Comparison

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM vs Boson X

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

Head to head
About

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM

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
Read full description

Now updated for iOS 11 or later! Enjoy the bullet hell with your new iOS! ###CAVE'S FIRST ALL-ORIGINAL SMARTPHONE SHOOTER### Take a ride on EVAC Co.'s maximum bullet-hell simulator, the M.B.S.! Survive an incredible array of bullet-hell weaponry! CAVE shooters are now mixed up! ≪ Game Overview ≫ [OPTIMIZED FOR ONE-FINGER WARFARE!] Weave through walls of bullets! Smash through the enemy and build combos! Manic, full-throttle gameplay, all controlled with your thumb! [BEGINNERS CAN JUMP RIGHT IN! EASY MODE INCLUDED!] If you're not sure you've got what it takes, start off with Easy Mode. Once you've conquered that, test your mettle with Normal Mode! [REMIXED MUSIC INCLUDED!] Remixed versions of classic Dodonpachi series tracks included! Remix composer WASi303 has written a new soundtrack for a new Dodonpachi world! ### Important ###: Please read the following before downloading this application. ●Compatibility: iPhone5S or later, iPod touch 6thGen. or later and iPad Air or later. ●Compatible OS: iOS 11 or later. ●This application will use mass volume of memory. Please note the application may not function properly or shutdown without any notice when used with limited memory space. ●Turning ON the accessibility option setting may cause malfunctions in certain features.

About

Boson X

Experience a fast-paced rotational runner set within a particle accelerator. Jump between Planck units, generate high-energy collisions, and discover new particles in a hazardous subatomic world. This game emphasizes precise timing and reflexes without in-app purchases or power-ups.

Highlights
  • Rotational runner gameplay
  • Particle accelerator setting
  • Quantum jumping mechanics
  • High-energy collision generation
  • Subatomic world navigation
  • Precise timing and reflexes required
Features
Read full description

Boson X is a fast-paced rotational runner set in a particle accelerator. Featured as one of the Best of 2013 apps on the App Store. "a brilliant, twitchy arcade masterpiece that pulsates with originality and heart" - Pocket Gamer, 9/10 "a massively unique take on the endless runner genre" - Gamezebo, 4.5/5 "an amazingly compelling game" - Touch Arcade, 5/5 Quantum jump from Planck to Planck as you build up speed inside an enormous particle accelerator and generate high-energy collisions to discover strange new particles. Use precise timing and fast reflexes to navigate a hazardous subatomic world where floors and ceilings don't exist. Will you be fast enough to find the elusive Boson X? This game contains no in-app purchases, superfluous power-ups, coins or XP systems - just deadly serious scientific research. iPhone 4 or newer recommended. WARNING: Some sections of this game contain flashing lights.

Screenshots

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM4 screens
Boson X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: DODONPACHI MAXIMUM at every 2 months against Boson X's every 6 months. Boson X's advantage is review sentiment (83% vs 72%) and price ($2.99 vs $3.99). On rating, 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

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM costs $3.99 and Boson X $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for DODONPACHI MAXIMUM against 4.7 for Boson X. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 53 and 104 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 72% of DODONPACHI MAXIMUM's written reviews are positive against 83% of Boson X's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM ships an update every 2 months, Boson X every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DODONPACHI MAXIMUM versus Boson X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDODONPACHI MAXIMUMBoson X
Price$3.99$2.99 — better
Rating4.8 (53 ratings) — better4.7 (104 ratings)
Positive reviews72.5% of reviews83.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings53104 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.09.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size393 MB22 MB
Age rating9+9+
DeveloperCAVE CO.,LTD.Shape Shop Pty Ltd atf Shape Shop Trust

Customer experience

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM

All ratings53 ratings
Positive96.2%
Neutral1.9%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews189 reviews
Positive72.5%
Neutral7.4%
Negative20.1%

Boson X

All ratings104 ratings
Positive94.2%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews273 reviews
Positive83.2%
Neutral5.1%
Negative11.7%

User reviews

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM

From 53 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Boson X

From 104 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Beautiful graphics
  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 💡 Unique and challenging levels
  • 🎮 Addictive and fun

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Lagging issues on newer devices
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🕹️ Unresponsive controls

Bugs and requests

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • 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
Show 4 more
  • Game not installing on iPod Touch 5th gen
  • Leaderboard scores wiped
  • Achievements not awarded
  • Game Center integration issues

Requested features

9 requests
  • Adjustable screen size
  • Option to disable letterboxing
  • More varied backgrounds
  • Improved Game Center integration/achievements
  • Support for older devices/iOS versions
Show 4 more
  • MFi controller support
  • Add more Cave games to the store
  • Option to continue from last boss
  • Manual fire option

Boson X

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on launch
  • Aspect ratio issues on iPhone 5/6
  • Laser spawning bug on later levels

Requested features

4 requests
  • More levels and content
  • Difficulty settings
  • Improved controls
  • Cloud save support

In-app purchases

None

DODONPACHI MAXIMUM

No in-app purchases

None

Boson X

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DODONPACHI MAXIMUM free?
DODONPACHI MAXIMUM costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Boson X free?
Boson X costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DODONPACHI MAXIMUM or Boson X?
DODONPACHI MAXIMUM is rated higher. DODONPACHI MAXIMUM averages 4.8 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Boson X averages 4.7 from 104 ratings.
Do DODONPACHI MAXIMUM or Boson X have ads?
Neither DODONPACHI MAXIMUM nor Boson X shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DODONPACHI MAXIMUM or Boson X?
DODONPACHI MAXIMUM ships an update every 2 months, and Boson X every 6 months. Most recently, DODONPACHI MAXIMUM was updated on October 14, 2026 and Boson X on October 15, 2026.

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