Comparison

DATA WING vs Star Jolt

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

Head to head
About

DATA WING

Experience a story-driven racing adventure through a neon-lit computer system. Deliver data, master intuitive controls, and uncover a conspiracy as the system faces an attack. Enjoy a compelling narrative, challenging levels, and a competitive leaderboard.

Highlights
  • Story-driven racing adventure
  • Intuitive two-touch controls
  • Wall-thrusting racing mechanics
  • Over 40 levels
  • Competitive crown system and leaderboards
  • Original soundtrack
Features
Read full description

Blast through a stylish, neon landscape in this story-driven, racing adventure. DATA WINGs deliver critical data throughout the computer system, following Mother's orders without question. But when the system comes under attack, and Mother becomes irrational, something must be done! • Intuitive two-touch controls with an arcade feel • Sleek racing with a focus on thrusting off walls • A +2 hour story with over 40 levels • A competitive crown system. Own courses and the leaderboards! • An amazing soundtrack from world-class producers. Featuring: luxury elite, 18 Carat Affair, ESPRIT 空想, t e l e p a t h テレパシー能力者, Eyeliner and NxxxxxS "A ridiculously stylish 2D racer" - TouchArcade DATA WING is the solo passion-project of Dan Vogt; a 15-year veteran of the games industry.

About

Star Jolt

Experience a fast-paced, retro arcade space game focused on high-score chasing. Master lightning-fast reflexes and precise control to navigate cosmic debris and compete globally. Unlock unique ships and replay endlessly for the ultimate challenge.

Highlights
  • Global leaderboards
  • Unlockable ships
  • Ghost ship races
  • One-hand gameplay
  • Record and share runs
  • Achievements
Features
Read full description

Challenge yourself, your friends, and players worldwide in a fast-paced retro arcade space game built for pure high-score chasing. Star Jolt is a hardcore 80s-inspired arcade space racer where lightning-fast reflexes, precise control, and nerve decide everything. Games are short, brutal, and endlessly replayable — perfect for one-hand, portrait play anytime, anywhere.  “New Games We Love” — Apple “Hidden Gems” — Apple “The Best Free iPhone Games 2023” — TechRadar “Best Free iPhone Games” — Macworld Can you navigate the cosmic debris and claim your spot on the global leaderboard? • Global leaderboards — climb the rankings and chase the perfect run • Achievements for long-term mastery • 20 unique ships to unlock — each with its own feel • Race against ghost ships from other players and your own best runs • One-touch, one-hand gameplay in portrait mode • Record and share your highscore attempts “Death comes often, but because games are so short, you’ll instantly want to try again — not least because of Star Jolt’s humor, entertaining hidden features, and eye-popping visuals.” — TechRadar “It laughs in your face as your digits repeatedly fail you, ending games within mere seconds. But the compulsion loop is strong — you’ll want another crack immediately.” — Macworld The Mission: Clean Up the Galaxy Space is full of dangerous junk — not just near Earth, but also near the left shoulder of Orion. There, a civilization of annoying lizard-like aliens is locked in an eternal race against their own creations: stupid, but friendly robots. As the unlikely hero of both sides, only you can keep them from tearing themselves apart — by flying faster, surviving longer, and cleaning up space one crash at a time. Reach for the hottest scores. Crash. Retry. Improve.

Screenshots

DATA WING4 screens
Star Jolt4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DATA WING at none against Star Jolt's 2. DATA WING also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (24K vs 827). Star Jolt's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating and device support 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. Star Jolt sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. DATA WING asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for DATA WING against 4.8 for Star Jolt. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DATA WING has 24K ratings behind it against 827, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 97% of DATA WING's written reviews are positive against 88% of Star Jolt's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DATA WING ships an update every 3 months, Star Jolt every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
DATA WING versus Star Jolt: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDATA WINGStar Jolt
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (24K ratings) — better4.8 (827 ratings)
Positive reviews97.0% of reviews — better88.0% of reviews
Number of ratings24K — better827
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size103 MB122 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperDan VogtBeardybird AB

Customer experience

DATA WING

All ratings23,655 ratings
Positive98.2%
Neutral1.0%
Negative0.8%
Written reviews1,380 reviews
Positive97.0%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.7%

Star Jolt

All ratings827 ratings
Positive97.1%
Neutral2.1%
Negative0.8%
Written reviews100 reviews
Positive88.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative9.0%

User reviews

DATA WING

From 24K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 🎨 Beautiful visuals and aesthetics
  • 🎵 Excellent soundtrack
  • 👍 Intuitive controls
  • 🔒 No ads or in-app purchases

Room to improve

  • 🔋 Battery-intensive
  • 🔍 Short length/content
  • 🐛 Occasional control issues

Star Jolt

From 827 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎮 Retro arcade style
  • 🎨 Stylish visuals
  • 🎯 Challenging gameplay
  • 🏆 Competitive leaderboards
  • 🎼 Great audio and sound effects

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional glitches and crashes
  • 📺 Frequent and unskippable ads
  • 🔍 Sensitivity issues with controls
  • 🔋 Potential battery drain

Bugs and requests

DATA WING

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Certain levels have tight time requirements
  • Difficulty spikes in some areas

Requested features

4 requests
  • More levels and content
  • Multiplayer/online racing mode
  • Level editor/creator
  • Ability to replay/revisit story elements

Star Jolt

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Game freezing during runs
  • Crashes on certain device models
  • Purchase restoration issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Sensitivity adjustment options
  • More ship/character customization
  • Expanded story or progression system
  • Ability to name/customize player profile

In-app purchases

None

DATA WING

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Star Jolt

One-time2
  • Remove all ads + unique ship$2.99
  • Unlock all ships$7.99

Questions

Is DATA WING free?
DATA WING is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Star Jolt free?
Star Jolt is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, DATA WING or Star Jolt?
DATA WING is rated higher. DATA WING averages 4.9 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Star Jolt averages 4.8 from 827 ratings.
Do DATA WING or Star Jolt have ads?
Star Jolt shows ads; DATA WING does not.
Which is updated more often, DATA WING or Star Jolt?
DATA WING ships an update every 3 months, and Star Jolt every 3 weeks. Most recently, DATA WING was updated on September 27, 2026 and Star Jolt on September 26, 2026.

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