Comparison

SpatialEMU vs MyGBA

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

Head to head
About

SpatialEMU

This app allows you to play your personal retro game collection on iPhone and iPad. It supports a wide range of classic systems and offers flexible control options, including virtual buttons and physical controllers. You can load games locally or connect to a self-hosted server for library management.

Highlights
  • Play retro games on iOS devices
  • Supports NES, SNES, PlayStation, PSP, and more
  • Load local game files or use a self-hosted server
  • Virtual and physical controller support
  • Customizable controller mapping
  • Local save states and progress syncing
Features
Read full description

SpatialEMU brings your own retro game library to iPhone and iPad. Organize a personal local collection, choose how each game is presented, and play with touch controls or supported physical game controllers. SUPPORTED SYSTEMS Play user-provided games for NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Mega Drive / Genesis, SEGA 32X, Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000, PlayStation, PSP, DOS, Neo Geo, CPS arcade systems, SEGA Model 2, SEGA Model 3, and supported MAME arcade hardware. Compatibility varies by title, file format, and required system files. LOAD LOCAL FILES OR USE YOUR OWN SERVER No server is required: open local games directly with the system document picker. FolioSpace Library is an optional, self-hosted personal library and is not part of the SpatialEMU client. It can run on a NAS or on a Docker-capable Mac, PC, or Linux host. Connect to your own server to browse, search, filter, and selectively download your catalog, save multiple server profiles, and synchronize supported battery saves and play records. PLAY YOUR WAY Use the app's virtual controls or supported Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and other game controllers. Universal controller mapping supports global, per-system, and per-game profiles, button reassignment, axis inversion, dead zones, and sensitivity. SpatialEMU also provides Nintendo DS touch input, DOS keyboard and mouse controls, and specialized controls for supported arcade and mahjong titles. LOCAL-NETWORK CABINET LINK Supported SEGA Model 3 titles can create native cabinet-link sessions across multiple devices. Every device runs the same user-provided game locally while the LAN carries only cabinet-link data. Some larger room layouts remain clearly labeled experimental. LOCAL PROGRESS Keep local battery saves and save states for supported systems. Store separate progress for each game and synchronize supported save records through your own FolioSpace Library. IMPORTANT SpatialEMU does not include games, ROMs, BIOS files, firmware, encryption keys, copyrighted game content, or downloads for such content. You must provide files you have the right to use. Compatibility does not imply affiliation with the relevant hardware or game publishers. FolioSpace connection guide: https://spatialemu.com/guides/foliospace-connection/ Open-source notices and corresponding source: https://github.com/funland/SpatialEMU-Source Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ FREE FEATURES AND OPTIONAL PURCHASES Supported NES, SNES, Mega Drive / Genesis, GB, GBC, GBA, and all supported FBNeo systems (including CPS1, CPS2, CPS3 and Neo Geo) do not require Prime. Prime unlocks additional supported systems through a monthly subscription, annual subscription, or one-time lifetime purchase. Compatibility varies by game and platform. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled. Eligible earlier purchasers retain permanent Prime access after purchase-history verification. Purchasing lifetime Prime does not automatically cancel an existing subscription. Prices and purchase options appear in the app.

About

MyGBA

Experience classic handheld games with this high-performance emulator. It supports GB, GBC, and GBA formats, offering smooth gameplay, instant saves, and wireless ROM import. Enjoy a stable and compatible gaming experience for all your favorite retro titles.

Highlights
  • High-performance emulation core
  • Instant save and load states
  • Automatic game progress saving
  • Wireless ROM import via Wi-Fi
  • Fast-forward mode
  • Screenshot capture
Features
Read full description

Relive your favorite childhood memories with classic handheld games. This app is a high-performance emulator designed for classic handheld gaming. It supports GB, GBC,GBA,FC,MD,NDS,PS1,PSP and NES game formats, delivering a smooth, stable, and highly compatible gaming experience. Enjoy smooth gameplay with a high-performance emulation core, instant save and load states, multiple save slots, automatic game progress saving, fast-forward mode, and screenshot capture. Import your game files wirelessly from your computer over your local Wi-Fi network—no USB cable required. The clean and intuitive interface makes managing and launching your games simple and convenient. Getting started is easy. Simply open the app, import your game files via Wi-Fi from your computer, and start playing. Whether you enjoy classic RPGs, action adventures, puzzle games, casual titles, or strategy games, you'll experience reliable performance and smooth gameplay. Supported formats: .gb, .gbc, .gba, .nes, .sfc, .smc, .nds, .md,.pbp and .zip archives containing matching .bin and .cue files. This app provides only the emulation environment and does not include any game ROMs. Users must import game files that they legally own and are authorized to use. Premium subscriptions are available on a monthly or yearly basis. Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your App Store account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage your subscription and disable automatic renewal at any time in your App Store Account Settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.termsfeed.com/live/357bd2ed-572c-43ad-9ace-b9fe9e90abb8 Privacy Policy: https://www.termsfeed.com/live/45393e6c-f5fa-42f8-99b9-901e5e817d86

Screenshots

SpatialEMU2 screens
MyGBA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SpatialEMU at none against MyGBA's 3. SpatialEMU also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). MyGBA's advantage is iOS requirement (16 vs 18.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. MyGBA sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. SpatialEMU asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SpatialEMU holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SpatialEMU ships an update every 11 days, MyGBA fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SpatialEMU versus MyGBA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpatialEMUMyGBA
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings23 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.016 — better
Further details — not scored
Size388 MB91 MB
Age rating4+9+
Developer晓东 傅蓉琼 钟

Customer experience

SpatialEMU

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

MyGBA

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

SpatialEMU

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

MyGBA

Subscriptions2
  • 月会员$1.991 Month
  • 年订阅$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • 永久会员$14.99

Questions

Is SpatialEMU free?
SpatialEMU is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MyGBA free?
MyGBA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SpatialEMU or MyGBA?
SpatialEMU is rated higher. SpatialEMU averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while MyGBA averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do SpatialEMU or MyGBA have ads?
MyGBA shows ads; SpatialEMU does not.
Which is updated more often, SpatialEMU or MyGBA?
SpatialEMU ships an update every 11 days, and MyGBA fortnightly. Most recently, SpatialEMU was updated on October 31, 2026 and MyGBA on November 5, 2026.

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