Comparison

METAL SLUG X vs Dead Cells+

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

Head to head
About

METAL SLUG X

Experience a classic 2D action-shooter with updated features and new weapons. Battle through challenging missions, customize your controls, and team up with friends via Wi-Fi in this enhanced arcade port.

Highlights
  • Updated version of METAL SLUG 2
  • New weapons like Iron Lizard and Drop Shot
  • Arcade-perfect NEOGEO port
  • ARCADE MODE and MISSION MODE
  • Customizable controls with autofire
  • Wi-Fi multiplayer gameplay
  • Game Center integration with achievements
Read full description

The masterpiece of 2D action-shooting, "METAL SLUG X", lands on iPhone/iPod touch! Foil General Morden's new coup attempt!! Features list: ■A remake of "METAL SLUG 2"! "METAL SLUG X" is an updated version of "METAL SLUG 2" with a lot of new elements for even more fun and excitement! Bosses and other enemy characters await you at different points on the battlefield, so that even players who have perfected the previous installment will enjoy this new and improved game map! ■Shoot down your enemies with new weapons!! New weapons, such as the "Iron Lizard" (remote-controlled missiles), the "Drop Shot" (bouncing landmines), and the "Enemy Chaser" (homing missiles), have been added to the impressive METAL SLUG arsenal. ■An "Arcade-Perfect" NEOGEO Port with extra features! In addition to the classic “ARCADE MODE”, you can select any mission you have previously cleared and play them separately in “MISSION MODE”. You can enjoy your favorite stages at will and train on the missions you have not mastered yet! ■Precise and Customizable Controls! The Autofire function allows you to fire continuously by holding down the Shot button. Moreover, you can change the position of your configuration outside of the game screen area in “Window” Mode. Enjoy every pixel of “METAL SLUG X” with your very own custom controls! ■Engage into intense Multiplayer gameplay via Wi-Fi! Now you can enjoy “METAL SLUG X” with a friend through a Wi-Fi connection. Team up with a brother in arms to accomplish together the difficult missions available in “METAL SLUG X”! ■Compatible with “GAME CENTER”! Complete the maximum number of “ACHIEVEMENTS” in order to increase your "METAL SLUG X" Player Rank! Beat the best scores and become World’s Number 1!!

About

Dead Cells+

Embark on a challenging 2D action platformer adventure as a failed alchemic experiment. Explore a dynamic, interconnected world, master combat, and unlock new paths with each playthrough. This version includes extensive DLC content with new storylines, biomes, enemies, weapons, and bosses.

Highlights
  • Roguevania exploration
  • Frantic 2D combat
  • Nonlinear progression
  • Daily leaderboards
  • Return to Castlevania DLC
  • The Bad Seed DLC
  • Fatal Falls DLC
Features
Read full description

Play as a failed alchemic experiment and explore the sprawling, ever-changing castle to find out what happened on this gloomy island…! That is, assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers. Dead Cells+ is a roguevania action platformer that will require you to master frantic 2D combat with a wide variety of weapons and skills against merciless minions and boss. The indie hit Dead Cells+ is now slaying foes on Apple Arcade! Main Features • ONLY ON APPLE ARCADE - New daily leaderboards : Test your skills against players all over the world! • Roguevania: The progressive exploration of an interconnected world, with the replayability of a rogue-lite and the adrenaline pumping threat of permadeath • Frantic and Dynamic 2D Action: Learn your enemies’ patterns to stay alive, or prepare to be sent back to your cell before you can say “baguette” • Nonlinear Progression: Unlock new levels with every death, opt for the path that suits your current build, your playstyle or just your mood. Surely, the ramparts can’t be as bad the sewers, right? • Play at your own pace: Will you explore every nook and cranny of the castle, or rush to the end? [THIS VERSION ALSO INCLUDES ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONTENT] *Latest updates are available: Clean Cut & The End is Near* RETURN TO CASTLEVANIA DLC • New storyline - overcome the Ruler of Darkness alongside Alucard and Richter Belmont, • 2 new biomes - Explore Dracula's Castle and its outskirts • 9 new monsters - Werewolves, haunted armors, and medusas are waiting for you • 14 new weapons - wield the Vampire Killer or the Holy Water to defeat creatures of the night, • 3 new bosses - go fangs to fangs against Death and Dracula himself • 20 new outfits - dress as your favorite Castlevania characters such as Simon and Richter Belmont or Alucard • Alternative soundtracks - play along 51 Castlevania original tracks and 12 tunes reimagined in the style of Dead Cells THE BAD SEED DLC You reap what you sow • New levels to lose your head in: the not-so-peaceful Dilapidated Arboretum and the noxious Morass of the Banished • New monsters to rip to pieces: get to know the locals, such as the Jerkshroom and the Yeeter • New weapons to play with: trim sticking out heads with the Scythe Claw, or make them dance to the sound of the Rhythm n' Bouzouki • New boss to fight against: Mama Tick is dying to meet you FATAL FALLS DLC Ready for a leap of faith? • 3 new biomes - Get some fresh air at the Fractured Shrines, splash around at the Undying Shores and take a picture at the Mausoleum • 8 new monsters - The Cold Blooded Guardians and their friends would love to teach you about their culture. ... Wait, aren't those relatives of yours in the Undying Shores...? • 7 new weapons - lil' Serenade is perfect for breaking the ice with the locals, although the Snake Fangs would make for a perfect souvenir... • 1 new boss - The Scarecrow is very proud of his gardening skills and won't hesitate to show off QUEEN AND THE SEA DLC Take it to the sea! • 2 new biomes - Battle your way through a rotten shipwreck, or scale a burning lighthouse and confront your deadliest foe yet. • 9 new weapons, including a throwable shark, a trident and a pirate hook hand (eyepatch not included). • 2 new bosses - Don't lose your head before you meet the Queen! This DLC also gives you the usual extras: - A not-so-cute pet. - Loads of new outfits. - New enemies to bash. Carefully redesigned for Apple Arcade with a revamped interface • Two game modes available: Original & Auto-Hit • Custom controls & More touch controls options available: Change the buttons’ position and size to your liking, swipe to dodge… • MFi external controller support • Game Center achievements If you run into a problem, please contact us at support@playdigious.mail.helpshift.com u with as much information as possible on the issue.

