Buzz
Since Android debuted in 2008, Apple’s iOS has trailed behind in retro gaming. While companies like Square Enix, the creator of Final Fantasy, have released official mobile ports of older games, fans of Sonic or Mario were limited to freemium titles like Sonic Dash or Super Mario Run on the App Store.
Sometimes, you crave something more substantial. Android users have long enjoyed this advantage—since its inception, the platform has supported game emulators, software that replicates old consoles to play games from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and even the 2000s and later.
As Apple positions the iPhone as a modern gaming powerhouse, capable of running full versions of games like Resident Evil Village, it appears the company is finally addressing this gap. Emulators, though technically legal, can complicate relationships with game publishers. However, in an April 5 update, Apple revised its policies to permit emulators on the App Store, as long as they avoid distributing copyrighted material.
Since then, a passionate group of developers has emerged to bring retro gaming to the most widely used mobile platform in the US. Here are the top game emulators for iPhone—and the best part is, they’re all free.
RetroArch
RetroArch is the most advanced emulation tool on the App Store, though it’s not technically an emulator itself. Instead, it acts as a front end for running various emulation "cores" created by other developers. Think of RetroArch as a menu where each core represents a different console, allowing you to select and customize your experience.
With so many options, navigating RetroArch can be a bit overwhelming. Its interface is minimalistic, and while you can apply different themes, it often presents numerous concepts on a single page without much explanation.
The advantage is that, immediately after downloading it from the App Store, you can play games from over 70 consoles, including favorites like the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation 1. Most games will work without any setup, though some may need a BIOS (or operating system) file for better compatibility.
This is the challenge with emulators: They can’t include copyrighted material, so you’ll need to supply it yourself. According to U.S. law, creating backup copies of games you own is legal, though this practice hasn’t been thoroughly tested in court.
However, RetroArch complicates the process of loading your own files compared to other programs. Instead of browsing a visually appealing list of games, the typical steps involve opening RetroArch, selecting Load Core, choosing the desired system (there may be multiple cores per system, each with different performance and accuracy levels), clicking Load Content, and then selecting your game from the file browser.
This process can be cumbersome each time you want to play a game and may require prior research to determine the best core to use. Additionally, once in-game, you’ll encounter numerous settings to adjust, such as “Frame Throttle” and “Latency.”
Most of the time, you can overlook these settings, but even with features like Favorites and Playlists to ease the process, it can still feel a bit overwhelming.
Enthusiasts will appreciate the detailed control, as settings can be adjusted for each core individually. For others, the basics like touch controls and save states (which allow saving anywhere, independent of the game’s built-in save function) are easily accessible during gameplay, whether in portrait or landscape mode.
RetroArch is the top choice for those who want extensive customization and access to a wide range of consoles. It’s worth downloading as a backup, as it might be the only way to play certain games. However, if you prefer a more straightforward experience, there are alternatives.
Delta
Delta was the first emulator to gain significant traction on the App Store, offering a simpler and more user-friendly experience compared to RetroArch. It supports multiple cores but limits them to one per console, focusing on a selection of mostly older systems.
These systems include the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis. As with other emulators, you’ll need to supply your own game files, and for the DS, BIOS files are also required.
Once you’ve completed these steps, the setup process is far simpler than RetroArch. You only need to add a game to Delta’s main menu once using the + icon in the top-right corner, which allows you to browse through iTunes or your files. Delta will then organize the game under the appropriate console with its box art.
After that, simply click on the game’s icon to start playing. Touch controls are available in both portrait and landscape modes, and you’ll have access to essential features like save states and a “hold button” function, which keeps a specific button pressed continuously—ideal for games like Super Mario World.
In the app’s settings menu, you can also add cheat codes, adjust the transparency of the touch controls, and link to a Dropbox or Google Drive folder to load games directly from there.
The overall experience is smoother and more visually appealing. Delta features a vibrant GameCube-inspired purple theme across its menus, and the touch controls are beautifully themed for each system, with the option to customize them further if desired.
If your goal is simply to play classic Nintendo games, Delta is likely your best option. It offers a similar experience to RetroArch but is far more user-friendly and doesn’t require advanced technical knowledge.
PPSSPP
PPSSPP is also available as a core in RetroArch, but if your focus is solely on playing PSP games, it’s the ideal choice.
This is because it provides all the features of RetroArch but, like Delta, offers a more straightforward and user-friendly interface.
The only limitation is that it operates exclusively in landscape mode. However, since PSP games are designed for widescreen, this is likely the mode you’d prefer anyway.
While the user interface isn’t as polished as Delta’s, it’s still more intuitive than RetroArch. The menu is charming, mimicking the actual PSP menu. To play a game, simply open the app, click Load, and select your game from your files. PPSSPP will add it to the Games menu, and it will appear in the Recent menu for quick access later.
Once in a game, tap the ^ arrow at the top of the screen to access save states and advanced settings that can be customized per game. Similar to RetroArch, there are technical terms like “Disable culling” and “Skip GPU Readbacks,” but these can usually be ignored, while advanced users will appreciate the additional options.
The app’s main limitation is its reduced power compared to versions on other platforms. Apple’s coding restrictions have blocked developer Henrik Rydgård from including features like RetroAchievements and Vulkan graphics support. In a blog post, Rydgård mentioned efforts to reintroduce these features but noted that performance might always trail behind other systems due to Apple’s prohibition of Just-in-Time recompilers, which optimize code for smoother gameplay.
However, given the capabilities of modern Apple devices, this shouldn’t be a significant issue for most users. The primary challenge I encountered while playing Mega Man Maverick Hunter X was the touch controls, but like other emulators on this list, you can opt to use an external controller instead.
A paid version of PPSSPP will eventually appear on the App Store, but if it follows previous releases, it won’t include additional features. Purchasing it is simply a way to support Rydgård’s ongoing development efforts.
Gamma
Gamma is a tougher recommendation, but it could be a viable option if you want to avoid RetroArch. It’s a specialized emulator for PS1 games and functions similarly to Delta. In fact, Delta developer Riley Testut confirmed to The Verge that Gamma is built on his work, with his approval.
On paper, it’s a great choice, offering a straightforward setup process: press the + in the top-right corner, add your game file, and it automatically organizes the game with box art. You can also link to a Dropbox or Google Drive folder and customize the touch controller with various skins. While Gamma can run without a BIOS, adding one can enhance performance.
The major drawback is the ads. When launching a game or idling on the main menu, Gamma displays ads that can last up to a minute, disrupting the experience. Additionally, the app requests activity tracking upon first use, which can feel intrusive.
You can bypass this issue by disabling Wi-Fi and network data while using Gamma. However, it’s a cumbersome workaround just to enjoy games from the ‘90s.
Which emulators are missing from iOS?
Despite these four options, iOS still trails Android in emulation capabilities. While RetroArch covers many systems, platforms like PS2, GameCube, Wii, and even Nintendo Switch remain unavailable on iOS, despite being playable on other devices.
Due to the limitations highlighted by Rydgård, we may never see these systems on iPhone. However, with support up to PSP and the availability of modern AAA titles like Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, the iPhone is closer than ever to being considered the best gaming phone.
