Choose Boomerang X
Choose Boomerang X if it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. Boomerang X launched in 2021.
Boomerang X vs Smile Protocol
Boomerang X and Smile Protocol both land in Action, Indie on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both share Action, Indie on Steam. Boomerang X (2021) is 5 years older than Smile Protocol (2026). Boomerang X scores higher on Steam reviews (95.9% positive) than Smile Protocol (87% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Smile Protocol
Choose Smile Protocol if you want a Simulation and Casual game with Camera Comfort, Stereo Sound, and Adjustable Difficulty. On Steam, it's the newer release (2026) and ships with the modern feature baseline. Smile Protocol launched in 2026.
Both Boomerang X and Smile Protocol sit in Action and Indie on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Boomerang X |  Smile Protocol | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2021 | 2026 |
| Genres | Action, Indie | Action, Indie, Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 4.99 USD | 5.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 95.9% positive (949 reviews) | 87% positive (23 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | DANG! | OxygenStudio |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie on Steam.
- Boomerang X (2021) is 5 years older than Smile Protocol (2026).
- Boomerang X scores higher on Steam reviews (95.9% positive) than Smile Protocol (87% positive).
- Boomerang X is currently ~17% cheaper on Steam than Smile Protocol (4.99 USD vs. 5.99 USD).
- Boomerang X is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Smile Protocol has no Deck rating yet.
Boomerang X vs Smile Protocol — FAQ
- Should I play Boomerang X or Smile Protocol first?
- If you want chronology, Boomerang X (2021) came out before Smile Protocol (2026). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Boomerang X and Smile Protocol similar?
- They overlap on Action, Indie on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does Boomerang X run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Boomerang X is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Smile Protocol doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.