Comparison

CrashPlayer vs Retroly

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

Head to head
About

CrashPlayer

This app allows you to play games created with Crash BASIC, a retro-inspired programming language. Organize your game library, save your progress with optional iCloud sync, and enjoy controller support. It's a privacy-focused player with no ads or analytics.

Highlights
  • Play .crashcart game files
  • Organize game library with icons
  • Search and sort games
  • Per-game save files
  • Optional iCloud sync for saves
  • MFi and Bluetooth controller support
  • Privacy-focused, no ads or tracking
Features
Read full description

CrashPlayer is the official player for Crash BASIC — a modern, retro-inspired programming language for creating games. PLAY CRASH BASIC GAMES Open and play .crashcart game files on your iPhone or iPad. These files are created by developers and hobbyists using the Crash BASIC programming environment. YOUR GAME LIBRARY • Organize your games in a clean grid view with automatic icon extraction • Search and sort by name, author, or recently played • View game details including author, version, and description • Track your recently played games SAVE YOUR PROGRESS • Per-game save files stored on your device • Optional iCloud sync keeps saves across your devices • Manage save files from the game detail screen CONTROLLER SUPPORT • Full support for MFi and Bluetooth game controllers • Touch controls for supported games HOW IT WORKS Create a game using Crash BASIC at crashbasic.com Export it as a CrashCart bundle Import the .crashcart file using Files, AirDrop, or the share sheet Play GETTING STARTED CrashPlayer works with .crashcart files. You can: • Create your own games using Crash BASIC (free for non-commercial use) • Open CrashCart files shared with you • Import files via the Files app, email attachments, or AirDrop PRIVACY FOCUSED CrashPlayer does not collect personal data. No analytics, no tracking, no ads. Your games and save data stay on your device or in your private iCloud account if enabled. CrashPlayer does not include a storefront or purchasing functionality. Crash BASIC is designed to be easy to learn while still powerful enough to create complete games. Visit www.crashbasic.com to learn more.

About

Retroly

Enjoy your classic game backups on iPhone with this retro gaming hub. It offers authentic emulation, a visual game library, and customizable on-screen controls. Supports external controllers and various display filters for an enhanced experience.

Highlights
  • Authentic emulation for Game Boy, GBC, GBA
  • Visual game showcase and library
  • Customizable on-screen gamepad
  • Save states with screenshot previews
  • Display filters and screen correction
  • Bluetooth & MFi controller support
Features
Read full description

Retroly is a polished retro gaming hub designed for players who want a clean, modern way to enjoy their own classic game backups on iPhone. Import compatible ROM files from local storage, organize your personal collection, and jump back into gameplay instantly with a fast, distraction-free interface built specifically for retro sessions. Features: • Authentic emulation for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance • Visual game showcase and library with instant resume • Responsive on-screen gamepad with customizable skins and haptic feedback • 8 visual save state slots with live screenshot previews and timestamps • Display filters (Sharp Pixel, LCD, LCD Subpixel, Bilinear, Smooth xBRZ) • Screen stretching and color correction tailored for handheld classics • Full support for external Bluetooth & MFi game controllers Important Notice: Retroly does not include, host, sell, or distribute copyrighted games or ROMs. Users must supply their own legally obtained game backups that they are authorized to play. Premium Upgrade: Retroly Premium is available as a one-time in-app purchase that permanently removes all banner, rewarded, and interstitial ads, unlocking the ultimate ad-free retro experience forever. No subscriptions or recurring charges. Terms of Use: https://retroly.app/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://retroly.app/privacy/ Support & Contact: https://retroly.app

Screenshots

CrashPlayer3 screens
Retroly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CrashPlayer at none against Retroly's 1. CrashPlayer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). Retroly's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. Retroly sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. CrashPlayer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for CrashPlayer against 5.0 for Retroly. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CrashPlayer ships an update every 4 days, Retroly fortnightly. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 4 level
CrashPlayer versus Retroly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCrashPlayerRetroly
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size75 MB83 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperCrash Continuum LLCEray Kiyak

Customer experience

CrashPlayer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Retroly

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

CrashPlayer

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Retroly

One-time1
  • Retroly Premium$3.99

Questions

Is CrashPlayer free?
CrashPlayer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retroly free?
Retroly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CrashPlayer or Retroly?
CrashPlayer and Retroly are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do CrashPlayer or Retroly have ads?
Retroly shows ads; CrashPlayer does not.
Which is updated more often, CrashPlayer or Retroly?
CrashPlayer ships an update every 4 days, and Retroly fortnightly. Most recently, CrashPlayer was updated on November 5, 2026 and Retroly on November 5, 2026.

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