Comparison

Space Cadet Defender vs Falling Fred Redux

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

Head to head
About

Space Cadet Defender

Defend Earth from alien invaders in this fast-paced arcade shooter. Progress through 50 unique levels, upgrade your ship with powerful enhancements, and face off against challenging boss battles. Compete with friends by viewing local and world high scores.

Highlights
  • Fast-paced arcade gameplay
  • 50 unique levels
  • Ship upgrades
  • Boss battles
  • Unique power-ups
  • Score viewing
Features
Read full description

FEATURES: - Fast paced, exciting invaders style arcade game. - 50 Unique levels, can you pass them all? - Enhance your ship with powerful upgrades. - Boss levels with powerful Alien Overlords. - Unique powerups. - View friends scores, both local and world. - Save and restore in-progress games. These are troubling times. Earth’s very existence is threatened. Alien invaders from outer space have been sent to destroy our planet. You have been called up to repel their attack. You must plan your battle strategy well and upgrade your fighter ship as the fight progresses to defeat the increasingly advanced alien space craft. Beware, their powerful overlords are watching and will join the fight to help the alien forces destroy us. We’re counting on you. Earth is counting on you. You can do it, you are a Space Cadet!

About

Falling Fred Redux

Experience a retro arcade vertical runner where you guide a character in a chaotic freefall. Dodge deadly traps, upgrade skills, and collect power-ups to survive the descent. Unlock new characters and enjoy physics-based mayhem with improved graphics.

Highlights
  • Endless vertical mayhem with dangerous traps
  • Upgradeable skills for enhanced gameplay
  • Physics-based chaos for unpredictable falls
  • Challenge friends for high scores
  • Unlockable character skins
  • Retro visual upgrade
Features
Read full description

The Master of Concussions is back for more! After more than 15 years of falling, you could consider this a retro arcade “vertical runner” gem. What goes down, usually meets something hard on its way. But Fred keeps surviving in this classic gross-out chaos, plunging from sky-high heights to the fiery depths in a vertical freefall like no other. Upgrade your skills, collect outrageous power-ups, and unlock a hilarious cast of characters. With improved graphics and all the chaotic fun of the original, this is the ultimate retro experience for daredevils and gory fans alike. Game Features: • Endless vertical mayhem — zoom past dozens of ridiculously dangerous traps. • Upgradeable skills to boost Fred’s speed, resilience, and fall-taming prowess. • Physics-based chaos for unpredictable, hilarious tumbles. • Challenge your friends and prove who’s the ultimate high-score master. • Unlock a crazy collection of skins and show off your style while plummeting. • Relive the classic retro fun with a visual upgrade. Download Falling Fred now and dive into the gross-out vertical madness! No parachutes, just pure irreverent fun!

Screenshots

Space Cadet Defender4 screens
Falling Fred Redux4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Space Cadet Defender at 4.2 against Falling Fred Redux's 3.0. Space Cadet Defender also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 38%) and ads (none vs shown). Falling Fred Redux's advantage is ratings volume (157 vs 22). On price, update cadence, 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. Space Cadet Defender sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Falling Fred Redux sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Space Cadet Defender holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Falling Fred Redux has 157 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Space Cadet Defender's written reviews are positive against 38% of Falling Fred Redux's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Space Cadet Defender ships an update every 2 months, Falling Fred Redux every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Space Cadet Defender versus Falling Fred Redux: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpace Cadet DefenderFalling Fred Redux
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (22 ratings) — better3.0 (157 ratings)
Positive reviews74.6% of reviews — better37.6% of reviews
Number of ratings22157 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS3.1 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB223 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSixHourSoft LLCDedalord S.R.L.

Customer experience

Space Cadet Defender

All ratings22 ratings
Positive72.7%
Neutral13.6%
Negative13.6%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive74.6%
Neutral9.5%
Negative15.9%

Falling Fred Redux

All ratings150 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral17.3%
Negative42.7%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive37.6%
Neutral15.3%
Negative47.1%

Bugs and requests

Space Cadet Defender

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Falling Fred Redux

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Certain characters not appearing
  • UI issues and poor design

Requested features

3 requests
  • Bring back original characters and art style
  • Restore gore and violent elements
  • Expand character roster

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Space Cadet Defender

One-time8
  • Level Pack 1$0.99
  • Cannon Upgrade$0.99
  • Artillery Upgrade$0.99
Show 5 more
  • Shield Upgrade$0.99
  • Nuke Power Upgrade$0.99
  • Engine Speed Upgrade$0.99
  • Nuke Pack of 20$0.99
  • Extra Life$0.99
10 purchases

Falling Fred Redux

One-time10
  • 1,000 Skullies$1.99
  • 2000 Skullies$1.99
  • 3,000 Skullies$4.99
Show 7 more
  • 5500 Skullies$4.99
  • 10,000 Skullies$9.99
  • 11500 Skullies$9.99
  • 30,000 Skullies$19.99
  • 24000 Skullies$19.99
  • 39000 Skullies$29.99
  • 75000 Skullies$49.99

Questions

Is Space Cadet Defender free?
Space Cadet Defender is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Falling Fred Redux free?
Falling Fred Redux is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Space Cadet Defender or Falling Fred Redux?
Space Cadet Defender is rated higher. Space Cadet Defender averages 4.2 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Falling Fred Redux averages 3.0 from 157 ratings.
Do Space Cadet Defender or Falling Fred Redux have ads?
Falling Fred Redux shows ads; Space Cadet Defender does not.
Which is updated more often, Space Cadet Defender or Falling Fred Redux?
Space Cadet Defender ships an update every 2 months, and Falling Fred Redux every 4 months. Most recently, Space Cadet Defender was updated on November 1, 2026 and Falling Fred Redux on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons