Comparison

RetroPlay vs GameX Emulator

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

Head to head
About

RetroPlay

Play classic games from GBA, SNES, N64, and more on your iPhone or iPad. This emulator offers smooth performance, customizable controls, and easy ROM import. Relive your favorite retro titles with enhanced audio and visual filters.

Highlights
  • Supports GBA, GBC, NES, SNES, N64, and more
  • Easy ROM import from Files and iCloud
  • Customizable on-screen controls
  • Unlimited save states and quick resume
  • Fast forward gameplay
  • Retro visual and audio filters
  • AirPlay support for big screen gaming
Features
Read full description

Play your favorite retro games on iPhone & iPad — anytime, anywhere. RetroPlay is the all-in-one emulator that brings the most iconic classic consoles back to life. Enjoy smooth performance, fast loading, customizable controls, and support for the most searched retro systems such as GBA, GBC, GB, NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, and Atari Lynx. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering retro gaming for the first time, RetroPlay delivers the ultimate portable classic gaming experience. - Supported Game Consoles - RetroPlay supports a large collection of legendary retro systems: - Game Boy Advance (GBA) - Game Boy Color (GBC) - Game Boy (GB) - Atari Lynx (LYNX) - Sega Genesis / Mega Drive - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) - Super Nintendo (SNES) - Nintendo 64 (N64) More consoles are coming soon! - ROM Import Made Easy Import your legally obtained ROM files directly from Files, iCloud Drive, or any app supporting file sharing. Manage your library effortlessly with favorites and quick-access shortcuts. - Customizable On-Screen Controls Fully adjustable buttons & joystick placement Multiple controller skins inspired by classic handheld consoles Support for both portrait and landscape mode - Save States & Quick Resume Unlimited save slots per game Save & load your progress at any time Auto-save so you never lose your place - Fast Forward Speed up gameplay instantly with a single tap Perfect for RPG grinding, cutscenes, or replaying long sequences - Enhanced Audio & Retro Filters Authentic 8-bit and 16-bit audio settings Retro visual shaders (CRT, pixel filters, scanlines) for a nostalgic look - Big Screen Support AirPlay your gameplay to TV for a true console feel Connect external controllers for a home-console experience - Disclaimer RetroPlay is an independent app and is not affiliated with Nintendo, Sega, Atari, or any other console manufacturer. Please only use RetroPlay with legally obtained game files. ROMs are not included. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS RetroPlay offers two optional premium plans: Weekly Plan – $4.99 / week With 3 days free Trial Lifetime Plan - $29.99 Onetime Payment • Unlimited access to all emulator systems • Future console updates included Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime from your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lKqbRxUr_Q5F_JqPulTnFcKH25m3gLOZael5lOyk1lA/edit?usp=sharing Terms Of Use : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xHTxsR-gW6ChUCKaVbMa-ONJZANU60aXIFVGtjjjHNI/edit?usp=sharing

About

GameX Emulator

Play your owned PlayStation 2 games on iPhone and iPad with this emulator. It features a native engine for smooth performance, customizable settings, and save states. Enjoy a free trial of one game before unlocking the full library with various subscription options.

Highlights
  • Native PS2 engine with Metal graphics
  • Per-game performance settings
  • Save states and screenshots
  • Touch controls and gamepad support
  • Library with generated cover art
  • Import your own PS2 game files
Features
Read full description

Bring your PlayStation 2 games to iPhone and iPad. GameX is a PS2 emulator with a native engine built for Apple silicon. Import the PS2 game files (ISO) you own, play with touch controls or a Bluetooth/MFi gamepad, and pick up where you left off with save states. • Native PS2 engine with Metal graphics; many 3D PlayStation 2 games run at full speed on recent devices • Per-game performance settings: CPU speed, resolution, 30 fps lock, thermal control • Save states, screenshots, restart, disc swap, portrait and landscape • Library with generated cover art Play one game free. Premium unlocks the whole library, every save slot, fast-forward up to 5×, quick save and resume, and extra controller themes (weekly, monthly, yearly or lifetime). GameX includes no games and no BIOS files; you add your own. Compatibility and speed vary by game and device. GameX is not affiliated with or endorsed by any other software or companies. Privacy Policy: https://elevarelab.site/gamex-privacy-policy.html Term of Use (EULA) : https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

RetroPlay4 screens
GameX Emulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: RetroPlay at 4.5 against GameX Emulator's 3.8. RetroPlay also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). GameX Emulator's advantage is review sentiment (40% vs 0%) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, 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. RetroPlay sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and GameX Emulator sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RetroPlay holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 150 and 152 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of RetroPlay's written reviews are positive against 40% of GameX Emulator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RetroPlay ships an update every 2 months, GameX Emulator every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 9, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
RetroPlay versus GameX Emulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetroPlayGameX Emulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (150 ratings) — better3.8 (152 ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews40.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings150152 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB33 MB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperHamza El karmouniAnupkumar Naginbhai Patel

Customer experience

RetroPlay

All ratings103 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.8%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

GameX Emulator

All ratings138 ratings
Positive65.9%
Neutral4.3%
Negative29.7%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive40.5%
Neutral4.8%
Negative54.8%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

RetroPlay

Subscriptions2
  • RetroPlay Premium Access3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • RetroPlay Premium Access$4.997 Days
One-time1
  • RetroPlay Premium Access$29.99
4 purchases

GameX Emulator

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Premium$4.997 Days
  • Monthly Premium$9.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$24.99

Questions

Is RetroPlay free?
RetroPlay is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GameX Emulator free?
GameX Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RetroPlay or GameX Emulator?
RetroPlay is rated higher. RetroPlay averages 4.5 out of 5 from 150 ratings, while GameX Emulator averages 3.8 from 152 ratings.
Do RetroPlay or GameX Emulator have ads?
RetroPlay shows ads; GameX Emulator does not.
Which is updated more often, RetroPlay or GameX Emulator?
RetroPlay ships an update every 2 months, and GameX Emulator every 9 days. Most recently, RetroPlay was updated on November 9, 2026 and GameX Emulator on November 9, 2026.

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