blast away blocks of matching colors. With simple controls and challenging levels, it’s a game that’s easy to pick up and hard to put down. From the very first level, This is Blast is easy to pick up but hard to put down. Simply aim, shoot, and watch the tiles merge and burst in spectacular fashion. The deeper you go, the more clever puzzles and tricky obstacles you’ll encounter, making every win feel rewarding and every session fresh. Features You’ll Love - Simple and fun mechanics: easy to learn, endlessly satisfying to master - Explosive combos and chain reactions that clear the board in one move - Challenging puzzles with creative layouts and obstacles - Eye-catching visuals and smooth effects for a premium gameplay feel - Regular updates with new levels and exciting seasonal events A Game for Every Mood Whether you want to relax after a long day, challenge your brain with clever puzzles, or chase the thrill of big combos, This is Blast adapts to your style of play. Quick sessions are perfect for short breaks, while longer sessions will keep you hooked as you climb the leaderboard. Endless Fun, Always Fresh With hundreds of levels and frequent updates, there’s always something new to discover. Unlock boosters, master powerful strategies, and come back every week for fresh challenges. Download This is Blast today and experience the most explosive puzzle fun on the App Store

Screenshots

Lode Runner Classic4 screens
This is Blast!4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: This is Blast! at Free against Lode Runner Classic's $2.99. This is Blast! also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.9) and ratings volume (8.7K vs 34). Lode Runner Classic's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

This is Blast! holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: This is Blast! has 8.7K ratings behind it against 34, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of Lode Runner Classic's written reviews are positive against 25% of This is Blast!'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lode Runner Classic ships an update every 5 weeks, This is Blast! every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Lode Runner Classic versus This is Blast!: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLode Runner ClassicThis is Blast!
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (34 ratings)4.6 (8.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.3% of reviews — better25.5% of reviews
Number of ratings348.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 11 days — 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 MB398 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperTozai, Inc.Voodoo

Customer experience

Lode Runner Classic

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

This is Blast!

All ratings8,649 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral5.0%
Negative4.4%
Written reviews530 reviews
Positive25.5%
Neutral18.5%
Negative56.0%

Bugs and requests

Lode Runner Classic

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

This is Blast!

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Blocks not moving/clearing properly
  • Game freezing/locking up
  • Tutorial level not functioning
  • Leagues not unlocking properly
  • Daily/weekly tasks not updating

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to turn off vibration
  • More challenging levels
  • Better progression system
  • Ability to report bugs

In-app purchases

None

Lode Runner Classic

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

This is Blast!

One-time10
  • Special Product #1$0.99
  • Small Pack$1.99
  • Special Product #2$2.99
Show 7 more
  • Offer #11$4.99
  • Offer #6$4.99
  • Offer #5$4.99
  • Medium Pack$7.99
  • Special Product #5$8.99
  • Offer #3$9.99
  • Large Pack$14.99

Questions

Is Lode Runner Classic free?
Lode Runner Classic costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is This is Blast! free?
This is Blast! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lode Runner Classic or This is Blast!?
This is Blast! is rated higher. Lode Runner Classic averages 3.9 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while This is Blast! averages 4.6 from 8.7K ratings.
Do Lode Runner Classic or This is Blast! have ads?
This is Blast! shows ads; Lode Runner Classic does not.
Which is updated more often, Lode Runner Classic or This is Blast!?
Lode Runner Classic ships an update every 5 weeks, and This is Blast! every 11 days. Most recently, Lode Runner Classic was updated on November 1, 2026 and This is Blast! on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons