# Retro Games Collection vs Ascender

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Ascender at 98% against Retro Games Collection's 50%. Ascender also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.9) and ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Ascender holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 48 and 156 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Retro Games Collection's written reviews are positive against 98% of Ascender's.

Retro Games Collection ships an update every 3 months, Ascender weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retro Games Collection | Ascender |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (48 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-games-collection/id1436408674/reviews) | **[4.9 (156 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascender/id1642885179/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 48 | **156** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **98.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 31 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MIchal Lucansky](https://appshunter.io/developer/1419774462) | [Peter Moyle](https://appshunter.io/developer/1642885181) |

## What reviewers say

### Retro Games Collection

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-games-collection/id1436408674)

Experience six classic arcade games with customizable visual styles, including Neon and LCD. Enjoy timeless gameplay without interruptions like timers or lives to purchase. Compete on leaderboards and unlock achievements.

**Highlights:** Six arcade classics included, Neon and LCD visual styles, No timers or lives to buy, Game Center leaderboards, Unlockable achievements, Halloween theme option

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Ascender

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascender/id1642885179)

Embark on an 8-bit arcade adventure, ascending from an abyss. Navigate treacherous terrain, defeat enemies, and manage your engine's heat. Experience thrilling gameplay with retro graphics and sound, aiming for the highest score.

**Highlights:** Retro arcade graphics and sound, 1000m of level design, Easy mobile controls, Quick start checkpoints, 3 Game modes, Game Center leaderboards

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 No ads or in-app purchases
- 🎨 Retro aesthetic and pixel art style
- ⚙️ Simple yet engaging gameplay mechanics
- 🎯 Challenging but fair difficulty balance
- 🏆 Multiple game modes (Classic, Survival, Time Trial)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📏 Control buttons positioned too close together and far left
- ⏱️ Limited content - single level with three play modes
- 🎮 Controls occasionally unresponsive or don't register
- 😞 Game is too short for some players
- 🔧 Input detection issues causing unexpected deaths

**Reported bugs**

- Controls don't register sometimes causing flight or fire errors
- Input detection issues leading to unexpected deaths

**Requested features**

- Sequel or Part 2 with more levels
- Progress saving functionality
- Additional levels and content
- Adjustable button sizes
- Discord server for community


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retro Games Collection free?

Retro Games Collection is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Ascender free?

Ascender is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Retro Games Collection or Ascender?

Ascender is rated higher. Retro Games Collection averages 3.9 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while Ascender averages 4.9 from 156 ratings.

### Do Retro Games Collection or Ascender have ads?

Retro Games Collection shows ads; Ascender does not.

### Which is updated more often, Retro Games Collection or Ascender?

Retro Games Collection ships an update every 3 months, and Ascender weekly. Most recently, Retro Games Collection was updated on November 6, 2026 and Ascender on November 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*