# Helix vs TRUXTON classic

The clearest difference is price: TRUXTON classic at Free against Helix's $3.99. TRUXTON classic also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 40 months). Helix's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

TRUXTON classic is free to download; Helix costs $3.99 up front. TRUXTON classic sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Helix asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Helix against 4.6 for TRUXTON classic. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 36 and 83 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Helix's written reviews are positive against 84% of TRUXTON classic's.

Helix ships an update every 40 months, TRUXTON classic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Helix | TRUXTON classic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.7 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helix/id562550427/reviews)** | [4.6 (83 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/truxton-classic/id1467875681/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 36 | **83** |
| Positive reviews | 80.4% of reviews | **84.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 40 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 12 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Michael Brough](https://appshunter.io/developer/490257881) | [MOBIRIX](https://appshunter.io/developer/349276666) |

## What reviewers say

### Helix

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helix/id562550427)

Experience a frantic arcade challenge with precise touchscreen controls. This "anti-shmup" game focuses on avoiding and encircling enemies with unique twists. It's a critically acclaimed title recognized for its innovative design.

**Highlights:** Frantic arcade gameplay, Precise touchscreen controls, Avoid and encircle enemies, Unique gameplay twists, Critically acclaimed design

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Addictive gameplay
- 🎶 Catchy soundtrack
- 🎨 Unique art style
- 🚀 Smooth controls
- 💡 Innovative mechanics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😵 Repetitive gameplay
- 📱 Frustrating on phone
- 🤔 Not enough content
- 👎 Crude graphics
- 😵 Boring

**Reported bugs**

- 🐛 Skewed off iPad screen
- 🐛 Black bars on sides (iOS 9.3)
- 🐛 Floaty and inaccurate controls
- 🐛 Ugly app design and UI

**Requested features**

- Optimization for larger screens (iPad, iPhone 6/6+)
- More variety and content


### TRUXTON classic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/truxton-classic/id1467875681)

Experience a classic retro arcade space shooter. Pilot your fighter jet, dodge enemy fire, and collect power-ups to unleash devastating weapons.  Features multiple difficulty levels and strategic bomb usage.

**Highlights:** Collect power-ups to increase weapon strength, Summon smaller fighters when powered up, Change weapons to Thunder laser and power shots, Utilize bombs for defense, Four difficulty levels, Supported achievements and leaderboards

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Purchase 300 Dia | $2.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 500 Dia | $4.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 1,100 Dia | $9.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 3,600 Dia | $29.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 6,500 Dia | $49.99 | one-time |
| Purchase 15,000 Dia | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🤩 Nostalgic classic gameplay
- 👍 Excellent port/remake
- 🎵 Great music/soundtrack
- 🕹️ Good controls (mostly)
- 🆓 Free to play (with ads)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Too many ads
- ✋ Ads interrupt gameplay
- 👆 Fingers block screen
- 📏 Incorrect aspect ratio
- 🐌 Slow bomb activation

**Reported bugs**

- Sound issues on iOS 17
- Bomb button overlaps with ship
- Game speed faster than original
- Graphics altered (e.g., red power shield)
- Bomb activation delay

**Requested features**

- Option to remove ads (IAP)
- Controller support (Bluetooth)
- Adjustable swipe sensitivity
- Left-handed control layout option
- Option to fix aspect ratio/add black bars


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Helix free?

Helix costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is TRUXTON classic free?

TRUXTON classic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Helix or TRUXTON classic?

Helix is rated higher. Helix averages 4.7 out of 5 from 36 ratings, while TRUXTON classic averages 4.6 from 83 ratings.

### Do Helix or TRUXTON classic have ads?

TRUXTON classic shows ads; Helix does not.

### Which is updated more often, Helix or TRUXTON classic?

Helix ships an update every 40 months, and TRUXTON classic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Helix was updated on November 1, 2026 and TRUXTON classic on October 24, 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.*