Comparison

Retra vs HandCube

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

Head to head
About

Retra

Experience classic gaming with this retro console emulator. Relive childhood memories with support for multiple consoles, customizable skins, and controller integration. Unlock the full experience through a subscription or a lifetime purchase.

Highlights
  • Support for 5+ retro consoles
  • 10+ visual skins
  • Customizable settings
  • Controller support
  • Cloud game saving
  • Fast ROM import
Features
Read full description

Retra – a retro console emulator crafted with love for classic games. We’re excited to introduce Retra, an app inspired by the authentic style of old-school games that live deep in your childhood memories. We’ve added support for your favorite retro consoles — the ones you spent countless hours with. A wave of unforgettable nostalgia and pure fun awaits you inside the app. We’re happy to share that with a subscription, you’ll unlock the full experience: • Support for 5 retro consoles • 10+ visual skins – both vertical and horizontal layouts • Custom settings tailored to your playstyle • Controller support for a classic feel • cloud game saving Relive the magic. Play your past — today. Subscription & Terms Unlock the full Retra experience with either a weekly subscription ($7.99/week) or a one-time lifetime purchase ($39.99). By upgrading, you gain access to all premium emulator features: • Support for 5+ retro consoles • 10+ visual skins — including vertical and horizontal layouts • Fast and easy ROM import • Save game progress anytime • Full external controller support The weekly subscription auto-renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your Apple ID account will be charged at confirmation. Manage or cancel your subscription anytime via your App Store account settings. The lifetime option is a one-time purchase with no recurring charges. For more details, please review our https://retra.app/Terms/ and https://retra.app/Privacy/

About

HandCube

Relive the joy of a classic handheld puzzle game on your mobile device. Enjoy intuitive tap and swipe controls to fit falling blocks, clear rows, and achieve high scores. Explore a new challenge mode with progressively difficult levels for endless fun.

Highlights
  • Classic block-fitting gameplay
  • Intuitive tap and swipe controls
  • Challenge mode with increasing difficulty
  • Unlockable gameplay elements
  • Stress-relieving casual experience
  • Timeless nostalgic appeal
Features
Read full description

The world-famous Tetris, a handheld classic loved globally for decades, is now officially on mobile! No fancy gear needed—pull out your phone anytime, anywhere, and relive the pure joy etched in your childhood memories. Tap and swipe to control the blocks—move, rotate, and place them precisely. Watch different-shaped pieces fit perfectly on the screen, clear full rows in an instant, and score big with satisfying crisp sounds. It’s addictive fun that keeps you coming back for more! With simple, intuitive controls and zero learning curve, kids, teens, and seniors alike can jump right in and get hooked. That’s the core charm that makes it a timeless, household name across generations. Plus, an all-new carefully designed challenge mode awaits! Tons of levels progress with gradually increasing difficulty—from beginner to master, every stage brings fresh excitement and a sense of achievement. Earn points to unlock hidden gameplay, beat your personal best, and feel the thrill of self-improvement. Classics never fade, and nostalgia lives on! Whether you want to revisit your childhood handheld days or find a relaxing, stress-relieving casual game, Classic Tetris is your perfect choice. If you have any suggestions or questions during gameplay, feel free to leave a review. We value every piece of feedback and will keep optimizing your gaming experience!

Screenshots

Retra4 screens
HandCube3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HandCube at 100% against Retra's 14%. HandCube also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ads (none vs shown). Retra's advantage is ratings volume (3K vs 1) and update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). On price and device support 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. Retra sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. HandCube asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HandCube holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Retra has 3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of Retra's written reviews are positive against 100% of HandCube's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Retra ships an update every 4 days, HandCube fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Retra versus HandCube: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetraHandCube
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (3K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB19 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMODERN DEV LPKAI WANG

Customer experience

Retra

All ratings3,000 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral1.6%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews263 reviews
Positive14.4%
Neutral6.5%
Negative79.1%

HandCube

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Retra

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Games freeze
  • Inability to play without paying

Requested features

2 requests
  • Option to exit free trial
  • Improve mobile optimization

HandCube

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Retra

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly access to emulator$6.997 Days
  • Weekly access to emulator7 Days trial$6.997 Days
One-time1
  • Lifetime access to emulator$39.99
None

HandCube

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Retra free?
Retra is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HandCube free?
HandCube is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Retra or HandCube?
HandCube is rated higher. Retra averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3K ratings, while HandCube averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Retra or HandCube have ads?
Retra shows ads; HandCube does not.
Which is updated more often, Retra or HandCube?
Retra ships an update every 4 days, and HandCube fortnightly. Most recently, Retra was updated on October 17, 2026 and HandCube on October 4, 2026.

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