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

by Rockstar Games

4.7
IOSAction 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

User Reviews

Basically don’t like you
May 24, 2025

I just wanna say that this game is good and stuff but can you add the full game without 30 min I don’t have a gta plus or I don’t have money I’m broke 🥲 but yea game is good just take a way the 30 min and just let it be full game I know it already is but just for the people who don’t want it If you have anything to say My iCloud is Iamallanharrison@icloud Best game ever I just wanna say that this game is good and stuff but can you add the full game without 30 min I don’t have a gta plus or I don’t have moneyI’m broke 🥲 but yea game is good just take a way the 30 min and just let it be full game I know it already is but just for the people who don’t want itIf you have anything to say My iCloud is Iamallanharrison@icloud

Nickname’s 2231
May 24, 2025

What makes Bully so good is how it blends Rockstar’s classic gameplay formula with a coming-of-age narrative that’s both humorous and surprisingly heartfelt. The missions range from hilarious pranks and dormitory fights to exposing corrupt school staff, all while managing classes, relationships, and cliques like jocks, nerds, and preppies. It’s like GTA meets John Hughes—but with slingshots and stink bombs instead of guns and grenades. The game’s writing is sharp, filled with witty dialogue and memorable characters. The voice acting, especially Gerry Rosenthal as Jimmy, brings real personality to the experience. The open-world structure of the school and town is impressively detailed for its time, encouraging exploration and discovery. Bully also has a strong moral undercurrent—Jimmy often fights for the underdog, and the game critiques bullying, authority abuse, and peer pressure in a way that still resonates. Bully is 🤙 What makes Bully so good is how it blends Rockstar’s classic gameplay formula with a coming-of-age narrative that’s both humorous and surprisingly heartfelt. The missions range from hilarious pranks and dormitory fights to exposing corrupt school staff, all while managing classes, relationships, and cliques like jocks, nerds, and preppies. It’s like GTA meets John Hughes—but with slingshots and stink bombs instead of guns and grenades.The game’s writing is sharp, filled with witty dialogue and memorable characters. The voice acting, especially Gerry Rosenthal as Jimmy, brings real personality to the experience. The open-world structure of the school and town is impressively detailed for its time, encouraging exploration and discovery. Bully also has a strong moral undercurrent—Jimmy often fights for the underdog, and the game critiques bullying, authority abuse, and peer pressure in a way that still resonates.

anonymoushumanmind
Jul 7, 2025

This game is so good and the story is very good and detailed, however my phone overheats whenever I play this game for a while but it’s okay.Other then that there is no problems 10/10 Amazing This game is so good and the story is very good and detailed, however my phone overheats whenever I play this game for a while but it’s okay.Other then that there is no problems 10/10

Juice wrld 🧃🌍
May 10, 2025

I love this game personally it’s a great game has a awesome story line and it makes you feel like you’re actually in the game that’s why I love this game and appreciate it and approve it thanks rockstar. My review on bully I love this game personally it’s a great game has a awesome story line and it makes you feel like you’re actually in the game that’s why I love this game and appreciate it and approve it thanks rockstar.

King Ayden 1
May 8, 2025

I have been a fan of bully since 2016 this is a great game my only problem is that the screen turns black for some reason and I get stuck in this weird animation Love the game I have been a fan of bully since 2016 this is a great game my only problem is that the screen turns black for some reason and I get stuck in this weird animation

App Details

Developer

Rockstar Games

Platform

ios

Rating

4.7

Last Updated

9/7/2025