Bully: Anniversary Edition icon
Bully: Anniversary Edition Mobile Review: Scholastic Sandbox Perfected

by Rockstar Games

Rockstar's acclaimed school-life adventure receives enhanced mobile treatment with bonus content. The Anniversary Edition delivers the complete open-world experience with optimized touch controls and expanded gameplay for on-the-go entertainment.

Detailed Review

Bully: Anniversary Edition represents Rockstar Games' successful adaptation of their 2006 cult classic for mobile platforms, offering a comprehensive sandbox experience set within the fictional Bullworth Academy. The iOS version maintains the original game's distinctive blend of action, exploration, and narrative-driven gameplay while implementing mobile-specific optimizations and additional content not available in the initial release. The core gameplay revolves around student protagonist Jimmy Hopkins navigating school hierarchies, attending classes, and engaging in various extracurricular activities. Four bonus classes and additional non-storyline missions expand the original content, providing approximately 20+ hours of gameplay. The touch interface has been specifically redesigned for mobile devices, featuring contextual controls that adapt to different gameplay situations from classroom minigames to campus exploration. The game preserves the original's signature mechanics including the reputation system, relationship building with various cliques, and the day/night cycle that structures academic and social activities. User experience demonstrates thoughtful mobile adaptation despite the game's console origins. The interface utilizes swipe gestures for camera control and context-sensitive buttons that appear during interactions. Real-world usage patterns show players typically engage in shorter sessions focusing on specific objectives like completing classes or story missions, though the open-world design encourages longer exploration periods. Performance analysis indicates the game runs smoothly on modern iOS devices, though some older hardware may experience thermal throttling during extended play sessions as noted in user feedback. User reviews consistently praise the game's immersive quality and successful mobile translation. Connor3343 (July 5, 2025) noted the compelling introductory experience, stating 'I first played the first 30 mins free but after I played it I got hooked.' Multiple reviewers including Brwa752 (July 8, 2025) draw comparisons to Grand Theft Auto's open-world design, describing it as 'GTA in school.' Technical considerations emerge in reviews such as anonymoushumanmind (July 6, 2025) observing that 'my phone overheats whenever I play this game for a while,' though these reports appear isolated to extended play sessions on specific device models. The Anniversary Edition succeeds as a faithful mobile port that enhances rather than merely translates the original experience. Strengths include the substantial additional content, well-adapted touch controls, and preservation of the original's distinctive atmosphere. Limitations involve occasional performance issues on older hardware and the learning curve associated with the complex control scheme. The game represents an ideal choice for players seeking substantial narrative-driven experiences on mobile platforms, particularly those who appreciate Rockstar's signature open-world design philosophy in a unique setting.

Key Features

  • Enhanced mobile controls with context-sensitive touch interface optimized for iOS devices and various gameplay situations
  • Four additional classroom minigames including biology, math, music, and geography that expand skill development options
  • Expanded mission structure with new non-storyline activities providing approximately 4-6 hours of additional gameplay content
  • Complete original campaign preserving all story missions, side activities, and character interactions from console version
  • Adapted camera system using swipe gestures and dynamic interface elements that respond to environmental interactions
  • GTA+ membership integration allowing subscribers unlimited access without separate purchase while maintaining membership

Why Users Love It

Substantial additional content
Well-optimized mobile controls

Perfect for: Open-world adventure enthusiasts seeking narrative-driven mobile experiences

Screenshots

Bully: Anniversary Edition screenshot 1Bully: Anniversary Edition screenshot 2Bully: Anniversary Edition screenshot 3Bully: Anniversary Edition screenshot 4Bully: Anniversary Edition screenshot 5

Ranking History

Track Bully: Anniversary Edition's performance in Adventure Games over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#41

10 from last week

Best Rank

#25

All-time high

Average Rank

#36

30-day average

User Reviews

Drew soos
Oct 20, 2025

This brings me back to my childhood when this magnificent game came out but even better! 4 more classes, better graphics and overall more content and seasonal content based on game progress much better than I even remember!!! Love the nostalgia This brings me back to my childhood when this magnificent game came out but even better! 4 more classes, better graphics and overall more content and seasonal content based on game progress much better than I even remember!!!

Bjgottem0158
Oct 15, 2025

The game just has glitches and idk if I like it but I just give it 5 out 5 Idk if I like it but here the problem The game just has glitches and idk if I like it but I just give it 5 out 5

Can You update bad nerd Too
Nov 6, 2025

Please, Rockstar, Just Tell Me When Bully 2 Is Even About To Come Out. I Wonder When Bully 2 Is Even About To Come Out. Please, Rockstar, Just Tell Me When Bully 2 Is Even About To Come Out.

Spideysipsipsup
Oct 14, 2025

Bought this the literal second I saw it. Seriously one of my favorite games growing up and it’s actually the original full game. Completely blindsided apple put this in their store I was not expecting it at all. Plays smoother than original hardware. I’ll have to find a way to play this on a tv with controller as mobile touchscreen controls will just never be as good as a controller although they work fine on an iPhone, kinda hard to skateboard around in touchscreen. But it all works and looks great! Best 6 bucks you can spend. Now I just hope apple releases oblivion, fable 2, and fallout 3 and we’ll be golden for really the only games I’d ever consider playing again. BUY BUY BUY Bought this the literal second I saw it. Seriously one of my favorite games growing up and it’s actually the original full game. Completely blindsided apple put this in their store I was not expecting it at all. Plays smoother than original hardware. I’ll have to find a way to play this on a tv with controller as mobile touchscreen controls will just never be as good as a controller although they work fine on an iPhone, kinda hard to skateboard around in touchscreen. But it all works and looks great! Best 6 bucks you can spend. Now I just hope apple releases oblivion, fable 2, and fallout 3 and we’ll be golden for really the only games I’d ever consider playing again.

Abdurrack
Oct 24, 2025

hey I love bully so much I have been playing it for like 3 years on my PlayStation 5 and have no negative things to say about it except I JUST WANT THE FULL GAME FREE ON MOBILE MAKE IT FULLY FREE hey I love bully so much I have been playing it for like 3 years on my PlayStation 5 and have no negative things to say about it except I JUST WANT THE FULL GAME FREE ON MOBILE

App Details

Developer

Rockstar Games

Platform

ios

Rating

4.7

Last Updated

11/14/2025