Comparison

Let's NES vs RetroOne

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

Head to head
About

Let's NES

Experience classic 8-bit and 16-bit gaming with a beautifully designed retro interface. Enjoy exclusive online multiplayer for two players and save your progress instantly. Bring your favorite childhood games to life on your iPhone and iPad.

Highlights
  • Exclusive online multiplayer for 2 players
  • Gorgeous pixel-art and skeuomorphic UI
  • Tactile retro controller experience
  • Smart save states for instant progress saving
  • Import your own legally obtained ROMs
Features
Read full description

LetsNES is a retro game emulator designed for phones, tablets, and Macs. We have perfectly preserved the soul of the classic NES, SNES, and GBA, while reimagining them with stunning, high-quality pixel art interfaces and skeuomorphic console designs. No dry, cold modern menus, no complex online setups—from visuals to performance, it’s top-tier in every way. Key Features: 【Global Online Two-Player Co-op — Jump In with Friends Anywhere】 Want to relive classic games with old friends miles away? LetsNES makes remote multiplayer as easy as sending a text! Simply create a room with one tap, share your unique room code, and your friend can join instantly as Player 2. We support shared-screen online play for NES and SNES, as well as zero-cable LAN and remote multiplayer for GBA. With no complex network configuration required, our completely overhauled network architecture guarantees ultra-low latency co-op fun! It's also perfect for live streams and party gaming. 【Exquisite Pixel Art & Skeuomorphic UI for Detail Lovers】 LetsNES features custom-crafted pixel art interfaces and retro console aesthetics. Every menu, icon, and transition is designed to capture the essence of retro gaming while looking crisp, high-end, and extremely detailed on modern HD displays. 【Effortless Rewind & Save States — No More Frustration】 Stuck on a tough level? LetsNES features an incredibly intuitive Rewind function that lets you pull back time and try again whenever you slip up. Enjoy real-time Save and Load states with single-tap pause, allowing you to resume your adventure anytime, anywhere. 【Tactile Retro Controller — Feel Every Button Press】 We carefully crafted a skeuomorphic virtual controller that authentically recreates the look and feel of classic gamepads. Combined with fine-tuned button layouts, rapid response times, and subtle haptic feedback, it delivers an addictively physical touch on touchscreen displays. (Supports key mapping for up to 4 physical controllers or keyboards as well.) User Notice (Legal Disclaimer): LetsNES is strictly a software emulator and media player. This application DOES NOT contain, embed, or bundle any games or ROM files. Users must provide their legally obtained game ROM files (NES/SNES/GBA formats) to play. Simply import your game files via the built-in Files app or from your computer to start playing!

About

RetroOne

This app allows you to play your legally owned retro game collection on your iPhone and iPad. It supports multiple classic gaming systems and offers features like a beautiful library, customizable themes, and multiplayer options.

Highlights
  • Supports 8 classic gaming systems
  • Import and organize game collection
  • Customizable themes
  • Portrait and landscape orientation
  • Play on big screen
  • Multiplayer with 'Use as Controller'
  • Save and continue progress
Features
Read full description

Rediscover the golden age of gaming with RetroOne — a beautifully designed multi-system emulator built for smooth, flexible play on iPhone and iPad. 8 CLASSIC GAMING SYSTEMS Enjoy support for eight popular retro systems: • ARCADE • GBA • GB • GBC • NES • SNES • GEN • NEOGEO From classic handheld adventures to the unforgettable arcade games of the past, RetroOne brings your legally owned game collection together in one convenient place. RELIVE THE ARCADE ERA Experience the atmosphere of classic arcade machines wherever you go. Enjoy responsive controls, smooth gameplay, colorful pixel graphics, and an interface inspired by the golden age of gaming. YOUR GAMES, ONE EASY IMPORT Import supported game files directly from your device. RetroOne automatically detects compatible systems and organizes your collection, making it easy to browse, search, sort, and favorite your games. A BEAUTIFUL LIBRARY Keep your entire collection organized with: • Recently played games • Favorites • Search and sorting • Automatic system detection • Quick access to saved games • Easy game management MULTIPLE THEMES Make RetroOne feel truly yours. Choose from multiple visual styles, including: • Classic • Midnight • Retro Handheld • Neon • Chrome Each theme offers a distinctive look while keeping the controls clear, responsive, and comfortable. PORTRAIT OR LANDSCAPE Play from the angle that works best for you. RetroOne supports both portrait and landscape orientations, allowing every game and controller layout to adapt naturally to your preferred way of playing. PLAY ON THE BIG SCREEN Share gameplay with a compatible TV and enjoy your favorite classics on a larger display. Turn your phone or tablet into a convenient game controller while the action stays on the big screen. PLAY WITH FRIENDS Use the “Use as Controller” feature to connect additional devices and play together with friends. Connect through the same Wi-Fi network, use each device as a controller, and enjoy a shared gaming experience. SAVE AND CONTINUE EASILY Save your progress and continue whenever you want. RetroOne makes it easy to return to recently played games without starting over. SMOOTH AND RESPONSIVE RetroOne is designed to deliver stable performance, responsive touch controls, and smooth gameplay across supported systems. Compatible external game controllers can also be used for a more traditional gaming experience. PLAY ANYTIME, ANYWHERE Whether you have a few free minutes or want a longer gaming session, RetroOne keeps your classic game library ready on iPhone and iPad — at home, while traveling, or together with friends. IMPORTANT INFORMATION RetroOne does not include games, ROMs, BIOS files, or copyrighted game content. Users must import game files created from titles they legally own. RetroOne is independently developed and is not affiliated with, sponsored, authorized, or endorsed by any console manufacturer or game publisher. All trademarks and copyrighted materials belong to their respective owners. SUBSCRIPTION AND LEGAL RetroOne Plus is available as a monthly or yearly auto-renewable subscription, or as a one-time purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in Settings > Apple Account > Subscriptions. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://mmtstudio.site/privacy

Screenshots

Let's NES4 screens
RetroOne4 screens

Verdict

The call

Let's NES and RetroOne are too close to call on the numbers: across 9 compared parameters — price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. Let's NES sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and RetroOne sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Let's NES against 5.0 for RetroOne. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Let's NES versus RetroOne: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLet's NESRetroOne
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 10 days
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size87 MB103 MB
Age rating12+4+
Developeryu zhuNguyen Dinh Gioi

Customer experience

Let's NES

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

RetroOne

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

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Let's NES

One-time2
  • 500 Energy$0.99
  • Infinite Energy$4.99
3 purchases

RetroOne

Subscriptions2
  • RetroOne Plus Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • RetroOne Plus Yearly$44.991 Year
One-time1
  • RetroOne Plus Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is Let's NES free?
Let's NES is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RetroOne free?
RetroOne is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Let's NES or RetroOne?
Let's NES and RetroOne are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Let's NES or RetroOne have ads?
Both Let's NES and RetroOne show ads.
Which is updated more often, Let's NES or RetroOne?
Let's NES ships an update every 10 days, and RetroOne every 10 days. Most recently, Let's NES was updated on October 7, 2026 and RetroOne on October 9, 2026.

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