# Retrospecs — Pixelate your pics! > Retro pixel art camera app for emulating vintage computer and console graphics. (iPhone/iPad app by John Parker.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrospecs/id887031094 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [John Parker](https://appshunter.io/developer/887031097) - Category: Photo & Video, Graphics & Design - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.79/5 from 364 App Store ratings · 140 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 14.0 · 27 MB - Languages: English, French, Japanese, Spanish - Released: 2014-06-15 - Data updated: 2026-08-26 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrospecs/id887031094/reviews.md ## What is Retrospecs? A retro computing / pixel art camera app. Retrospecs lets you convert images and video clips so they appear as they would on a wide variety of home computers and consoles from the 70's, 80's and 90's. Simply take a picture (or select one from your photo library) and you can display it as it would appear on over forty systems including the Commodore 64, IBM PC (DOS, CGA, EGA and VGA), Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Sega Mega Drive, Nintendo Game Boy and even the original 1984 model Apple Macintosh. If that's not enough you can also create your own custom modes based around four different graphics engines and a wide variety of color palettes and character fonts. (The free version only contains a limited number of systems/dither modes and the custom editors, video clip processing and animation options aren't available.) All trademarks are acknowledged as the property of their respective owners. ## Key features - Pixelate images and video clips - Emulate 40+ classic computer/console systems - Create custom graphics modes - Variety of color palettes and fonts - Supports Commodore 64, IBM PC, ZX Spectrum, Amiga, and more ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Small tip | $0.99 | one-time | | Medium tip | $1.99 | one-time | | Big tip | $4.99 | one-time | | The king of tips | $9.99 | one-time | | Unlock everything | $1.99 | one-time | ## What do users think of Retrospecs? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Versatile and customizable - 👍 Authentic retro filters - 👍 Extensive system emulations - 👍 Powerful editing capabilities - 👍 Nostalgia-inducing effects - 👍 Continuously updated - 👍 Fair pricing model **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches - 🔍 Limited image resolution - 📏 Aspect ratio issues with some filters - 🙈 Aggressive upgrade prompts in free version **Commonly reported bugs** - Animation option not working properly - Video import and saving issues - Occasional image loading failures **Most requested features** - Add more retro systems (e.g. NES, TI-99/4A) - Improve video encoding capabilities - Allow adjusting dithering levels - Add support for transparent PNGs - Implement batch processing and export options ## Recent user reviews (10 of 140) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retrospecs/id887031094/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Insane *2026-02-04, version 3.10* This is insane thank you ### 5/5 — more amazing as devices get more powerful *2025-12-17, version 3.10* been using this versatile thing for years and seen it improve year after year and become more refined. well maintained and priceless if you like this kind of thing ### 5/5 — Superb *2025-11-19, version 3.10* Does a phenomenally great job of re-encoding bloated modern pictures in to bloated versions of low-data pictures. Particularly great C64 and PETscii conversions. Great credits pages! ### 5/5 — animation option not working? *2025-08-05, version 3.9* love the app but it looks like the animation option starts loading then messes up? itll get to like 88% and then not progress any further ### 5/5 — Thanks for the new update *2025-07-24, version 3.9* I started using this application for YouTube short videos, and it looks like it works great. Please keep adding more filters/styles. With Kindest Regards-Pro User ### 5/5 — This is a must tool *2025-07-19, version 3.8* Once you get past some of its interface peculiarities when creating custom styles, you start to realise how powerful this is. Central tool in my work. ### 4/5 — Nintendo Entertainment System? *2025-07-15, version 3.7* Where’s the NES? ### 3/5 — Good. Not great. *2025-05-29, version 3.7* There are a lot of instances where the image entirely fails to load with the proper filters. There are also times where the aspect ratio of the photo im editing won’t show up right. Feels awful and limited even when the tools are quite useful ### 5/5 — Superb little app *2025-03-17, version 3.7* I must’ve used Retrospecs for a few years now; I love it. I use it all the time. If it ever goes away I shall miss it terribly. ### 1/5 — Immediately spams you to