Choose Kerbal Space Program
Choose Kerbal Space Program if it matches what drew you to this matchup. 77,731 Steam reviews back the pick.
Kerbal Space Program vs Space Mechanic Simulator
Kerbal Space Program and Space Mechanic Simulator both land in Indie, Simulation 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 Indie, Simulation on Steam. Kerbal Space Program (2015) is 8 years older than Space Mechanic Simulator (2023). Kerbal Space Program scores higher on Steam reviews (95.9% positive) than Space Mechanic Simulator (61.8% 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 Space Mechanic Simulator
Choose Space Mechanic Simulator if you want a Casual experience. On Steam, it's currently about 50% cheaper on the Steam Store. Space Mechanic Simulator launched in 2023.
Both Kerbal Space Program and Space Mechanic Simulator sit in Indie and Simulation 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
 Kerbal Space Program |  Space Mechanic Simulator | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2015 | 2023 |
| Genres | Indie, Simulation | Indie, Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 39.99 USD | 19.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 95.9% positive (77,731 reviews) | 61.8% positive (68 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Squad | Atomic Jelly |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Simulation on Steam.
- Kerbal Space Program (2015) is 8 years older than Space Mechanic Simulator (2023).
- Kerbal Space Program scores higher on Steam reviews (95.9% positive) than Space Mechanic Simulator (61.8% positive).
- Space Mechanic Simulator is currently ~50% cheaper on Steam than Kerbal Space Program (19.99 USD vs. 39.99 USD).
- Kerbal Space Program is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Space Mechanic Simulator has no Deck rating yet.
Kerbal Space Program vs Space Mechanic Simulator — FAQ
- Should I play Kerbal Space Program or Space Mechanic Simulator first?
- If you want chronology, Kerbal Space Program (2015) came out before Space Mechanic Simulator (2023). 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 Kerbal Space Program and Space Mechanic Simulator similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Simulation 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 Kerbal Space Program run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Kerbal Space Program is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Space Mechanic Simulator doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.