Comparison

SpatialEMU vs emu98

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

emu98

This app is a compatibility environment for running PC-98 programs on iOS devices. It allows users to import and manage disk images, configure settings for different software, and customize controls. It includes interactive demos and supports game controllers.

Highlights
  • Run PC-98 programs on iPhone/iPad
  • Import floppy, hard disk, and CD-ROM images
  • Organize and run local software library
  • Configure font ROMs, graphics, and controls
  • Real-time saving and loading
  • Customize virtual keyboard and layout
  • Supports game controllers
Features
Read full description

emu98 is a compatibility environment for running PC-98 programs on iPhone and iPad. It is designed for retro-computing enthusiasts, software authors, and anyone who wants to organize local program files. Import floppy-disk, hard-disk, and optical-disc images that you created, compiled, or lawfully possess, then organize and run them in the on-device software library. emu98 does not provide commercial software, BIOS or ROM downloads, or an online content catalog. Key features: • Includes two fully original interactive demos • Manages PC-98 floppy-disk, hard-disk, optical-disc, and ZIP files • Supports per-software font ROM, display, performance, and control settings • Supports quick save, quick load, and save-state import and export • Customizable on-screen controls, opacity, size, and layout • External keyboard, mouse, and controller mapping support • Simplified Chinese, English, and Japanese interfaces • Imported software, ROMs, artwork, settings, and save states remain on the device The free version allows one user-imported local program. A one-time non-consumable purchase unlocks additional software slots and can be restored through your Apple ID. emu98 has no user accounts, online resource catalog, or user-generated-content platform. Except for purchases, purchase restoration, and entitlement verification, the app does not upload user-imported files to a server. Import only files that you created or lawfully possess. emu98 is not affiliated with or endorsed by the official NP2 project.

Screenshots

SpatialEMU2 screens
emu984 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SpatialEMU at none against emu98's 1. SpatialEMU also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and device support (6 vs 2). emu98's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 11 days) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, review sentiment 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. emu98 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 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 — 1 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SpatialEMU ships an update every 11 days, emu98 every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SpatialEMU versus emu98: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpatialEMUemu98
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size388 MB9 MB
Age rating4+17+
Developer晓东 傅Caner (Chongqing) Computer System Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

SpatialEMU

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

emu98

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

1 purchases

emu98

One-time1
  • Unlock More Software Slots$0.99

Questions

Is SpatialEMU free?
SpatialEMU is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is emu98 free?
emu98 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SpatialEMU or emu98?
SpatialEMU is rated higher. SpatialEMU averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while emu98 averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do SpatialEMU or emu98 have ads?
Neither SpatialEMU nor emu98 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SpatialEMU or emu98?
SpatialEMU ships an update every 11 days, and emu98 every 2 days. Most recently, SpatialEMU was updated on October 8, 2026 and emu98 on October 6, 2026.

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