# BLAZING STAR vs DODONPACHI MAXIMUM

The clearest difference is rating: DODONPACHI MAXIMUM at 4.8 against BLAZING STAR's 4.0. DODONPACHI MAXIMUM also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 18 months) and review sentiment (72% vs 43%). BLAZING STAR's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $3.99) and chart position (#185 vs unranked). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

BLAZING STAR costs $0.99 and DODONPACHI MAXIMUM $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 63 and 53 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of BLAZING STAR's written reviews are positive against 72% of DODONPACHI MAXIMUM's.

BLAZING STAR ships an update every 18 months, DODONPACHI MAXIMUM every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | BLAZING STAR | DODONPACHI MAXIMUM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $3.99 |
| Rating | [4.0 (63 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blazing-star/id529748424/reviews) | **[4.8 (53 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dodonpachi-maximum/id559748568/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **63** | 53 |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | **72.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#185** | — |
| Size | 91 MB | 393 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [SNK CORPORATION](https://appshunter.io/developer/343539874) | [CAVE CO.,LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/363969664) |

## What reviewers say

### BLAZING STAR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blazing-star/id529748424)

**Currently charting:** #185 Top Paid · Casual (US App Store)

Experience a classic NEOGEO shooting game with stunning graphics and a unique point system. Engage in intense arcade or mission modes, choose from multiple spaceships, and team up with friends via Wi-Fi for cooperative gameplay.

**Highlights:** Classic Arcade Mode, Mission Mode with stage selection, 6 unique spaceships, Wi-Fi multiplayer, Touch and Virtual Pad controls, Game Center achievements

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Exceptional port
- 👍 Solid game that deserves a play
- 👍 Great classic shooter
- 👍 Wonderful game
- 👍 Masterpiece of a shoot 'em up

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unplayable on iOS 7
- 🐛 Screen issues on newer devices
- 🐛 Glitchy background
- 🐛 Buggy controls
- 🐛 Unresponsive touch controls

**Reported bugs**

- Unplayable on iOS 7
- Screen rotation issues
- Buttons covering gameplay
- Flickering backgrounds
- Incompatible with newer devices

**Requested features**

- iOS 7 support
- iPhone 5 support
- Autofire option
- Improved controls
- Leaderboards


### DODONPACHI MAXIMUM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dodonpachi-maximum/id559748568)

Experience intense bullet-hell action with this mobile shooter. Navigate through overwhelming enemy fire with intuitive one-finger controls. Features include multiple difficulty modes and a remixed soundtrack.

**Highlights:** One-finger controls, Bullet-hell gameplay, Easy and Normal modes, Remixed soundtrack, Combo system

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Classic bullet hell gameplay
- 👍 Smooth controls on touchscreens
- 🎶 Engaging music and sound design
- 🕹️ Challenging difficulty for experts
- 👶 Beginner-friendly options available

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Screen glitches/bugs on newer iOS
- 📉 Graphics can be repetitive/plain
- ⚠️ Some users find it too difficult
- 💸 High price point for some
- 🕹️ Control issues on certain devices

**Reported bugs**

- Screen glitches after iOS updates (especially iOS 18)
- Graphics breaking/rendering issues
- Game Center achievements not unlocking
- Screen shifted upwards, making parts inaccessible
- Game not displaying correctly on iPad Mini 2024

**Requested features**

- Adjustable screen size
- Option to disable letterboxing
- More varied backgrounds
- Improved Game Center integration/achievements
- Support for older devices/iOS versions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BLAZING STAR free?

BLAZING STAR costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is DODONPACHI MAXIMUM free?

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, BLAZING STAR or DODONPACHI MAXIMUM?

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM is rated higher. BLAZING STAR averages 4.0 out of 5 from 63 ratings, while DODONPACHI MAXIMUM averages 4.8 from 53 ratings.

### Do BLAZING STAR or DODONPACHI MAXIMUM have ads?

Neither BLAZING STAR nor DODONPACHI MAXIMUM shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BLAZING STAR or DODONPACHI MAXIMUM?

BLAZING STAR ships an update every 18 months, and DODONPACHI MAXIMUM every 2 months. Most recently, BLAZING STAR was updated on October 23, 2026 and DODONPACHI MAXIMUM on October 23, 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.*