Comparison

Delta vs Nintendo Switch App

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Delta

This app allows you to play classic games from various retro consoles on your iOS or iPadOS device. It supports multiple systems, online multiplayer for some games, and extensive controller customization. You can also manage game saves, use cheats, and sync your data across devices.

Highlights
  • Supports NES, SNES, N64, DS, GBA, and more
  • Online multiplayer for Nintendo DS games
  • Extensive controller support (Switch, PS, Xbox, MFi)
  • Save states with automatic backups
  • Cheat code support for various systems
  • Cross-device syncing via Google Drive/Dropbox
  • Customizable controller skins
Features
Read full description

Delta is an all-in-one emulator for iOS and iPadOS. Delta builds upon the strengths of its predecessor, GBA4iOS, while expanding to include support for more game systems such as NES, SNES, N64, Nintendo DS, and Sega Genesis. FEATURES Supported Game Systems • Nintendo Entertainment System • Super Nintendo Entertainment System • Nintendo 64 • Game Boy (Color) • Game Boy Advance • Nintendo DS • Sega Genesis Online Multiplayer • Play online-compatible Nintendo DS games with friends around the world! • Connect via community Nintendo WFC servers • Choose one of the default servers, or provide a custom DNS Controller Support • Nintendo Switch Pro controllers, Joy-Cons • Nintendo Switch Online controllers (NES, SNES, N64) • PS4, PS5 • Xbox One S, Xbox Series X • MFi game controllers • Bluetooth & wired keyboards RetroAchievements • Sign in with your RetroAchievements account to earn achievements in any supported game • Supports Hardcore mode, which disables loading save states and using cheats • Shows your achievement progress when launching a game Save States • Save and load save states for any game from the pause menu. • Lock save states to prevent them from being accidentally overwritten. • Automatically makes backup save states to ensure you never lose your progress. • Support for “Quick Saves,” save states that can be quickly saved/loaded with a single button press (requires external controller). Cheats • Supports various types of cheat codes for each supported system: • NES: Game Genie • SNES: Game Genie, Pro Action Replay • N64: GameShark • GBC: Game Genie, GameShark • GBA: Action Replay, Code Breaker, GameShark • DS: Action Replay • Genesis: Action Replay, Game Genie Delta Sync • Sync your games, game saves, save states, cheats, controller skins, and controller mappings between devices. • View version histories of everything you sync and optionally restore them to earlier versions. • Supports both Google Drive and Dropbox. Custom Controller Skins • Beautiful built-in controller skins for all systems. • Import controller skins made by others, or even make your own to share with the world! • Supports animated buttons for even more immersion when playing games Hold Button • Choose buttons for Delta to hold down on your behalf, freeing up your thumbs to press other buttons instead. • Perfect for games that typically require one button be held down constantly (e.g. run button in Mario games, or the A button in Mario Kart). Fast Forward • Speed through slower parts of games by running the game much faster than normal. • Easily enable or disable from the pause menu, or optionally with a mapped button on an external controller. • Customize speed per-game by long-pressing Fast Forward option in pause menu. 3D/Haptic Touch • Use 3D or Haptic Touch to “peek” at games, save states, and cheat codes. • App icon shortcuts allow quick access to your most recently played games, or optionally customize the shortcuts to always include certain games. Game Artwork • Automatically displays appropriate box art for imported games. • Change a game’s artwork to anything you want, or select from the built-in game artwork database. Misc. • Gyroscope support (WarioWare: Twisted! only) • Microphone support (DS only) • Support for delta:// URL scheme to jump directly into a specific game. Delta Terms of Use: https://altstore.io/terms **Delta is in no way affiliated with Nintendo. The name "Nintendo" and all associated game console names are registered trademarks of Nintendo Co., Ltd.**

About

Nintendo Switch App

Enhance your Nintendo Switch online gaming with this companion app. Check friends' online status, add them easily, and access game-specific services. View and share screenshots and videos directly from your system.

Highlights
  • Check friends' online status
  • Add friends via QR code or friend code
  • View and share screenshots/videos
  • Access game-specific services
  • Receive notifications for friend online status
  • Game-specific features for Zelda, Splatoon, Animal Crossing, Smash Bros.
Read full description

