# VirtualFriend vs Nova Retro

VirtualFriend and Nova Retro are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. VirtualFriend sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Nova Retro sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

## The numbers

| Metric | VirtualFriend | Nova Retro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtualfriend-vb-emulator/id6479948317/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **20** | — |
| Positive reviews | 95.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 24 months | — |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 14 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Adam Gastineau](https://appshunter.io/developer/913804973) | [振东 史](https://appshunter.io/developer/6799051561) |

## What reviewers say

### VirtualFriend

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virtualfriend-vb-emulator/id6479948317)

Experience classic Nintendo Virtual Boy games in true 3D on Apple Vision Pro and iOS. This open-source emulator allows you to explore the entire official library and homebrew titles with customizable color palettes and flexible control options.

**Highlights:** 3D Virtual Boy experience, Explore official and homebrew libraries, Customizable color palettes, Flexible control options (touchscreen, controller, keyboard), 3D title screen previews

**Features:** Game Controller support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Medium Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Extra Large Tip | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Excellent Virtual Boy emulation
- 👍 Easy to run games
- 👍 Light and simple UI
- 🎮 Works well with controllers
- 🙏 Grateful for the developer's work

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Some games run slow
- 🐛 Some games crash after 10 minutes
- 🎮 Lack of button mapping
- 🔉 Buzzing sound issues in Hyper Fighting
- 🕶️ No cardboard/VR headset support


### Nova Retro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-retro/id6799106990)

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Buy Me a Coffee | $1.99 | one-time |
| Big Support | $12.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VirtualFriend free?

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

### Is Nova Retro free?

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

### Do VirtualFriend or Nova Retro have ads?

Neither VirtualFriend nor Nova Retro shows ads.

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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.*