Comparison

Stardash vs Astro Duel

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

Astro Duel

Engage in fast-paced local multiplayer combat for up to 4 players on iPad and Apple TV. Blast opponents, use powerups, and navigate dynamic arenas with various hazards. Supports multiple control methods for flexible gameplay.

Highlights
  • Up to 4 player local multiplayer
  • 13 dynamic arenas with hazards
  • Multiple game modes (Ship Hunters, Pilot Hunters, Team Deathmatch)
  • Devastating powerups
  • iPad, gamepad, and keyboard controls
  • AI computer players
  • Customizable game modifiers
Features
Read full description

Astro Duel is a competitive local multiplayer game for iPad and Apple TV. Prepare for astral dog fights with up to 4 players. Rounds are quick and death is sudden. Blast your friends into space. Run over their helpless bodies for good measure. === Feature List === 13 DYNAMIC ARENAS Rich, varied arenas provide a host of hiding places and hazards. Use barriers and asteroids as cover. Avoid turrets, death beams, and black holes or you're dead. MULTIPLE GAME MODES Battle for the most kills in Ship Hunters, outlast your opponents in Pilot Hunters, or join forces in Team Deathmatch. DEVASTATING POWERUPS Ships can be armed with offensive and defensive pickups including missiles, lasers, jousters and shields. Race to collect powerups to give yourself an edge or blast powerup-greedy opponents before they reach their prize. iPAD CONTROLS Up to 2 players can pilot their ships using just an iPad. No controllers required. GAMEPAD SUPPORT Play with Bluetooth game controllers like the Xbox and Playstation gamepads. KEYBOARD SUPPORT Play with a Bluetooth or wired keyboard. An easy way to add more players. COMPUTER PLAYERS Add any combination of AI ships. Practice solo against computer-controlled players, mix up free-for-alls, or battle Human vs Machine in a Team Deathmatch. Includes two levels of difficulty. MODIFIERS Mix up play with a variety of game modifiers. Start every round with a specific powerup. Add more asteroids for cover or remove them entirely. Adjust fixed spawns, friendly fire, autobalance, shields and more. === YOUR SHIP A SPLODE ===

Screenshots

Stardash4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Astro Duel at 4.4 against Stardash's 3.9. Stardash's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and price ($1.99 vs $4.99). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Stardash costs $1.99 and Astro Duel $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Astro Duel holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 60 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Stardash's written reviews are positive against 71% of Astro Duel's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Stardash ships an update every 3 weeks, Astro Duel every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Stardash versus Astro Duel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStardashAstro Duel
Price$1.99 — better$4.99
Rating3.9 (24 ratings)4.4 (60 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.4% of reviews71.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2460 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS8.0 — better9.0
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB32 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperPascal BestebroerRusty Moyher

Customer experience

Stardash

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

Astro Duel

All ratings56 ratings
Positive83.9%
Neutral3.6%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews52 reviews
Positive71.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative21.2%

User reviews

Stardash

From 24 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great retro feel
  • 👍 Addictive gameplay
  • 👍 Tight controls
  • 👍 Well-designed levels
  • 👍 Good value for money

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Glitchy controls
  • 🐛 High difficulty curve
  • 🐛 Pixel-perfect jumps required
  • 🐛 Inconsistent hit detection
  • 🐛 Stuttering frame rate

Astro Duel

From 60 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great party game
  • 👍 Fun with friends
  • 👍 Addictive gameplay
  • 👍 Well-designed game
  • 👍 Good sound design

Room to improve

  • 👎 Controls are difficult
  • 👎 Not like original Astro Party
  • 👎 Limited player count
  • 👎 Astro Remote app removed
  • 👎 Can't play with 4 on one iPad without iPhone

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

Astro Duel

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Cannot control pilot when in shark ship
  • Gamepads don't work with keyboard connected
  • App crashes when more than one gamepad is connected

Requested features

20 requests
  • Game Center integration
  • More updates/changes
  • Different game modes
  • iPad version
  • Original Astro Party controls setting
Show 15 more
  • Astro remote on iPhone
  • Full screen on iPad
  • Keyboard support
  • 120 fps
  • 6 player support
  • Paid power-ups/ships as IAPs
  • Online multiplayer
  • Team pilot execution
  • More weapons or maps
  • 1 player mode
  • Bluetooth option for remote play
  • Android support for remote play
  • Rotate app option
  • 4 on same iPad with 2 button controls
  • Pilot hunter mode

In-app purchases

None

Stardash

No in-app purchases

None

Astro Duel

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Stardash free?
Stardash costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Astro Duel free?
Astro Duel costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Stardash or Astro Duel?
Astro Duel is rated higher. Stardash averages 3.9 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Astro Duel averages 4.4 from 60 ratings.
Do Stardash or Astro Duel have ads?
Neither Stardash nor Astro Duel shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Stardash or Astro Duel?
Stardash ships an update every 3 weeks, and Astro Duel every 4 months. Most recently, Stardash was updated on November 1, 2026 and Astro Duel on November 6, 2026.

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