Best tower defense games for tower defense completionists in 2026

Q: Which tower defense games have a demo?

Defense Grid: The Awakening lists a demo . Tower Bio Defense has no demo listed, but you play it in a web browser . Check the other stores for their own trial options.

Q: How many achievements does Kingdom Rush have?

The page says the game has over 50 achievements . For achievement counts in the other games listed here, check each store page, since the facts available do not state them.

Q: Can you play a tower defense game offline?

Bloons TD 6 says single player offline works without WiFi . The facts for the other games here do not say either way, so check each store page before you rely on offline play.

Six tower defense games compared for completionists, with facts on maps, towers, upgrades, achievements, demos and prices.

By Desert Island Challenge · 2026-10-19

Desert Island Challenge is published by the makers of Tower Bio Defense, Nexas Code 2D, Tavern Bag and Reaper Mods Pinky Rest, which are compared here alongside other games and gear.

Six tower defense games compared for completionists, with facts on maps, towers, upgrades, achievements, demos and prices, plus questions to ask before you pick one.

Option	Price listed	Demo or browser play	Upgrade detail	Achievements
Bloons TD 6	not published	not published	3 upgrade paths per tower ^[1]	not published
Kingdom Rush	$9.99 normally, $0.99 in a daily deal ^[2]	not published	8 specialized tower upgrades ^[2]	over 50 achievements ^[2]
Plants vs. Zombies	not published	not published	not published	not published
Dungeon Defenders	$14.99 normally, $2.99 discounted ^[3]	Demo available ^[3]	not published	not published
Defense Grid: The Awakening	not published	Demo available ^[4]	3 levels of capability per tower type ^[4]	not published
Tower Bio Defense	not published	Plays in a web browser ^[5]	You can upgrade a placed tower ^[5]	not published

What tower defense completionists need from tower defense games

Tower defense completionists want to finish everything a game offers. That means clearing every map, getting every tower and upgrade, earning every achievement, and beating every difficulty level.

This leads to a few practical checks. How many maps and levels does the game have? How deep do the upgrade trees go, and are there meta upgrades or hero upgrades on top of tower upgrades? Does the game track achievements, and how many? Are there extra modes like survival or challenge maps beyond the core campaign? Can you try it before paying, and does it need an install or a browser tab?

Cost matters as well. Discounts change, so check the current price on the store page before you buy. Some games sell items for real money inside the game, which affects how long full completion takes.

Long campaigns, deep upgrade trees and large achievement lists suit completionists. Pick which of these matters most, then use the options below to narrow the list.

Bloons TD 6 for tower defense completionists

One page says the game has 44 original maps, some with 3D objects that can block line of sight ^[6]. Another page says it has 70+ handcrafted maps, with more added every update ^[1].

The Steam page says it has 25 Monkey Towers, each with 3 upgrade paths and unique activated abilities ^[1]. The page says the game has 17 diverse Heroes with 20 signature upgrades and 2 special abilities ^[1].

The page says Monkey Knowledge offers over 100 meta-upgrades ^[1]. The page says the company releases several updates every year with new characters, features, and gameplay ^[1].

The page says single player offline works without WiFi ^[1]. It says the game contains in-game items that can be bought with real money ^[1].

Kingdom Rush for tower defense completionists

Kingdom Rush on Steam is developed and published by Ironhide Game Studio and was released Jan 6, 2014 ^[2]. The Steam page lists it at $9.99 normally, discounted to $0.99 in a daily deal ^[2].

The page says the game has the classic 12 stage core campaign ^[2]. It lists 13 Legendary Heroes at no additional cost ^[2].

It says the game has 18 tower abilities ^[2]. It says the game features over 61 different enemies ^[2].

The page says the game has over 50 achievements ^[2].

Plants vs. Zombies for tower defense completionists

The facts here are limited. The EA page describes Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted as a remastered classic coming to consoles and PC in October ^[7].

The same page names Plants vs. Zombies 2 as a mobile title ^[7].

Check the store page for maps, plants, upgrade paths, achievements, price and any in-game purchases before you pick a version.

Dungeon Defenders for tower defense completionists

Dungeon Defenders on Steam is developed and published by Chromatic Games and was released Oct 18, 2011 ^[3]. The Steam page lists it at $14.99 normally, discounted to $2.99 ^[3].

