Comparison

Nova Emulator vs Let's NES

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

Head to head
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/

About

Let's NES

Experience classic 8-bit and 16-bit gaming with a beautifully designed retro interface. Enjoy exclusive online multiplayer for two players and save your progress instantly. Bring your favorite childhood games to life on your iPhone and iPad.

Highlights
  • Exclusive online multiplayer for 2 players
  • Gorgeous pixel-art and skeuomorphic UI
  • Tactile retro controller experience
  • Smart save states for instant progress saving
  • Import your own legally obtained ROMs
Features
Read full description

LetsNES is a retro game emulator designed for phones, tablets, and Macs. We have perfectly preserved the soul of the classic NES, SNES, and GBA, while reimagining them with stunning, high-quality pixel art interfaces and skeuomorphic console designs. No dry, cold modern menus, no complex online setups—from visuals to performance, it’s top-tier in every way. Key Features: 【Global Online Two-Player Co-op — Jump In with Friends Anywhere】 Want to relive classic games with old friends miles away? LetsNES makes remote multiplayer as easy as sending a text! Simply create a room with one tap, share your unique room code, and your friend can join instantly as Player 2. We support shared-screen online play for NES and SNES, as well as zero-cable LAN and remote multiplayer for GBA. With no complex network configuration required, our completely overhauled network architecture guarantees ultra-low latency co-op fun! It's also perfect for live streams and party gaming. 【Exquisite Pixel Art & Skeuomorphic UI for Detail Lovers】 LetsNES features custom-crafted pixel art interfaces and retro console aesthetics. Every menu, icon, and transition is designed to capture the essence of retro gaming while looking crisp, high-end, and extremely detailed on modern HD displays. 【Effortless Rewind & Save States — No More Frustration】 Stuck on a tough level? LetsNES features an incredibly intuitive Rewind function that lets you pull back time and try again whenever you slip up. Enjoy real-time Save and Load states with single-tap pause, allowing you to resume your adventure anytime, anywhere. 【Tactile Retro Controller — Feel Every Button Press】 We carefully crafted a skeuomorphic virtual controller that authentically recreates the look and feel of classic gamepads. Combined with fine-tuned button layouts, rapid response times, and subtle haptic feedback, it delivers an addictively physical touch on touchscreen displays. (Supports key mapping for up to 4 physical controllers or keyboards as well.) User Notice (Legal Disclaimer): LetsNES is strictly a software emulator and media player. This application DOES NOT contain, embed, or bundle any games or ROM files. Users must provide their legally obtained game ROM files (NES/SNES/GBA formats) to play. Simply import your game files via the built-in Files app or from your computer to start playing!

Screenshots

Nova Emulator4 screens
Let's NES4 screens

Verdict

The call

Nova Emulator and Let's NES are too close to call on the numbers: across 9 compared parameters — price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 and Let's NES sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Nova Emulator against 5.0 for Let's NES. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nova Emulator ships an update every 3 weeks, Let's NES every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Nova Emulator versus Let's NES: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNova EmulatorLet's NES
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS1615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB87 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperIDEATAG STUDIOyu zhu

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Nova Emulator

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

Let's NES

One-time2
  • 500 Energy$0.99
  • Infinite Energy$4.99

Questions

Is Nova Emulator free?
Nova Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Let's NES free?
Let's NES is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Nova Emulator or Let's NES?
Nova Emulator and Let's NES are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Nova Emulator or Let's NES have ads?
Both Nova Emulator and Let's NES show ads.
Which is updated more often, Nova Emulator or Let's NES?
Nova Emulator ships an update every 3 weeks, and Let's NES every 10 days. Most recently, Nova Emulator was updated on October 1, 2026 and Let's NES on October 7, 2026.

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