The Best Legal iOS Retro Emulators

Apple made a massive change to the App Store in April 2024, finally allowing retro game emulators on the iPhone and iPad. You no longer need to use complicated workarounds or void your warranty to play your favorite childhood games. Here are the top legal options available right now.

Understanding Emulation and Legality on iOS

Before looking at specific apps, it helps to understand the rules. The emulator applications themselves are entirely legal. They are just blank software players, much like a DVD player. However, downloading copyrighted game files (known as ROMs) from the internet is illegal.

To stay within legal boundaries, you should play games you actually own. You can buy specialized hardware like the Retrode 2 to extract the game files directly from your physical Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis cartridges to your computer. Once you have your legally obtained ROM files, you can load them into the following iOS emulators.

Delta: The Best Choice for Nintendo Fans

If you want a polished and flawless experience out of the box, Delta is the first app you should download. Developed by Riley Testut, Delta has been around for years on alternative app stores but is now officially available for free on the iOS App Store.

Delta focuses heavily on classic Nintendo hardware. The app currently supports the following systems:

  • Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
  • Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
  • Nintendo 64 (N64)
  • Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance
  • Nintendo DS

Delta features beautiful custom controller skins that make your iPhone screen look like the original hardware. It also offers excellent cloud syncing. You can connect your Google Drive or Dropbox account to Delta to automatically back up your game saves and cheat codes. If you prefer physical controls, Delta easily pairs with Bluetooth controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller, the PlayStation 5 DualSense, or Nintendo Switch Pro controllers.

RetroArch: The Ultimate Power User Tool

For players who want to play games from dozens of different retro consoles, RetroArch is the most powerful option on the App Store. RetroArch is an open-source project that works as a front-end interface for various emulator “cores.”

While Delta limits you to Nintendo systems, RetroArch lets you load cores for almost anything. You can play Sega Genesis, Sony PlayStation 1, Atari 2600, Neo Geo Pocket Color, and even the Sega 32X.

RetroArch does have a steeper learning curve than Delta. The menus are highly technical, and you will need to spend some time configuring your video and audio settings. However, it rewards your patience with incredible features. You can apply custom screen shaders to make your modern iPhone display look like a glowing, curved CRT television from the 1990s. RetroArch also supports RetroAchievements, a system that adds modern unlockable trophies to classic retro games.

PPSSPP: The Premier PlayStation Portable Emulator

If you have a library of PlayStation Portable (PSP) games, PPSSPP is the exact app you need. Created by Henrik Rydgård, this emulator has been the gold standard for PSP emulation for over a decade. It is available on the App Store for free, but you can also buy the “Gold” version for $4.99 to support the developer. Both versions offer the exact same features.

PSP games look incredible on modern iPhone screens. PPSSPP allows you to upscale the original 480x272 PSP resolution to 1080p or even 4K. Because the original PSP had a wide screen and simple controls, the touch screen interface translates perfectly to an iPhone held sideways. The app also supports save states, allowing you to freeze your game at any exact moment and return to it later.

Gamma: The PlayStation 1 Specialist

Gamma is a highly focused emulator developed by ZodTTD, a legendary developer in the early mobile emulation community. Gamma is designed specifically for playing original Sony PlayStation 1 (PS1) games.

The app features a clean and simple interface very similar to Delta. It automatically scans your device for PS1 game files and downloads the correct box art from the internet. Gamma uses hardware rendering to make early 3D games run smoothly on Apple silicon. It also features automatic save syncing to Google Drive so you never lose your progress. Gamma is free to download, though it does display advertisements in the main menu. You can remove the ads with a one-time in-app purchase of $4.99.

Folium: The Option for Nintendo 3DS

Folium is a newer entry to the App Store and costs $4.99. It supports Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, but its main selling point is Nintendo 3DS emulation.

Playing 3DS games on an iPhone requires a significant amount of processing power. Apple currently restricts a feature called JIT (Just-In-Time) compilation on the App Store. Without JIT, the emulator has to work much harder to translate the 3DS game code. Because of this restriction, you will need a modern device like an iPhone 13 Pro or newer to get smooth, playable frame rates on 3DS titles.

How to Load Games onto Your iPhone

Getting your legally dumped ROMs onto your iPhone is quite simple thanks to the native iOS Files app.

  1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac or Windows PC.
  2. Transfer your ROM files directly to your iCloud Drive or a folder on your iPhone.
  3. Open your emulator of choice (like Delta or RetroArch).
  4. Tap the “+” or “Import” button.
  5. Navigate to the folder where you saved the files and tap the game to add it to your library.

### Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to use these emulators?

No. Since Apple updated its App Store guidelines in April 2024, retro game emulators are officially allowed. You can download them directly from the App Store just like any regular app.

What is a ROM file?

A ROM (Read-Only Memory) file is a digital copy of the data found on a physical game cartridge or disc. Emulators read these files to play the game.

Can I use a mobile controller attachment?

Yes. Popular snap-on controllers like the Backbone One or the Razer Kishi V2 work flawlessly with Delta, RetroArch, PPSSPP, and Gamma. Using a physical controller completely transforms the experience and makes difficult retro games much easier to play.

Why can’t I find emulators for GameCube or PlayStation 2 on iOS?

Consoles from the GameCube and PlayStation 2 era require JIT compilation to run well on mobile processors. Since Apple currently bans JIT compilation for security reasons on the App Store, developers cannot release fully functional emulators for those heavier systems yet.