Arcade95 vs RetroNexus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Windows 95 desktop simulation
- Classic games: Solitaire, Minesweeper, Pinball
- Productivity apps: Paint, Notepad
- Retro web browser
- Customizable screensavers
- Multiple Windows desktop eras
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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.
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: RetroNexus at 5.0 against Arcade95's 4.4. RetroNexus also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). Arcade95's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 6 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
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.
RetroNexus holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Arcade95 has 19 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Arcade95 ships an update every 4 days, RetroNexus every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 11, 2026.
| Parameter | Arcade95 | RetroNexus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (19 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 86 MB | 70 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | heewook shin | Quoc Huynh |
Customer experience
Arcade95
RetroNexus
In-app purchases
Arcade95
No in-app purchases
RetroNexus
- Premium Weekly Pass$0.997 Days
- Premium Yearly Pass7 Days trial$9.991 Year
- Premium Lifetime Pass$19.99








