Comparison

iFBAs vs emu98

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

Head to head
About

iFBAs

Experience arcade classics in high definition on your iOS device. This emulator offers excellent performance for a wide range of arcade games, with additional features for enhanced gameplay. Note that game ROMs are not included and must be provided by the user.

Highlights
  • High-definition arcade playback
  • Excellent performance on iOS
  • Supports nearly all arcade games
  • User-provided game ROMs
  • Built-in usage instructions
Features
Read full description

Play Arcade games on your iOS device in high definition with extra features! iFBAs is the original and only arcade emulator developed specifically for mobile devices. It can run nearly all arcade games with excellent performance on iOS. This download does not include any games. Please use your own real arcade games and convert them into .zip or .7z files (see the homepage for usage instructions), or you can play free homemade games available in the built-in "How to use". The iFBAs project is not affiliated with any game manufacturers.

About

emu98

This app is a compatibility environment for running PC-98 programs on iOS devices. It allows users to import and manage disk images, configure settings for different software, and customize controls. It includes interactive demos and supports game controllers.

Highlights
  • Run PC-98 programs on iPhone/iPad
  • Import floppy, hard disk, and CD-ROM images
  • Organize and run local software library
  • Configure font ROMs, graphics, and controls
  • Real-time saving and loading
  • Customize virtual keyboard and layout
  • Supports game controllers
Features
Read full description

emu98 is a compatibility environment for running PC-98 programs on iPhone and iPad. It is designed for retro-computing enthusiasts, software authors, and anyone who wants to organize local program files. Import floppy-disk, hard-disk, and optical-disc images that you created, compiled, or lawfully possess, then organize and run them in the on-device software library. emu98 does not provide commercial software, BIOS or ROM downloads, or an online content catalog. Key features: • Includes two fully original interactive demos • Manages PC-98 floppy-disk, hard-disk, optical-disc, and ZIP files • Supports per-software font ROM, display, performance, and control settings • Supports quick save, quick load, and save-state import and export • Customizable on-screen controls, opacity, size, and layout • External keyboard, mouse, and controller mapping support • Simplified Chinese, English, and Japanese interfaces • Imported software, ROMs, artwork, settings, and save states remain on the device The free version allows one user-imported local program. A one-time non-consumable purchase unlocks additional software slots and can be restored through your Apple ID. emu98 has no user accounts, online resource catalog, or user-generated-content platform. Except for purchases, purchase restoration, and entitlement verification, the app does not upload user-imported files to a server. Import only files that you created or lawfully possess. emu98 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the official NP2 project.

Screenshots

iFBAs2 screens
emu984 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: emu98 at 100% against iFBAs's 56%. emu98 also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.8) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks). iFBAs's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (101 vs 3). On price, ads and device support 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. emu98 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. iFBAs asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

emu98 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iFBAs has 101 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of iFBAs's written reviews are positive against 100% of emu98's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iFBAs ships an update every 6 weeks, emu98 every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
iFBAs versus emu98: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriFBAsemu98
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (101 ratings)4.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings101 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size194 MB9 MB
Age rating12+17+
Developer国琛 邱Caner (Chongqing) Computer System Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

iFBAs

All ratings101 ratings
Positive65.3%
Neutral13.9%
Negative20.8%
Written reviews80 reviews
Positive56.3%
Neutral18.8%
Negative25.0%

emu98

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

iFBAs

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Missing file errors (cde_20a.5f) preventing game launch
  • Crashes when using external controllers/keyboards
  • App crashes without internet connection
  • Crashes when loading previous game saves
  • Crashes when accessing storage settings
Show 8 more
  • Bluetooth keyboard not working on iPadOS 26
  • Crashes on button press with Xbox controllers
  • Games not displaying after ROM import
  • No sound in games
  • Control mapping not working with external devices
  • Crashes on older iOS versions
  • Thumbnail/save file corruption after updates
  • CPS3 games not recognized after import

Requested features

10 requests
  • Full English language support throughout app
  • Haptic feedback for touch controls
  • Tilt/analog stick controls for specific games
  • Touch screen light-gun support (for games like T2)
  • Magic Keyboard customization options
Show 5 more
  • Apple TV support
  • Mac compatibility
  • Batch delete functionality for ROMs
  • Cheat section in English
  • More game compatibility improvements

emu98

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

iFBAs

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

emu98

One-time1
  • Unlock More Software Slots$0.99

Questions

Is iFBAs free?
iFBAs is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is emu98 free?
emu98 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iFBAs or emu98?
emu98 is rated higher. iFBAs averages 3.8 out of 5 from 101 ratings, while emu98 averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do iFBAs or emu98 have ads?
Neither iFBAs nor emu98 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iFBAs or emu98?
iFBAs ships an update every 6 weeks, and emu98 every 2 days. Most recently, iFBAs was updated on October 15, 2026 and emu98 on October 6, 2026.

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