# Retro NES Emulator vs Nova Emulator

The clearest difference is rating: Retro NES Emulator at 5.0 against Nova Emulator's 3.0. Retro NES Emulator also leads on ads (none vs shown). Nova Emulator's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Retro NES Emulator sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Nova Emulator sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Retro NES Emulator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

Retro NES Emulator ships an update every 2 months, Nova Emulator every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retro NES Emulator | Nova Emulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-nes-emulator/id6757972354/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-emulator/id6760300280/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 21 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17 | **16** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tao Cheng](https://appshunter.io/developer/1127350806) | [IDEATAG STUDIO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1883714100) |

## What reviewers say

### Retro NES Emulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-nes-emulator/id6757972354)

Transform your device into a classic 8-bit and 16-bit gaming console. This emulator supports multiple retro systems and allows you to organize your legally owned game files with custom metadata and artwork. Enjoy a pro gaming experience with customizable controls and an in-app browser for game guides.

**Highlights:** Multi-platform emulation (NES, SNES, GB, GBA, MD), Import game files from Files app or Wi-Fi, Customizable game library with metadata and cover art, Dual-core NES emulation options, Virtual touchscreen and external controller support, In-app browser for game guides and walkthroughs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30 Days VIP | $1.99 | one-time |
| Donate a cup of americano | $1.99 | one-time |
| Donate a cup of latte | $3.99 | one-time |
| 90 days vip | $4.99 | one-time |
| Donate a cup of Yunnan small coffee | $9.99 | one-time |
| 1 year vip | $19.99 | one-time |


### Nova Emulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-emulator/id6760300280)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NOVA Premium | $1.99 | per month |
| NOVA Premium | $4.99 | per 3 months |
| NOVA Premium | $7.99 | per 6 months |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retro NES Emulator free?

Retro NES Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Nova Emulator free?

Nova Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Retro NES Emulator or Nova Emulator?

Retro NES Emulator is rated higher. Retro NES Emulator averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Nova Emulator averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Retro NES Emulator or Nova Emulator have ads?

Nova Emulator shows ads; Retro NES Emulator does not.

### Which is updated more often, Retro NES Emulator or Nova Emulator?

Retro NES Emulator ships an update every 2 months, and Nova Emulator every 9 days. Most recently, Retro NES Emulator was updated on October 18, 2026 and Nova Emulator on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*