Comparison

PixelDock vs Super Emu

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

Head to head
About

PixelDock

This app consolidates numerous classic game consoles and computers into a single application. It features automatic cover art, quick save states, and organized game libraries. Premium features include cloud sync and social functionalities.

Highlights
  • Multi-console support
  • Automatic cover art
  • Quick save/load states
  • Bluetooth/MFi controller support
  • Wi-Fi file transfer
  • Cloud save synchronization (premium)
  • Social chat and voice calls (premium)
Features
Read full description

PixelDock brings together dozens of classic consoles and computers in one app, with a visual library, automatic cover art, quick save states and effortless organization. SUPPORTED SYSTEMS • Nintendo: NES, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Virtual Boy • Sega: Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, Game Gear, Mega-CD, 32X, Saturn, Dreamcast, NAOMI, Atomiswave • Sony: PlayStation, PSP • Atari: 2600, 5200, 7800, Lynx, Jaguar, 8-bit line, ST • SNK Neo Geo and Neo Geo Pocket Color • NEC: PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine CD, PC-FX, PC-98 • Commodore 64, 128, VIC-20 and Amiga • Classic computers: ZX Spectrum, ZX81, MSX/MSX2, Amstrad CPC, Sharp X68000, Apple II, Macintosh, Thomson TO7/TO8 • Arcade and more: Vectrex, WonderSwan, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Panasonic 3DO, Pokémon Mini, Odyssey² • MS-DOS and classic adventure engines via ScummVM (SCUMM, SCI, AGI), plus Doom and Quake LIBRARY & GAMEPLAY • Automatic cover art for your whole collection, sorted by system • Fast save/load states with visual thumbnails for every save • Bluetooth/MFi controller support and external display via AirPlay or cable • Wi-Fi upload portal: transfer your own files from a computer, no cables or iTunes needed CLOUD & FRIENDS (premium) • Sync your save states across all your devices • Add friends with a unique nickname, chat, make voice calls, and send games or save states directly SUBSCRIPTION PixelDock Premium unlocks cloud save sync, the full social features and cover art for your entire library (the free tier shows cover art for your first 5 games). Available monthly and yearly with a 7-day free trial, or as a one-time lifetime purchase. • Monthly: $3.99/month • Yearly: $24.99/year • Lifetime: $44.99 one-time payment (not a subscription) Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account upon confirming purchase. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your device Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when a paid subscription is purchased. LEGAL LINKS EULA (Terms of Use): https://emulator.it-systems.es/terms.php Privacy Policy: https://emulator.it-systems.es/privacy.php IMPORTANT NOTICE PixelDock does not include or distribute any games, BIOS files or copyrighted content. You must only use software copies you legally own. The app includes open-source emulation components; you can review all licenses from Settings.

About

Super Emu

This application allows you to play classic handheld and console games on your iPhone and iPad. It supports multiple systems, offers customizable controls, and includes features like save states and rewind.

Highlights
  • Supports Game Boy Advance, Color, NES, and SNES games
  • Customizable multitouch controls with haptic feedback
  • Full controller and keyboard support
  • Rewind, save states, and fast-forward options
  • iCloud syncing for saves and progress
  • Online multiplayer via Room Link
Features
Read full description

SuperEmu is a fast, beautiful emulator for the handhelds and consoles you grew up with, built natively for iPhone and iPad with the new Liquid Glass design. ONE LIBRARY FOR YOUR CLASSICS • Plays Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Game Boy, Super Nintendo (SNES) and NES games. • Add games from the Files app, “Open in…”, or by copying them into the SuperEmu folder. • Artwork is captured automatically from your last session. Filter by system or search by title. CONTROLS MADE FOR EVERY CONSOLE • Multitouch buttons laid out for each system, with an 8-way D-pad, sliding between buttons and haptic feedback. • Full support for MFi, Xbox and PlayStation controllers and hardware keyboards. • Touch controls step aside automatically when you pick up a controller. REWIND, SAVE, SPEED UP • Rewind: hold L2 + R2 and jump back up to 20 seconds, then pick the exact moment to play from. • Save states: 4 slots per game with thumbnails and timestamps. • Fast-forward at 2×, 3× or 4×. SYNCED WITH iCLOUD • In-game saves, save states and thumbnails sync between your iPhone and iPad through your own iCloud Drive. • Games are matched by their file’s fingerprint, so progress follows you across devices. ROOM LINK — PLAY TOGETHER ONLINE • Create a room, share the 5-letter code, and play with a friend over the internet through Game Center. • Handheld games connect like a link cable: trade, battle and play versus modes. • Console games play like two controllers plugged into the same machine. LOOKS THE WAY YOU REMEMBER • Pixel-perfect scaling plus Metal filters: Sharp, Smooth, LCD Grid, Scanline, CRT, color correction, Retro Green and Scale2x. PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No accounts, no ads, no tracking. Your games and saves stay on your devices and in your own iCloud. IMPORTANT SuperEmu does not include any games. Play only games you own or that are legally free to use, such as homebrew. SuperEmu is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Nintendo. All product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Open-source emulation cores: mGBA (MPL 2.0), Snes9x (Snes9x license, non-commercial) and FCEUmm (GPL 2.0).

Screenshots

PixelDock4 screens
Super Emu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Super Emu at 5.0 against PixelDock's 3.3. Super Emu also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3). PixelDock's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. PixelDock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Super Emu asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Super Emu holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
PixelDock versus Super Emu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPixelDockSuper Emu
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.618.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size429 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJose Antonio Salinas GarciaKiet Nguyen Tuan

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PixelDock

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Premium Annual7 Days trial$22.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$39.99
None

Super Emu

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PixelDock free?
PixelDock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Super Emu free?
Super Emu is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PixelDock or Super Emu?
Super Emu is rated higher. PixelDock averages 3.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Super Emu averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do PixelDock or Super Emu have ads?
Neither PixelDock nor Super Emu shows ads.

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