Zip—Zap in IOS

Stuff that moves. Anyhow.

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Site Score

96/100

Zip Zap is physics-puzzler perfection. Developed by Philipp Stollenmayer, it takes the complex concept of mechanical linkage and distills it into a single, intuitive action: tap to contract, release to expand. You control various 'erector-set' style joints, and your goal is simple: get your little metal creature to touch a white circle and stay there for three seconds.

It sounds easy, but the level design is brilliant. One moment you're a simple inchworm crawling across a gap; the next, you're a complex swinging pendulum or a spring-loaded catapult. The 'feel' of the physics is weighty and tactile. There are no timers, no scores, and no stars—just the pure satisfaction of figuring out the movement. It’s a meditative yet mentally stimulating experience that belongs on every phone.

Reviewed on: Wed Sep 04 2024
Dinsun Avatar

Dinsun Review

Dinsun here. This is what mobile gaming should be. Zip-Zap doesn't waste your time with stories, tutorials, or shops. It gives you a piece of metal, a goal, and lets you figure it out. The physics are incredibly satisfying—there's a real 'weight' to the hinges that feels authentic. I found myself obsessing over the timing of a single 'zap' just to get that perfect swing. It’s elegant, it’s clever, and it respects the player’s intelligence. At my age, I appreciate a game that gets out of its own way and just lets you play. It's the digital equivalent of a high-quality desk toy.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

  • Brilliant minimalist design
  • Perfect touch controls
  • Fair and clever puzzles
  • Could use even more levels
  • Some later levels rely a bit too much on luck

Technical Report

Performance: Flawless; the physics engine is incredibly robust.

Accessibility:
  • One-tap gameplay
  • Clear visual contrast

Audience Fit

Buy if: You enjoy logic puzzles and appreciate clean, functional design.

Skip if: You need a narrative or flashy explosions to stay interested.

Similar Games:
  • Kami
  • Hook
  • Zengrams

Reviewer Context

  • Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative critic
  • Hardware: iPhone 13
  • Playtime: 6 hours
  • Status: All levels completed

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 2.11Tue May 22 2018

+ small improvements


Touch to contract.

Release to let go.

Bring the clumsy mechanical beings home.

· · ·

over 100 levels

no ads

no in-app-purchases

»brilliantly designed« – gamezebo

»a lot of heart« – pocketgamer

»clever« – toucharcade

»excellent« – macstories

»absolute joy to play« – platformalist


Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Touch to contract.

Release to let go.

Bring the clumsy mechanical beings home.

· · ·

over 100 levels

no ads

no in-app-purchases

»brilliantly designed« – gamezebo

»a lot of heart« – pocketgamer

»clever« – toucharcade

»excellent« – macstories

»absolute joy to play« – platformalist


Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5 with 4852 Counts
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
★★★★★
Age Rating 4+

Screenshots

Zip—Zap screenshot 1Zip—Zap screenshot 2Zip—Zap screenshot 3Zip—Zap screenshot 4Zip—Zap screenshot 5Zip—Zap screenshot 6

Zip Zap is a minimalist physics game where you control mechanical hinges with a single tap. The objective is to navigate your hinged structures to reach the goal. With its realistic physics engine and over 100 handcrafted levels, Zip Zap offers a unique, toy-like experience that is both challenging and relaxing. No ads, no in-app purchases—just pure, clever puzzling.

Features

1

Brilliant one-tap physics gameplay

2

Over 100 levels of increasing complexity

3

Tactile, toy-like mechanical feel

4

Minimalist and clean visual design

5

Completely premium experience with no ads

Recommended Links

Zip-Zap Review - Simple, satisfying physics

A deep dive into why Zip-Zap's simplicity works.

Review

News on this game

Two shocking new ex Pikachus previewed for the Pokémon TCG's 30th Anniversary set  Wargamer

Wargamer - Sun Jun 07 2026

Indie Spotlight – Bacon in Zane delivers weirdly satisfying casual gameplay inside the human body  GamingonPhone

GamingonPhone - Sat May 09 2026

Insight: I'm not pursuing my dreams in college, but I haven't given up  The State Press

The State Press - Wed Apr 15 2026

All Rebirth Uplands Soliskin locations in Wuthering Waves  Sportskeeda

Sportskeeda - Tue Dec 30 2025

Can theater artists work inside the AI industry?  San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Chronicle - Sat Dec 27 2025

Wuthering Waves: How to Get Zip Zap Echo – Stats & Uses Explained  Nerd's Chalk

Nerd's Chalk - Fri Dec 26 2025

Wuthering Waves Where Wisdom Lights the Way quest guide  Sportskeeda

Sportskeeda - Thu Dec 25 2025

Wuthering Waves: The Lost Melody quest guide  Sportskeeda

Sportskeeda - Thu Dec 25 2025

Genshin Impact Clink Clank Clash event guide  Sportskeeda

Sportskeeda - Fri Sep 12 2025

Imagination rules at action day camp in Post Falls  Coeur d'Alene Press

Coeur d'Alene Press - Tue Jul 29 2025

Gameplays

Q&A

The game does not have a hint system, but there is no penalty for failure, encouraging endless experimentation.

More by Developer

85
74
Okay?
Last Update: Tue Oct 31 2023
92
85
supertype
Last Update: Mon Apr 29 2024

You Might Also Like

80
62
Red Ball 4
Last Update: Tue Feb 27 2024
72
45
Raider
Last Update: Fri Mar 08 2024

All Categories

Puzzle Game

Action Game

Simulation Game

Casual Game

Adventure Game

Card Game

Roleplaying Game

Board Game

Sports Game

Strategy Game

Racing Game

Family Game

Casino Game

Music Game

Word Game

Trivia Game

Education Game

Games Game

Entertainment Game

Books Game

Utilities Game

Social Networking Game

Health & Fitness Game

Lifestyle Game