# Emu64 XL vs Linking Boy

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Linking Boy at 78% against Emu64 XL's 23%. Linking Boy also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.2) and ads (none vs shown). Emu64 XL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly). On price, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Linking Boy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Emu64 XL asks for nothing beyond the download.

Linking Boy holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 43 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 23% of Emu64 XL's written reviews are positive against 78% of Linking Boy's.

Emu64 XL ships an update every 2 days, Linking Boy monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Emu64 XL | Linking Boy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emu64-xl/id6483251916/reviews) | **[4.2 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linking-boy/id6695762604/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 29 | **43** |
| Positive reviews | 23.1% of reviews | **78.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 24 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Raffaele Amuso](https://appshunter.io/developer/912157295) | [Pixel Respawn LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1769243202) |

## What reviewers say

### Emu64 XL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emu64-xl/id6483251916)

Experience classic computing with this fast and user-friendly emulator for the Commodore 64. It perfectly replicates graphics, sound, and peripherals, offering a virtual keyboard and joystick support. Load your favorite CBM64 files and relive the golden age of 8-bit gaming and software development.

**Highlights:** Commodore 64 emulation, Perfect graphics and sound, Virtual keyboard and joystick, Load .T64 and .D64 files, Hardware peripheral support, Includes CBM64 basic programs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Linking Boy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linking-boy/id6695762604)

Experience fast and feature-rich emulation for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy games. Enjoy multiplayer Link cable emulation, unlock achievements with RetroAchievements, and customize your gameplay with speed control, cheats, and enhanced visual options.

**Highlights:** Fast GBA/GBC/GB emulation, Link cable multiplayer, RetroAchievements support, Speed control (fast-forward/slow-down), Cheat support, Customizable virtual controls, Save states

**Features:** Game Controller support, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Features | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Emu64 XL free?

Emu64 XL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Linking Boy free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Emu64 XL or Linking Boy?

Linking Boy is rated higher. Emu64 XL averages 2.2 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Linking Boy averages 4.2 from 43 ratings.

### Do Emu64 XL or Linking Boy have ads?

Emu64 XL shows ads; Linking Boy does not.

### Which is updated more often, Emu64 XL or Linking Boy?

Emu64 XL ships an update every 2 days, and Linking Boy monthly. Most recently, Emu64 XL was updated on October 30, 2026 and Linking Boy on October 27, 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.*