Comparison

Dream Emulator vs Arcade95

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

Head to head
About

Dream Emulator

Play classic Game Boy games on your iPhone with accurate emulation. Load your own ROMs and enjoy pixel-perfect graphics and sound. Save progress, use fast forward, and access your library easily.

Highlights
  • Accurate Game Boy emulation
  • Crystal-clear pixel rendering
  • Full audio emulation
  • On-screen controls
  • Save and load game states
  • Fast forward mode
Features
Read full description

Dream Emulator brings the classic Game Boy experience to your iPhone. Load your own ROM files and play your favorite Game Boy games with a faithful emulation of the original hardware — including accurate CPU, graphics, and sound. FEATURES • Accurate Game Boy (DMG) emulation • Crystal-clear pixel rendering at any screen size • Full audio emulation with all 4 sound channels • On-screen controls with D-pad, A/B buttons, Start and Select • Save and load game states at any time (3 slots per game) • Fast forward mode to speed up gameplay • Recent games list for quick access to your library • File sharing via iTunes and the Files app • No ads, no tracking, no internet connection required HOW TO USE Transfer your .gb ROM files to the app using the Files app or iTunes File Sharing, then select them inside Dream Emulator to start playing. PRIVACY Dream Emulator collects no personal data. Everything stays on your device. NOTE Dream Emulator does not include any games. Users are responsible for obtaining ROM files in compliance with applicable copyright laws.

About

Arcade95

Relive classic PC experiences with a retro desktop simulation. Play iconic games like Solitaire and Pinball, use familiar apps like Paint and Notepad, and explore seven different desktop eras. Customize your experience with cosmetic rewards and enjoy a nostalgic journey.

Highlights
  • Classic Windows desktop simulation
  • Play Solitaire, Pinball, Minesweeper, and more
  • Utilize retro apps like Paint and Notepad
  • Explore seven different desktop eras (95, 98, XP, etc.)
  • Customizable desktop with cosmetic rewards
  • Game Center leaderboards and turn-based matches
  • 12 retro screensavers
Features
Read full description

A working retro PC desktop for iPhone and iPad. Play Solitaire and Space Cadet Pinball, save notes and drawings, and explore seven desktop eras. Every game and app is available from the first boot. Arcade Update unlocks desktop customizations. WHAT'S INSIDE Games - Minesweeper, Klondike Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, FreeCell, and Hearts - Reversi, Gomoku, Janggi (Korean chess), Baduk (Go), and Chess - JezzBall, SkiFree, and Sichuan Mahjong (Shisen-Sho) - Rodent's Revenge and Klotski - 3D Pinball Space Cadet, powered by a native Space Cadet engine port Apps - Calculator, Paint, and Notepad - Winamp for MP3s from Files, with lock-screen Now Playing - Media Player and Sound Recorder - Flash Player for imported .swf files - Disk Defragmenter - Focus Timer with session history, ranks, and a Lock Screen countdown - Outlook Express with letters from your desktop and a mail composer - MS-DOS Prompt - Sticky Notes, including a home-screen widget - Netscape, with dial-up sound, bookmarks, history, browsing, and downloads Desktop - Start menu, taskbar, clock, tray, desktop icons, folders, My Computer, My Documents, Recycle Bin, Control Panel, Run, Arcade Update, boot flow, shutdown flow, and session restore - Arcade Update cosmetic rewards, setup sequences, BSOD surprises, a Clippy-style assistant, Tamagotchi, and a first-launch Welcome - Seven desktop eras: 95, 98, Me, XP, Vista, 3.1, and 7 - Windows 3.1 switches into a real Program Manager-style shell - Long-press context menus, file associations, saved documents, wallpapers, themes, and retro chrome 12 SCREENSAVERS Choose a favorite or randomize 12 screensavers, from 3D Pipes, 3D Maze, and Mystify to Fireplace and Jellyfish Aquarium. GAME CENTER Compete on daily and weekly leaderboards for Minesweeper, Solitaire, FreeCell, Hearts, SkiFree, Pinball, and Sichuan Mahjong. Start asynchronous turn-based matches in Reversi, Gomoku, Janggi (Korean chess), Baduk (Go), and Chess. BUILT FOR MODERN iOS Arcade95 is native on iPhone and iPad for iOS 26 or later. iPhone is portrait-only; iPad supports portrait and landscape. It is rebuilt for touch while keeping the old desktop rhythm: small windows, menus, bevels, files, and the satisfying feeling of poking around a real machine. PRIVACY AND ADS No account or email login is required. Some features use the network, including browsing and downloads. Arcade95 includes Firebase Analytics, Firebase Crashlytics, Remote Config, and Google AdMob. App Tracking Transparency is resolved before AdMob starts, and Google UMP consent is handled separately. There is no persistent banner ad; interstitial ads are limited to user-selected surfaces. Open the Start menu. Pick a game, an app, a folder, or a screensaver. Welcome back to the desktop.

Screenshots

Dream Emulator4 screens
Arcade954 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Dream Emulator at none against Arcade95's shown. Dream Emulator also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Arcade95's advantage is ratings volume (26 vs 3). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dream Emulator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arcade95 has 26 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dream Emulator ships an update every 2 days, Arcade95 every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Dream Emulator versus Arcade95: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDream EmulatorArcade95
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better4.6 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews—77.8% of reviews
Number of ratings326 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB97 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperThalisson Gabriel Da Silva Santos Meloheewook shin

In-app purchases

None

Dream Emulator

No in-app purchases

None

Arcade95

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Dream Emulator free?
Dream Emulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Arcade95 free?
Arcade95 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Dream Emulator or Arcade95?
Dream Emulator is rated higher. Dream Emulator averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Arcade95 averages 4.6 from 26 ratings.
Do Dream Emulator or Arcade95 have ads?
Arcade95 shows ads; Dream Emulator does not.
Which is updated more often, Dream Emulator or Arcade95?
Dream Emulator ships an update every 2 days, and Arcade95 every 4 days. Most recently, Dream Emulator was updated on October 31, 2026 and Arcade95 on November 5, 2026.

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