ToriShogi vs Mongjin
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ToriShogi
This app offers a digital version of Tori Shogi, a Japanese chess variant played on a 7x7 board with bird-themed pieces. It features an interactive tutorial, multiple game modes against AI or another player, and saves game records for replay. The app is free, ad-free, and playable offline.
- Interactive piece guide
- Learn-as-you-play tutorial
- Two-player mode
- AI opponent with multiple levels
- Automatic game saving and replay
- Offline play
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■ What is Tori Shogi? Tori Shogi ("bird shogi") is a Japanese chess variant born in the Edo period, traditionally attributed to Ōhashi Sōei, the ninth hereditary shogi Meijin. It is played on a compact 7×7 board with 16 pieces per side — and every piece is named after a bird. Guard your Phoenix, attack with a flock of Swallows, and promote your Falcon into the mighty Eagle. Unusually for an old shogi variant, captured pieces return to your hand and can be dropped back into play, just like in modern shogi. A small board with surprisingly deep tactics. New to the game? The app is built to teach you as you play. Choose Japanese or English at first launch — you can switch any time. ■ Learn as you play - Illustrated guide to all nine pieces: names, movements and promotions - Press and hold any piece during a game to see how it moves - The Swallow rules (the "three Swallows" and drop-mate prohibitions) and the mirrored left/right Quails, all explained ■ Game modes - Two Players: take turns on one iPhone or iPad - vs Computer: Beginner, Easy and Normal levels — a perfect sparring partner while you learn ■ Complete rules, faithfully implemented - Mandatory promotion: Falcon → Eagle, Swallow → Goose - Piece drops, the "three Swallows" rule, the swallow-drop-mate prohibition - Check and checkmate detection, repetition draws ■ Game records - Finished games are saved automatically; save mid-game any time - Replay your games move by move ■ Perfect for… - Shogi and chess players curious about variants - Quick but thoughtful games on a small board - Fans of Japanese tradition, birds and beautiful woodcraft - Playing with kids as a gateway into shogi Everything runs on your device — play offline, on a plane, anywhere. No ads, no in-app purchases, completely free. Enjoy the elegant bird chess of Edo Japan.
Mongjin
A two-player strategy board game where players escort their King to safety while using Guards to block opponents and open routes. Simple rules offer deep strategic decisions for quick matches, friend games, or playing against AI.
- Real-time online matches
- Friend matches via room code
- Computer opponents (Easy, Normal, Hard)
- Local two-player mode
- Step-by-step tutorial
- Anonymous profiles with stats
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Mongjin (몽진, 蒙塵) is an original two-player strategy board game from Korea. Escort your King to the far side of the board while your Guards open routes, block the opponent, and protect every step forward. Simple rules lead to deep decisions. A Guard that protects your King can become your sharpest attacker, and one well-timed block can decide the match. Features • Quick Match with real-time online opponents • Friend matches using a six-character room code • Computer opponents with Easy, Normal, and Hard difficulty • Local two-player matches on one device • A step-by-step tutorial for new players • Anonymous profiles with wins, losses, win rate, Elo rating, and ranking Win by reaching the goal row with your King, capturing the opposing King, or surrounding it so it cannot move. Find the balance between safety and speed, attack and defense, then lead your King home.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: ToriShogi at none against Mongjin's shown. ToriShogi also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ToriShogi | Mongjin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | Every 3 days |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 43 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Tomohiko Kanai | Oin Kwon |
Customer experience
ToriShogi
Mongjin
In-app purchases
ToriShogi
No in-app purchases
Mongjin
No in-app purchases









