# ArcEmu — Retro Games Emulator for Watch

> Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPad emulator for Game Boy, GBC, and GBA games. (iPhone/iPad app by Raffaele D'Amato.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcemu/id6496282733 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Raffaele D'Amato](https://appshunter.io/developer/529947655)
- Category: Games, Entertainment
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 1,278 App Store ratings · 508 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.5 · 64 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, European Portuguese, European Spanish
- Released: 2024-06-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcemu/id6496282733/reviews.md

## What is ArcEmu?

ArcEmu is the first emulator for Apple Watch.
It also works on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, providing a comprehensive gaming experience across all your Apple devices.

Consoles Supported
- Game Boy (.gb)
- Game Boy Color (.gbc)
- Game Boy Advance (.gba)

Main Features
- Precise and fast emulation thanks to mGBA core
- Game Link Cable support (Online Multiplayer for up to 4 players) *
- Cheat support with a preloaded database of popular codes **
- Frame independent emulation with 30 or 60 fps
- All orientations support on iPhone and iPad
- Precise and well-designed on-screen controls
- Customizable controls (transparency and position) on iPhone and iPad
- 8-directional or 4-directional D-Pad on iPhone and iPad
- Fast-Forward (2x, 4x and Max)
- Slow-mo (0.5x)
- Color Palette modification for GB games
- Button hold/sustain feature
- Accelerometer support
- Gyroscope support on iPhone and iPad, using the Digital Crown on Apple Watch
- Rumble support on iPhone
- Digital Crown support on Apple Watch
- Game controllers support on iPhone, iPad and Apple TV
- Zip file support
- Auto-Save feature
- Save State sharing between devices
- iCloud support for ROMs and Save States
- ROM sharing via iCloud with share codes
- Family Setup support (standalone Apple Watch)

Compatibility
- Apple Watch Series 3 or later
- Apple Watch SE or later
- Apple Watch Ultra or later

ArcEmu does not include any games or ROMs.
You can import Game Boy ROMs directly from your iPhone and store them in iCloud.
Your Apple Watch will download them directly from iCloud.
On standalone Apple Watch (Family Setup), ROMs can be downloaded from iCloud using share codes.

The games shown in the screenshots are:
- Acorn Grove: https://gibbongl.itch.io/acorn-grove
- Anguna: https://gauauu.itch.io/anguna
- Hauntsfield: https://alliemackie.itch.io/hauntsfield
- µCity Advance: https://skylyrac.itch.io/ucity-advance

* Requires a Game Center account
** Cheats may cause unexpected behavior or affect game stability and save data

ArcEmu is in no way affiliated with Nintendo. The name "Nintendo" and all associated game console names are registered trademarks of Nintendo Co., Ltd.

## Key features

- Game Boy, GBC, GBA emulation
- Multiplayer support
- Cheat codes
- Customizable on-screen controls
- Save State sharing
- iCloud support

## What do users think of ArcEmu?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Fully functional
- 🚀 Impressive emulation on Apple Watch
- 👍 Great emulator for both phone and watch
- 👍 Seamless save state transfer between devices
- 👍 Customizable controls and layout
- 👍 Ridiculously awesome for the price

**Cons**

- 🐛 Compatibility issues with some games
- 🐛 Audio quality problems on certain games
- 👎 Limited functionality on Apple Watch
- 👎 Difficult controls for action-heavy games on watch

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Occasional crashes
- Graphical glitches with certain ROMs
- Save data not transferring properly between devices

**Most requested features**

- Add cheat/GameShark support
- Improve volume controls
- Implement fast forward/slow motion options
- Allow multiple save slots per game
- Improve Game Boy Color support
- Add joystick/button support for Apple Watch

## Recent user reviews (10 of 508)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcemu/id6496282733/reviews.md

### 5/5 — One of the Best

*2026-07-29, version 1.10.2*

Man, I have nothing but good things to say about this app. Works perfectly, clean, no bugs that I’ve encountered, no ads or in app purchases.

### 5/5 — Best Emulator

*2026-07-24, version 1.10.2*

This emulator is great and it’s at a good price!!

### 5/5 — Proposition

*2026-07-23*

Bonjour, super application mais est-ce que ça serait possible d’ajouter la « Pokémon mini » ? il y a seulement 11 jeux et à part RetroArch, elle est rarement émulé… et je me dis que ça serait top de l’ajouter à ArcEmu 😇 car j’aimerais pouvoir jouer à « Pokémon Tetris » n’importe où quand je sors 😇

### 5/5 — すごいよ

*2026-07-21*

Apple Watchでゲームができるなんて……おお、本当にできた！
すごい！
ただ、Apple Watchの角が丸いからちょっと見にくいところもある。
どうやってゲームを入れるかは著作権的なものがあるので、自分の保有ソフトだけにしましょう。

### 5/5 — It actually works

*2026-07-21*

As of 2026, nearly every game emulator on the App Store has the same issue of audio buzzing shortly after emulation starts, except for ArcEmu. Games work perfectly on my iPod Touch 7. Best emulator on the App Store!

