Comparison

RetroLumo vs Space Defender

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

Head to head
About

RetroLumo

Explore a collection of bite-sized, retro-style minigames playable solo or with friends. Earn in-game rewards and customize your profile. Cloud saves ensure your progress follows you across devices.

Highlights
  • Retro-style minigames
  • Multiplayer support
  • Account sync and cloud saves
  • Cosmetic collection and profile upgrades
  • Controller support (touch and Bluetooth)
Features
Read full description

RetroLumo is a library of retro-style minigames made by Volitare Studios—play solo or with friends! Not an emulator: RetroLumo only runs games created for this platform. FEATURES • Game Cards: Bite-size games across multiple genres, new additions and updates over time • Multiplayer: Play supported cartridges with friends (account required) • Account Sync: Cloud saves; your collection follows you across devices • Collection: Earn cosmetics and profile upgrades as you play (account required to access the shop) • Controller Support: Built-in touch controls with optional haptics; Bluetooth controllers supported (compatibility may vary) Privacy Policy: https://www.volitarestudios.com/privacy-policy Terms of Service (EULA): https://www.volitarestudios.com/terms-of-service

About

Space Defender

Features
Read full description

Build your ship and survive the next wave of the enemy fleet. Space Defender: Galactic War brings arcade space combat into full 3D, with quick dodges, powerful weapons and bosses that change tactics mid-fight. Steer with one finger and see how far you can go. YOUR SHIP, YOUR ARSENAL Choose your main gun and wing weapons from 12 weapons. Combine lasers, missiles and cannons with an ion cannon, cryo lance or gravity well. Upgrade weapons to level 10 and preview their mounted models in the hangar before spending currency earned in play. EVERY RUN BUILDS PROGRESS Earn Scrap, return to the hangar and invest in permanent ship modules. Improve your hull, armor and firepower, then spend credits on upgrades during each run. Choose from 7 ships with different stat profiles and choose from 7 free color schemes for your ship and satellites. SATELLITES THAT FIGHT WITH YOU Build a support formation: Option mirrors your main weapon, Aegis intercepts incoming shots and Striker rams enemies. Pair satellite roles with matching weapons to activate extra effects. A GALAXY FULL OF THREATS Fight enemy formations, kamikazes, snipers, minelayers and elite opponents. Face bosses that switch to more aggressive phases as their health drops. Discover 5 sector themes filled with nebulae, planets and varied backdrops. RETURN FOR NEW CHALLENGES Take on 3 daily missions to earn Scrap and crystals. Pick up laser, spread shot, missile and rapid-fire power-ups. Compare your wave and experience scores on Game Center leaderboards. Key features: • 3D combat, lighting effects and layered explosions • One-finger controls built for portrait play • 12 weapons, 3 mounting slots and permanent hangar upgrades • 7 ships and 7 free color schemes • 3 satellite roles and weapon-link bonuses • Enemy formations, elites and bosses with combat phases • Daily missions, Game Center leaderboards, music and haptics on supported devices Choose your loadout, launch and chase a new wave record.

Screenshots

RetroLumo4 screens
Space Defender4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: RetroLumo at every 2 weeks against Space Defender's every 9 months. RetroLumo also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. RetroLumo sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Space Defender sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RetroLumo ships an update every 2 weeks, Space Defender every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
RetroLumo versus Space Defender: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetroLumoSpace Defender
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 9 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size217 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVolitare StudiosPiotr Ozog

In-app purchases

7 purchases

RetroLumo

Subscriptions1
  • Supporter Pass$2.991 Month
One-time6
  • Gems$0.99
  • Gems$4.99
  • Gems$14.99
Show 3 more
  • Gems$29.99
  • Gems$49.99
  • Gems$99.99
1 purchases

Space Defender

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99

Questions

Is RetroLumo free?
RetroLumo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Space Defender free?
Space Defender is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RetroLumo or Space Defender have ads?
Both RetroLumo and Space Defender show ads.
Which is updated more often, RetroLumo or Space Defender?
RetroLumo ships an update every 2 weeks, and Space Defender every 9 months. Most recently, RetroLumo was updated on October 24, 2026 and Space Defender on October 18, 2026.

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