Choose Deathmatch Classic
Choose Deathmatch Classic if you want the Multi-player, Online PvP, and Shared/Split Screen PvP side of the pairing. On Steam, it's currently about 67% cheaper on the Steam Store. 1,262 Steam reviews back the pick.
Deathmatch Classic vs RETOOLED
Deathmatch Classic and RETOOLED both land in Action 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 are Action games on Steam. Deathmatch Classic (2001) is 22 years older than RETOOLED (2023). RETOOLED scores higher on Steam reviews (94.1% positive) than Deathmatch Classic (82.6% 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 RETOOLED
Choose RETOOLED if you want an Indie experience. On Steam, it's the newer release (2023) and ships with the modern feature baseline. RETOOLED launched in 2023.
Both Deathmatch Classic and RETOOLED sit in Action 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
 Deathmatch Classic |  RETOOLED | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2001 | 2023 |
| Genres | Action | Action, Indie |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Playable |
| Price | 4.99 USD | 14.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 82.6% positive (1,262 reviews) | 94.1% positive (17 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player | Single-player only |
| Developers | Valve | Swarm Creations |
Side by side
- Both are Action games on Steam.
- Deathmatch Classic (2001) is 22 years older than RETOOLED (2023).
- RETOOLED scores higher on Steam reviews (94.1% positive) than Deathmatch Classic (82.6% positive).
- Deathmatch Classic is currently ~67% cheaper on Steam than RETOOLED (4.99 USD vs. 14.99 USD).
- Both are Deck Playable.
Deathmatch Classic vs RETOOLED — FAQ
- Should I play Deathmatch Classic or RETOOLED first?
- If you want chronology, Deathmatch Classic (2001) came out before RETOOLED (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 Deathmatch Classic and RETOOLED similar?
- They overlap on Action 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 RETOOLED have multiplayer like Deathmatch Classic?
- No. Deathmatch Classic supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player), while RETOOLED is listed as single-player only.