Choose SHENZHEN I/O
Choose SHENZHEN I/O if you want a Simulation game with Steam Leaderboards. 2,198 Steam reviews back the pick.
SHENZHEN I/O vs The Ultra Code
SHENZHEN I/O and The Ultra Code both land in 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 are Indie games on Steam. SHENZHEN I/O (2016) is 3 years older than The Ultra Code (2019). SHENZHEN I/O scores higher on Steam reviews (95.2% positive) than The Ultra Code (57.1% 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 The Ultra Code
Choose The Ultra Code if you want a Strategy experience. On Steam, it's currently about 60% cheaper on the Steam Store. The Ultra Code launched in 2019.
Both SHENZHEN I/O and The Ultra Code sit in 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
 SHENZHEN I/O |  The Ultra Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2016 | 2019 |
| Genres | Indie, Simulation | Strategy, Indie |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 14.99 USD | 5.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 95.2% positive (2,198 reviews) | 57.1% positive (14 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Zachtronics | Jack Gloyens |
Side by side
- Both are Indie games on Steam.
- SHENZHEN I/O (2016) is 3 years older than The Ultra Code (2019).
- SHENZHEN I/O scores higher on Steam reviews (95.2% positive) than The Ultra Code (57.1% positive).
- The Ultra Code is currently ~60% cheaper on Steam than SHENZHEN I/O (5.99 USD vs. 14.99 USD).
- SHENZHEN I/O is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; The Ultra Code has no Deck rating yet.
SHENZHEN I/O vs The Ultra Code — FAQ
- Should I play SHENZHEN I/O or The Ultra Code first?
- If you want chronology, SHENZHEN I/O (2016) came out before The Ultra Code (2019). 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 SHENZHEN I/O and The Ultra Code similar?
- They overlap on 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 SHENZHEN I/O run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — SHENZHEN I/O is rated Deck Playable by Valve. The Ultra Code doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.