Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Retro Bowl vs GamePigeon

Retro Bowl 4.8★ · Free + IAP 85
Winner Retro Bowl
GamePigeon 4.0★ · Free + IAP · ⚠ stale 60

Retro Bowl is the better choice for a focused, engaging sports simulation, while GamePigeon offers a variety of casual games for social interaction but suffers from a lack of updates.

Full reviews: Retro Bowl · GamePigeon

Retro Bowl, a highly-rated football simulation, offers deep gameplay and customization, despite some user complaints about game mechanics and bugs. GamePigeon provides a collection of mini-games for iMessage, but its user base is increasingly frustrated by the lack of new content and technical issues.

Head to head

Features and Content edge: Retro BowlR8R18R26R41
Retro Bowl Retro Bowl users praise its addictive gameplay, dynasty mode, and customization options, allowing players to build a legacy and personalize their teams R8R41. However, many users desire more varied routes, bigger rosters, the ability to return punts and onside kicks, and an online multiplayer mode R18R26.
GamePigeon GamePigeon offers a variety of mini-games for iMessage, which users enjoy for playing with friends . The primary complaint from users is the severe lack of new games and updates, with many noting it's been years since new content was added R61R63R64R105. Users suggest adding games like Monopoly, Dominos, Hangman, Air Hockey, Mastermind, and card games R63.
Ease of Use and Accessibility edge: Retro BowlR3R6R17R19
Retro Bowl Retro Bowl is generally considered easy to play and addictive R17. Some users report issues with the game crashing on older iOS versions or Mac, and problems with in-app purchases not delivering coins or the unlimited version R3R6R19R27.
GamePigeon GamePigeon is designed for easy integration within iMessage, making it convenient to play with friends . However, a significant number of users report issues with downloading, installing, or opening the app, especially after phone updates or on new devices . There are also complaints about the 13+ age rating preventing younger users from playing R62R80R93R107.
Reliability and Performance edge: Retro BowlR1R2R6R7
Retro Bowl Retro Bowl users experience various bugs and glitches, including lagging gameplay, freezing on Mac, incorrect 1st down yardage, and issues with player stats R1R2R6R7. Many also complain about frequent and unrealistic interceptions, unfair game mechanics, and player injuries .
GamePigeon GamePigeon users report issues with the app not loading or crashing, especially after updates . A serious concern is that the app can leave 'iMessage garbage' in conversations that cannot be deleted and can 'bork' message threads even after uninstalling R79. Some users also report losing their wins or having game mechanics issues in specific games like Crazy 8 and Checkers .
Price and Value edge: Retro BowlR3R5R26R27
Retro Bowl Retro Bowl is free with in-app purchases, and many users find the unlimited version 'so worth it and cheap' R5R35R41. Reviewers appreciate the absence of ads in the free version R26. However, some users report issues with purchasing coins or the unlimited version R3R27.
GamePigeon GamePigeon is free with in-app purchases for additional mini-games, character clothing, and to remove ads . Users are frustrated by the presence of ads, especially 'prediction markets trading' ads, and the need to pay for more content . Some users mistakenly believe the app is now paid-only .
Support and Updates edge: Retro BowlR6R11R18R24
Retro Bowl Retro Bowl users frequently request specific updates and fixes, such as addressing gameplay imbalances, adding new features, and resolving bugs on different platforms R6R11R18R24. There are also reports of issues with purchased content not being delivered, indicating a need for better support R27.
GamePigeon GamePigeon users are overwhelmingly vocal about the lack of new games and updates, with many stating it's been years since significant content was added R61R63R64. Users actively suggest new game ideas, indicating a desire for developer engagement R63.
Pick Retro Bowl if

you want an engaging and addictive football simulation game with deep dynasty mode and customization, and are willing to overlook some minor gameplay quirks.

Pick GamePigeon if

you primarily want a collection of casual mini-games to play directly within iMessage with friends, and don't mind the current lack of new content or potential installation issues.

Evidence note: GamePigeon's reviews are heavily skewed towards complaints about the lack of new games and technical issues, which significantly impacts its overall user satisfaction despite its social appeal. Retro Bowl, while having its share of bug reports and feature requests, maintains a higher level of engagement and satisfaction with its core gameplay.

