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After making my open source iphone game engine comparison post,, I’ve noticed quite a few searches for a comparison of commercial iPhone game engines, so I’ve decided to create this comparison.

Please note that this is only a feature comparison, as while I have tested out the editors of these engines (where available for free) I have not thoroughly tested these engines, however that being said I believe I can help in someone making an educated decision for those trying to choose between these engines.

Unity 3D – Unity 3D is the most popular commercial iPhone game engine, and has been used in many games.  Initially the iPhone version had some performance complaints, but it appears as though those issues were alleviated.  Unity allows you to use an extensive 3D editor with many scripts available and there is considerable community support available.  Another nice feature recently added to unity is that it allows you to use your Objective-C code, and it is the only one of these engines that appears to do so (so you can utilize libraries of your choosing within the iPhone SDK).  Unity 3d for iPhone costs a minimum of  $399 if you already own a copy of Unity Basic otherwise you will need to spend $199+$399 for Unity Basic + the iPhone license.

Stonetrip S3D – This is another full featured 3D game engine that has been used in high quality iPhone games.  There is a full featured 3D editor, and many scripts available along with large community support.  It is a great alternative to Unity as the costs are less, but I have an issue with the editor in that it will only run in Windows and this is something I have never liked about it. The base cost is 165 Euro. and this includes compilation options for the Mac, Windows, and iPhone platforms.

Bork 3D – This engine is touted by the developer as an engine for programmers.  It does not include a wysiwig content editor or scripting langue with pre-built scripts like the Stonetrip, and Unity engines, but does support 3DSMax, Maya and Collada.  The excellent Anytime Golf was created with Bork 3D which has terrific graphics.   The price is the lowest of all engines available at a base cost of $49.

Now onto the 2D Engines.  I’m a little hesitant to show these engines since the excellent Cocos2D is an excellent, and proven open source engine, but if you are a programmer and want to avoid programming as much as possible a wysiwyg editor is available with the following 2 engines.

Torque 2D for iPhone - This is from the makers of the famous Torque engine, and is essentially the Torque Game Builder ported to the iPhone platform.  This means that you can use the same tools as the Torque Game Builder in creating your game.  I found Torque Game Builder for the desktop to be excellent, although for the price I did not feel it was worth it with so many 2d wysiwyg game creators available, but on the iPhone those pickings are slim.  The cost for Torque2D begins at $750.

Game Salad – While this is definitely the easiest game creator to use on the Mac platform the iPhone support is in it’s infancy.  That being said the creators have published a few simplistic games to the app store, and recently released the "early access" version for the iPhone which was a very long time coming.  I’ve seen some performance complaints so I’m not sure how viable this is for iPhone game creation at this stage.  One advantage is that you can prototype your game for free, place it on the web, and see if people like it.  The minimum cost is $499 with iPhone publishing.  

In summary, I’d have to say Unity would be my choice for 3D engines, the community is unparalleled, and upgrades are frequent.  If you’re looking for a pure 2D game engine and must have a wysiwyg editor it appears as though Torque 2D is currently the only viable choice. 

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