Comparison

Swashteroids vs Galactic Waves

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

Head to head
About

Swashteroids

Pilot a spaceship to mine asteroids for treasure while fending off aliens. Utilize power-ups for enhanced combat and navigation. This fast-paced, retro arcade experience offers multiple control options and increasing difficulty.

Highlights
  • Retro arcade gameplay
  • Asteroid mining and treasure collection
  • Alien combat
  • Power-ups for combat and navigation
  • Multiple control options (on-screen, accelerometer, controller)
  • Increasing difficulty with levels
Features
Read full description

Take command of the USS Swashbuckler in Swashteroids, a fast-paced retro vector arcade game where every asteroid field hides danger—and treasure. Mine asteroids, collect valuable cargo, and fight off alien workers and soldiers that want the loot for themselves. Each cleared field brings a tougher level, faster hazards, and more relentless enemies. Power up your ship with: • Plasma torpedoes and long-range phasers • Shields for protection • Hyperspace for emergency escapes • Phasing to pass safely through hazards • X-Ray vision to reveal treasure-bearing asteroids Master Newtonian spaceflight using on-screen controls, tilt steering, or a compatible game controller. A guided Training mode teaches every control and mechanic. Compete across five leaderboards, earn an extra ship every 5,000 points, and record your greatest runs. Watch replays, adjust their playback speed, and share .swrep replay files with friends. Swashteroids is small, fast, and built for quick arcade sessions on iPhone and iPad. How long can the USS Swashbuckler survive?

About

Galactic Waves

Embark on an exhilarating top-down space shooter adventure. Battle relentless AI robot invaders, explore a vast universe, and upgrade your weapons. Experience stunning visuals and dynamic environments in this challenging cosmic journey.

Highlights
  • Epic battles against AI hordes
  • Upgradeable weapons and customization
  • Intergalactic exploration of a vast universe
  • Dynamic and ever-changing environments
  • Stunning visuals and immersive soundtrack
Features
Read full description

Embark on an exhilarating journey across the cosmos in Galactic Waves, the ultimate top-down space shooter game! Prepare to immerse yourself in heart-pounding action as you navigate through treacherous asteroid fields, engage in intense battles, and fight off relentless A.I robot invaders. With stunning visuals, captivating gameplay, and a vast universe to explore, this game will challenge your skills and push you to the limits of survival. Gameplay Features: 1. Epic Battles: Engage in epic battles against hordes of A.I enemies. Utilize your quick reflexes and strategic skills to outmaneuver your opponents and emerge victorious in the intense dogfights that await you. 2. Upgradeable Weapons: Equip yourself with a variety of upgradeable weapons to enhance your combat capabilities. From laser cannons and missile launchers to shields and armor plating, customize your loadout to suit your playstyle and conquer the challenges that lie ahead. 3. Intergalactic Exploration: Explore a vast and immersive universe filled with breathtaking vistas, mysterious planets, and ancient ruins. Scavenge for resources, discover hidden treasures, and uncover the secrets of the cosmos as you journey through the far reaches of space. 4. Dynamic Environments: Navigate through dynamic and ever-changing environments, including Stellar station, Cyber District, and Frozen Mirage. Adapt to the shifting terrain and weather conditions as you battle against the forces of your enemies. 5. Stunning Visuals and Soundtrack: Experience jaw-dropping visuals and immersive sound effects that bring the vastness of space to life. From dazzling starfields and cosmic explosions to haunting alien landscapes, every moment is a feast for the senses that will leave you breathless. Are you ready to face the endless A.I hordes in "Galactic Waves"? Gear up, strategize, and fight for victory in humanity’s darkest hour!

Screenshots

Swashteroids3 screens
Galactic Waves4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Galactic Waves at Free against Swashteroids's $0.99. Galactic Waves also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). Swashteroids's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and ratings volume (8 vs 1). On rating, ads and device support 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

Galactic Waves is free to download; Swashteroids costs $0.99 up front. Galactic Waves sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Swashteroids asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Swashteroids against 5.0 for Galactic Waves. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Swashteroids has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Swashteroids ships an update every 10 days, Galactic Waves every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and June 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Swashteroids versus Galactic Waves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwashteroidsGalactic Waves
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (8 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB575 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperJohn NyquistWIZVEDA TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED

Customer experience

Swashteroids

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Galactic Waves

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Swashteroids

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Galactic Waves

One-time7
  • 150 Coins$1.99
  • Auto aim$2.99
  • 500 Coins$3.99
Show 4 more
  • 1500 Coins$9.99
  • 3000 Coins$17.99
  • 5000 Coins$29.99
  • 10000 Coins$49.99

Questions

Is Swashteroids free?
Swashteroids costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Galactic Waves free?
Galactic Waves is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Swashteroids or Galactic Waves?
Swashteroids and Galactic Waves are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 8 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Swashteroids or Galactic Waves have ads?
Neither Swashteroids nor Galactic Waves shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Swashteroids or Galactic Waves?
Swashteroids ships an update every 10 days, and Galactic Waves every 4 days. Most recently, Swashteroids was updated on September 21, 2026 and Galactic Waves on June 22, 2026.

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