Choose Viral Reload EX
Choose Viral Reload EX if you want the Shared/Split Screen Co-op and Co-op side of the pairing. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. Viral Reload EX launched in 2026.
Viral Reload EX vs ASTROSMASH 1981
Viral Reload EX and ASTROSMASH 1981 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. ASTROSMASH 1981 (2024) is 2 years older than Viral Reload EX (2026). Viral Reload EX has co-op; ASTROSMASH 1981 does not. 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 ASTROSMASH 1981
Choose ASTROSMASH 1981 if you want a Simulation and Casual experience. ASTROSMASH 1981 launched in 2024.
Both Viral Reload EX and ASTROSMASH 1981 sit in Action and Indie on Steam and both list Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen, and Shared/Split Screen PvP, 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
 Viral Reload EX |  ASTROSMASH 1981 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2026 | 2024 |
| Genres | Action, Indie | Action, Indie, Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | Price unknown | 4.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | — | 3 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op | Multi-player |
| Developers | Retrocade Media | BBG Entertainment GmbH |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie on Steam.
- ASTROSMASH 1981 (2024) is 2 years older than Viral Reload EX (2026).
- Viral Reload EX has co-op; ASTROSMASH 1981 does not.
Viral Reload EX vs ASTROSMASH 1981 — FAQ
- Should I play Viral Reload EX or ASTROSMASH 1981 first?
- If you want chronology, ASTROSMASH 1981 (2024) came out before Viral Reload EX (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 Viral Reload EX and ASTROSMASH 1981 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.