Comparison

GameSir Boy vs Nova Emulator

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

Head to head
About

GameSir Boy

Features
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Gamesir Boy is your essential companion for mobile gaming, combining controller customization with easy game file management. Take full control of your gameplay by testing and fine-tuning your connected gamepad. Adjust button mappings, sensitivity, and other settings to match your personal preference. The app also allows you to import and organize your own game files or folders, keeping your favorite titles ready to play. App Features: • Controller Testing & Calibration: Comprehensively test buttons, sticks, and triggers to ensure your gamepad is performing perfectly. • Custom Controller Settings: Remap buttons, adjust sensitivity, and create personalized profiles for different games. • Local Game File Management: Import and organize your own game collections through an intuitive file manager.

About

Nova Emulator

Play classic console games on your smartphone with this high-performance emulator. Enjoy smooth gameplay, save states, fast forward, and display filters. Supports a wide range of retro consoles and offers cheat code functionality.

Highlights
  • High-performance emulation (60fps)
  • Virtual gamepad with radial dial
  • Save and load game states
  • Fast forward gameplay (2x-4x)
  • Display filters (CRT, LCD)
  • Cheat code support
  • Play time statistics
Features
Read full description

Play your favorite emulator games again on your smartphone. A high-performance retro game emulator that lets you play game ROMs. SUPPORTED CONSOLES • GBA, GB, GBC, NES, N64, NDS, PSX, PCE, Lynx, NGP, NGPC KEY FEATURES • High-Performance Emulation — 60fps smooth gameplay powered by libretro cores • Virtual Gamepad — Lemuroid-style radial dial with glass morphism design • Save & Load States — Save your progress anytime • Fast Forward — Speed up gameplay from 2x to 4x • Display Filters — Sharp, Smooth, CRT scanline, LCD pixel grid • Cheat Codes — GameShark, Action Replay, Game Genie and more • 11 Languages — English, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, French, German, Chinese (Traditional) NOVA PREMIUM Upgrade to Nova Premium and enjoy all features. • Remove all ads • Unlimited game library • Cheat mode activation • Unlock all save & load slots • Full weekly play time statistics PLAY HISTORY Track your gaming habits with weekly play time charts, daily breakdowns, and per-game statistics. LEGAL NOTICE • Nova does NOT provide or distribute any ROM files • You must only use ROMs of games you legally own • Downloading or distributing copyrighted ROMs is your responsibility • Nova does not encourage the use of illegal ROMs • Nova does not transmit any of your game data externally This app is subject to Apple's Standard End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

GameSir Boy3 screens
Nova Emulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GameSir Boy at none against Nova Emulator's 3. GameSir Boy also leads on ads (none vs shown). Nova Emulator's advantage is iOS requirement (16 vs 18.2). On price, update cadence 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. Nova Emulator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. GameSir Boy asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GameSir Boy ships an update every 2 weeks, Nova Emulator every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
GameSir Boy versus Nova Emulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGameSir BoyNova Emulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.216 — better
Further details — not scored
Size280 MB67 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGuangzhou Chicken Run Network Technology Co.,Ltd.IDEATAG STUDIO

In-app purchases

None

GameSir Boy

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Nova Emulator

Subscriptions3
  • NOVA Premium$1.991 Month
  • NOVA Premium$4.993 Months
  • NOVA Premium$7.996 Months

Questions

Is GameSir Boy free?
GameSir Boy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nova Emulator free?
Nova Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GameSir Boy or Nova Emulator have ads?
Nova Emulator shows ads; GameSir Boy does not.
Which is updated more often, GameSir Boy or Nova Emulator?
GameSir Boy ships an update every 2 weeks, and Nova Emulator every 3 weeks. Most recently, GameSir Boy was updated on October 12, 2026 and Nova Emulator on October 1, 2026.

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