Comparison

Gamma vs Shadow Blaster

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Gamma

This app allows you to play your favorite PlayStation 1 games on your device. It offers enhanced graphics, controller customization, and cloud syncing for save states. Enjoy a superior gaming experience with easy file import and cheat code support.

Highlights
  • Enhanced hi-resolution graphics
  • Customizable controller skins
  • Save state syncing via cloud
  • Cheat codes system
  • Wide file format support
  • Hardware controller support
Features
Read full description

You heard about Gamma, the BEST PlayStation(tm) 1 game emulator, now see it for yourself! Gamma is a fully featured video game console emulator that's simple to use. Play your favorite console games in seconds. Gamma has the best looking user interface, complete with instant cover artwork, custom controller skins, previews, save state syncing, and more! It has achievements, enhanced hi-resolution graphics up to 8x resolution, supports external controllers and screen mirroring for multiplayer, and even supports analog controls. There's even a built-in skin editor, a community download center to share saves, and guides for those who are new to emulation. It's easy to use and fun to play! Featuring: Cheat codes system: - Your favorite cheat codes are ready to go Incredibly compatible: - Try your favorite game and be amazed - We have the best game compatibility Graphically superior: - Renders at the highest resolution - Fullscreen stretch mode in landscape viewing - Widescreen options for 3D games - Beautiful controller skins supporting analog controls File support: - CUE+BIN support - CHD, PBP, ISO, and MDS - Multidisc support - 7zip, Zip, RAR, and ECM archives Cheat Codes: - Access all your cheat codes right in the game! Usability: - Screenshots to share the action - Memory card management - Help center with support if you're stuck Hardware Controller Support: - Supports your favorite console, PC bluetooth, and MFi game controllers. - Bluetooth & wired keyboards are also supported! - Analog sticks can be mapped to analog controls on games that support analog sticks! Sync: - Use your Google Drive or DropBox service to sync your files. - Automatically backs up your save states. Import options: - From your browser - From your device's storage that is also easily transferred to by AirDrop - From your desktop, just drag and drop Save States: - Save and load a game at any point. - Automatically save your progress. Controller Skins: - Comes with well-crafted portrait and landscape controllers. - Create your own controller skins. Game Cover Artwork: - Sets your game cover artwork to your titles. Thank you for 15 years of your support! * Gamma is in no way affiliated with Sony, Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc., Sony Corporation, Sony Group Corporation, PlayStation, or any of their products. Gamma is in no way affiliated with PPSSPP, Delta, Folium, and RetroArch. Sony is a registered trademark or trademark of Sony Group Corporation. PlayStation, PSone, and DUALSHOCK are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. * Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ * Privacy Policy and Gamma Service Terms: https://www.zodttd.com/gamma/policy/

About

Shadow Blaster

Pilot a starfighter through waves of enemies in a fast-paced, neon-infused arcade shooter. Master one-handed controls, upgrade your ship, and warp through nebulae. Offers free play with an option for unlimited access and advanced features.

Highlights
  • One-handed touch controls
  • Ship upgrades and modifications
  • Offline play capability
  • Retro neon aesthetic
  • Boss battles every third wave
  • Leaderboard integration
Features
Read full description

Pilot a hand-crafted starfighter through wave after wave of enemies in a neon-soaked arcade space shooter built for fast hands and fast reflexes. Right thumb steers, left side shoots. Bosses hit every third wave. Survive, upgrade, and warp into deeper nebulas. FREE PLAY - Play the opening waves for free - Tune controls, audio, and visual effects - Earn credits and test ship upgrades PREMIUM - Unlimited waves and boss encounters - Warp Gate with five nebula destinations - Daily Challenge with bonus rewards - Hall of Fame leaderboard - Ship skins, weapon mods, and part upgrades - $0.99/month, cancel anytime in Apple ID subscription settings FEATURES - 60fps arcade combat - Touch-optimized for one-handed phone play - Auto-fire and tunable touch sensitivity - Retro neon aesthetic with modern post-processing - Plays offline after install except for StoreKit/RevenueCat subscription validation Subscriptions auto-renew monthly until canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage and cancel in Apple ID account settings. Privacy: https://xadrocx1.github.io/shadow-blaster/privacy-policy.html Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Gamma4 screens
Shadow Blaster4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Shadow Blaster at none against Gamma's shown. Shadow Blaster also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Gamma's advantage is ratings volume (11K vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Gamma sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Shadow Blaster sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Shadow Blaster holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Gamma has 11K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gamma ships an update every 5 days, Shadow Blaster weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Gamma versus Shadow Blaster: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGammaShadow Blaster
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (11K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings11K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size150 MB241 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperZODTTD LLCAdam Donovan

Bugs and requests

Gamma

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes when customizing controls
  • Some games freeze or have graphical issues
  • Dropbox sync not working properly

Requested features

4 requests
  • Multiple controller support
  • Customizable button layouts
  • More display/graphics settings
  • Ability to load .cue files

Shadow Blaster

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Gamma

Subscriptions4
  • Great Supporter$0.991 Month
  • Fantastic Supporter$1.991 Month
  • Incredible Supporter$4.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • Greatest Supporter Of All Time$9.991 Month
One-time1
  • Gamma Pro - Remove Ads$4.99
1 purchases

Shadow Blaster

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$0.991 Month

Questions

Is Gamma free?
Gamma is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shadow Blaster free?
Shadow Blaster is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Gamma or Shadow Blaster?
Shadow Blaster is rated higher. Gamma averages 4.8 out of 5 from 11K ratings, while Shadow Blaster averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Gamma or Shadow Blaster have ads?
Gamma shows ads; Shadow Blaster does not.
Which is updated more often, Gamma or Shadow Blaster?
Gamma ships an update every 5 days, and Shadow Blaster weekly. Most recently, Gamma was updated on October 29, 2026 and Shadow Blaster on October 2, 2026.

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