RetroBoy vs HOSHIKAGE
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RetroBoy
A retro action platformer where a single tap shifts the game between modern HD and 8-bit pixel art. This mechanic alters visuals, music, physics, and gameplay, revealing hidden paths and power-ups. Master both realities to uncover the game's secrets.
- World-flipping mechanic (HD/8-bit)
- 6 handcrafted levels
- 5 boss battles
- Hidden rooms and collectibles
- 3 unlockable weapons
- 28 player upgrades
- Multiple difficulty modes
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Put on the shades. See the truth. RetroBoy is a handcrafted retro action platformer where a single tap flips the entire world between modern HD and raw 8-bit reality — changing the art, music, physics, abilities, and even the paths you can take. Nemo's world is a lie. His shades reveal the 8-bit code hidden underneath — and inside the code, he becomes more powerful. Run faster, jump higher, double-jump, and ride walls. But Nemo can only stay in the 8-bit world while his energy lasts. When the bar empties, reality snaps back to HD. Grab energy pickups to recharge, then switch at exactly the right moment — platforms, doors, enemies, and entire secret rooms can exist in one reality but not the other. Master both worlds to uncover the truth. FEATURES • Two realities, one tap — transform every level between modern HD visuals with full 3D character models and chunky 8-bit pixel art • 6 handcrafted levels — explore server rooms, neon rooftops, a towering corporate HQ, the corrupted Glitch Zone, the Architect's core, and a final trip to the other side • 5 boss battles and a boss-rush finale — with skippable intro cinematics • Secrets everywhere — 12 hidden rooms behind mode-exclusive doors, 27 data fragments, and 12 elusive pigeons • 3 weapons to master — fists, an energy blaster, and a laser sword • 28 upgrades earned through play — spend the chips you collect on new powers, all the way up to the Mech Suit • Built for replayability — 18 stars to earn, Normal / Hard / Brutal difficulty, and New Game+ prestige runs • A synchronized dual soundtrack — every track has an HD and a chiptune version that swap seamlessly with the world MADE FOR MOBILE • 3 touch layouts — reposition and resize every button to suit your style • Full game-controller support — touch controls tuck away automatically • Play the whole game offline — ideal for flights and commutes • Colorblind modes, haptic feedback, adjustable text size and screen shake • No ads, no in-app purchases, no account required The truth is waiting. Put on the shades.
HOSHIKAGE
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Deflect. Break. Issen. Swipe up, down, left, or right to deflect incoming attacks and break your enemies’ stance. Then touch and hold to unleash Issen, cutting down all staggered enemies in a single strike. Feel the tension of deflecting attack after attack, then the thrill of a decisive counterstrike. Enjoy the clash of blades with simple swipes and holds. Enemies close in from both sides and coordinate their attacks to overwhelm you. One enemy strikes between the blows of another’s combo. Read each attack’s direction and timing, and deflect in rhythm. Chain deflections to spark Quickening, which helps you break your enemies’ stance. Turn successful deflections into an opening for Issen. Boss battles put your skills to the test. Two ways to play. STORY Beneath the moon, a swordswoman in white faces a mysterious figure in a fox mask. Without a single line of dialogue, their story unfolds through the way they fight and the gestures between clashes. See where their blades lead. ENDLESS How long can you survive against a wide variety of enemies? Chain deflections and chase a higher score.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: HOSHIKAGE at every 3 days against RetroBoy's fortnightly. HOSHIKAGE also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
RetroBoy ships an update fortnightly, HOSHIKAGE every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RetroBoy | HOSHIKAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 750 MB | 81 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Peter Hodges | Takashi Ohida |
In-app purchases
RetroBoy
No in-app purchases
HOSHIKAGE
No in-app purchases








