ArcadeMania vs SameBoy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ArcadeMania
Relive classic arcade, computer, and electronic games from over three decades. This app utilizes the MAME emulation core to support thousands of titles, offering enhanced graphics and extensive controller support for an authentic retro gaming experience.
- Supports 5,000+ arcade games
- MAME 0.278 emulation core
- Native Metal Graphics Renderer
- Custom Shaders and HDR Support
- Full controller support (Xbox, PS, Switch)
- Save States and Cheats
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ArcadeMania lets you play arcade games from the past 30+ years on your device. It supports over 5,000 arcade games as well as vintage computers and electronic games, and uses the open source MAME (version 0.278) as the emulation core. ROM files are not included and must be provided by you. You may import ROMs using the file import functionality, or via the Files app. Some notable features, built specifically for this iOS version: Graphics - Native Metal Graphics Renderer - Custom Shaders - HDR Support Game Controllers - Full support: Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and Switch controllers supported - Touch Screen Lightgun - Touch Screen Analog - Hardware Keyboard Support Built-in MAME features: - Save States - Cheats
SameBoy
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.
- Accurate Game Boy emulation
- Save states with gesture support
- Rumble support
- Apple Watch playability
- Scaling filters
- Game Boy Camera emulation
- Controller support
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SameBoy is a user friendly, powerful and open source Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy emulator. Features: - World's most accurate Game Boy emulation core - Save states, with gesture support for quick saving and loading - Rumble support, even for games without a Rumble Pak - Play on your Apple Watch - A wide range of scaling filters - Game Boy Camera emulation - Motion controls emulation - Fast forward, rewind, and slow motion - Game Boy Printer emulation - Use cheat codes - Support for MFi, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox controllers - Interface themes - No ads, no tracking - A lot more! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://sameboy.github.io/privacy/ SameBoy is in no way affiliated with Nintendo. Game Boy is a trademark of Nintendo.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ArcadeMania at none against SameBoy's 5. ArcadeMania also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). SameBoy's advantage is review sentiment (84% vs 74%). On price, rating, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. SameBoy sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. ArcadeMania asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for ArcadeMania against 4.5 for SameBoy. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 122 and 110 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of ArcadeMania's written reviews are positive against 84% of SameBoy's.
ArcadeMania ships an update monthly, SameBoy every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 10, 2026.
| Parameter | ArcadeMania | SameBoy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (122 ratings) | 4.5 (110 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 74.2% of reviews | 83.6% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 122 — better | 110 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 300 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Infinite Evolution Technologies | Lior Halphon |
Customer experience
ArcadeMania
SameBoy
User reviews
ArcadeMania
From 122 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Smooth emulation
- 👍 Great UI and options
- 🎮 Flawless ROM importing and controller support
- 💰 Free with no ads or IAPs
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes on older iPad models
- 🔊 No sound or music in some games
SameBoy
From 110 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 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
Room to improve
- 💰 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
Bugs and requests
ArcadeMania
Reported bugs
2 issues- Crashes on iPad with iOS 16.7.11
- Crashes on iPad with iPadOS 13.5
Requested features
2 requests- Support for 8Bitdo Bluetooth controllers
- Fix for game mode not working
SameBoy
Reported bugs
12 issues- 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
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- ROM import fails with .zip files
- GBA ROM files show 'not in ROM archive' error
- Auto-save/auto-load switches between emulator cores unexpectedly
- Turbo feature doesn't work without screen swiping
- Tips popup appears too frequently during gameplay
- PS4 controller recognized but non-functional in games
- ROM sharing from Files app doesn't always work
Requested features
18 requests- Game Boy Advance emulation support
- Cheat code functionality
- Multiplayer/wireless linking for Pokémon games
- Online multiplayer support
- Adjustable screen and button sizes
Show 13 moreShow fewer
- Separate save/load toggle options
- Slow-motion feature (free version)
- Game Boy Printer output to photo gallery
- iCloud synchronization
- Retro achievements system
- One-time theme purchase option instead of subscription
- Apple Watch complication support
- Turbo button hold functionality
- ZIP and 7z file format support
- Fullscreen mode with scaling options
- Language selection for interface
- Super Game Boy border display
- PS4/Backbone controller improvements
In-app purchases
ArcadeMania
No in-app purchases
SameBoy
- Supporter$0.991 Month
- Supporter Plus$2.991 Month
- Supporter Premium$7.991 Month
- Lifetime Theme Access$4.99
- SameBoy for Apple Watch$4.99
