Comparison

Race High vs Classic Maelstrom

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

Head to head
About

Race High

Experience a unique driving game where simple touch controls dictate your steering. Race solo or challenge a friend in split-screen mode, all while enjoying an immersive soundtrack. Master the intuitive mechanics to become an elite racer.

Highlights
  • Unique touch-to-steer controls
  • Solo gameplay
  • Split-screen multiplayer
  • Immersive music
  • Elite racer progression
Features
Read full description

Bet you've never driven like this before. Touch down to turn right, release to turn left. Play solo or with a friend (split-screen). Feel the music! -- Driving tip: Just tap to steer away from danger. But wait... not the usual way. You have to try it to understand. -- Race like never before. Become an elite racer.

About

Classic Maelstrom

Experience a fast-paced, retro arcade shooter with classic pixel graphics and authentic sounds. Enjoy cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, along with modern touch and controller support. Discover hidden secrets and challenge yourself with unique game modes.

Highlights
  • Fast-action gameplay
  • Classic pixel graphics
  • Original sounds
  • Cooperative multiplayer
  • Competitive multiplayer
  • Mobile touch controls
  • Game controller support
  • Kid Mode
Features
Read full description

Maelstrom is a licensed open source port of the original shareware game for the Macintosh by Ambrosia Software, Inc. It is a fast-action, asteroids-like game, with classic pixel graphics and original sounds. In addition to being a faithful reproduction of the original game, this version adds game controller support, mobile touch controls, and both cooperative and competitive multiplayer action. Features: Kid Mode Clicking the "kid mode" icon next to the play button will enable an easier play mode which will add the retro-thruster prize and automatically shield you as long as shields are available - but beware the Shenobi ships! Their shots will not trigger the automatic defensive systems. Achievements and high scores are not available while in this mode. Multiplayer You can host or join a multiplayer game from the main menu. Up to three players can play at once, and they can be any combination of other players on the local network, and connected controllers. Easter Eggs The classic easter eggs from the original game are all there, and it's up to you to find them...

Screenshots

Race High4 screens
Classic Maelstrom4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Classic Maelstrom at none against Race High's 10. Classic Maelstrom also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks). Race High's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price and rating 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. Race High sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Classic Maelstrom asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Race High against 5.0 for Classic Maelstrom. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Race High ships an update every 2 weeks, Classic Maelstrom every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 2 level
Race High versus Classic Maelstrom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRace HighClassic Maelstrom
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFilipe SaSam Lantinga

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Race High

One-time10
  • Compete. Steering Swaps.$0.99
  • Two Players. Steering Left.$0.99
  • Two Players. Steering Right.$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Two Players. Steering Swaps.$0.99
  • Career league: Beginners.$0.99
  • Career league: Skilled.$0.99
  • Career league: Seniors.$0.99
  • Career league: Veterans.$0.99
  • Career league: Masters.$0.99
  • Career league: Experts.$0.99
None

Classic Maelstrom

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Race High free?
Race High is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Classic Maelstrom free?
Classic Maelstrom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Race High or Classic Maelstrom?
Race High and Classic Maelstrom are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do Race High or Classic Maelstrom have ads?
Race High shows ads; Classic Maelstrom does not.
Which is updated more often, Race High or Classic Maelstrom?
Race High ships an update every 2 weeks, and Classic Maelstrom every 2 days. Most recently, Race High was updated on November 3, 2026 and Classic Maelstrom on November 9, 2026.

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