Comparison

GBA Emulator vs AetherSX2

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

Head to head
About

GBA Emulator

Transform your iPhone into a retro gaming console. This emulator offers smooth performance, HD scaling, and auto-save features for your legally owned game backups. Customize controls with touch or a Bluetooth gamepad.

Highlights
  • HD Video Mode
  • Smooth 60 FPS Performance
  • Fast Forward Gameplay
  • Haptic Feedback
  • Auto-Save & States
  • Bluetooth Controller Support
  • Easy Game Import
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into the ultimate handheld console with EMUverse. EMUverse is a high-performance, feature-rich emulator designed to bring your retro game library to life. Whether you are reliving childhood memories or discovering classic adventures for the first time, EMUverse offers the smoothest experience on the App Store. KEY FEATURES: Premium Gameplay: - HD Video Mode: Experience classic pixel art with crisp, modern scaling. - Smooth Performance: Optimized engine ensuring 60 FPS on supported devices. - Fast Forward: Speed up gameplay up to 3x to skip slow intros or level grind. - Haptic Feedback: Feel every jump and action with integrated button vibration support. Library Management: - Beautiful UI: A clean, dark-themed interface that puts your games front and center. - Auto-Save & States: Never lose progress. The app manages your recent games automatically. - Cloud Backup: Your entire library, ROMs, cover art, and save states now sync to iCloud. Switch devices or reinstall and everything restores in seconds. - Easy Import: Quickly add your legally owned game files (.gba, .zip) via the Files app. Customization: - Controller Support: Play using touch controls or connect your favorite Bluetooth gamepad. - Visual Settings: Toggle FPS counter, adjust audio settings, and customize your experience. - Rewind: Never lose to a tough boss again. Press and hold the new rewind button to scrub gameplay backwards up to 10 seconds, complete with a smooth black-and-white "VHS rewind" effect. DISCLAIMER: EMUverse is an emulator application tailored for playing legal backups of games. No Games Included: This application strictly does not include any game files, ROMs, or copyrighted material. User Responsibility: Users must supply their own game files created from physical cartridges they legally own. EMUverse is not affiliated with, authorized, endorsed, or licensed in any way by any console manufacturer. Privacy Policy: https://emuverse.app/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://emuverse.app/terms-of-use

About

AetherSX2

This app provides a comprehensive guide for setting up and optimizing PS2 emulation on mobile devices. It offers tutorials, tools like a resolution calculator and performance estimator, and a compatibility database for over 50 games.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step emulator setup tutorials
  • Interactive tools
  • Resolution calculator
  • Performance estimator
  • File format guide
  • Game compatibility database
Features
Read full description

AetherSX2 is the essential guide for PS2 emulation on mobile. Use AetherSX2 to set up your emulator with step-by-step tutorials and interactive tools. AetherSX2 includes a resolution calculator, performance estimator, and file format guide. Browse 50+ games in the AetherSX2 compatibility database. AetherSX2 helps you optimize every setting for the best experience.

Screenshots

GBA Emulator4 screens
AetherSX24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: GBA Emulator at 4.6 against AetherSX2's 3.4. GBA Emulator also leads on ads (none vs shown). AetherSX2's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ratings volume 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. GBA Emulator sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. AetherSX2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GBA Emulator holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 116 and 65 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
GBA Emulator versus AetherSX2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGBA EmulatorAetherSX2
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (116 ratings) — better3.4 (65 ratings)
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings116 — better65
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperArtem LavrentievHARRY PEREZ

In-app purchases

7 purchases

GBA Emulator

Subscriptions7
  • Weekly$3.997 Days
  • Weekly3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly$4.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Yearly$39.991 Year
  • Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
None

AetherSX2

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GBA Emulator free?
GBA Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AetherSX2 free?
AetherSX2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GBA Emulator or AetherSX2?
GBA Emulator is rated higher. GBA Emulator averages 4.6 out of 5 from 116 ratings, while AetherSX2 averages 3.4 from 65 ratings.
Do GBA Emulator or AetherSX2 have ads?
AetherSX2 shows ads; GBA Emulator does not.

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