Comparison

Retro Classics vs The Needle in the Haystack 2

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

Head to head
About

Retro Classics

Relive the golden age of arcade gaming with this collection of four classic 80s tabletop electronic games. Experience authentic retro graphics, sounds, and addictive gameplay that defined an era. Perfect for nostalgic gamers and new players alike.

Highlights
  • Four classic 80s tabletop arcade games
  • Authentic retro graphics and sounds
  • Addictive old-school gameplay
  • Accurate machine simulations
  • i-Cade controller support
  • Score tracking and combined scores
  • Game Center integration
Features
Read full description

Four absolute retro classic tabletop arcade machines in this one collection guaranteed to take you back to your childhood. With bright fluorescent graphics, simulated display, genuine retro blips and bleeps, simplicity and addictive old school gaming. All these games have had their meticulous details emulated to almost perfection (some minor changes). " If you are a retro arcade die hard fan this is a must!" In a distant time, not too long ago, before the internet and mobile phones; arcade games of the 70's and 80's were beautifully simple and addictive. Imagine going back in time to see your old games (or your friends' old games you couldn't have!) Now you can own some of the best handheld/tabletop games of that era in this awesome retro collection. Scramble (also known as Astro Command) , Missile Invader, Frogger and Galaxy Invader are some of the best tabletop games. Made by companies like CGL, Grandstand, Tandy, Epoch, Entex and Tomy to name but a few. Now these games have been brought back from distant and forgotten memories to the 21st century. Nostalgic but fun for all ages! Check the screenshots to see how accurate these are! • Better value then obtaining these as individual apps • Accurate simulations of the machines • Full retro sounds • Totally nostalgic • i-Cade support • Keep track of scores of all levels on the 4 VFD games • Super combined score of all games to prove how hard core retro fan you are • Scores automatically update to Game Center if logged in To play each device simply click on the machine you want to play then turn it on NOTE: To use iCade controller, press iCade button once loaded a game. Pressing this without connection to a controller will bring up the keyboard. Press the button again to turn it off.

About

The Needle in the Haystack 2

Collaborate with friends or join a public crew to search for a hidden needle in a massive haystack. Collect hay, earn in-game currency, and purchase tools and machines to aid your search. Play solo or with up to eight players.

Highlights
  • Cooperative multiplayer gameplay
  • Resource collection and management
  • Tool and machine upgrades
  • Private and public game yards
  • Solo play option
  • Hands-only challenge mode
Features
Read full description

One enormous haystack. One hidden needle. A crew that works together. Create a private yard for friends or join a public crew. Up to eight players collect hay, take it to the dealer and spend shared in-game money on tools, research and machines. You can also play solo. Start with your hands, use shovels and pitchforks, fill buckets and wheelbarrows, and build conveyor lines. Generators, balers, robot arms and scanners help your crew. Support excavated tunnels and recover the needle yourself. Then start a new search area. Choose hands-only mode for an extra challenge. The game needs an internet connection. You can play solo without signing in; shared online yards and account features use Sign in with Apple. Optional credit packs are available through in-app purchases. Credits buy selected permanent personal tools. Tools needed to reach the goal are also obtainable with money earned through play.

Screenshots

Retro Classics4 screens
The Needle in the Haystack 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: The Needle in the Haystack 2 at Free against Retro Classics's $3.99. The Needle in the Haystack 2 also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 57 months) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). Retro Classics's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 1.3) and review sentiment (60% vs 25%). On 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

The Needle in the Haystack 2 is free to download; Retro Classics costs $3.99 up front. The Needle in the Haystack 2 sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Retro Classics asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Retro Classics holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Retro Classics's written reviews are positive against 25% of The Needle in the Haystack 2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Retro Classics ships an update every 57 months, The Needle in the Haystack 2 every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Retro Classics versus The Needle in the Haystack 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetro ClassicsThe Needle in the Haystack 2
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better1.3 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better
Update frequencyEvery 57 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB274 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRob WilmotAlessandro Brning

Customer experience

Retro Classics

Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

The Needle in the Haystack 2

All ratings4 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative62.5%

In-app purchases

None

Retro Classics

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

The Needle in the Haystack 2

One-time4
  • 50 Credits$3.99
  • 100 Credits$8.99
  • 500 Credits$44.99
Show 1 more
  • 1,000 Credits$89.99

Questions

Is Retro Classics free?
Retro Classics costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is The Needle in the Haystack 2 free?
The Needle in the Haystack 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Retro Classics or The Needle in the Haystack 2?
Retro Classics is rated higher. Retro Classics averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while The Needle in the Haystack 2 averages 1.3 from 4 ratings.
Do Retro Classics or The Needle in the Haystack 2 have ads?
The Needle in the Haystack 2 shows ads; Retro Classics does not.
Which is updated more often, Retro Classics or The Needle in the Haystack 2?
Retro Classics ships an update every 57 months, and The Needle in the Haystack 2 every 2 days. Most recently, Retro Classics was updated on October 26, 2026 and The Needle in the Haystack 2 on October 26, 2026.

Other comparisons