Comparison

emu98 vs Tinbox

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

Head to head
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.

About

Tinbox

This application allows you to play classic handheld games on your device. It supports GBA, GB, and GBC game files, offering features like rewind, save states, and customizable controls. Enjoy your favorite retro titles with enhanced options and a private, ad-free experience.

Highlights
  • Supports GBA, GB, GBC game files
  • Rewind and fast-forward gameplay
  • Multiple save state slots
  • Customizable controls and button layouts
  • Bluetooth and MFi controller support
  • Built-in BIOS
  • Private and ad-free experience
Features
Read full description

Tinbox is a tin to hold and play your games: a fast, lovingly built emulator for GBA, GB and GBC game files, powered by the open-source mGBA core. Two free homebrew games come preinstalled, so there is something to play the moment the lid opens. Add your own legally obtained game files (.gba, .gb, .gbc, zipped or not). Everything, games, saves, states and covers, lives in plain folders you can easily navigate. PLAY IT YOUR WAY - Pixel-perfect, fit or fill scaling with various screen filters - Rewind up to 120 seconds when a jump goes wrong - Fast-forward from 0.5x all the way to Max - 10 save-state slots per game, plus an auto slot that saves every time you leave a game or the app closes unexpectedly - Cheat codes and per-game setting overrides - A built-in BIOS that works with almost every game, or bring your own TIME CAPSULE Tinbox quietly snapshots your playthrough while you play. Scrub back through the whole session and hop into any moment. Battery died mid-dungeon? There is a snapshot for that too. (Or turn it off, up to you.) CONTROLS THAT FIT YOUR HANDS - Drag, pinch and save button layouts - Bluetooth and MFi controller support with remapping - Turbo A and B, button haptics, press glow in your chosen accent color - Tilt, solar and rumble cartridges use your phone's real sensors MADE WITH LOVE BY REDFERN - Themes, including the signature Tin and a frosted Glass with six accent colors - Controller skins, a lid-open boot animation, a power LED that turns red when your battery runs low - Cover art from Photos or Files, or automatic box-art lookup - Duplicate import detection, custom library folder, full Files app integration PRIVATE BY DESIGN No ads, no accounts, no analytics. The only network use is the optional box-art download. Your games never leave your phone. Tinbox plays legally obtained game files and ships only freely licensed homebrew, with full credits in the app. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any console manufacturer.

Screenshots

emu984 screens
Tinbox4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tinbox at none against emu98's 1. Tinbox also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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. Tinbox asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tinbox holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
emu98 versus Tinbox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameteremu98Tinbox
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (4 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB6 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperCaner (Chongqing) Computer System Co., Ltd.KEATON MATTHEW MAGGARD

Customer experience

emu98

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Tinbox

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

In-app purchases

1 purchases

emu98

One-time1
  • Unlock More Software Slots$0.99
None

Tinbox

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is emu98 free?
emu98 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tinbox free?
Tinbox is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, emu98 or Tinbox?
Tinbox is rated higher. emu98 averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Tinbox averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do emu98 or Tinbox have ads?
Neither emu98 nor Tinbox shows ads.

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