Comparison

Pro Nes Emulator vs GBDev

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

Head to head
About

Pro Nes Emulator

Play classic NES and SNES games on your iPhone and iPad. Import your legally owned ROMs, organize your library, and customize on-screen controls for a smooth retro gaming experience. Save your progress and enjoy offline play.

Highlights
  • NES and SNES ROM support
  • Import from Files and iCloud
  • Customizable on-screen controls
  • Save states and auto-save
  • Offline gameplay
  • Local Wi-Fi netplay
Features
Read full description

Pro NES Emulator is a modern multi-system retro game emulator for iPhone and iPad. Import the classic game files you legally own, keep them in one tidy library, and play them with a fast native interface built for touch. 17 SYSTEMS IN ONE APP Nintendo family: NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Boy Sega family: Genesis / Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000, Sega 32X Sony: PlayStation Also supported: PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16, Atari 2600, Atari Lynx, Neo Geo Pocket, WonderSwan SUPPORTED FILE TYPES .nes .fds .unf .unif - .smc .sfc .fig .swc - .gb .dmg .gbc .gba - .sms .gg - .md .gen .smd .mdx .68k .bin - .sg .32x - .pce .sgx - .a26 - .ngp .ngc .ngpc .npc - .ws .wsc .pc2 - .vb .vboy - .lnx .lyx - .pbp .chd .iso .exe KEY FEATURES - Import from Files, iCloud Drive, and any compatible document provider - The system is detected automatically from the file you import, so there is nothing to configure - One library for every machine, with per-system filters, search, favorites, and a Recent shelf - Cover art and game details are fetched automatically for the titles in your library - Save states: save and resume anywhere, independent of the game's own save system - Auto-save and quick resume so you can pick up exactly where you stopped - Cheat codes with the entry formats each machine is known for, including Game Genie, Pro Action Replay, and GameShark style codes, plus raw address and value entry - On-screen controls that match the real hardware: D-pad with A/B, the A/B/X/Y diamond with L/R, and shoulder triggers plus analog sticks for PlayStation - Editable gamepad layout so you can move, resize, and tune the controls to your hands - Local Wi-Fi netplay for two-player sessions on the consoles that had a second controller port - Play on the big screen over AirPlay or a connected external display, with the controls staying on your device - Video options for pixel-perfect, smooth, and retro-style presentation - Per-system emulation options: NES palette, SNES filter, Game Boy colorization, Sega region and overscan, Game Gear extended screen, Genesis FM audio, PC Engine palette, Virtual Boy anaglyph colors, and more - Audio, speed, and PlayStation specific settings such as frameskip, dithering, and pad type - Optional PlayStation firmware support if you choose to supply your own, with an accurate high-level fallback so PlayStation games run without it - Works fully offline once your files are imported BUILT FOR IPHONE AND IPAD Pro NES Emulator uses a native iOS interface with adaptive layouts, touch-friendly controls, and settings you can change in a couple of taps while a game is running. Whether you play in five minute bursts or long evening sessions, your library, your controls, and your save tools are always within reach. IMPORTANT Pro NES Emulator does not include, sell, host, download, or distribute game files, firmware, copyrighted games, or game libraries. The app ships with no games inside it. You are responsible for importing only the files you legally own or are otherwise authorized to use. All console, product, and company names are the property of their respective owners and are used here only to describe file compatibility. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

GBDev

Play your favorite Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on your iPhone with this emulator. It features a beautiful game library, responsive on-screen controls, and customizable palettes and themes for a comfortable gaming experience.

Highlights
  • Game Boy & Game Boy Color ROM support
  • Personalized game library with box art
  • Save states for instant progress capture
  • Customizable on-screen controls
  • Adjustable game palettes and app themes
  • Integrated cheat engine
Features
Read full description

GBDev is a fast multi emulator with an immersive feel and lots of good ways to customize your emulation experience. Emulates: GB • GBC • GBA • NES • SNES • DS • DSI • 3DS • GC • Wii Get cozy under the covers with our screen bleed and crt scanlines options. Reposition the screens and buttons to maximize the emulation feel. Enhance the look with animated themes and custom buttons. Landscape mode goes hard too especially when a bluetooth controller is connected. SNES Mouse works for mar10 pain7 too!! GBDev even has 3ds mii support. Connect to a tv with airplay, connect some controllers via bluetooth, and set the phone on charge for a night of retro gatherings. Button haptics make you feel more immersed so we have that too. Our game library is seperated by console. Thank you for using GBDev!!

Screenshots

Pro Nes Emulator4 screens
GBDev4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pro Nes Emulator at 5.0 against GBDev's 3.3. GBDev's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and ratings volume (18 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Pro Nes Emulator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and GBDev sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pro Nes Emulator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GBDev has 18 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pro Nes Emulator ships an update every 9 days, GBDev every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Pro Nes Emulator versus GBDev: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPro Nes EmulatorGBDev
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better3.3 (18 ratings)
Positive reviews—12.5% of reviews
Number of ratings118 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHuynh Vi ViWinter Bagley

Customer experience

Pro Nes Emulator

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

GBDev

All ratings18 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral11.1%
Negative38.9%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative62.5%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Pro Nes Emulator

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
1 purchases

GBDev

One-time1
  • GBDev Pro$2.99

Questions

Is Pro Nes Emulator free?
Pro Nes Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GBDev free?
GBDev is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Pro Nes Emulator or GBDev?
Pro Nes Emulator is rated higher. Pro Nes Emulator averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while GBDev averages 3.3 from 18 ratings.
Do Pro Nes Emulator or GBDev have ads?
Neither Pro Nes Emulator nor GBDev shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pro Nes Emulator or GBDev?
Pro Nes Emulator ships an update every 9 days, and GBDev every 4 days. Most recently, Pro Nes Emulator was updated on October 7, 2026 and GBDev on October 9, 2026.

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