Comparison

Arcade95 vs Retroly

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

Head to head
About

Arcade95

Relive the classic Windows 95 experience on your iPhone. Play iconic games like Solitaire and Minesweeper, use familiar applications like Paint and Notepad, and enjoy a nostalgic desktop environment with retro screensavers.

Highlights
  • Windows 95 desktop simulation
  • Classic games: Solitaire, Minesweeper, Pinball
  • Productivity apps: Paint, Notepad
  • Retro web browser
  • Customizable screensavers
  • Multiple Windows desktop eras
Features
Read full description

Boot a faithful Windows-style desktop on iPhone and iPad. Arcade95 is not an emulator or a game launcher; it is a native rebuilt desktop with games, apps, files, eras, screensavers, and real window chrome. Tap Start. Drag a window. Open My Computer. Save a note. Switch eras. Then jump into the classic games and tools that made the old PC feel alive. WHAT'S INSIDE Games - Minesweeper, Klondike Solitaire, Spider Solitaire, FreeCell, and Hearts - Blackjack and Poker, including Jacks or Better and heads-up Texas Hold'em - Reversi, Gomoku, Janggi (Korean chess), Baduk (Go), and Chess - JezzBall and SkiFree - 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 - Disk Defragmenter - 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 progression, 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 or randomize 3D Flower Box, 3D Flying Objects, 3D Maze, 3D Pipes, 3D Text, Curves and Colors, Fireplace, Flying Through Space, Flying Windows, Jellyfish Aquarium, Mystify, and Scrolling Marquee. GAME CENTER Compete on daily and weekly leaderboards for Minesweeper, Solitaire, FreeCell, Hearts, SkiFree, and Pinball. 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. FOR PEOPLE WHO MISS THE OLD PC Arcade95 is for classic puzzle and card-game players, retro desktop fans, vaporwave and Y2K design people, and anyone who remembers exploring C:\Program Files just to see what was hiding there. Open the Start menu. Pick a game, an app, a folder, or a screensaver. Welcome back to the desktop.

About

Retroly

Play your classic game backups on iPhone with this retro gaming hub. Import ROMs, organize your collection, and enjoy a fast, distraction-free interface with customizable on-screen controls. Save your progress and adjust settings for a personalized experience.

Highlights
  • Game Boy, GBC, GBA support
  • ROM import from local storage
  • Organized game library
  • Recent play history
  • Responsive on-screen controls
  • Gameplay customization
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 collection, and jump back into gameplay instantly with a fast, distraction-free interface built for retro sessions. Features: • Support for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance gameplay • Clean game library with recent play history • Responsive on-screen controls • Save-friendly experience for long sessions • Gameplay customization and performance settings Retroly does not include, host, sell, or provide copyrighted games or ROMs. Users must supply legally owned game backups that they are permitted to use. Premium is available as a one-time in-app purchase that permanently removes banner, rewarded, and full-screen ads.

Screenshots

Arcade954 screens
Retroly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Retroly at 5.0 against Arcade95's 4.3. Retroly also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). Arcade95's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads 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. Arcade95 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Retroly holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arcade95 has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arcade95 ships an update every 3 days, Retroly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Arcade95 versus Retroly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcade95Retroly
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (15 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB45 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerheewook shinEray Kiyak

Customer experience

Arcade95

All ratings15 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%

Retroly

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

In-app purchases

None

Arcade95

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Retroly

One-time1
  • Retroly Premium$3.99

Questions

Is Arcade95 free?
Arcade95 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, Arcade95 or Retroly?
Retroly is rated higher. Arcade95 averages 4.3 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Retroly averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Arcade95 or Retroly have ads?
Both Arcade95 and Retroly show ads.
Which is updated more often, Arcade95 or Retroly?
Arcade95 ships an update every 3 days, and Retroly every 3 weeks. Most recently, Arcade95 was updated on September 9, 2026 and Retroly on September 3, 2026.

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