Comparison

Classic Maelstrom vs Gimme a Second

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Fast-action gameplay
  • Classic pixel graphics
  • Original sounds
  • Cooperative multiplayer
  • Competitive multiplayer
  • Mobile touch controls
  • Game controller support
  • Kid Mode
Features
Read 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...

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

Classic Maelstrom4 screens
Gimme a Second4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Gimme a Second sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Classic Maelstrom 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 Classic Maelstrom against 5.0 for Gimme a Second. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Classic Maelstrom versus Gimme a Second: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterClassic MaelstromGimme a Second
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB6 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSam LantingaLex Friedman

In-app purchases

None

Classic Maelstrom

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Gimme a Second

One-time1
  • Unlock Forever$7.00

Questions

Is Classic Maelstrom free?
Classic Maelstrom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gimme a Second free?
Gimme a Second is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Classic Maelstrom or Gimme a Second?
Classic Maelstrom and Gimme a Second are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Classic Maelstrom or Gimme a Second have ads?
Neither Classic Maelstrom nor Gimme a Second shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Classic Maelstrom or Gimme a Second?
Classic Maelstrom ships an update every 2 days, and Gimme a Second every 5 days. Most recently, Classic Maelstrom was updated on October 28, 2026 and Gimme a Second on October 25, 2026.

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