upgrade *2025-03-12, version 3.7* Took a photo, and immediately it begs me to upgrade while blocking the view of the image I’m wanting to edit. Can’t even try it out without being forced to pay. Why even have it a free app if you immediately have to pay?! I will admit that, for some stupid reason on my part, I paid for it awhile back, though I forgot until the App Store reminded me. ## Frequently asked questions about Retrospecs ### What does Retrospecs do? Retrospecs is a camera app that converts your photos and video clips into pixel art, mimicking the visual style of home computers and consoles from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. It allows you to display your media as if it were on systems like the Commodore 64, IBM PC, or Nintendo Game Boy. ### What are the key features of Retrospecs? Key features include the ability to pixelate both images and video clips, emulation of over forty different classic systems, and the option to create custom graphics modes. Users can also choose from a wide variety of color palettes and character fonts to further personalize their retro look. ### Is Retrospecs free to use? The app offers a free version which includes a limited selection of systems and dither modes. Advanced features such as custom editors, video clip processing, and animation options are not available in the free version and likely require an in-app purchase. ### What systems can Retrospecs emulate? Retrospecs can emulate a wide range of classic systems including the Commodore 64, IBM PC (DOS, CGA, EGA, VGA), Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Sega Mega Drive, Nintendo Game Boy, and the original Apple Macintosh. This allows for diverse retro visual styles. ### Who is Retrospecs for? This app is designed for individuals who appreciate retro computing aesthetics and pixel art. It's ideal for photographers, videographers, or anyone looking to add a nostalgic, vintage computer or console look to their digital media. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 3.10 — 2025-08-27 Adventures in dictatorship New bits… • Initial tweaks to make things (fractionally) less grim under iOS 26. Bug fixes… • Fixed Dragon 32 "Black & Buff" palette. If you encounter any problems, or have any suggestions for features please contact support@8bitartwork.co.uk ### 3.9 — 2025-07-24 Dearth of a salesman Just some bug fixes this time around… Bug fixes… • Fixed broken import when opening emulation from Files. • Fixed broken blending option selection in the converter. • Fixed potential crashing issue in mutator when no user palettes are available. If you've any problems, or feature suggestions please contact support@8bitartwork.co.uk ### 3.8 — 2025-07-18 The Noodle And The Damage Done New bits… • Added share sheet support. Bug fixes… • Fixed accuracy of Dragon 32 emulations. If you've any problems, or feature suggestions please contact support@8bitartwork.co.uk ### 3.7 — 2024-05-12 Happy Many Returns New bits… • Added Picotron emulations. Bug fixes… • Fixed issue with incorrect percentages being shown for noise and attribute corruption controls in the converter. • Fixed issue with incorrect palette used/available count in custom emulation editor. If you've any problems, or feature suggestions please contact support@8bitartwork.co.uk ### 3.6 — 2023-09-07 Tinting at windmills. New bits… • You can now randomly generate emulations within the emulation editor using the mutator. • Added undo/redo support to the emulation editor. Bug fixes… • Fixed bug where you could only open a video via Files once. If you've any problems, or feature suggestions please contact support@8bitartwork.co.uk ## Apps similar to Retrospecs | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Quicks: Create Animated Videos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quicks-create-animated-videos/id1577785480) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Photo & Video | | [Photo Collage Maker & Creator.](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-collage-maker-and-creator/id1611952740) | 3.0 (6) | Free | Photo & Video | | [Old Camera 2006CAM](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/old-camera-2006cam/id1575592620) | 4.2 (295) | Free | Photo & Video | | [Collage Air: Photo Layout](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/collage-air-photo-layout/id1608573280) | 2.3 (3) | Free | Photo & Video | | [Meero Restaurants](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meero-restaurants/id1608365820) | — | Free | Photo & Video | | [Jwelpix : Jewelry Photography](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jwelpix-jewelry-photography/id1615377200) | 4.4 (23) | Free | Photo & Video | ## Related topics [8 bit photo](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/8-bit-photo) --- *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 2026-08-26.*