# METAL SLUG X vs Dead Cells+

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | METAL SLUG X | Dead Cells+ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.3 (485 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metal-slug-x/id602990197/reviews) | **[4.9 (14K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dead-cells-plus/id1626984813/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 485 | **14K** |
| Positive reviews | 23.6% of reviews | **90.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 31 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 116 MB | 1.8 GB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [SNK CORPORATION](https://appshunter.io/developer/343539874) | [Playdigious](https://appshunter.io/developer/1041387229) |

## What reviewers say

### METAL SLUG X

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metal-slug-x/id602990197)

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Dead Cells+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dead-cells-plus/id1626984813)

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:** With Apple Arcade, Game Controller support, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*