# Planet Defender

> Retro side-scrolling arcade shooter defending Earth from alien invasion. (iPhone/iPad app by Kim Summerskill.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planet-defender/id6749314161 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Kim Summerskill](https://appshunter.io/developer/1829961368)
- Category: Games, Action, Casual
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 45 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Japanese, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish, Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)
- Released: 2025-08-07
- Data updated: 2026-08-31
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planet-defender/id6749314161/reviews.md

## What is Planet Defender?

Suit up, pilot — Earth needs you!
Inspired by the legendary arcade classics of the 80s, Planetary Defender is a pixel-perfect retro side-scrolling shooter built with passion by a solo indie developer.

Battle waves of alien invaders, rescue civilians and animals from abduction, and defend your planet from annihilation — all without the modern nonsense.
No ads. No pay-to-win. No fake currency. Just pure arcade action.

Features:
•	Retro-style arcade shooter action with a modern twist
•	Save humans and animals before they’re abducted
•	Blast through unique alien ship types and enemy waves
•	Multiple difficulty levels for casual pilots or hardened defenders
•	Cool boss fights
•	External controller support
•	Game Center global leaderboards and achievement trophies
•	Unlockable medals and progression tracking
•	Built and supported by a solo indie developer — no big studio, just love for games
•	Frequent updates planned with new enemies, mechanics, and surprises!

Whether you grew up in arcades or just love fast-paced shooters - this one’s for you.

## Key features

- Retro-style arcade shooter action
- Rescue humans and animals
- Battle unique alien ship types
- Multiple difficulty levels
- Cool boss fights
- External controller support
- Game Center leaderboards

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Game Unlock | $3.99 | one-time |



## Frequently asked questions about Planet Defender

### Does Planet Defender have ads?

No, Planet Defender is completely ad-free. The developer explicitly states 'No ads. No pay-to-win. No fake currency. Just pure arcade action.'

### What is the gameplay like in Planet Defender?

Planet Defender is a retro-style side-scrolling shooter where you battle waves of alien invaders, rescue civilians and animals, and fight bosses. It offers multiple difficulty levels for varied challenges.

### Can I play Planet Defender offline?

The description does not explicitly mention offline play, but given its arcade-inspired nature and features like Game Center leaderboards, an internet connection may be required for full functionality.

### What devices is Planet Defender available on?

Planet Defender is available on iPhone and iPod. It is designed for iOS devices.

### How often is Planet Defender updated?

The developer plans frequent updates with new enemies, mechanics, and surprises. The latest version, 1.2.0, was released on January 14, 2026.

### Does Planet Defender support controllers?

Yes, Planet Defender features external controller support, allowing for a more traditional arcade gaming experience.

### What is the age rating for Planet Defender?

Planet Defender has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of players.

### How does Planet Defender compare to other retro shooters?

Planet Defender emphasizes pure arcade action without ads or pay-to-win mechanics, focusing on classic gameplay inspired by 80s arcade classics, with modern additions like leaderboards and progression tracking.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.0 — 2026-01-14

- Free app, no in app purchase required. Full game.

### 1.1.3 — 2025-09-13

- In game music
- Sound and music options

### 1.1.2 — 2025-09-11

- Boss fights, a new boss fight after every planet (5 waves), defeat the mothership and its saucer swarm!
- Added support for bluetooth controllers
- Fixed a bug where saucers were flying under weapons

### 1.1.0 — 2025-09-09

Boss fights, a new boss fight after every planet (5 waves), defeat the mothership and its saucer swarm!

### 1.0.12 — 2025-08-19

- Updated app preview video to better showcase gameplay.
- Changed app from pay first to 'try before you buy' after 3 levels it will prompt for purchase

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-31.*