### 5/5 — good game limited graphics

*2026-07-03, version 1.10*

weee

### 5/5 — 10/10

*2026-07-03, version 1.10*

I was bored so i convinced my mom and she let me and i can play at recess at school while im on the swing i am gonna recommend my friend about this

### 5/5 — Link is great

*2026-06-28, version 1.10*

I got this to play coop pokemon quetzal with my girlfriend over internet. Does the job! I also like being able to move the buttons around

### 5/5 — Good emulator

*2026-06-27, version 1.10*

Downloaded for Pokémon Leaf Green, works very well. Can even battle other people

### 5/5 — Love this App.

*2026-06-18, version 1.10*

Best Watch Emulator

## Frequently asked questions about ArcEmu

### What is this app?

This app is the first emulator designed for the Apple Watch, also functioning on iPhone and iPad. It allows you to play games from Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges on your Apple devices.

### What are the main features?

Key features include precise emulation using the mGBA core, support for online multiplayer via Game Link Cable, a cheat database, customizable on-screen controls, fast-forward/slow-mo options, and save state sharing across devices.

### Is this app free or paid?

Based on the provided information, this application is free to download and use. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

The app is compatible with Apple Watch Series 3 or later, Apple Watch SE or later, and Apple Watch Ultra or later. It also works on iPhone and iPad devices.

### How do I get games to play on this emulator?

This app does not come with any games or ROMs. You will need to import your own Game Boy ROMs directly from your iPhone, and they will be automatically transferred to your Apple Watch if you are using that device.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.10.6 — 2026-08-26

- Added Apple TV support
- Added iCloud save support on Apple Watch.
- Added timestamps to save slots.
- Added a “Max” fast-forward option, which runs games as fast as your device allows.
- Replaced the 3× fast-forward option with 4×.
- Improved rumble support and vibration feedback.
- Added the option to hide the shoulder buttons (L and R) on Apple Watch.
- Implemented support for stickless pads with no extended profile (like 8BitDo FlipPad)
- Improved button layout when resizing the app on iPadOS

### 1.10.5 — 2026-08-19

- Added Apple TV support
- Added iCloud save support on Apple Watch.
- Added timestamps to save slots.
- Added a “Max” fast-forward option, which runs games as fast as your device allows.
- Replaced the 3× fast-forward option with 4×.
- Improved rumble support and vibration feedback.
- Added the option to hide the shoulder buttons (L and R) on Apple Watch.

### 1.10.4 — 2026-08-17

- Added Apple TV support
- Added iCloud save support on Apple Watch.
- Added timestamps to save slots.
- Added a “Max” fast-forward option, which runs games as fast as your device allows.
- Replaced the 3× fast-forward option with 4×.
- Improved rumble support and vibration feedback.
- Added the option to hide the shoulder buttons (L and R) on Apple Watch.

### 1.10.3 — 2026-08-04

- Added Apple TV support.
- Added iCloud save support on Apple Watch.
- Added timestamps to save slots.
- Added a “Max” fast-forward option, which runs games as fast as your device allows.
- Replaced the 3× fast-forward option with 4×.
- Improved rumble support and vibration feedback.
- Added the option to hide the shoulder buttons (L and R) on Apple Watch.

### 1.10.2 — 2026-07-22

- Added Apple TV support.
- Added iCloud save support on Apple Watch.
- Added timestamps to save slots.
- Added a “Max” fast-forward option, which runs games as fast as your device allows.
- Replaced the 3× fast-forward option with 4×.
- Improved rumble support and vibration feedback.
- Added the option to hide the shoulder buttons (L and R) on Apple Watch.

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## More apps by Raffaele D'Amato

- [Vortigo - The Bubble Shooter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vortigo-the-bubble-shooter/id910593325)
- [Lateres - Breakout for Watch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lateres-breakout-for-watch/id967684514)
- [Brainess - Train your Brain](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainess-train-your-brain/id982836020)
- [Uh Oh! - Avoid all traps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uh-oh-avoid-all-traps/id990588652)
- [Sumoku - Slide. Flip. Make 10.](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sumoku-slide-flip-make-10/id1478341022)
- [Arcadia - Watch Games](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcadia-watch-games/id1479608271)

All apps by Raffaele D'Amato: https://appshunter.io/developer/529947655

## Related topics

[arcemu](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/arcemu) · [apple watch games pokemon](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/apple-watch-games-pokemon)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*