Comparison

Phoenix 2 vs Bubble Trouble 3

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

Head to head
About

Phoenix 2

Blast through waves of alien invaders in this classic arcade space shooter. Collect and upgrade over 100 unique ships, complete exciting missions, and compete on global leaderboards. Enjoy short game sessions or an action-packed campaign with stunning graphics.

Highlights
  • Over 100 unique ships
  • Ship collection and upgrades
  • Action-packed campaign
  • Special abilities
  • Daily missions
  • Global leaderboards
  • Cross-platform play
Features
Read full description

Save the galaxy in this classic arcade shooter that everyone can enjoy! Blast wave after wave of menacing invaders in exciting missions to achieve glorious victory. Start playing Phoenix 2 right now with all these great features. * Blast invaders with over 100 unique ships. * Build your own ship collection and upgrade your favorites. * Experience an action packed campaign with 30 exciting story missions. * Discover special abilities like Mega Laser, Missile Swarm and Personal Shield. * Short game sessions: Launch whenever you have a minute to play. * Complete daily missions of different skill levels, from casual to bullet hell. * Get the high score on global leaderboards and show you are the best of the best. * Engage with an active community to help each other and discuss ship tactics. * New missions are generated every day. * Stunning and smooth 120FPS graphics powered by our custom game engine. * Create a group for your friends and play your own unique missions. * Cross-platform saving and cross-platform play. Phoenix 2 is developed by a passionate indie studio in The Netherlands and delivers the handcrafted experience of a retro space shoot’em up with modern gameplay. Phoenix 2 is your new daily visit to the arcade! Internet connection required to play.

About

Bubble Trouble 3

Relive a classic arcade experience by popping bubbles and avoiding hazards across 45 unique levels. Choose from four distinct weapons and utilize helpful items to progress. Enjoy single-player or local co-op gameplay on the same device.

Highlights
  • 45 unique levels
  • 4 different weapons
  • 5 helpful items
  • Single-player mode
  • Local co-op multiplayer
  • Classic arcade gameplay
Features
Read full description

Labeled as one of the 'Top 10 most played online games' - now on your Apple device. The game from your childhood! Designed in 2011, re-constructed in 2022. 45 unique levels 4 different weapons (Harpoon, Hook, Laser, Mine) 5 Items to help you complete the game. Play alone -- or together with a friend (on the same device). Have fun! :) P.S. I am the original author of the Bubble Trouble (aka Bubble Struggle) games. Please let me know any feedback via email (website link inside the game). Many thanks!

Screenshots

Phoenix 24 screens
Bubble Trouble 34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Phoenix 2 at 73% against Bubble Trouble 3's 0%. Phoenix 2 also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (26K vs 2). 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. Phoenix 2 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases and Bubble Trouble 3 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Phoenix 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Phoenix 2 has 26K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Phoenix 2's written reviews are positive against 0% of Bubble Trouble 3's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Phoenix 2 ships an update every 3 weeks, Bubble Trouble 3 every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Phoenix 2 versus Bubble Trouble 3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhoenix 2Bubble Trouble 3
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (26K ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings26K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size295 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFiri GamesOne up games

Customer experience

Phoenix 2

All ratings25,800 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral3.5%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews1,560 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral8.6%
Negative18.1%

Bubble Trouble 3

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

Phoenix 2

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Warp gate charge time bug
  • Occasional crashes
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add haptic feedback
  • Implement an endless mode
  • Allow players to customize ships
  • Add a level creator
  • Provide an offline mode
Show 2 more
  • Improve ship ability descriptions
  • Add a replay feature

Bubble Trouble 3

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

11 purchases

Phoenix 2

One-time11
  • 800 Credits$0.99
  • 5000 Credits$4.99
  • Special Offer$4.99
Show 8 more
  • VIP$4.99
  • 12000 Credits$9.99
  • Special Offer$9.99
  • 25000 Credits$19.99
  • Special Offer$19.99
  • 65000 Credits$49.99
  • Special Offer$49.99
  • 140K Credits$99.99
1 purchases

Bubble Trouble 3

One-time1
  • Remove ads$4.99

Questions

Is Phoenix 2 free?
Phoenix 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bubble Trouble 3 free?
Bubble Trouble 3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Phoenix 2 or Bubble Trouble 3?
Phoenix 2 is rated higher. Phoenix 2 averages 4.7 out of 5 from 26K ratings, while Bubble Trouble 3 averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Phoenix 2 or Bubble Trouble 3 have ads?
Both Phoenix 2 and Bubble Trouble 3 show ads.
Which is updated more often, Phoenix 2 or Bubble Trouble 3?
Phoenix 2 ships an update every 3 weeks, and Bubble Trouble 3 every 4 months. Most recently, Phoenix 2 was updated on October 14, 2026 and Bubble Trouble 3 on October 8, 2026.

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