Comparison

Dope Wars 1987 vs Chip Wars

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

Head to head
About

Dope Wars 1987

Experience a classic text-based economic strategy game set in the 1980s. Buy and sell goods in a dynamic urban market, outsmarting rivals and officials to build your empire. Can you thrive in the gritty underworld of 1987?

Highlights
  • Text-based gameplay
  • Economic strategy simulation
  • Fluctuating market prices
  • Urban underworld setting
  • Character interaction
Features
Read full description

Relive the 80s with this updated remake of the classic text-based economic strategy game. Navigate a treacherous urban landscape, buying and selling goods at fluctuating prices to maximize your profits. Outwit shady characters and corrupt officials as you scheme your way to the top. Do you have what it takes to survive in the gritty underworld of '87?

About

Chip Wars

Features
Read full description

Chip Wars is a strategic turn based trading game inspired by classic DOS-era titles such as DopeWars. Navigate the dark web markets, trade contraband data chips, evade federal agents, and build your hacking empire in this nostalgic cyberpunk adventure. HACK THE PLANET Start with nothing but a loan from the Shadow Broker and 30 turns to become the most notorious data trader in the network. Buy low, sell high, and master the volatile black markets across multiple locations. Every decision matters in this intense strategy game where fortunes are made and lost in seconds. AUTHENTIC RETRO EXPERIENCE Chip Wars delivers a genuine terminal aesthetic with authentic CRT scanline effects, monochrome color schemes, and monospaced typography. Experience the golden age of underground computing with a modern touch. Choose from multiple visual themes including classic green phosphor, amber, and ice blue displays. STRATEGIC DEPTH Master the art of underground trading with dynamic market prices that fluctuate based on location, events, and random encounters. Federal raids spike prices dramatically while surplus events create buying opportunities. Track your inventory, manage limited cargo space, and time your trades perfectly. TACTICAL COMBAT SYSTEM When the feds catch up to you, fight back with an arsenal of hacking tools. Equip weapons like SQL injectors, DDoS cannons, and encryption breakers. Choose to attack, attempt escape, or bribe your way out. Every encounter tests your preparation and decision-making skills. BUILD YOUR CREW Recruit skids to expand your operation. These loyal hackers provide additional inventory slots, combat support, and unique bonuses. Equip them with tools and watch them fight alongside you against federal agents. But beware - they can fall in battle. MULTIPLE GAME MODES Standard Mode offers 30 turns to maximize your Bitcoin holdings. Hardcore Mode extends gameplay to 90 turns with increased debt interest for veteran traders. Endless Mode removes turn limits entirely - survive as long as possible while building the ultimate hacking empire. DIVERSE LOCATIONS Travel between unique locations including Silicon Valley, the Dark Web, Tokyo Underground, Berlin Data Haven, and more. Each location features different federal presence levels, available services, and connected routes. Visit tool shops, clinics, recruitment centers, and banks. KEY FEATURES Turn-based strategic trading gameplay Authentic retro terminal visual design Dynamic pricing with market events Tactical combat against federal agents Crew recruitment and management Multiple game modes and difficulties Comprehensive save system with iCloud sync Local high score leaderboards No advertisements or in-app purchases SERVICES AND LOCATIONS Bank services for secure Bitcoin storage Shadow Broker for emergency loans Tool shops selling combat equipment Clinics for health restoration Recruitment centers for hiring crew Fence operations for special deals INVENTORY MANAGEMENT Limited cargo slots create meaningful choices Tools and weapons consume inventory space Crew members expand total capacity Strategic decisions about what to carry EVENTS AND ENCOUNTERS Random market events affect all prices Street offers provide discounted goods Federal raids create price spikes Rival hackers attempt wallet theft Informants share valuable market intel PROGRESSION AND SCORING Final score based on net worth Letter grades from F to S rank Track statistics across all games Compare performance between modes Chip Wars combines nostalgic gameplay mechanics with modern mobile design. Whether you played the original Drug Wars games in the 1980s or are discovering this genre for the first time, Chip Wars delivers hours of strategic entertainment. Download now and prove you have what it takes to hack the planet.

Screenshots

Dope Wars 19874 screens
Chip Wars4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Dope Wars 1987 at every 3 days against Chip Wars's every 3 months. Dope Wars 1987 also leads on price ($0.99 vs $2.99) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On 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

Dope Wars 1987 costs $0.99 and Chip Wars $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dope Wars 1987 ships an update every 3 days, Chip Wars every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Dope Wars 1987 versus Chip Wars: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDope Wars 1987Chip Wars
Price$0.99 — better$2.99
Rating4.4 (19 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews54.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings19 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB3 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperTempest PressYMMV

In-app purchases

None

Dope Wars 1987

No in-app purchases

None

Chip Wars

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Dope Wars 1987 free?
Dope Wars 1987 costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chip Wars free?
Chip Wars costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Dope Wars 1987 or Chip Wars have ads?
Neither Dope Wars 1987 nor Chip Wars shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dope Wars 1987 or Chip Wars?
Dope Wars 1987 ships an update every 3 days, and Chip Wars every 3 months. Most recently, Dope Wars 1987 was updated on November 8, 2026 and Chip Wars on October 31, 2026.

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