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SPECIFICTION
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Retropa

retropa.com

Free plan macOSiOS
Visit retropa.com
Spec score 7.1 #26 of 31 in Game Gear Emulators

What it is

Retropa is an emulator for handheld and arcade games on iPhone and iPad, with Mac listed among its supported platforms. It covers 14 handheld and console systems plus arcade families; listed systems include GBA, Nintendo DS, NES, Super NES, Genesis, WonderSwan, Neo Geo Pocket, and Master System. The free plan costs nothing and includes handheld and console systems, imports, controller templates, Delta skin import, save states, and rewind. Games and BIOS files are not supplied, so users import content they are entitled to use through Files, AirDrop, a browser, a local Wi-Fi Portal, or the Homebrew catalog. Compatible external controllers and ready-made templates are supported. Retropa Plus adds arcade families, premium skins, console mode, advanced save workflows, adaptive touch controls with five styles, and 64 listed display filters. Saves can be backed up and restored with iCloud Drive. Game files stay on the device, and no account is needed to play. iPhone and iPad require iOS 18 or later.

Spec sheet

Product
Retropa is an emulator for handheld and arcade games on iPhone and iPad.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Integrations
The site describes iCloud Drive for save backup, Files and AirDrop for importing, and controller support; it does not list third-party service integrations.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Privacy
The product page says game files stay on the device and an account is not needed to play.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Controls
Retropa supports compatible external controllers and offers ready-made controller templates.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Device requirements
Retropa is available for iPhone and iPad running iOS 18 or later.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Display
Retropa Plus includes advanced display filters, and the site lists 64 filters.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Game files
Retropa does not include games or BIOS files; users import content they are entitled to use.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Imports
Games can be imported from Files, AirDrop, a browser, a local Wi-Fi Portal, or the Homebrew catalog.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Purchases
Purchases and renewals are handled by the App Store, and plan availability can differ by region.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Save features
Retropa supports save states and rewind, and says saves can be backed up and restored with iCloud Drive.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Supported systems
The site lists 14 handheld and console systems and arcade support, including GBA, Nintendo DS, NES, Super NES, Genesis, WonderSwan, Neo Geo Pocket, and arcade families.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Touch controls
Retropa Plus includes adaptive touch controls with five styles for different game genres.Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com

Plans and prices

Free Free 14 handheld and console systems · imports · controller templates · Delta skin import · save states and rewind Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com
Retropa Plus Price not published Plans and regional prices are shown in the App Store; the page does not list prices or billing terms. Arcade families · premium skins · advanced filters · console mode · advanced save workflows Read 29 Sep 2026 · retropa.com

Every Retropa plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports 14 handheld and console systems
  • Imports through Files, AirDrop, browser, or Wi-Fi
  • External controllers have ready-made templates
  • Save states, rewind, and iCloud Drive backups
  • Game files stay on the device

Limits

  • Does not include games or BIOS files
  • iPhone and iPad require iOS 18 or later
  • Arcade families are in Retropa Plus

Who it suits

Retropa suits people who want handheld, console, and arcade emulation on Apple devices and can provide their own game files. It also fits users wanting controller support, save states, and rewind.

Verdict

Retropa combines broad listed system support with multiple import methods, controller templates, save states, and rewind. Check the iOS requirement and Plus availability in your region before choosing paid features.

Where Specifiction places it

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