Players create a hero from one of four distinct classes ^[3]. The page says the game supports 4-player online and local co-op ^[3].

It lists 4 difficulty modes, survival missions and challenge maps ^[3]. The page says over 100 simultaneous enemies will attempt to tear through defenses ^[3].

A free development kit lets players create and edit missions ^[3].

Defense Grid: The Awakening for tower defense completionists

The page says the main storyline has approximately 8 hours of gameplay ^[4]. It says the game has 20 unique environments ^[4].

There are 10 different tower types with 3 levels of capability each ^[4]. Players battle 15 different enemy types ^[4].

A demo is available ^[4].

Tower Bio Defense for tower defense completionists

Tower Bio Defense is made by the team that publishes this site. You play it in a web browser ^[5].

You choose a map before each game ^[5]. You can select a placed tower and upgrade it ^[5]. You can also sacrifice a tower you have placed ^[5].

Towers can shoot projectiles or attack enemies up close ^[5]. Some enemies, like the MOAB, split into weaker enemies when defeated ^[5]. Some enemies are armored ^[5].

The art aims for a creepy look, with gore and blood effects ^[5].

Matching the tool to the job

Clear every map. Bloons TD 6 says it has 70+ handcrafted maps with more added every update ^[1]. Defense Grid: The Awakening lists 20 unique environments ^[4]. Kingdom Rush lists a 12 stage core campaign ^[2]. In Tower Bio Defense you pick a map before each game ^[5].

Get every upgrade. Bloons TD 6 lists 3 upgrade paths per tower ^[1] and over 100 upgrades to add power where you need it ^[1]. Kingdom Rush lists 18 tower abilities ^[2]. Defense Grid lists 3 levels of capability per tower type ^[4]. In Tower Bio Defense you can upgrade a placed tower ^[5].

Earn every achievement. Kingdom Rush lists over 50 achievements ^[2]. For the other games, check the store page for achievement counts.

Beat extra modes. Dungeon Defenders lists 4 difficulty modes, survival missions and challenge maps ^[3].

Try before you commit. Defense Grid: The Awakening lists a demo ^[4]. Tower Bio Defense runs in a web browser ^[5].

Keep the cost low. Kingdom Rush is listed at $0.99 in a daily deal ^[2]. Dungeon Defenders is listed at $2.99 on discount ^[3]. Check the current price before buying.

Questions to ask before you choose

How many maps and levels does the game have? Compare map counts across games, and note whether updates add more over time.

How deep do the upgrade trees go? Check for tower upgrade paths, hero upgrades and meta upgrades, since completionists want all of them.

Does the game track achievements, and how many? Kingdom Rush lists over 50 achievements ^[2]. For the rest, check the store page.

Are there extra modes beyond the core campaign? Look for survival missions, challenge maps and difficulty settings.

Is there a demo, or can you try it in a browser first? Check each store page for a demo, and note which games run in a browser.

What does the store page list today as the price? Discounts change, so read the current listing.

Does the game sell items for real money? Bloons TD 6 says it does ^[1]. For the others, check the store page.

Is gore something you want? Tower Bio Defense aims for a creepy look with gore and blood effects ^[5]. Check screenshots for the rest.

Frequently asked questions

Which tower defense games have a demo?

Defense Grid: The Awakening lists a demo ^[4]. Tower Bio Defense has no demo listed, but you play it in a web browser ^[5]. Check the other stores for their own trial options.

How many achievements does Kingdom Rush have?

The page says the game has over 50 achievements ^[2]. For achievement counts in the other games listed here, check each store page, since the facts available do not state them.

Can you play a tower defense game offline?

Bloons TD 6 says single player offline works without WiFi ^[1]. The facts for the other games here do not say either way, so check each store page before you rely on offline play.

Does Bloons TD 6 sell things for real money?

Its page says the game contains in-game items that can be purchased with real money ^[1]. For the other games, check the store page to see whether they include in-game purchases.

What does Tower Bio Defense look like?

The art aims for a creepy look, with gore and blood effects ^[5]. Some enemies split into weaker ones when defeated, like the MOAB ^[5]. Look at screenshots first if gore is not for you.

See Tower Bio Defense for yourself.

Try Tower Bio Defense