Comparison

Pocket Run Pool vs Rust Bucket

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

Head to head
About

Pocket Run Pool

This game combines 8-ball pool with arcade-style high-score chasing. Sink all the balls strategically to earn points, but be careful of misses and scratches. Compete against yourself or others in various thrilling game modes.

Highlights
  • Arcade pool gameplay
  • High-score chasing
  • Strategic ball sinking
  • Multiple game modes
  • Global leaderboards
  • Risk management challenges
Features
Read full description

The return of arcade pool from the creator of Really Bad Chess and Flipflop Solitaire. Pocket-Run Pool combines 8-ball pool with the thrill of a chasing the perfect highscore. In Pocket-Run, your goal is to sink all the balls, but where and when you sink them is what matters most! With each pocketed ball, you're awarded points based on the pocket you sunk. So sink carefully, but watch out, with each miss or scratch you lose a life — run out before you finish the table and it's game over. Compete against yourself, the world, or the bank in a variety of thrilling game modes! Can you make the perfect pocket-run? Arcade pool is back! ------WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING 5/5 - Touch Arcade "Help me, I can't stop playing!" 5/5 - 148Apps "Most certainly the best pool game I've played on a phone" "Like the best arcade games, this creates a “just one more turn” mentality" - The Verge "a perfect little mobile game" - iMore.com ------WHATS IN THE “BOX”? - Play Pocket-Run Pool's Standard, High Stakes, and Insta-Tournament modes for free! - Asynchronously Go for gold against players from around the world in Insta-Tournament mode - Manage your risk against all manner of game conditions (like the devious Cuewall) in High Stakes mode - Unlock Break of The Week, alternate backgrounds, and remove Insta-Tournament buy-ins with a single In-App-Purchase of just $3.99 - Track stats for all four modes - Win alternate pool cues and color schemes in High Stakes mode ------A WORD FROM THE DEVELOPER I've always loved pool, and when I got my first iPhone years ago, the world of digital pool games opened up to me. There are certainly a lot of options out there, but finding a simple and enjoyable single-player pool game was harder than I expected. I found one that I enjoyed, but after playing it extensively I found it too easy to beat the computer every time. Suddenly the problem with pool hit me — when you play against a computer in a physics simulation, you're literally playing against a god... By which I mean, either the computer is going easy on you (for a reason), or it's playing a perfect game and taking all your money. It dawned on me that if I wanted a good single player pool game, I'd have to make a new kind of pool — a variant that doesn't need a computer opponent, that's built around the notion of scoring and improving, of taking risks, and of presenting unique and interesting challenges. Pocket-Run Pool is the game I came up with, I hope you enjoy it! -zach

About

Rust Bucket

Embark on a turn-based dungeon crawl with simple swipe controls. Navigate treacherous environments, battle diverse monsters, and overcome deadly traps. This challenging game offers endless exploration and strategic combat, perfect for quick gaming sessions.

Highlights
  • Swipe to move and attack
  • Fast-paced gameplay
  • Puzzle traps
  • Diverse monster types
  • Endless dungeon exploration
  • Strategic combat
  • High score competition
Features
Read full description

Rust Bucket is a turn based dungeon crawler that is built with mobile in mind. Swipe to take a step, swipe into enemies to attack. It’s as simple as that, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is a casual game! • Navigate using simple swipe to move controls. • Game play is fast and death is never far away so it’s perfect for your daily commute. • Puzzle your way past deadly traps or use them to catch enemies. • Many monster types, each with their own distinctive rules to overcome. • Make your way through the levels to become a fully qualified looter • Explore an endless dungeon, with more to discover the deeper you go. • Become a master of strategic combat and reach the top scoring dungeon rooms. • Compete against your friends high scores on Game Centre Important information! This game is funded by adverts but is completely free to play with no timers or boosters to ruin your experience. There is an option to remove popup ads for a one off In app purchase. *Please note that this does not remove Cross Promotion ads for other Nitrome games* We hope you enjoy our little game. If you do please consider giving us a nice review, tell your friends and maybe try some of our other games.

