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Top 9 best console emulators for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

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Top 9 best console emulators for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Yes, these really are the best iOS console emulators for iPhone and you just need to find the one that suits your needs

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Updated on April 12th, 2024 - re-checked the list. Original article by Suchit Mohanty, updated by Ivan Spasojevic.

If you’re not familiar with iOS console emulators for iPhone and are wondering how to play games using them, then you've come to the right place. This article tells you everything you need to know, including handy download links to save you a bit of time. 

If you’ve closely watched the mobile gaming industry in the last few years then you'll be familiar with the advancement in both growth and technology. In today’s world, games are no longer restricted to their respective devices but can also be run on various platforms with the help of an emulator.

Today, we will be listing the best emulators that you can use to play various console games on iOS. As you go through this article, you will find out details about emulators, how to use them, and a list of the best ones to choose from.

Is it safe to run console emulators for iOS?

It is absolutely safe to run an emulator as long as you’re not carrying out any illegal activity with its help. Nowadays, many applications provide support as it is fairly easy to test out things using an emulator.

What are the benefits of using an emulator for iPhone?

There are multiple benefits of using one, but the most common is to bridge the gap between different devices. Using one provides you with a different experience of running applications on multiple devices.

Now, let’s take a look at the most popular and best console emulators for iOS available on the internet.

Click Here To View The List »

1
Provenance Emulator

Provenance Emulator

Provenance Emulator is a full-speed lite emulator that flawlessly runs on iOS and tvOS. To date, the Provenance supports Atari, Bandai, NEC, Nintendo, Sega, SNK, Sony, and lots more.

Provenance provides an easier installation method and has multiple features such as instant save, modification of orientation, and a fully customizable UI. The emulator comes with a user-friendly app interface, which makes navigation much easier.

Further, you do not have to jailbreak or root which makes it convenient for the users. Plus, it comes with a one-click-play feature, so you don’t have to use a separate emulator for each game.

To download it, you can head to the developer’s Git repository to find detailed information about it.

2
Delta Emulator

Delta Emulator

The emulator comes with a user-friendly interface along with flexible controls which makes it easy for users to get their hands on it. It is noteworthy that to install, Delta does not require jailbreaking iOS. To download it, visit the Alt Store by clicking here and follow the instructions on the page for easier installation.

To download it, visit the Alt Store by clicking here and follow the instructions on the page for easier installation.

3
Eclipse

Happy Chick

Eclipse is an easy to use, browser-based emulator that allows you to click Play Now on the page, wait through a few ads, and then allows you to upload games from Google Drive or Drop Box or the like into your emulator. This can be done through the + icon in the top corner of the screen. This system can run Game Boy (Classic, Color, and Advance) games, as well as NES, SNES, Sega Master System and Game Gear games too.

It is worth noting that your browser data will only be kept for 10 days and you should Add to Home Screen, so you can use it easily!

The official website

4
RetroArch

RetroArch

Do you like to play classic and retro titles on various consoles? Then you should try out RetroArch which has a massive collection of popular titles that can be played on your iOS device.

RetroArch is compatible with Bluetooth and USB controllers, which allows you to plug in a controller and play on your device like a real video game console.

To download RetroArch you at least need Android version 4.1 or higher. RetroArch comes with a lot of features such as shaders, netplay, and rewinding. Players who don’t wish to install the emulator can also use the web version directly from their mobile. Thinking of trying it out? Click here to visit the download page.

5
GC4iOS

GC4iOS

It is the smallest emulator in size that runs Gamecube and Nintendo Wii titles on iOS. According to the reviews, it has no compatibility issues and works great right after installation.

GC4iOS is by far the best non-jailbreaker GameCube and Wii console emulator for iOS and Android devices. However, the performance of the emulator depends on the device you are using. Playing on iOS 5 or below will result in lags and crashes.

However, you will have to download the ROMs and the necessary files as it comes with no pre-installed games. To download it, click here to visit the official website.

6
GBA4iOS

GBA4iOS

GBA4iOS is the only Game Boy emulator that works perfectly on iOS devices. If you don't know what GBA is, you must be so young! It is a gaming console developed and marketed by Nintendo and was launched back in 2001.

Not only does it support GBA games but GBC and GC games are compatible with this emulator too. The updated version has improved the display on the iPhone X.

GBA4iOS is developed by iEmulator and supports multiple GBA and GBC games. Additionally, it has multiplayer support, customizable skins, and lots more which are essential for gaming. The easiest way to download the emulator right onto your device is by visiting the official website.

7
PPSSPP

PPSSPP

This emulator is a great choice if you want to run PlayStation games on your Apple device. If you manage to grab a piece of your favourite PlayStation title then it is worth trying on the emulator.

Developed by the creators of Dolphin, PPSSPP is one of the best emulators available. The games compatible with PPSSPP include Patapon, Little Big Planet, GTA Vice City Stories, and many more.

Apart from that, PPSSPP has over 800 games to choose from. All you need to do is download the game on it and play. To try out this one, click here to visit the download page and follow the instructions to install it.

8
iNDS Emulator

iNDS Emulator

iNDS is meant for Nintendo games only. Starting from the oldest to the most recent, iNDS smoothly emulates on an iOS device. In comparison to other emulators, the minimum system requirement is very low and is not a memory hog.

iNDS is definitely one of those emulators that you should try. It is free to use, and it works for all iOS devices starting from iOS 7. Moreover, it provides a built-in browser that makes it easy to find any game you want.

The official website has multiple download sources, but before you head to download, make sure you have read all the necessary instructions.

9
NDS4iOS

NDS4iOS

NDS4iOS is another Nintendo emulator that doesn’t ask for root permissions of your iOS device. It supports all the latest iPhone and iPad devices and the devs have recently added new skins and a bunch of features.

NDS4iOS stands out because of its amazing features like Wireless Linking, full iPhone and iPad support, regular software updates, 3D touch support, and many more. However, if you are using an iPhone 4 or lower, the emulator may slow down.

The installations are the same as the iNDS emulator as they are developed by the same company. To try out this version, click here to head to the website that contains the files and the steps to get you started.

That concludes our list of best console emulators for iOS! Let us know if have any other suggestions in the comments below.

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Suchit Mohanty
Suchit Mohanty
Suchit is an enthusiastic writer and an Otaku. He loves to watch and analyze eSport tournaments. Whenever he's not working you can find him watching anime or trawling through Reddit.
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