Classic Maelstrom vs Gimme a Second
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Classic Maelstrom
Experience a fast-paced, retro arcade shooter with classic pixel graphics and authentic sounds. Enjoy cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, along with modern touch and controller support. Discover hidden secrets and challenge yourself with unique game modes.
- Fast-action gameplay
- Classic pixel graphics
- Original sounds
- Cooperative multiplayer
- Competitive multiplayer
- Mobile touch controls
- Game controller support
- Kid Mode
Read full descriptionHide full description
Maelstrom is a licensed open source port of the original shareware game for the Macintosh by Ambrosia Software, Inc. It is a fast-action, asteroids-like game, with classic pixel graphics and original sounds. In addition to being a faithful reproduction of the original game, this version adds game controller support, mobile touch controls, and both cooperative and competitive multiplayer action. Features: Kid Mode Clicking the "kid mode" icon next to the play button will enable an easier play mode which will add the retro-thruster prize and automatically shield you as long as shields are available - but beware the Shenobi ships! Their shots will not trigger the automatic defensive systems. Achievements and high scores are not available while in this mode. Multiplayer You can host or join a multiplayer game from the main menu. Up to three players can play at once, and they can be any combination of other players on the local network, and connected controllers. Easter Eggs The classic easter eggs from the original game are all there, and it's up to you to find them...
Gimme a Second
Test your music knowledge by identifying songs from short audio clips. Create custom playlists with your favorite bands or choose from curated selections.
- Guess songs from short audio clips
- Curated playlists
- Create custom playlists
- Support for up to ten favorite bands
- Play on Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad
Read full descriptionHide full description
How well do you know your favorite band? Can you identify their songs in just a second or two? Use a curated playlist ("Weird Al" Yankovic and the songs he parodied; songs with colors in their titles; Boston, Chicago, and Kansas), or create your own game with up to ten of your favorite bands.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Classic Maelstrom at none against Gimme a Second's 1. Classic Maelstrom also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 5 days) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.6). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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
Both are free to download. Gimme a Second sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Classic Maelstrom asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Classic Maelstrom against 5.0 for Gimme a Second. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.
Classic Maelstrom ships an update every 2 days, Gimme a Second every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Classic Maelstrom | Gimme a Second |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Sam Lantinga | Lex Friedman |
In-app purchases
Classic Maelstrom
No in-app purchases
Gimme a Second
- Unlock Forever$7.00
Questions
Is Classic Maelstrom free?
Is Gimme a Second free?
Which has better reviews, Classic Maelstrom or Gimme a Second?
Do Classic Maelstrom or Gimme a Second have ads?
Which is updated more often, Classic Maelstrom or Gimme a Second?
Other comparisons















