Choose BBQ Simulator: The Squad
Choose BBQ Simulator: The Squad if you want an Indie experience. BBQ Simulator: The Squad launched in 2022.
BBQ Simulator: The Squad vs Microwave
BBQ Simulator: The Squad and Microwave both land in Simulation, Casual 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 Simulation, Casual on Steam. BBQ Simulator: The Squad (2022) is 4 years older than Microwave (2026). Both support cooperative play. 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 Microwave
Choose Microwave if it's the newer release (2026) and ships with the modern feature baseline. Microwave launched in 2026.
Both BBQ Simulator: The Squad and Microwave sit in Simulation and Casual on Steam and both list Multi-player, Online Co-op, and Co-op, 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
 BBQ Simulator: The Squad |  Microwave | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2022 | 2026 |
| Genres | Indie, Simulation, Casual | Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 3.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 83% positive (371 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op |
| Developers | CubeCube Sports Ltd. | Cindermast |
Side by side
- Both share Simulation, Casual on Steam.
- BBQ Simulator: The Squad (2022) is 4 years older than Microwave (2026).
- Both support cooperative play.
- BBQ Simulator: The Squad is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Microwave has no Deck rating yet.
BBQ Simulator: The Squad vs Microwave — FAQ
- Should I play BBQ Simulator: The Squad or Microwave first?
- If you want chronology, BBQ Simulator: The Squad (2022) came out before Microwave (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 BBQ Simulator: The Squad and Microwave similar?
- They overlap on Simulation, Casual 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.
- Do both BBQ Simulator: The Squad and Microwave have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: BBQ Simulator: The Squad ships Online Co-op, Co-op; Microwave ships Online Co-op, Co-op.
- Does BBQ Simulator: The Squad run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — BBQ Simulator: The Squad is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Microwave doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.