Screenshots

METAL SLUG X4 screens
Dead Cells+4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Dead Cells+ at 90% against METAL SLUG X's 24%. Dead Cells+ also leads on price (Free vs $2.99) and rating (4.9 vs 3.3). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Dead Cells+ is free to download; METAL SLUG X costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dead Cells+ holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dead Cells+ has 14K ratings behind it against 485, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 24% of METAL SLUG X's written reviews are positive against 90% of Dead Cells+'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

METAL SLUG X ships an update every 31 months, Dead Cells+ every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
METAL SLUG X versus Dead Cells+: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMETAL SLUG XDead Cells+
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.3 (485 ratings)4.9 (14K ratings) — better
Positive reviews23.6% of reviews90.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings48514K — better
Update frequencyEvery 31 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB1.8 GB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperSNK CORPORATIONPlaydigious

Customer experience

METAL SLUG X

All ratings485 ratings
Positive53.0%
Neutral9.9%
Negative37.1%
Written reviews585 reviews
Positive23.6%
Neutral11.6%
Negative64.8%

Dead Cells+

All ratings13,598 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral1.1%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews701 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral4.1%
Negative5.8%

User reviews

METAL SLUG X

From 485 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎮 Great game
  • 🕹️ Playable with controllers
  • 🖼️ Cool graphics options
  • 💰 Good value for money

Room to improve

  • 🎮 Difficult controls
  • 🎮 Unresponsive controls
  • 🎮 Buttons hard to access
  • 🎮 Joystick issues
  • 🎮 Grenade button not working with controllers

Dead Cells+

From 14K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 👍 Excellent controls
  • 🎨 Beautiful pixel art
  • 🔍 Engaging exploration
  • 💡 Helpful accessibility options

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional audio issues
  • 🔋 Performance drops on some devices
  • 🤔 Lack of cloud save sync across devices
  • 🕹️ Touchscreen controls can be finicky

Bugs and requests

METAL SLUG X

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Buttons not movable
  • Joystick resets to bad position
  • Crashes on newer iOS versions
  • Graphical glitches and slowdowns

Requested features

5 requests
  • Update for iOS 11 and newer
  • Improved controller support
  • Customizable button layout
  • Grenade button support for controllers
  • Ability to continue progress

Dead Cells+

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Game crashes or freezes during boss battles
  • Map not updating properly after teleporting
  • Controller buttons not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to listen to own music/podcasts while playing
  • More customization options for button layout
  • Multiplayer or co-op mode
  • Improved save/progress sync across devices

In-app purchases

None

METAL SLUG X

No in-app purchases

None

Dead Cells+

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is METAL SLUG X free?
METAL SLUG X costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dead Cells+ free?
Dead Cells+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, METAL SLUG X or Dead Cells+?
Dead Cells+ is rated higher. METAL SLUG X averages 3.3 out of 5 from 485 ratings, while Dead Cells+ averages 4.9 from 14K ratings.
Do METAL SLUG X or Dead Cells+ have ads?
Neither METAL SLUG X nor Dead Cells+ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, METAL SLUG X or Dead Cells+?
METAL SLUG X ships an update every 31 months, and Dead Cells+ every 3 months. Most recently, METAL SLUG X was updated on October 31, 2026 and Dead Cells+ on October 31, 2026.

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