Comparison

Game Shelf vs Retrotheque

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

Head to head
About

Game Shelf

Log and review all the video games you play to build a personal collection. Share your opinions with friends, track your backlog, and discover new titles based on trusted recommendations.

Highlights
  • Rate and review games
  • Create shareable review cards
  • Track game backlog and wishlist
  • Scan game cases to add to collection
  • Import Steam library
  • Follow friends' gaming activity
  • Discover trending and new releases
Features
Read full description

Rate every game you play, share your take, and build a collection you're proud of. RATE & REVIEW Score every game out of five and explain why. Your ratings become a gaming journal you can revisit anytime — and a reflection of your taste that your friends can follow. SHARE YOUR TAKE Turn every rating and review into a share card, ready for Instagram Stories or anywhere else you post. All in one tap. TRACK YOUR COLLECTION Keep track of what you're playing, your backlog, and your wishlist. Create your own collections, scan a shelf of game cases with your camera to add them quickly, and import your Steam library. SEE WHAT FRIENDS ARE PLAYING Follow friends to see their ratings, reviews, and what they're playing right now. Like and comment on their takes, and discover your next game through people whose taste you trust — not an algorithm. DISCOVER WHAT TO PLAY NEXT Explore trending games, new releases, and upcoming titles, complete with trailers and release reminders. Whether you finish every game you start or just want a simple list, Game Shelf fits the way you play. Download Game Shelf and rate your first game in under a minute. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Retrotheque

Features
Read full description

Retrotheque is the app for video game collectors, from NES classics to the latest PS5 and Switch 2 releases: organize your collection, track your progress and find out what it's worth in euros, based on the French market. 1. Manage your collection • Add your games in seconds: search or cover scan • Sort them by console, from the NES and Mega Drive to the PS5, Xbox Series and Switch 2, by way of the PS1, Dreamcast, Game Boy… • Record the format (physical or digital), the condition (new or used) and what you own (box, manual, cartridge, sealed…) • Log the purchase price and date to keep an accurate history • Track your progress: backlog, playing, completed, mastered, dropped • See the Metacritic score of your games 2. Explore Browse franchises (Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy…), consoles and their regional release dates, follow upcoming releases and discover hidden gems you didn't know about. 3. Follow other collectors Keep up with your friends' collections and get inspired by theirs. 4. Retrotheque+ • Know what your collection is worth, estimated game by game from current French market prices • Create your own lists (to sell, favorites, nostalgia…) • Dive into detailed statistics: breakdown by console and release year, how your spending evolves… Retrotheque+ subscription • Monthly: €1.99 per month • Yearly: €17.99 per year The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://retrotheque.app/en/legal/privacy

Screenshots

Game Shelf4 screens
Retrotheque4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Game Shelf at 18.0 against Retrotheque's 26.0. On price, update cadence, 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. Game Shelf sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Retrotheque sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Game Shelf ships an update every 6 days, Retrotheque every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Game Shelf versus Retrotheque: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGame ShelfRetrotheque
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (12 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings12 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size144 MB14 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperChristopher HeffermanAlexis Petit

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Game Shelf

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • 3-Day Trial3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Limited Time Offer$14.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$49.99
2 purchases

Retrotheque

Subscriptions2
  • Retrotheque+ Mensuel$1.991 Month
  • Retrotheque+ Annuel$14.991 Year

Questions

Is Game Shelf free?
Game Shelf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Retrotheque free?
Retrotheque is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Game Shelf or Retrotheque have ads?
Neither Game Shelf nor Retrotheque shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Game Shelf or Retrotheque?
Game Shelf ships an update every 6 days, and Retrotheque every 4 days. Most recently, Game Shelf was updated on November 3, 2026 and Retrotheque on October 31, 2026.

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