Comparison

Pool Shark vs Classic Hanafuda

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

Head to head
About

Pool Shark

This game combines real 8-ball pool physics with roguelike deckbuilding mechanics. Pot balls, chain combos, and build a deck of cards to strategize your way through escalating challenges and opponents.

Highlights
  • Real 8-ball pool physics simulation
  • Roguelike deckbuilding with 204 cards
  • Strategic shot calling for multipliers
  • 18 opponents with unique challenges
  • Six rooms of escalating stakes
  • Online ranked multiplayer
  • Unlockable cosmetic items
Features
Read full description

Pool Shark is a deep roguelike deckbuilder built on real 8-ball pool. Every rack is a scoring run — pot balls, chain combos, stack multipliers — and every table plays for money you carry up six rooms of rising stakes. REAL POOL PHYSICS. A deterministic table where spin, banks, kisses, and caroms all count — and the aim hint shows you exactly the shot the table will play, because it IS the same simulation. BUILD YOUR DECK. Draft from a 204-card catalog between matches: 90 Tells that change how shots score, Chalk you burn for one perfect shot, Marks that ride a single ball, Cues that change what a break can do. The order of your build is the strategy. CALL YOUR SHOTS. Banks, combos, and called pockets multiply the take. Style is money — showboating pays if you can back it up. EVERY TABLE IS A MONEY MATCH. Eighteen opponents, each with their own aim, nerve, and temper — race them for stakes and take their purse. A REAL RUN. Eighteen tables across six rooms in one night. Four difficulty tiers, twenty House Rules that bend the game, four different endings. No two runs build the same shark. SURVIVE THE HOUSE. House Tables close side pockets, ban rails, make you call the 8. Read the room and pick your battles. EARN YOUR NAME. Seventy unlockables — masks, titles, cues, gloves, trails, cloths, stamps — won at the table, never sold. TAKE IT ONLINE. Ranked 1v1 on a live referee server: six divisions, seasons, and a ladder with your name on it. Earn House Chips as you play, wager them on a match, and take the crowd's pocket bet. And yes, there's a story: your best friend owes the wrong people $12,500, due before close. Chalk up and get him out. No ads. The only in-app purchases are optional tips behind the SUPPORT US door: they unlock nothing, and the whole game is yours either way.

About

Classic Hanafuda

Experience the authentic Japanese card game "Koi-Koi" with various modes, including standard matches and challenging survival. Learn the rules easily with helpful hints and enjoy rich progression through achievements and artwork collection.

Highlights
  • Authentic Koi-Koi gameplay
  • Standard and Survival game modes
  • Beginner-friendly hint system
  • Achievement system
  • Ukiyo-e artwork collection
  • Detailed game statistics
Features
Read full description

Experience the authentic Japanese card game "Koi-Koi" right on your smartphone! From standard matches to thrilling survival modes, beginner guides, and rich collection elements, there's endless fun for everyone! ◆ Game Features ◆ [Selectable Game Modes] - Standard Match: Enjoy classic, relaxing games at your own pace. - Survival Mode: Challenge yourself to see how many consecutive rivals you can defeat! Aim for an unbeatable win streak! [Authentic "Koi-Koi" Gameplay] Featuring the most popular traditional Hanafuda rules: "Koi-Koi." Enjoy snappy, intuitive controls and satisfying, rhythmic gameplay. [Helpful Hints for Beginners] Never played before? Not sure which card to play? Don't worry! With in-game hint features highlighting matched cards and achievable yaku, you'll naturally master the rules as you play. [Rich Progression & Collection Elements] - Achievement System: Complete various missions and claim great rewards! - Collections & Gacha: Unlock beautiful Ukiyo-e artwork using points earned in matches! - Detailed Stats: Review your win rate, longest win streak, Koi-Koi success rate, and more. [Recommended For] - Fans of Hanafuda and traditional Japanese card games - Players looking to test their skills in endless Survival win streaks - Anyone looking for a quick, engaging card game during breaks - Collectors and completionists who love achievements - Beginners wanting to learn the rules of Hanafuda easily Start your exciting Koi-Koi match today!

Screenshots

Pool Shark4 screens
Classic Hanafuda3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pool Shark at 5.0 against Classic Hanafuda's 4.5. Pool Shark also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). Classic Hanafuda's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ratings volume, device support and iOS requirement 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. Pool Shark sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Classic Hanafuda asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pool Shark holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pool Shark ships an update every 3 days, Classic Hanafuda weekly. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 4 level
Pool Shark versus Classic Hanafuda: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPool SharkClassic Hanafuda
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.5 (2 ratings)
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size398 MB173 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMotivation Stack LLCCHAOS

Customer experience

Pool Shark

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Classic Hanafuda

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Pool Shark

One-time3
  • Chalk Up$0.99
  • Rack a Round$2.99
  • Keep the Lights On$4.99
None

Classic Hanafuda

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pool Shark free?
Pool Shark is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Classic Hanafuda free?
Classic Hanafuda is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pool Shark or Classic Hanafuda?
Pool Shark is rated higher. Pool Shark averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Classic Hanafuda averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Pool Shark or Classic Hanafuda have ads?
Classic Hanafuda shows ads; Pool Shark does not.
Which is updated more often, Pool Shark or Classic Hanafuda?
Pool Shark ships an update every 3 days, and Classic Hanafuda weekly. Most recently, Pool Shark was updated on October 25, 2026 and Classic Hanafuda on October 25, 2026.

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