Comparison

OpenConsole vs Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator

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

Head to head
About

OpenConsole

This app offers instant access to a library of AI-generated cloud games and allows you to play your legally owned retro game ROMs on various classic console emulators. Enjoy smooth gameplay with hardware acceleration and customizable controls, with cloud saves for seamless progression.

Highlights
  • AI-generated cloud games
  • Retro console emulation (NES, SNES, PS1, N64, etc.)
  • Hardware-accelerated rendering
  • On-screen touch controls
  • MFi and Bluetooth controller support
  • Save states and cloud sync
Features
Read full description

OpenConsole is a beautifully crafted game launcher that brings together two worlds: an ever-growing library of AI-generated cloud games you can play instantly, and a powerful retro console for the games you grew up with. — DISCOVER NEW GAMES, INSTANTLY — Browse a curated and constantly refreshed selection of AI-generated browser games. Tap to play. No installs. No accounts required to dive in. — PLAY YOUR CLASSICS — Bring your own legally-owned game files and play them on the systems you love: • Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) • Super Nintendo (SNES) • Game Boy / Game Boy Color / Game Boy Advance • Nintendo 64 • PlayStation • Sega Dreamcast • PlayStation Portable — BUILT FOR THE WAY YOU PLAY — • Hardware-accelerated rendering for smooth, full-speed gameplay on N64, Dreamcast, and PSP • On-screen touch controls for every system, plus full support for MFi and Bluetooth controllers • Save states and continuous SRAM saves — pick up exactly where you left off • Cloud save sync across your devices via secure sign-in • Beautiful purple-and-cyan UI tuned for one-handed portrait play and immersive landscape gaming — YOURS, PRIVATE, PORTABLE — Your games and saves stay on your device unless you choose to sync them. No tracking. No ads. No third-party data sharing. Just games. OpenConsole is for collectors, retro fans, and anyone who wants a single home for the games they own — and the games they're about to discover.

About

Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator

Experience your handheld game collection on iPhone and iPad with a polished, native interface. Customize touch controls, import your own game files, and enjoy a complete, ad-free experience. Supports Bluetooth controllers and offers advanced features like save states and video filters.

Highlights
  • GB, GBC, GBA game compatibility
  • Customizable touch controls
  • Bluetooth controller support
  • Save state management
  • iCloud synchronization
  • Advanced video filters
  • Fast-forward and cheat support
Features
Read full description

Retro 1987 brings your handheld game collection to iPhone and iPad with a native, polished, and immediate experience. ALL FEATURES INCLUDED FREE Download Retro 1987 and enjoy the complete experience. Every gameplay and customization feature is included at no cost, with no ads and no advertising tracking. MAKE THE CONTROLS YOURS Move and resize every touch control, create a layout that fits your hands, and customize controls independently for each game, screen orientation, iPhone, and iPad. Prefer physical controls? Connect a compatible Bluetooth controller or gamepad and play your way. Import compatible game files you own and start playing. Your library keeps gameplay previews, saves, and progress organized. KEY FEATURES • Compatibility with GB, GBC, and GBA games • Fully customizable touch controls for every game and orientation • Bluetooth controller and compatible gamepad support • Original cartridge saves • Multiple save-state slots with previews • Save importing and exporting • Auto Resume • iCloud synchronization • Advanced video filters and color palettes • Pixel Perfect presentation • Fast-forward up to 4× • Cheat support • Interface optimized for iPhone and iPad SUPPORT RETRO 1987 Retro 1987 is completely free. If you enjoy the app and would like to support its development and future features, you can leave an optional tip. Tips do not unlock features or change the experience. Retro 1987 does not include games. Users are responsible for importing only content they own or are authorized to use. Retro 1987 is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by compatible console manufacturers or game publishers.

Screenshots

OpenConsole4 screens
Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: OpenConsole at none against Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator's 1. Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 11 days). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. OpenConsole 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 OpenConsole against 5.0 for Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OpenConsole ships an update every 11 days, Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
OpenConsole versus Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenConsoleRetro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size136 MB6 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAeriCastMirko Rezza

Customer experience

OpenConsole

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator

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

In-app purchases

None

OpenConsole

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator

One-time1
  • Retro 1987 Premium$3.99

Questions

Is OpenConsole free?
OpenConsole is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator free?
Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, OpenConsole or Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator?
OpenConsole and Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do OpenConsole or Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator have ads?
Neither OpenConsole nor Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OpenConsole or Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator?
OpenConsole ships an update every 11 days, and Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator every 5 days. Most recently, OpenConsole was updated on October 2, 2026 and Retro 1987 GB GBC GBA Emulator on October 15, 2026.

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