# 8bit Doves vs RetroBoy

The clearest difference is price: RetroBoy at Free against 8bit Doves's $2.99. RetroBoy also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.4) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). 8bit Doves's advantage is ratings volume (563 vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

RetroBoy is free to download; 8bit Doves costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

RetroBoy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 8bit Doves has 563 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of 8bit Doves's written reviews are positive against 100% of RetroBoy's.

8bit Doves ships an update every 5 months, RetroBoy fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | 8bit Doves | RetroBoy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.4 (563 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8bit-doves/id891716357/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retroboy-platformer/id6761346559/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **563** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Size | 51 MB | 750 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Nitrome](https://appshunter.io/developer/568079484) | [Peter Hodges](https://appshunter.io/developer/1873344533) |

## What reviewers say

### 8bit Doves

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/8bit-doves/id891716357)

Embark on a pixelated VR adventure where you navigate dream-like mazes inspired by flight. Collect doves to unlock your escape from a colorful, retro-styled prison. Experience intuitive controls and challenging obstacles in this unique handheld-inspired game.

**Highlights:** VR Gameboy adventure, Pixelated dream mazes, Flight-inspired navigation, Intuitive two-button gameplay, Multiple level packs with distinct themes, Stunning 4-color pixel art

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Beautiful retro graphics
- 🎶 Nostalgic chiptune soundtrack
- 👍 Challenging but rewarding gameplay
- 🕹️ Unique control scheme
- 🕰️ Addictive and fun

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Extremely difficult controls
- 🤔 Lack of clear instructions
- 🔁 Repetitive gameplay
- 🔍 Short length with limited content
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on certain devices
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- Inconsistent control responsiveness

**Requested features**

- More levels and content
- Ability to customize the character
- Inclusion of a story or narrative
- Better tutorial or control explanation


### RetroBoy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retroboy-platformer/id6761346559)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is 8bit Doves free?

8bit Doves costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is RetroBoy free?

RetroBoy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, 8bit Doves or RetroBoy?

RetroBoy is rated higher. 8bit Doves averages 3.4 out of 5 from 563 ratings, while RetroBoy averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do 8bit Doves or RetroBoy have ads?

Neither 8bit Doves nor RetroBoy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, 8bit Doves or RetroBoy?

8bit Doves ships an update every 5 months, and RetroBoy fortnightly. Most recently, 8bit Doves was updated on October 24, 2026 and RetroBoy on October 24, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*