Frequently asked

Does GamePigeon offer new games frequently?
No, GamePigeon users widely report that it has been years since new mini-games were added, leading to repetitive content and user frustration R61R63R64R105.
Is Retro Bowl truly free to play without ads?
Yes, Retro Bowl is free to download and play, and users confirm there are no ads in the free version, making the optional unlimited version a value-add rather than a necessity to remove ads R5R26R35.
Can GamePigeon cause problems with iMessage?
Yes, some users report that GamePigeon can leave undeletable 'iMessage garbage' in conversations and even 'bork' message threads after uninstalling the app R79.
What is the age rating for GamePigeon?
GamePigeon has a 13+ age rating, which prevents many younger users from downloading or playing the app, causing frustration among children and parents R62R80R93R107.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R8] Retro Bowl 5/5 · US Fun: The game is fun i like how you can build a legacy 67
  2. [R18] Retro Bowl 3/5 · US Repetitive play Without Crucial Updates: The game is an excellent style of football, it’s unique and without a doubt is one of the top games to download. HOWEVER, updates are needed for people to consistently play and take it to the next level! ADD MORE DIFFERENT ROUTES, ADD MORE DIALOGUE, ADD THE ABILITY TO RETURN PUNTS AND ONSIDE KICKS, MAKE THE ROSTER BIGGER, DEVELOPER LISTEN TO THE FANS PLEEEE
  3. [R26] Retro Bowl 4/5 · US Great: I love the game very fun and on some games challenging, no ads which is obviously great, but there is one thing I would like them to add, a way for people to play against other people or friends.
  4. [R41] Retro Bowl 5/5 · US Loyalty mechanic for players: Me and my brother have loved this game for so long, just the fact you can customize players names and stuff is amazing, even the premium is so cheap even a 8 year old could buy it easily with change he found on the floor, but one thing that would make me and a lot over players stay with this game forever is if you a loyalty system where players or coaches if they like
  5. [R3] Retro Bowl 3/5 · US Review: It will not let me buy the unlimited version
  6. [R6] Retro Bowl 3/5 · US PLEASE FIX ON MAC: This game is so much fun but recently has completely bugged out on Mac and is officially unplayable. The games glitches out and freezes, you cant look through the menus or even click anything. Please fix.
  7. [R17] Retro Bowl 5/5 · US Addicted: This game is soooooo fun and addictive I could play this game for hours
  8. [R19] Retro Bowl 1/5 · US Won’t load: I click the game and it opens them immediately crashes what do I do? I can only run on iOS 12
  9. [R1] Retro Bowl 2/5 · US Errors (I guess): I didn’t know that the 1st downs were 10 1/2 yards instead of 10. When did that change since I’ve played high school 2 months ago? I’m not sure how many people have noticed this error but like please fix it.
  10. [R2] Retro Bowl 5/5 · US OPOY badge: The OPOY badge is the only one that does not stack on the player card. A player can have multiple but you will only see one unless you go into stats to see the real number. Good game though.
  11. [R7] Retro Bowl 1/5 · US Bad game: Game kept lagging and everytime I scored a touchdown and a 2pt the other team would score the exact same amount
  12. [R5] Retro Bowl 5/5 · US Amazing game buying the unlimited version is so worth it and cheap: Customizing is very fun and lots of options
  13. [R27] Retro Bowl 3/5 · US Please fix this: It would be a five star but every time I purchase coins it doesn’t give me the coins and I bought 250 coins twice and I didn’t receive them. So please fix this.
  14. [R11] Retro Bowl 4/5 · US I’m mad: Whenever I click on the team I want to start with for a new save, it automatically chooses a random team that I do not wish to have. If you are able to fix this problem, I will consider making my review 5 stars
  15. [R24] Retro Bowl 3/5 · US Fix Onside Kick Conditional: Change your onside kick conditional to if quarter == 4 && deficitExists. Not deficit >= x or time left <= y. If it is the 4th quarter and I have a deficit I should be allowed to onside kick. Period.
  16. [R61] GamePigeon 2/5 · US Game: U guys really need to update the games like wee need new games
  17. [R63] GamePigeon 3/5 · US !! We need new games !!: Regarding the launch, it was available to all phones. They have updated some bugs and added some content. However, it has been 6 years since the last mini game was added, and content has become repetitive for the most part. I wish they had included variations of classic games like monopoly, dominos, hangman, geography, trivia, emoji word guessing games, tic tac toe as well
  18. [R64] GamePigeon 1/5 · US ADD NEW GAMES!!: It’s been over a year now with NO NEW GAMES!! You get the same few games over and over but what about other games?! It would be way better if there were more options. I’ve tried other apps and they don’t work as well but have more games to play..
  19. [R105] GamePigeon 3/5 · US Please more games: It’s a great addition and entertainment, but it’s been years and I think it’s time to add some new games please, the same ones have gotten boring and overplayed
  20. [R35] Retro Bowl 5/5 · US Great game: I love this game. One of my all time favorites. Lots of fun with premium too. Overall a fun game!
  21. [R79] GamePigeon 1/5 · US BREAKS iMessage: DO NOT INSTALL! This app leaves a ton of iMessage garbage in your conversation that you CAN NOT DELETE. And after uninstalling the app I can no longer scroll past the few games in my conversation. My 15 year thread with my wife is now borked because of this app! There are Reddit threads of people with this exact issue. It’s not worth installing. Other better standalone apps exist
  22. [R62] GamePigeon 5/5 · US Great but…: My it is 13+ and now I can’t have it I was REALLY looking forward to it 😓😢😭
  23. [R80] GamePigeon 4/5 · US Lower age rating: I love this game!!! But It won’t let me download because my parental restrictions are under 13+.
  24. [R93] GamePigeon 3/5 · US I can’t play, I’m too young: You need to change that 13+ to 4+ bc I’m only 9 and my sister wants to play with me
  25. [R107] GamePigeon 5/5 · US Jesus is king: Can yall please make it under 13 for the age thing because I have that thing on my phone where it won’t let me reinstall it because of that

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store