Screenshots

Pocket Run Pool4 screens
Rust Bucket4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Rust Bucket at 72% against Pocket Run Pool's 37%. Rust Bucket also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.7). Pocket Run Pool's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 177). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Pocket Run Pool sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Rust Bucket sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Rust Bucket holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pocket Run Pool has 1.1K ratings behind it against 177, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of Pocket Run Pool's written reviews are positive against 72% of Rust Bucket's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pocket Run Pool ships an update every 5 days, Rust Bucket every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Pocket Run Pool versus Rust Bucket: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocket Run PoolRust Bucket
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (1.1K ratings)4.0 (177 ratings) — better
Positive reviews37.0% of reviews72.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.1K — better177
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size169 MB105 MB
Age rating9+9+
DeveloperZach GageNitrome

Customer experience

Pocket Run Pool

All ratings1,123 ratings
Positive63.3%
Neutral8.9%
Negative27.8%
Written reviews273 reviews
Positive37.0%
Neutral20.1%
Negative42.9%

Rust Bucket

All ratings177 ratings
Positive72.3%
Neutral6.2%
Negative21.5%
Written reviews311 reviews
Positive72.3%
Neutral7.4%
Negative20.3%

User reviews

Pocket Run Pool

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Intuitive controls
  • 👍 Addictive gameplay
  • 🎨 Great visuals
  • 💡 Unique take on pool
  • 🕰️ Quick play sessions

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unreliable physics
  • 🔍 Lack of precision controls
  • 💰 Excessive ads/in-app purchases
  • 🔍 UI issues on larger screens
  • 🔁 Repetitive gameplay

Rust Bucket

From 177 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun puzzle game
  • 🚀 Addictive gameplay
  • 💎 Excellent pixel art and visuals
  • 🎨 Creative enemy designs
  • 🎶 Great soundtrack

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and progress loss
  • 🔁 Repetitive level design
  • 🕹️ Slow character movement
  • 💰 Expensive ad removal
  • 🔍 Lack of level variety

Bugs and requests

Pocket Run Pool

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Cue stick disappearing
  • Inconsistent ball behavior
  • Incorrect payouts in high-stakes mode
  • App freezing after resuming from pause
  • Compatibility issues on newer iPad models

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add ball spin/English options
  • Implement replay/undo functionality
  • Expand game modes and challenges
  • Improve performance and stability
  • Optimize UI for tablet devices

Rust Bucket

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Progress reset when exiting levels
  • Level select screen locking completed levels
  • Compatibility issues on older devices
  • Clipboard copying behavior

Requested features

5 requests
  • More levels and content updates
  • Ability to save progress
  • Weapon/item upgrades and customization
  • Multiplayer or co-op mode
  • Level editor

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Pocket Run Pool

One-time4
  • 5 Rebuys$0.99
  • Unlock Full Version$3.99
  • 50 Rebuys$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Unlimited Rebuys$19.99
4 purchases

Rust Bucket

One-time4
  • Buy 50 Coins$0.99
  • Buy 200 Coins$1.99
  • Remove Ads$3.99
Show 1 more
  • Buy Coins 3$3.99

Questions

Is Pocket Run Pool free?
Pocket Run Pool is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rust Bucket free?
Rust Bucket is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pocket Run Pool or Rust Bucket?
Rust Bucket is rated higher. Pocket Run Pool averages 3.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Rust Bucket averages 4.0 from 177 ratings.
Do Pocket Run Pool or Rust Bucket have ads?
Both Pocket Run Pool and Rust Bucket show ads.
Which is updated more often, Pocket Run Pool or Rust Bucket?
Pocket Run Pool ships an update every 5 days, and Rust Bucket every 6 weeks. Most recently, Pocket Run Pool was updated on October 13, 2026 and Rust Bucket on October 13, 2026.

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