# Amico Controller vs SameBoy

The clearest difference is rating: SameBoy at 4.5 against Amico Controller's 3.2. SameBoy also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 64%) and ratings volume (105 vs 17). Amico Controller's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SameBoy sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Amico Controller asks for nothing beyond the download.

SameBoy holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SameBoy has 105 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Amico Controller's written reviews are positive against 84% of SameBoy's.

Amico Controller ships an update every 3 months, SameBoy every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Amico Controller | SameBoy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/amico-controller/id6468690454/reviews) | **[4.5 (105 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sameboy/id6496971295/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 17 | **105** |
| Positive reviews | 63.6% of reviews | **83.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 71 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Intellivision](https://appshunter.io/developer/1489421895) | [Lior Halphon](https://appshunter.io/developer/1741211844) |

## What reviewers say

### Amico Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/amico-controller/id6468690454)

Transform your smart device into a game controller for immersive couch multiplayer experiences. Connect wirelessly to a console or home app to play with friends and family. Offers various sign-in options and customizable controller settings.

**Highlights:** Turns smart devices into game controllers, Wi-Fi network connectivity, Touchscreen for game-specific controls, Microphone and speaker support, Multiple player sign-in options, In-game menu and options

**In-app purchases:** none


### SameBoy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sameboy/id6496971295)

Experience classic handheld gaming with a highly accurate emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy. Enjoy advanced features like save states, rumble support, and controller compatibility. Play on your Apple Watch and customize your experience with various filters and themes.

**Highlights:** Accurate Game Boy emulation, Save states with gesture support, Rumble support, Apple Watch playability, Scaling filters, Game Boy Camera emulation, Controller support

**Features:** Game Controller support, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Supporter | $0.99 | per month |
| Supporter Plus | $2.99 | per month |
| Supporter Premium | $7.99 | per month |
| Lifetime Theme Access | $4.99 | one-time |
| SameBoy for Apple Watch | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 No ads or intrusive monetization
- 🎮 Highly accurate Game Boy/GBC emulation
- 💡 Innovative gesture controls (swipe to save/load/fast-forward)
- 🎨 Beautiful, authentic design with multiple themes
- ⚙️ Extensive customization and emulation options

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Apple Watch support requires paid subscription
- 🐛 iPad portrait mode menu bug
- ❌ No Game Boy Advance emulation despite claims
- 🎮 Small button sizes for large hands
- ⚠️ Cheats feature limited or non-functional

**Reported bugs**

- iPad portrait mode triggers menu on A button/Up arrow press
- Game Boy Camera crashes on iPhone 17 Pro Max when switching cameras
- Rewind function causes game data loss in some titles
- 200% and 400% speed boost settings don't work
- Cheats don't function properly for certain games

**Requested features**

- Game Boy Advance emulation support
- Cheat code functionality
- Multiplayer/wireless linking for Pokémon games
- Online multiplayer support
- Adjustable screen and button sizes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Amico Controller free?

Amico Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is SameBoy free?

SameBoy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Amico Controller or SameBoy?

SameBoy is rated higher. Amico Controller averages 3.2 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while SameBoy averages 4.5 from 105 ratings.

### Do Amico Controller or SameBoy have ads?

Neither Amico Controller nor SameBoy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Amico Controller or SameBoy?

Amico Controller ships an update every 3 months, and SameBoy every 4 months. Most recently, Amico Controller was updated on September 23, 2026 and SameBoy on September 18, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*