Comparison

GenZD vs ArkRPG

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

Head to head
About

GenZD

Run classic idTech 1 games on your iOS device with enhanced modern features. Supports original WAD files and community MODs, offering improved graphics, lighting, and scripting. Requires users to provide their own game content.

Highlights
  • Modern 3D rendering
  • Widescreen graphics
  • Dynamic lighting
  • Scriptable environment
  • Game controller support
  • Customizable touch controls
  • Local multiplayer
Features
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GenZD supports running games using the open-source idTech 1 game engine for iOS, and supports running its "WAD" game files as well as community-developed "MOD" files, all rendered natively using modern technology. It supports several capabilities beyond the original engine, such as modern 3D rendering, widescreen graphics, dynamic lighting, a fully scriptable environment, and much much more. Please note that GenZD does not include content and they must be provided by you. Please use the Files app to move or copy files to the GenZD folder under "On my iPhone" or "On my iPad". Configurations called "Launch Configurations" can be created using a base game file as well as additional MOD files (.pk3 and .zip files). A plethora of content developed by the community is available on the web, and almost all "mods" that use the UDMF or WAD formats are supported. Additional features: - Game controller support: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, mFi - On-screen touch virtual gamepad and virtual keyboard - Customizable touch controls: Rearrange buttons, change color and size. Support for saving multiple layouts. - Gyroscope aiming - Widescreen Metal graphics rendering using MoltenVK - Add your own game and mod files via the Files app - Accessibility: Supports VoiceOver and mods that support accessibility - Local Multiplayer: Host a co-op or deathmatch game, discover hosts running GenZD automatically on the same network and join a game

About

ArkRPG

Play PC RPG Maker games on your iOS device. This emulator offers seamless import of game archives, cloud save syncing, and customizable controls for an authentic gaming experience on the go.

Highlights
  • RPG Maker MZ/MV engine compatibility
  • Direct import of ZIP, RAR, 7z archives
  • iCloud cross-device save sync
  • Customizable virtual gamepad
  • External controller support
  • MTool translation file support
Features
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ArkRPG is an RPG Maker game player built for iPhone and iPad. Import game files you own and enjoy RPG Maker MZ, MV, XP, VX, and VX Ace titles wherever you go. ArkRPG rebuilds the runtime, rendering, input, and resource pipeline for mobile devices while adding game management and controls designed for touch screens. **Core Features** **Five RPG Maker Generations** Play games made with RPG Maker MZ, MV, XP, VX, and VX Ace. Version 2.0 introduces an RGSS runtime for classic titles on iPhone and iPad. Compatibility may vary because games can use different scripts, plugins, and assets. **High-Performance In-House RGSS Engine** ArkRPG is powered by mkios, an in-house RGSS engine built for iPhone and iPad, with a native Metal multi-frame rendering pipeline and AVFoundation/CoreAudio audio system that integrate directly with Apple platforms to process graphics and audio efficiently. Built-in Ruby 1.8, 1.9, and 3.1 compatible runtimes select the appropriate environment for XP, VX, VX Ace, and modern XP forks, while ongoing RGSS1/2/3 compatibility work covers graphics, input, audio, archives, and legacy script behavior. **Flexible, Reliable Import** Import folders, ZIP, RAR, and 7z archives, compatible APK game packages, and password-protected archives. ArkRPG detects the game directory and engine automatically. **RGSS Runtime Assets** If an XP, VX, or VX Ace game requires RTP assets, download or import the matching runtime package directly from Settings instead of locating missing files one by one. **Controls for Touch and Gamepads** - Custom virtual controls with adjustable layouts, sizes, opacity, and function keys - Keyboard presets for saving and switching control schemes - Support for compatible iOS game controllers - Mouse and touch emulation for games that rely on clicks, right-clicks, or wheel input **MTool JSON Translation Files** Load JSON translation files generated by MTool. ArkRPG continues to improve text matching across menus, multiline dialogue, and different plugin environments. **iCloud Save Sync** Supported MZ and MV games can sync saves between iPhone and iPad through iCloud, with conflict handling and manual sync controls. Cloud save sync is not currently available for XP, VX, or VX Ace games. **Local Game Management** Manage covers, titles, control presets, translation files, and runtime options in one place. ArkRPG can convert mobile-incompatible video formats such as WebM during import and resume unfinished processing. **Localized Interface** The app interface supports English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. **Subscription Information:** - Monthly Subscription: Auto-renewing (free trial available) - Lifetime Premium: One-time purchase for permanent access **Legal Information:** - Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ - Privacy Policy: https://arkrpg.tech/#/privacy **Important Notes:** - ArkRPG does not include or provide games. You must import game files you legally own. - Compatibility may be affected by custom scripts, plugins, encryption, and incomplete assets. - Subscriptions renew automatically each month and can be canceled in App Store settings. - Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when a subscription is purchased. - Game files remain on your device. Only saves from supported games are synced to iCloud when enabled.

Screenshots

GenZD3 screens
ArkRPG4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ArkRPG at Free against GenZD's $2.99. GenZD's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). On review sentiment, ratings volume, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

ArkRPG is free to download; GenZD costs $2.99 up front. ArkRPG sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. GenZD asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GenZD holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 57 and 55 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 82% and 82% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GenZD ships an update every 11 days, ArkRPG weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
GenZD versus ArkRPG: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGenZDArkRPG
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (57 ratings) — better4.0 (55 ratings)
Positive reviews82.1% of reviews — better81.8% of reviews
Number of ratings57 — better55
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
Best chart rank#110 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB110 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperYoshinobu Sugawara安君 李

Customer experience

GenZD

All ratings57 ratings
Positive87.7%
Neutral3.5%
Negative8.8%
Written reviews67 reviews
Positive82.1%
Neutral9.0%
Negative9.0%

ArkRPG

All ratings55 ratings
Positive76.4%
Neutral1.8%
Negative21.8%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral3.0%
Negative15.2%

In-app purchases

None

GenZD

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

ArkRPG

Subscriptions1
  • ArkRPG Premium Monthly$0.991 Month
One-time4
  • RPG Maker Lifetime Upgrade$6.99
  • MV/MZ Lifetime$7.99
  • RGSS Lifetime$7.99
Show 1 more
  • Lifetime Premium$14.99

Questions

Is GenZD free?
GenZD costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ArkRPG free?
ArkRPG is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GenZD or ArkRPG?
GenZD is rated higher. GenZD averages 4.5 out of 5 from 57 ratings, while ArkRPG averages 4.0 from 55 ratings.
Do GenZD or ArkRPG have ads?
Neither GenZD nor ArkRPG shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GenZD or ArkRPG?
GenZD ships an update every 11 days, and ArkRPG weekly. Most recently, GenZD was updated on October 27, 2026 and ArkRPG on October 25, 2026.

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