The Nintendo Switch App smartphone app enhances your online gameplay experience on the Nintendo Switch™ 2 and Nintendo Switch systems. With this app, you can use friend features and game-specific services for compatible games even when you're not playing! You can also view and share screenshots and videos uploaded from your system. ◆ Check friends' online status You can check whether your friends are online and see what games they're playing. You can also choose to receive a notification in the app when a friend comes online. ◆ Use your smartphone to add friends You can add friends via their friend code or a QR code even when you're not using your system. ◆ View your screenshots and videos You can upload screenshots and videos saved in your Nintendo Switch 2 system's Album to the app, then view, save, and share them. ◆ Access game-specific services You can use these services to view helpful information related to the supported software! You will also have access to a variety of features that will help take your online gameplay experience to the next level. Currently, game-specific services are available for these games:  ・ The Legend of Zelda™: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda™: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition    ・ Get voice guidance to help you reach locations you haven't visited yet    ・ Share schematics and items via QR codes    ...And more!  ・ Splatoon™ 3    ・ View the online status of friends playing the game    ・ View your battle and Salmon Run stats    ・ View upcoming stage schedules    ...And more!  ・ Animal Crossing™: New Horizons    ・ Send custom designs created in Animal Crossing games on the Nintendo 3DS™ system to the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game    ・ Use your smartphone to send messages that appear in-game    ・ Check the online status of users set as Best Friends    ...And more!  ・ Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate    ・ View posted images and videos    ・ Queue downloads of user-created stages to play them in your game    ・ Get notifications about upcoming events    ...And more!  ・ Splatoon™ 2    ・ Check leaderboards and map schedules    ・ View your battle and Salmon Run stats    ...And more! Important Information: ● Nintendo Account age 13+ required to access some online features, including voice chat. ● Active Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) required to use certain features. ● Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch system and compatible software required to use app features. ● Compatible smartphone required. ● Persistent internet connection required. ● Data charges may apply. ● May include advertising. For more information about GameChat, visit support.nintendo.com ◆ Nintendo Switch Online is not available in all countries. Terms apply. Visit nintendo.com/purchase-terms for more information.

Screenshots

Delta4 screens
Nintendo Switch App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Delta at 81% against Nintendo Switch App's 35%. Delta also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.1) and update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). Nintendo Switch App's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ratings volume, ads and chart position there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Delta sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. Nintendo Switch App asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Delta holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 28K and 13K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Delta's written reviews are positive against 35% of Nintendo Switch App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Delta ships an update monthly, Nintendo Switch App every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Delta versus Nintendo Switch App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDeltaNintendo Switch App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (28K ratings) — better3.1 (13K ratings)
Positive reviews81.2% of reviews — better34.8% of reviews
Number of ratings28K — better13K
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#67 — better#101
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.416.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size228 MB47 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTestut TechNintendo Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Delta

All ratings28,196 ratings
Positive94.2%
Neutral2.0%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews3,271 reviews
Positive81.2%
Neutral8.4%
Negative10.4%

Nintendo Switch App

All ratings12,704 ratings
Positive48.1%
Neutral8.6%
Negative43.3%
Written reviews1,495 reviews
Positive34.8%
Neutral13.6%
Negative51.6%

User reviews

Delta

From 28K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth performance
  • 👍 Intuitive interface
  • 🎮 Great controller support
  • 💾 Convenient save/load states
  • 🔥 Awesome emulation quality

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes
  • 🔇 Audio issues (crackling, skipping)
  • 📱 Limited screen space for DS games
  • 🎮 Sensitivity issues with touch controls
  • 🔋 Potential battery drain

Nintendo Switch App

From 13K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Useful for Splatoon 2
  • 👍 Convenient for ACNH
  • 🚀 Information-rich for Splatoon 3

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes on login
  • 🔋 Drains phone battery
  • 👎 Limited game support
  • 👎 Confusing voice chat implementation
  • 👎 Lacks basic features like messaging

Bugs and requests

Delta

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Certain games have graphical issues
  • DS game audio/video desync
  • Inconsistent save state behavior
  • Crashes when deleting/managing games

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add support for more consoles (GameCube, Wii, PS1, etc.)
  • Implement 3DS emulation
  • Allow custom button/control layouts
  • Add screen scaling and aspect ratio options
  • Implement local multiplayer for DS games
Show 2 more
  • Improve AirPlay functionality
  • Integrate iCloud sync support

Nintendo Switch App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Login issues
  • Infinite loading screens
  • Disconnects during voice chat

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add messaging/invite system
  • Integrate with more games
  • Allow access to eShop and game libraries
  • Improve voice chat quality and functionality
  • Add support for landscape mode on iPad

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Delta

Subscriptions3
  • Early Adopter$10.001 Month
  • Community Member$15.001 Month
  • Friend Zone$30.001 Month
None

Nintendo Switch App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Delta free?
Delta is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nintendo Switch App free?
Nintendo Switch App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Delta or Nintendo Switch App?
Delta is rated higher. Delta averages 4.8 out of 5 from 28K ratings, while Nintendo Switch App averages 3.1 from 13K ratings.
Do Delta or Nintendo Switch App have ads?
Neither Delta nor Nintendo Switch App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Delta or Nintendo Switch App?
Delta ships an update monthly, and Nintendo Switch App every 2 months. Most recently, Delta was updated on October 30, 2026 and Nintendo Switch App on October 30, 2026.
Which is more popular, Delta or Nintendo Switch App?
Delta currently peaks at #67 in the App Store charts, and Nintendo Switch App at #101. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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