Comparison

Stardash vs Sarge by Ape Apps

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

Head to head
About

Stardash

Experience a challenging retro platformer with classic gameplay and vibrant pixel art. Master difficult levels with infinite lives, unlock secret areas, and enjoy an authentic chiptune soundtrack. This game offers a rewarding experience for those who love a good challenge.

Highlights
  • Classic platformer gameplay
  • Challenging levels
  • Infinite lives
  • Unlockable temple levels
  • Flip-mode challenges
  • Retro graphics
  • Original chiptune soundtrack
Features
Read full description

Not just the looks of a classic game, also the gameplay of a classic platformer. This game is NOT EASY! you have an endless amount of lives, so you can quickly restart a level when you miss a jump, get hit by an enemy, get bitten by a plant, get hit by a spiky-ball, crushed by big statues, run onto spikes, get hit by a wasp, or any of the other many ways you’ll get stopped in your run. BUT when you do complete a level, the rush you get will keep you coming back for more, and more, and more, and.. Unlock special temple levels by finding hidden keys, unlock a flip-mode by completing a level both within the time set, and also by collecting all the coins in a level. Stardash is all about the gameplay thrown at you in awesome retro graphics and original chiptunes. ** OTHERS SAY: "all the ingredients needed for platforming excellence" - iFanzine "Orange Pixel nailed everything they were going for in this veritable symphony of old school gaming." - Appolicious "back to my early years, playing my favorite platform games" - unbound gamer "if you’re not gonna grab this, you will miss something truly wonderful" - app-score

About

Sarge by Ape Apps

Embark on a side-scrolling platform shooter adventure as a space marine. Battle aliens, robots, and zombies through intense action, boss fights, and humorous cut-scenes to save the world.

Highlights
  • Side-scrolling platform shooter gameplay
  • Battle aliens, robots, and zombies
  • Intense boss fights
  • Hilarious cut-scenes
  • Run, jump, and shoot mechanics
Features
Read full description

Get ready for action, adventure, explosions, and mayhem, with Sarge! Sarge is a fast paced action packed side scrolling platform shooter from Ape Apps! You take up the role of Sarge, a space marine from the popular Deimos RPG series, who must kick butt and save the world yet again. Fight aliens, robots, and zombies as you run, jump, and shoot your way to glory. Along the way you will face harrowing chases, intense boss fights, and hilarious cut-scenes. Will the shoot 'em up action ever end? Find out by downloading Sarge today! Beachfront Celebration Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Mistake the Getaway Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Blown Away Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Sax Rock and Roll Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Screenshots

Stardash4 screens
Sarge by Ape Apps3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Sarge by Ape Apps at Free against Stardash's $1.99. Sarge by Ape Apps also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 69%) and rating (4.2 vs 3.9). Stardash's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Sarge by Ape Apps is free to download; Stardash costs $1.99 up front. Sarge by Ape Apps sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Stardash asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sarge by Ape Apps holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Stardash's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sarge by Ape Apps's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stardash ships an update every 3 weeks, Sarge by Ape Apps every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Stardash versus Sarge by Ape Apps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStardashSarge by Ape Apps
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (24 ratings)4.2 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 13 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB44 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperPascal BestebroerBrandon Stecklein

Customer experience

Stardash

All ratings24 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral12.5%
Negative20.8%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive69.4%
Neutral12.9%
Negative17.7%

Sarge by Ape Apps

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Stardash

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • Jump button disappeared after update
  • Game crashes on iOS 7
  • Doesn't work with iOS 11
  • Proximity to enemies kills needs work
  • Hit detection is weird
Show 6 more
  • Animation could be smoother
  • Collision detection needs to be tighter
  • Controls broken on iControlPad in iCade mode
  • Crash on launch
  • Frame rate issues
  • Invisible walls for secret areas

Requested features

15 requests
  • Joystick for movement
  • Make Shesan Level 9 easier
  • Update for iOS 11 compatibility
  • Full screen on iPhone 5
  • More sound effects
Show 10 more
  • Character upgradable
  • Make game compatible with 60beat controller
  • Add mega difficulty mode
  • Fix achievements
  • Move OpenFeint logo
  • Rearrange buttons
  • More levels
  • Add color or costume for character
  • Unique control system
  • Flip iPad upside down for headphone jack clearance

Sarge by Ape Apps

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Stardash

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Sarge by Ape Apps

One-time1
  • Sarge Premium$1.99

Questions

Is Stardash free?
Stardash costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sarge by Ape Apps free?
Sarge by Ape Apps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Stardash or Sarge by Ape Apps?
Sarge by Ape Apps is rated higher. Stardash averages 3.9 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Sarge by Ape Apps averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Stardash or Sarge by Ape Apps have ads?
Sarge by Ape Apps shows ads; Stardash does not.
Which is updated more often, Stardash or Sarge by Ape Apps?
Stardash ships an update every 3 weeks, and Sarge by Ape Apps every 13 months. Most recently, Stardash was updated on November 1, 2026 and Sarge by Ape Apps on November 2, 2026.

Other comparisons