ArcadeMania vs Sakura!
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 0.289) 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
Sakura!
This app allows you to play your favorite PlayStation One games on your iPhone or iPad. It offers extensive customization for controls, graphics, and performance, providing a console-like experience.
- PlayStation One emulation on iOS
- Customizable on-screen controls
- Physical gamepad support
- Extensive graphics and performance tuning
- Support for various game disc formats
- Recursive folder scanning for games
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Sakura is a PlayStation One & PSP emulator frontend built on top of the Beetle PSX and PPSSPP cores for iPhone and iPad. Add your own system BIOS and disc backups & customize your library then play with on-screen controls or a physical gamepad/controller for a console-like experience! • Add your own PS1 BIOS (.bin) file(s) and choose a default in Settings; PSP games boot without one. • Add games under the app’s Documents folder in Files, or use in-app import. Sakura scans folders recursively, including multi-disc setups and M3U playlists. • Supported formats CUE/BIN, CHD, PBP, M3U, ISO/IMG, MDS/MDF, NRG, CDI, ECM, CSO/ZSO • One library for both systems, with a system switch in the library bar that picks which settings you get and which system Boot System starts. CONTROLS • Full touch overlay with layout editor: move, scale, and theme controls to fit your hands. • Digital and DualShock-style modes, with optional per-game auto-switching. • MFi and Bluetooth gamepads with remappable buttons; haptics and rumble where supported. • Analog deadzone, axis scale, and gate compensation on both systems. GRAPHICS & PERFORMANCE • Internal resolution scaling, fit vs fill framing, and multiple texture filtering paths from crisp pixel modes through sharpened upscalers. • FXAA, CAS, optional PGXP-style geometry options, widescreen-related tweaks, color and dither controls, and frame blending where you want a softer or more authentic look. • Libretro Shaders: load your own slang presets, pick a built-in CRT or TV preset, or pull the shared pack from inside the app. • Fast Boot and host-side run speed for slow-mo or fast-forward-style pacing alongside core tuning for CPU, GPU, and disc access. QUALITY OF LIFE • In-game menu for graphics, performance HUD, save slots (when enabled in Settings), controller remapping, and stopping a session. • Optional performance overlay, notification cards, and extensive UI customization: accents, backgrounds, typography, accessibility options, and optional background music including your own tracks. LEGAL Sakura does not include games, a PlayStation or PSP BIOS, firmware, or other copyrighted material you don’t have rights to use. You are responsible for complying with the laws that apply to you. “PlayStation”, “PSP” and related names are trademarks of Sony; this app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sony Interactive Entertainment.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: ArcadeMania at Free against Sakura!'s $0.99. ArcadeMania also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (130 vs 10). Sakura!'s advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 75%) and chart position (#197 vs unranked). On rating, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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
ArcadeMania is free to download; Sakura! costs $0.99 up front. Sakura! sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 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 Sakura!. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ArcadeMania has 130 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of ArcadeMania's written reviews are positive against 90% of Sakura!'s.
ArcadeMania ships an update monthly, Sakura! every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.
| Parameter | ArcadeMania | Sakura! |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.4 (130 ratings) | 4.5 (10 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 74.6% of reviews | 90.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 130 — better | 10 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #197 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 305 MB | 84 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Infinite Evolution Technologies | Dylan Mathurin |
Customer experience
ArcadeMania
Sakura!
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
Sakura!
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
ArcadeMania
No in-app purchases
Sakura!
- Tip 1$$0.99









