Comparison

Handheld Game vs iMSX2

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

Head to head
About

Handheld Game

Experience classic 8-bit games with a high-performance emulator. Enjoy precise controls, unlimited saves, and local multiplayer. Compatible with MFi controllers and optimized for iPhone and iPad.

Highlights
  • 8-Way Directional Control
  • Local Network Netplay
  • Unlimited Save States
  • Auto-Fire Functionality
  • MFi Controller Support
  • Portrait and Landscape Modes
Features
Read full description

High-Performance NES Engine - Relive the 8-Bit Classics! Reignite your passion for retro games with this premium simulation frontend dedicated to the NES (8-bit) system. Built with native iOS technologies, it delivers crisp graphics, authentic sound effects, and a fluid gaming experience. Perfectly optimized for both portrait and landscape modes on iPhone and iPad. 【CORE FEATURES】 ● 8-Way Directional Control Specifically optimized for action and shooter systems that require precise diagonal movements. The enhanced 8-way virtual D-pad ensures your inputs are accurate in every intense moment. ● Local Network Netplay The ultimate multiplayer experience! Join forces with friends over the same WiFi network. Relive the joy of cooperative gameplay without the need for additional hardware. ● Advanced Save States Never lose your progress again. Our robust state management system allows for unlimited save slots with custom naming. Easily manage and jump back into your favorite moments through a clear, organized list. ● Auto-Fire & Controller Support Equipped with customizable X and Y buttons for continuous shooting and jumping (Auto-Fire), reducing fatigue during long sessions. Fully compatible with standard MFi, PlayStation, and Xbox game controllers. 【LEGAL DISCLAIMER】 This app is a neutral simulation frontend and DOES NOT include, provide, or distribute any game files (ROMs). This app is in no way affiliated with Nintendo Co., Ltd. or its subsidiaries. The names "Nintendo", "NES", and "Famicom" are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Users are responsible for ensuring that all game resources used with this app are legally obtained and compliant with local copyright laws.

About

iMSX2

Play classic MSX and MSX2 games on your iPhone or iPad. Load games from ROM, MX1, MX2, DSK, or ZIP files. Features include save states, Bluetooth controller support, customizable buttons, and screen filters for an authentic retro experience.

Highlights
  • Play classic MSX/MSX2 games
  • Load games from ROM, MX1, MX2, DSK, ZIP
  • Save and load game states
  • Bluetooth keyboard and controller support
  • Customizable button layouts
  • CRT and scanline screen filters
  • Load BASIC programs
Features
Read full description

Experience Classic MSX and MSX2 Games on your iPhone/iPad with iMSX2! Turn your iPhone/iPad into a portable MSX2 emulator with iMSX2! Emulate classic MSX and MSX2 games in ROM, MX1, MX2, DSK or ZIP format Key Features: · Play Classic Games: Relive the nostalgia of playing your favorite MSX and MSX2 games right on your iPhone/iPad. · Run Your Cartridges: Reproduce MSX and MSX2 cartridges from ROM, MX1, MX2, DSK and ZIP files and enjoy them on your device anytime, anywhere. · Save States: Save and load game states and the configuration type easily (iCloud) · Bluetooth Compatibility: Support for Bluetooth keyboards and game controllers. · Customizable button layouts: Edit the button positions for each orientation and enjoy full compatibility with shells like GAMEBABY and PlayCase. · Choose Your ROM Type: If your rom is not loaded correctly, try to select from various ROM configurations including "Normal," "Type K," "Type K SCC," "Type ASC16," "Type ASC16 SRAM," "Type ASC8," and "Type ASC8 SRAM." · Screen filters: Enjoy a more authentic and customizable retro experience with CRT and scanline filters. · Fast forward: Speed through gameplay with the new fast forward mode. · Load Your Own BASIC Programs: Run your own programs in BASIC format directly on your iPhone/iPad. · Powered by C-bios: iMSX2 is built using C-bios for the utmost accuracy and compatibility. · Custom BIOS support: Import your own BIOS files to enhance compatibility and personalize your emulation experience. · Improved Disk Support: Play more MSX disk games with improved DSK compatibility, multi-disk support, on-the-fly disk swapping, and user disks for saving data in supported games. · Auto-fire: Added switches to enable auto-fire for the A and B buttons. · Designed to be very basic: With a beautiful and user-friendly interface for both portrait and landscape orientations. · The app does not require an internet connection, contains no ads, and does not store user data. It also takes up little space. What's Next: Stay tuned for even more enhancements! Constantly working on improving iMSX2 and adding new features to provide you with the best MSX experience on iOS. LZ4 Library Copyright (c) 2011-2020, Yann Collet C-BIOS Copyright (c) 2002-2005 BouKiCHi. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2003 Reikan. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2004-2006,2008-2010 Maarten ter Huurne. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2004-2006,2008-2011 Albert Beevendorp. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2004-2005 Patrick van Arkel. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2004,2010-2011 Manuel Bilderbeek. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2004-2006 Joost Yervante Damad. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2004-2006 Jussi Pitkänen. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2004-2007 Eric Boon. All rights reserved. emu2413 Copyright (c) 2001-2019 Mitsutaka Okazaki Z80 Emulator micro MSX2+ Copyright (c) 2023 Yoji Suzuki.

Screenshots

Handheld Game4 screens
iMSX24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Handheld Game at 5.0 against iMSX2's 3.4. Handheld Game also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 59%). iMSX2's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Handheld Game costs $1.99 and iMSX2 $1.99 up front. Handheld Game sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. iMSX2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Handheld Game holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Handheld Game's written reviews are positive against 59% of iMSX2's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Handheld Game versus iMSX2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandheld GameiMSX2
Price$1.99$1.99
Rating5.0 (15 ratings) — better3.4 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews85.3% of reviews — better59.3% of reviews
Number of ratings15 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJinan Matrix Information Technology Co., Ltd.Enrique Enguix

Customer experience

Handheld Game

All ratings15 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive85.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.7%

iMSX2

All ratings10 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral30.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive59.3%
Neutral22.2%
Negative18.5%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Handheld Game

One-time1
  • Cheat Codes$2.99
None

iMSX2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Handheld Game free?
Handheld Game costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is iMSX2 free?
iMSX2 costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Handheld Game or iMSX2?
Handheld Game is rated higher. Handheld Game averages 5.0 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while iMSX2 averages 3.4 from 10 ratings.
Do Handheld Game or iMSX2 have ads?
Neither Handheld Game nor iMSX2 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Handheld Game or iMSX2?
Handheld Game ships an update every 3 weeks, and iMSX2 every 3 weeks. Most recently, Handheld Game was updated on September 22, 2026 and iMSX2 on September 22, 2026.

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