# Mars Quest vs Retro Buzz

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Retro Buzz at none against Mars Quest's 5. Retro Buzz also leads on ads (none vs shown). Mars Quest's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mars Quest sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Retro Buzz asks for nothing beyond the download.

Mars Quest ships an update fortnightly, Retro Buzz every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mars Quest | Retro Buzz |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (91 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mars-quest-8-bit/id491304485/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **91** | — |
| Positive reviews | 68.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 98 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [First Class Media B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1394094946) | [Alexander Garmash](https://appshunter.io/developer/979428706) |

## What reviewers say

### Mars Quest

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mars-quest-8-bit/id491304485)

Embark on a challenging retro adventure guiding an astronaut through alien-infested Martian levels. Experience nostalgic 8-bit graphics and music while avoiding obstacles and increasing speed. Compete with friends via Game Center.

**Highlights:** 8-bit retro music, Guide astronaut through levels, Avoid aliens and obstacles, Smart level progression, Increasing speed challenges, Game Center scores and achievements

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove advertising | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1 extra life | $0.99 | one-time |
| 5 extra lives | $1.99 | one-time |
| 10 extra lives | $2.99 | one-time |
| 25 extra lives | $4.99 | one-time |


### Retro Buzz

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-buzz/id6765830307)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mars Quest free?

Mars Quest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Retro Buzz free?

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

### Do Mars Quest or Retro Buzz have ads?

Mars Quest shows ads; Retro Buzz does not.

### Which is updated more often, Mars Quest or Retro Buzz?

Mars Quest ships an update fortnightly, and Retro Buzz every 2 months. Most recently, Mars Quest was updated on September 9, 2026 and Retro Buzz on September 20, 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.*