Desert Island Challenge Plain comparisons of games and gaming gear

Plants vs. Zombies alternatives in 2026

Tower defense games to try if you want something different from Plants vs. Zombies, with plain facts on each and a short guide to choosing.

By Desert Island Challenge ยท

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.

Bloons TD 6, Kingdom Rush, Dungeon Defenders, Defense Grid: The Awakening and Tower Bio Defense are tower defense games to try after Plants vs. Zombies.

OptionMain focusNotable details
Bloons TD 621 monkey towers [1] and 70+ handcrafted maps [2]One page says 44 original maps [1], another says 70+ handcrafted maps [2]
Kingdom Rush8 specialized tower upgrades and 18 tower abilities [3] [3]13 Legendary Heroes and a 12 stage core campaign [3] [3]
Dungeon DefendersHeroes, classes, and missions [4] [4]4 difficulty modes and survival missions [4]
Defense Grid: The AwakeningLevels and tower types [5] [5]20 unique environments and 10 tower types [5] [5]
Tower Bio DefenseWeb browser [6]Some enemies split into weaker enemies when defeated [6]. Some enemies are armored [6]. Towers can shoot projectiles or attack up close [6]

Why gamers look past Plants vs. Zombies

The Plants vs. Zombies name covers more than one title, so decide which version you have in mind before comparing. Some players want a different shape of game, and that is a fair reason to browse.

The games below are tower defense options with their own towers, maps and heroes. Check each store page for the platform you use and for current release details before you pick one.

Bloons TD 6: a tower defense game with monkey towers

Bloons TD 6 has 44 original maps, including some with 3D objects that can block line of sight. [1] It has 21 monkey towers, including Druid and Alchemist. [1]

Its page says all monkey towers have 3 upgrade paths. [1] The page also lists 17 diverse Heroes with 20 signature upgrades and 2 special abilities. [2] The page says the game offers over 100 meta-upgrades. [2]

Check the current store page before you compare tower or map counts.

Kingdom Rush: a tower defense game with specialized towers and heroes

The Steam page lists Kingdom Rush at $9.99 normally, discounted to $0.99 (90% off) in a daily deal. [3]

Check the store page for current pricing and what the game includes. Look at the tower upgrades, the heroes, the enemy list, and the campaign length, since those decide how the game feels over many sessions. Prices and deals change, so the figure above may not be what you see when you visit.

Dungeon Defenders: a defense game with heroes and missions

The Steam page lists Dungeon Defenders at $14.99 normally, discounted to $2.99 (80% off). [4]

Check the store page for what the game includes. Look at the hero choices, the mission types, and the difficulty settings, and see whether a demo is offered before you buy. Deals change, so check the current price.

Defense Grid: The Awakening: a tower defense game with levels and tower types

The game has 10 different tower types with 3 levels of capability each. [5]

The game also has a demo available. [5]

A demo lets you try the game first. Check the store page for the number of levels and enemy types.

Tower Bio Defense: a browser tower defense game with upgradeable towers

Tower Bio Defense is made by the team that publishes this site, Desert Island Challenge. You play it in a web browser. [6] You pick a map before a game starts. [6] Players can select a placed tower and upgrade it. [6] Players can also sacrifice a placed tower. [6]

Some enemies split into weaker enemies when defeated. [6] Some enemies are armored. [6] Towers can shoot projectiles or attack up close. [6] The game uses a creepy fleshy look with gore and blood effects. [6]

How to pick the right Plants vs. Zombies alternative

Choose based on the type of defense game you want to play. Bloons TD 6 may be worth checking for players who want many tower choices and maps because it lists monkey towers and original maps. [1] [1]

The Steam page lists Kingdom Rush at $9.99 normally, discounted to $0.99 (90% off) in a daily deal. [3] The Steam page lists Dungeon Defenders at $14.99 normally, discounted to $2.99 (80% off). [4]

Defense Grid: The Awakening may be a choice for players who want to compare tower types and try a demo first. [5] [5] Tower Bio Defense lets you pick a map, upgrade or sacrifice placed towers, and fight enemies that can split when defeated. [6] [6] [6] [6]

Things to check before choosing include the setting, the number of tower choices, the way enemies behave, the price on the day you buy, and whether the game format matches how you want to play.

Frequently asked questions

Which Plants vs. Zombies alternative has many tower choices?

Bloons TD 6 lists 21 monkey towers and 44 original maps. [1] [1] Defense Grid: The Awakening lists 10 different tower types with 3 levels of capability each. [5]

Is Tower Bio Defense a browser game?

Tower Bio Defense is played in a web browser. [6]

How much does Dungeon Defenders cost on Steam?

The Steam page lists Dungeon Defenders at $14.99 normally, discounted to $2.99 (80% off). [4] Prices and discounts change, so check the store page for the current figure. Compare it with the other options on this page before buying, and check what each game includes, such as maps, towers, and enemy types.

What should a player check before choosing a Plants vs. Zombies alternative?

Check the tower systems, map structure, and overall game format. Tower Bio Defense includes map picking, tower upgrades, tower sacrifice, and enemy behaviors such as splitting enemies. [6] [6] [6] [6]

Does Tower Bio Defense have different enemy types?

Tower Bio Defense includes enemies that can split into weaker enemies when defeated and enemies that are armored. [6] [6] Players comparing tower defense games can look at how each game describes its enemy behavior and how many enemy kinds it lists.

See Tower Bio Defense for yourself.

Try Tower Bio Defense

Sources

  1. Bloons TD 6, ninjakiwi.com/Games/Mobile/Bloons-TD-6.html, read 2026-10-07
  2. Bloons TD 6, store.steampowered.com/app/960090/Bloons_TD_6, read 2026-10-07
  3. Kingdom Rush, store.steampowered.com/app/246420/Kingdom_Rush__Tower_Defense, read 2026-10-07
  4. Dungeon Defenders, store.steampowered.com/app/65800/Dungeon_Defenders, read 2026-10-07
  5. Defense Grid: The Awakening, store.steampowered.com/app/18500/Defense_Grid_The_Awakening, read 2026-10-07
  6. Tower Bio Defense's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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