Block Nova! vs Duke and the Blocks
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Block Nova!
Experience a meditative 8x8 block-matching game set against a tranquil night sky. Enjoy classic gameplay with a smart AI battle system and soothing visuals and soundscapes. Play offline, anytime, anywhere for pure stress relief and strategic fun.
- Classic 8x8 block matching
- Local same-screen battle
- Daily challenges with AI opponents
- Starry visual theme
- Offline play
Read full descriptionHide full description
Block Nova! — An 8×8 Block-Matching Symphony Under the Starlit Sky As night falls and stars begin to twinkle, a meditative block adventure awaits you. Set against a tranquil night sky, Block Nova! delivers pure 8×8 block-matching gameplay, offering a dual relaxation experience for your eyes and soul. In this elegantly minimalistic world of blocks, each colorful piece shines like a celestial gem. With gentle swipes of your finger, watch blocks align and vanish gracefully, accompanied by soothing light effects and delightful soundscapes—transforming each move into a visual concerto. While honoring classic block-matching roots, the game breathes new life into the genre with its smart AI battle system, turning solitary play into a thrilling strategic duel. Game Features • Classic 8×8 Block Matching – Simple yet profound core mechanics for pure stress-relief • Local Same-Screen Battle: No Wi-Fi, no sign-ups — just rotate your device! • Daily Challenges – Test your wits against intelligent AI opponents • Starry Visual Theme – Deep blue nightscapes with shimmering particle effects • Offline Play – Enjoy anywhere, anytime—zero network pressure Block Nova! has no cluttered leaderboards or frantic timers—only the pure joy of cascading blocks. Whether unwinding during work breaks or seeking serenity before bed, your personal starlit board awaits. Begin your cosmic block-matching journey now! Let Block Nova! deliver lasting fun through its simplest rules. Under this 8×8 starry sky, everyone will find their own perfect rhythm of play.
Duke and the Blocks
Read full descriptionHide full description
Good blocks. Brighter days. Join Duke, a cheerful golden cocker spaniel, for colorful block puzzles in a cozy world from Lamola Universe. CLASSIC — KEEP YOUR BEST RUN GOING Place whole block shapes on an 8×8 board and complete rows or columns to clear them. Keep building your score until no remaining piece fits. Every new run is another chance to beat your personal best. ADVENTURE — TEN WORLDS, FIVE HUNDRED PUZZLES Start with blocks already on the board and find a way to clear them all. Explore 10 imaginative worlds with 50 progressively challenging puzzles in each one. Every world has its own scenery, five chapter styles, block finishes, music and a different side of Duke’s personality. Earn up to three stars, collect a shared Adventure score and follow Duke until he reaches Nancy in a unique reunion at the end of each world. LITTLE MOMENTS WITH DUKE Clear three or more lines together to celebrate with Duke. Clear four or more at once for a double-points bonus and a shower of stars. Enjoy cheerful reactions, colorful block styles, cozy scenes and an opening movie you can replay from Home. MADE FOR A COMFORTABLE PUZZLE BREAK • Drag whole pieces into place, or tap a piece and then the board. • Use Hint to find a legal placement and Undo to rethink a move. • Adjust sound, haptics and motion in Settings. • Move freely between worlds without losing your Adventure score or Duke Coins. • Keep your progress and personal best on your device. Your next bright idea is just a block away.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Duke and the Blocks at none against Block Nova!'s shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Block Nova! sells 5 one-off in-app purchases and Duke and the Blocks sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Block Nova! ships an update every 2 weeks, Duke and the Blocks weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Block Nova! | Duke and the Blocks |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (11K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 48.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 11K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 231 MB | 74 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | UniRise Studio | Chorthip Clegg |
Bugs and requests
Block Nova!
Reported bugs
2 issues- Ads not as advertised
- Game not as advertised
Requested features
1 request- Waterfall effects of blocks flowing as advertised
Duke and the Blocks
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Block Nova!
- Super Gift$1.99
- 2-Player$9.99
- Super Gift$10.99
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Remove Ads$19.99
- Super Gift$20.99
Duke and the Blocks
- 500 Duke Coins$0.99
- 1,100 Duke Coins$1.99
- 2,000 Duke Coins$2.99
Questions
Is Block Nova! free?
Is Duke and the Blocks free?
Do Block Nova! or Duke and the Blocks have ads?
Which is updated more often, Block Nova! or Duke and the Blocks?
Other comparisons















