Comparison

Retro TD vs TowerAttacker

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

Head to head
About

Retro TD

Features
Read full description

Build mazes. Watch creeps puzzle through. Hold the line. Retro TD is a hexagonal-arrow tower defense game. Place towers along the path, upgrade between waves, and survive against creeps that follow the arrows you've drawn. Tight, decision-heavy play — no filler, no grind. AI-GENERATED LEVELS Describe a shape — spiral, figure-8, knot, hourglass, twin loop — and the game generates a new level matching it. Each generation uses one credit; the Starter Pack includes 4, and you can top up when you want more. WHAT'S INSIDE • 30 hand-designed campaign levels, from gentle tutorial to boss-tier • Four tower types with directional aim-lock • A radial build menu that keeps your finger out of the action • Game Center high-wave leaderboards on every level • Reduced Motion option in Settings • Portrait, single-handed play IN-APP PURCHASES • Starter Pack ($2.99): unlocks levels 11–30 and includes 4 AI level credits • Credits 4-Pack ($1.99): four additional AI level credits SHARING Custom levels can be shared with friends by tapping an import link. Levels are filtered for objectionable content; long-press any received level to report it. No ads. No tracking. No account required.

About

TowerAttacker

A fast-paced strategy game focused on building defenses and deploying armies. Fortify your base with resource tiles and specialized towers, then continuously deploy diverse units. Engage in local or online multiplayer battles.

Highlights
  • Real-time tower defense and army combat
  • Direct touch placement for defenses
  • Six Camp types with continuous army deployment
  • Ten Camp levels with enhanced wave contributions
  • Targetable Camps requiring defense
  • Diverse ground, flying, siege, and specialist units
  • Offline CPU battles and online multiplayer
Features
Read full description

TowerAttacker is a fast, touch-first strategy game where every defense, Camp, and army changes the battle. Fortify your Core with Resource tiles and specialized towers. Upgrade Resources through ten levels at any HQ level to increase their Gold payout, durability, and crystal presence. Spend Gold once to build one of seven Camps, then continuously deploy specialized armies at no additional Gold cost. Every Camp type shares one global wave cycle, so your whole mixed army deploys together and new Camps join the next wave. Gremlin Camp alternates between Max and Jazzbo armies. Upgrade Camps to add more armies to each wave and gain more health without changing the wave timing, then protect them from enemy Sappers and Siege. Choose Battle CPU and pick Easy, Medium, Hard, or Jeremy Rage Mode, or use Apple Game Center to invite a friend or find another player for a two-player battle. Tap the Jeremy Thief spell to send him from your HQ to steal enemy Gold. Learn the controls in the live Tutorial and explore the optional War Room field guide. Features: - Fast real-time tower defense and army combat - Direct touch placement for Resources, defenses, and specialized Camps - Ten Resource levels with stronger income, durability, and crystal growth - Seven Camp types that continuously deploy free armies after construction - Jeremy Thief and four area spells with distinct battlefield effects - Four CPU difficulty levels, from Easy to Jeremy Rage Mode - Ten Camp levels with larger wave contributions and more health - Targetable Camps that must be defended from Sappers and Siege - Distinct tower roles with targeting, projectiles, damage stages, and upgrades - Ground, flying, swarm, siege, and specialist army units - HQ progression that expands your economy and defensive options - Offline CPU battles with no account required - Native two-player matchmaking and invitations through Apple Game Center - No ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases Build your Camps. Hold the line. Break their Core before they break yours.

Screenshots

Retro TD4 screens
TowerAttacker3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TowerAttacker at none against Retro TD's 2. Retro TD's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 9 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Retro TD sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. TowerAttacker asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Retro TD ships an update every 3 days, TowerAttacker every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Retro TD versus TowerAttacker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetro TDTowerAttacker
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB467 MB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperDoug BarrettADAM PRESTON COHEN

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Retro TD

One-time2
  • 4 AI Level Credits$1.99
  • Starter Pack$2.99
None

TowerAttacker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Retro TD free?
Retro TD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TowerAttacker free?
TowerAttacker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Retro TD or TowerAttacker have ads?
Neither Retro TD nor TowerAttacker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Retro TD or TowerAttacker?
Retro TD ships an update every 3 days, and TowerAttacker every 9 days. Most recently, Retro TD was updated on October 28, 2026 and TowerAttacker on October 31, 2026.

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