Comparison

Arcade95 vs RetroNexus

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

Head to head
About

Arcade95

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

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

About

RetroNexus

This app allows you to play classic retro games from multiple console systems on your iOS device. It offers features like customizable controls, save states, fast-forward, and a smart library organizer for your game ROMs.

Highlights
  • Multi-system emulation (NES, SNES, GBA, Genesis)
  • Customizable gamepad themes
  • Save and load game states
  • Fast forward gameplay
  • Smart library organizer
  • Supports custom cheat codes
Features
Read full description

RetroNexus is the ultimate multi-system game emulator designed exclusively for iOS! Experience the magic of retro gaming with high-fidelity emulation and modern features. Relive your childhood classics or discover retro masterpieces from standard-setting consoles of the past. Supported Systems: - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Play all your beloved 8-bit classics. - Super Nintendo (SNES): Immerse yourself in epic 16-bit adventures. - Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance (GBA): Bring the best portable games directly to your screen. - Sega Genesis: Speed through Sega classics with maximum fidelity. - Chip-8: Experience classic indie-style gameplay cores. Powerful Modern Features: - Customized Gamepad Themes: Tailor the look and feel of your controls with beautifully crafted skins. - Custom Cheat Codes: Add, manage, and toggle cheat codes (Action Replay, Game Genie) easily on the fly. - Save & Load States: Never lose progress! Save and load at any point using multiple available slots. - Fast Forward: Speed up dialogue-heavy sequences or long grinding sessions. - Smart Library Organizer: Import game ROMs from .zip files quickly, browse games by console, and read helpful guides. - Completely Localized: Beautifully translated into multiple languages for retro fans worldwide. Unlock your retro gaming paradise today with RetroNexus! Note: RetroNexus does not bundle or provide any game ROMs. Users must supply their own legally acquired game files to play.

Screenshots

Arcade954 screens
RetroNexus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Arcade95 at none against RetroNexus's 3. Arcade95 also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (28 vs 1). RetroNexus's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). 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. RetroNexus sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Arcade95 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RetroNexus holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arcade95 has 28 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Arcade95 ships an update every 5 days, RetroNexus every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Arcade95 versus RetroNexus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArcade95RetroNexus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (28 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings28 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size97 MB68 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developerheewook shinQuoc Huynh

Customer experience

Arcade95

All ratings28 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral3.6%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative10.0%

RetroNexus

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

In-app purchases

None

Arcade95

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

RetroNexus

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Weekly Pass$0.997 Days
  • Premium Yearly Pass7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime Pass$19.99

Questions

Is Arcade95 free?
Arcade95 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is RetroNexus free?
RetroNexus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Arcade95 or RetroNexus?
RetroNexus is rated higher. Arcade95 averages 4.6 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while RetroNexus averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Arcade95 or RetroNexus have ads?
Both Arcade95 and RetroNexus show ads.
Which is updated more often, Arcade95 or RetroNexus?
Arcade95 ships an update every 5 days, and RetroNexus every 6 weeks. Most recently, Arcade95 was updated on November 9, 2026 and RetroNexus on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons