Comparison

Squid Game vs Pato Merlin Run

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

Head to head
About

Squid Game

Experience thrilling multiplayer survival games inspired by a popular series. Compete in deadly challenges, form crews, and customize your character to outlast opponents. No subscription required to play.

Highlights
  • Multiplayer battle royale
  • Iconic game challenges
  • Crew formation and chat
  • Character customization
  • Unlockable games and features
  • Special items for competitive edge
Read full description

NO NETFLIX MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED. Everyone is welcome to try Red Light, Green Light, Dalgona and more. You win some, you die some. Use skill and killer instinct to survive twisted competitions in this multiplayer action game inspired by the hit series. Prepare for fast, heart-pounding action and brutal competition in this multiplayer battle royale game. Play Red Light, Green Light or Glass Bridge — and more iconic games from the series — with friends (or enemies) online. See if you have what it takes to outlast and defeat all the other players in each twisted contest. With deadly challenges you'll recognize from all three seasons of "Squid Game" and more new games inspired by classic childhood activities, each round is a dark trip down memory lane. Can you make it through playtime alive? NEW UPDATES FOR SEASON 3: • Try out three completely new game types, from a deadly Hide & Seek labyrinth to a sky-high version of Squid Game — plus new characters and weapons. • Frenemies forever: Form a regular Crew of players to collaborate and compete together. Use new chat features to hang out and talk strategy with other players. • Netflix members can unlock new content and earn unique Play-Along rewards in the game by watching episodes of "Squid Game" Season 3. BRING "SQUID GAME" TO LIFE • Find out how long you'd survive as a "Squid Game" contestant by playing Red Light, Green Light, Glass Bridge, Dalgona and more lethal games. • Use special items to gain a competitive edge. Get a boost from dalgona candy or stun someone with a well-aimed dodgeball. • Are you a natural Front Man, or more of a Geum-ja? Choose the perfect character and express yourself in this online battle royale with a huge range of outfits, animations and emoji reactions. NO-MERCY MULTIPLAYER MAYHEM • Play with up to 32 of your friends in Party mode and team up against online opponents in each multiplayer tournament — but always be prepared for betrayal. • Fast online multiplayer matchmaking brings you into each round of the battle royale in seconds. • Die early, but want to see who survives? Spectator mode lets your ghostly presence stay and watch the next round of Red Light, Green Light unfold. THE ONLY WAY OUT IS UP • Climb the Squid Ladder as you compete in multiplayer contests and complete challenges, unlocking new games and features as your rank rises. • Spend hard-won (virtual) cash and tokens to collect new characters, outfits and more rewards that will let you strut your stuff in the arena. • Keep your survival skills sharp with special events inspired by whatever's new in the "Squid Game" universe. - Created by Boss Fight, a Netflix Game Studio.

About

Pato Merlin Run

Features
Read full description

The official Merlin Duck game is here! Run as far as you can in a fun endless runner where you'll jump over obstacles, kick soccer balls, make quick turns, and put your reflexes to the test. Unlock players representing the 46 nations competing in the World Competition, beat your high score, and enjoy fast, fun gameplay that's easy to pick up and hard to put down. Game Features - Play as the official Merlin Duck. - Jump, kick soccer balls, and dodge obstacles. - Unlock players from all 46 World Competition 2026 nations. - Fast, fun, and addictive gameplay. - Easy-to-learn, hard-to-master controls. - Beat your high score every run.

Screenshots

Squid Game4 screens
Pato Merlin Run3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Pato Merlin Run at none against Squid Game's 1. Pato Merlin Run also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Squid Game's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price 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

Both are free to download. Squid Game sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $19.99 per month. Pato Merlin Run asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Squid Game versus Pato Merlin Run: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSquid GamePato Merlin Run
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (40K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews45.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings40K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2.1 GB108 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperNetflix, Inc.Esteban Duran

Bugs and requests

Squid Game

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Freezing and crashing during gameplay
  • Inconsistent game mechanics (e.g., Red Light, Green Light)
  • Inability to progress past certain levels due to glitches
  • Incorrect tracking of weekly objectives

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more original games from the Squid Game series
  • Implement a friends list and party system
  • Introduce a leaderboard and competitive modes
  • Improve the difficulty and variety of the games

Pato Merlin Run

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Squid Game

Subscriptions1
  • Netflix Standard Plan$19.991 Month
None

Pato Merlin Run

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Squid Game free?
Squid Game is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pato Merlin Run free?
Pato Merlin Run is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Squid Game or Pato Merlin Run have ads?
Pato Merlin Run shows ads; Squid Game does not.

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