Comparison

Pocket vs Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator

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

Head to head
About

Pocket

Experience a collection of 12 classic arcade-style games, each reimagined with a single-button control scheme. Compete for high scores on global leaderboards across various genres, from relaxing challenges to fast-paced action.

Highlights
  • 12 classic arcade-style games
  • Single-button gameplay
  • High score challenges
  • Global leaderboards
  • Variety of game genres
  • Reimagined classic games
Features
Read full description

Pocket-Square is a virtual handheld gaming system with 12 awesome games to play. For the most part they're classics that you know and love, but with a twist, there's only one button. Each game is all about getting the highest score possible. Some games are chill and relaxing, and others are non-stop speed and action. Each game has a global leader-board so see if you can score your way to the top. The games available now are: - Breakout (the classic brick breaking game) - Golf (try to charge up the perfect shot to make a hole in one) - Hurdle Jump (a speedy endless runner where you must jump over hurdles) - Pong (the classic arcade-style table tennis game) - Basketball (make as many baskets as you can in a moving basketball hoop) - Cave Jump (leap over stalagmites while avoiding stalactites above) - Shooter (a traditional shoot 'em up where shooting also changes direction) - Frisbee (catch as many disks as you can when they come flying into view) - Flappy (similar to Flappy Bird but not as brutally hard) - Mini Golf (bounce the ball around barriers and into the hole) - Baseball (hit as many balls as you can to bring your teammates home) - Platformer (jump from platform to platform without falling into the abyss)

About

Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator

Experience your handheld game collection on iPhone and iPad with a polished, native interface. Customize touch controls, import your own game files, and enjoy a complete, ad-free experience. Supports Bluetooth controllers and offers advanced features like save states and video filters.

Highlights
  • GB, GBC, GBA game compatibility
  • Customizable touch controls
  • Bluetooth controller support
  • Save state management
  • iCloud synchronization
  • Advanced video filters
  • Fast-forward and cheat support
Features
Read full description

Retro 1987 brings your handheld game collection to iPhone and iPad with a native, polished, and immediate experience. ALL FEATURES INCLUDED FREE Download Retro 1987 and enjoy the complete experience. Every gameplay and customization feature is included at no cost, with no ads and no advertising tracking. MAKE THE CONTROLS YOURS Move and resize every touch control, create a layout that fits your hands, and customize controls independently for each game, screen orientation, iPhone, and iPad. Prefer physical controls? Connect a compatible Bluetooth controller or gamepad and play your way. Import compatible game files you own and start playing. Your library keeps gameplay previews, saves, and progress organized. KEY FEATURES • Compatibility with GB, GBC, and GBA games • Fully customizable touch controls for every game and orientation • Bluetooth controller and compatible gamepad support • Original cartridge saves • Multiple save-state slots with previews • Save importing and exporting • Auto Resume • iCloud synchronization • Advanced video filters and color palettes • Pixel Perfect presentation • Fast-forward up to 4× • Cheat support • Interface optimized for iPhone and iPad SUPPORT RETRO 1987 Retro 1987 is completely free. If you enjoy the app and would like to support its development and future features, you can leave an optional tip. Tips do not unlock features or change the experience. Retro 1987 does not include games. Users are responsible for importing only content they own or are authorized to use. Retro 1987 is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by compatible console manufacturers or game publishers.

Screenshots

Pocket3 screens
Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator at free against Pocket's free with in-app purchases. Pocket's advantage is ratings volume (14 vs 1) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Pocket sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Pocket against 5.0 for Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pocket has 14 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Pocket versus Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocketRetro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (14 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings14 — better1
Update frequency—Every 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB6 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperCody MaceMirko Rezza

Customer experience

Pocket

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Pocket

One-time1
  • Disable Ads$2.99
1 purchases

Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator

One-time1
  • Retro 1987 Premium$3.99

Questions

Is Pocket free?
Pocket is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator free?
Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pocket or Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator?
Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator is rated higher. Pocket averages 4.9 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Pocket or Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator have ads?
Neither Pocket nor Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator shows ads.

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