Comparison

Arcade Reference vs Retro Game Collector

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

Head to head
About

Arcade Reference

Access comprehensive information on classic arcade games from the 70s to the 2000s. This app provides a detailed guide with tips and data compiled from enthusiast communities, focusing on video games and excluding gambling machines.

Highlights
  • Extensive arcade game database
  • Information compiled from Mame data
  • Tips and reference material
  • Organized game data
  • Covers 70s-2000s titles
  • Excludes gambling machines
Features
Read full description

Every information about the "arcade" games just with a tap! Please note: this app does not contains any games, but information about games! This app takes all the data exported from Mame(c) and from various files created and updated by enthusiasts, it groups it together and it organizes it in order to have all the information in your device as a guide or simply as a reference for reading information and tips. Note: As a functional choice, only the "Parent" set are shown. In addition, all "mechanical" machines and all the "Gambling" games (Video Poker, Blackjack etc.) have been eliminated. The result is a list of about 3600 Arcade titles from the 70s to the 2000s. Credits: All trademarks used belong to their respective owners. See the section Info in the App for all details about the Credits.

About

Retro Game Collector

This app helps retro game collectors catalog their entire library, track wanted items, and manage their collection's value. It provides comprehensive game data, box art, and tools for budget tracking and analysis. Sync your collection across devices and share it with others.

Highlights
  • Catalog game collection
  • Maintain wanted list
  • Track duplicates and quantities
  • View collection value
  • Budget tracking for purchases/sales
  • Multi-device syncing
  • Export collection to spreadsheet
Features
Read full description

Retro Game Collector is the must-have reference app for every game collecting enthusiast. This app serves as a reference for every retro game ever released. Keep track of your own game collection and even keep a wanted list. Note: It is NOT intended nor possible to play games with this app. We offer one free-to-choose library: 2600, 3DO, 3DS, 5200, 7800, Astrocade, Atari 8-bit, CD-i, Colecovision, Commodore 64, DS, Dreamcast, Dreamcast Japan, Fairchild Channel F, Famicom, Famicom Disk System, Game & Watch, Game Gear, Game.com, GameCube, Gameboy / Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance, Genesis / MegaDrive, Intellivision, Jaguar, Lynx, Master System, MegaDrive Japan, Microvision, N-Gage, N64, N64 Japan, NES, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo AES Japan, Neo Geo CD, Neo Geo MVS, Neo Geo Pocket / Color, Nintendo Power Magazine, Odyssey 2 / Videopac, PC-Engine, PS1, PS1 Japan, PS2, PS2 Japan, PS3, PS3 Japan, PS4, PS5, PSP, Pico, Pico Japan, SCD, SG-1000, SNES, Saturn, Saturn Japan, Super Famicom, Switch, Switch 2, TG16, TI99/4A, Tiger LCD, Vectrex, Vita, Wii, WiiU, WonderSwan, WonderSwan Color, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X. We also include the following ones free of charge: Amiibo, Amiibo Cards, 32X and Virtual Boy, the other libraries are available as an in-app purchase or subscription. If you need others, request them! Cataloging and Tracking: Keep track of your game collection. Maintain a wanted list for games you're seeking. Add custom games, including reproduction games. Track duplicates and quantities for each game. View your most valuable and rare games in the Trophy Room Library Support: Offers a wide range of retro game libraries for various consoles, including both popular and niche ones. Complete database of games from US/EU/AU regions. Reference and Information: Provides comprehensive information on each game, including rarity, value, and region/versions. Shows box art for every game. Displays the latest retro gaming articles and videos. Budget Tracking and Analysis: Tracks purchases and sales to manage your budget. Generates an overview of your collection, including growth and value insights. Analyzes your collection through tools provided. Multi-Device Syncing and Sharing: Syncs your collection across multiple devices. Share your collection with friends or potential buyers via My.PureGaming.org. Export your collection in a spreadsheet Personalization and Organization: Offers customizable features such as notes for each game, cover mode browsing, and using your own box art. Allows filtering and sorting of games by rarity, publisher, etc. Create lists of games for easy organization. Media Integration: View eBay results for each game Lookup YouTube videos for each game Additional Features: Exclude unwanted games. Displays a graph showing the evolution of your collection over time. Supports multi-currency transactions. Apple Watch support Works on both iOS and iPadOS We offer both yearly and monthly subscription options that give you full access to the app. Link to our Terms of Use: https://www.captaintouch.com/captouch/termsofuse.html Link to our Privacy Policy: https://www.captaintouch.com/captouch/privacypolicy.html When you tap on links to various merchants on our app and make a purchase, this can result in us earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Screenshots

Arcade Reference4 screens
Retro Game Collector4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Retro Game Collector at 4.7 against Arcade Reference's 3.1. Retro Game Collector also leads on ratings volume (1.4K vs 52) and review sentiment (64% vs 46%). Arcade Reference's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Arcade Reference sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Retro Game Collector sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Retro Game Collector holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Retro Game Collector has 1.4K ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of Arcade Reference's written reviews are positive against 64% of Retro Game Collector's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arcade Reference ships an update every 5 days, Retro Game Collector monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Arcade Reference versus Retro Game Collector: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcade ReferenceRetro Game Collector
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (52 ratings)4.7 (1.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.2% of reviews63.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings521.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size170 MB71 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNicola CanaliCaptain Touch

Customer experience

Arcade Reference

All ratings52 ratings
Positive48.1%
Neutral9.6%
Negative42.3%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive46.2%
Neutral6.2%
Negative47.7%

Retro Game Collector

All ratings1,377 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral1.6%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews162 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral5.6%
Negative30.9%

Bugs and requests

Arcade Reference

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Retro Game Collector

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Purchases/unlocks disappearing after updates
  • Keyboard bugs causing app freezes

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more modern consoles (PS4, Switch, etc.)
  • Include PAL/Japanese game listings
  • Allow custom game/accessory tracking
  • Improve syncing and backup options

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Arcade Reference

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$0.99
15 purchases

Retro Game Collector

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription3 Days trial$1.491 Month
  • Yearly subscription3 Days trial$11.991 Year
One-time13
  • Unlock NES$3.99
  • Unlock N64$3.99
  • Unlock PS1$3.99
Show 10 more
  • Unlock PS2$3.99
  • Unlock SNES$3.99
  • Unlock Gameboy / Gameboy Color$3.99
  • Unlock Genesis / Mega Drive$3.99
  • Unlock 3DS$3.99
  • Unlock PS3$3.99
  • Unlock GC$3.99
  • Unlock GBA$3.99
  • Unlock Red Bundle$14.99
  • Unlock Complete Bundle$79.99

Questions

Is Arcade Reference free?
Arcade Reference is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Retro Game Collector free?
Retro Game Collector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Arcade Reference or Retro Game Collector?
Retro Game Collector is rated higher. Arcade Reference averages 3.1 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while Retro Game Collector averages 4.7 from 1.4K ratings.
Do Arcade Reference or Retro Game Collector have ads?
Neither Arcade Reference nor Retro Game Collector shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Arcade Reference or Retro Game Collector?
Arcade Reference ships an update every 5 days, and Retro Game Collector monthly. Most recently, Arcade Reference was updated on October 24, 2026 and Retro Game Collector on October 29, 2026.

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