This article will guide you to the best GBA emulators for iOS. Do you miss those old golden days of playing your favorite GBA titles on your handheld console? Or are you a fan of classic Game Boy Advance games? Well, then brace yourself since the accessibility of GBA emulators for iOS allow gamers to relive those moments.
GBA Emulators allow gaming enthusiasts to play games from various consoles. Gamers can enjoy their favorite GBA titles on their iOS device using the right GBA emulator. However, since many GBA Emulators are available, choosing the best one can be a tough task. Therefore, we have brought this compilation of the top 5 GBA emulators for iOS.
These carefully picked options will help gamers make an informed decision. The article will cover GBA Emulators, their features, performance, and everything you, as a gamer, need to know. So, keep discovering to learn more.
What is a GBA Emulator, and How does it work?
An Emulator is a software program that allows gamers to play retro games even on devices that aren’t designed to play GBA games. Emulators allow gaming enthusiasts to play GBA games on their devices like on a real GBA console. The Emulator basically recreates the GBA system on your device, replicating the hardware and software of the original. With that, gamers no longer need access to their original GBA console.
As gamers launch GBA games with their Emulator, it reads the game’s code and translates it into a format that the device (iOS, Android, Windows, etc.) can understand. The gameplay and sound look as same and, in fact, better than they would on the original gaming console. Emulators often come with a range of features that enhance the gaming experience like no other.
The 5 Best GBA Emulators for iOS 2023
1. GBA4iOS
Features:
- Free to download and use
- Redesigned for iOS 7 and has iPad support
- Offers multiplayer support
- Customizable skins
- Saves games at any time
- Dropbox synchronization
- Huge library of retro games
GBA4iOS is a popular and one of the best Game Boy Advance emulators for iOS. It allows users to play classic vintage games on their iPhones and iPads with the same experience as a console. GBA4iOS is an easy-to-install emulator that comes with a range of features. Its attributes like controller support, customizable skins, ability to save games at any point add to the gamer’s interest and experience.
The best part about choosing GBA4iOS is that it is free to download and use, and gamers don’t require a jailbreak. However, since GBA4iOS isn’t there on the Apple App Store, gamers will need to install it through a third-party website. Also, the performance of the GBA4iOS Emulator depends highly upon the gamer’s device and the games being played.
Pros:
- It is free to use and easy to install
- It offers a variety of features
- It lets users save game progress and resume playing later.
- It has a huge library of user-created and official games.
Cons:
- It isn’t officially available on the App Store
- Its performance depends heavily on the device and game being played
- It is prone to bugs and glitches.
- It is slightly tricky to set up, especially for new users.
2. Delta Emulator
Features:
- Wide range of GBA games
- Controller support
- FastForward Option
- Support Game ROMs
- Cheat codes
- Save and load states
- User-friendly interface
Delta Emulator is another popular GBA emulator for iOS devices. It comes with a simple and user-friendly interface and thus is quite a hit amongst gaming enthusiasts. It offers users access to numerous GBA games ranging from classic Mario, Pokémon, Metroid, The Legend of Zelda, Sonic Advance, and more.
In addition, the Emulator comes with a range of features, including save states, active cheat codes, controller support, and others that combinedly enhance the gaming experience. Delta Emulator usually has a smooth and stable performance, and that’s what makes it an excellent option for gamers wanting to play GBA games on their iOS devices. However, as per user experience, it may show some performance issues on older devices.
Pros:
- It is simple, free, and easy to use
- It comes with multiple controller skin
- It offers smooth and stable performance
- It comes with a great selection of retro games
- It offers Horizontal and Vertical Modes
- Seamless Dropbox and Google Drive synchronization
Cons:
- It may work slowly on older devices
- According to users, crashes or glitches are common in some games
- It has limited customization options
- It requires a good amount of learning curve
3. Provenance
Features:
- User-friendly interface
- One-click play support
- Supported on iOS devices above iOS 10 version
- Multi-platform support for GBA, NES, SNES, Genesis, etc
- Multiple controller options supported
- Save states and rewind feature
- Game progress synchronization across devices using iCloud
- Customizable controller layouts
- High-resolution rendering for improved graphics
Provenance is a multi-platform emulator for iOS and tvOS. This Emulator supports all kinds of ROMs for various games. Provenance emulator allows gamers to enjoy Nintendo, PS2, SNES, and NES games. Provenance comes with a user-friendly interface, and it also supports a variety of controller options.
Besides its main functions, one of its highlighted features is the ability to synchronize game progress across multiple devices using iCloud. However, the compatibility of Provenance GBA with iOS devices is slightly limited. In addition, a few games may not run smoothly on older devices. But, it overall is a solid emulator, and the range of features makes it a popular choice among retro gamers.
Pros:
- It supports a wide range of consoles and games
- It has a user-friendly interface
- It comes with customizable controller options
- It offers game progress synchronization across devices
- Its High-resolution renders for improved graphics and an enhanced gaming experience
- It Saves states and cheats code support
- It offers gamers to create their own game map
Cons:
- Its compatibility with iOS devices is slightly limited
- When using older devices, some games may not run smoothly.
- Some users report occasional crashes and performance issues.
4. RetroArch
Features:
- Offer characteristics like rewinding gameplay, netplay for online gaming with friends, saving, and loading game
- Shaders for enhancing visuals
- Supports a wide range of consoles and platforms
- Highly customizable for adjusting performance and visuals
- Available on numerous platforms like iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, etc
- Saves the game state
- Impressive library of games
RetroArch isn’t just an Emulator for iOS but is an open-source emulator. It allows gamers to enjoy retro games from various consoles on different platforms. RetroArch is known for supporting games ranging from NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Virtual Boy.
It has various features, including rewinding gameplay, shaders for enhancing visuals, saving and loading game progress, netplay for online gaming with friends, etc. However, although RetroArch offers numerous benefits, it may not suit all gamers. Especially its user interface can be complex for beginners.
Pros:
- It offers a wide range of console and platform support
- It comes with a range of features that enhance the gameplay experience
- It comes with numerous customizable options for adjusting performance and visuals
- It offers multiplayer support
- It offers cross-platform compatibility
Cons:
- Its user interface is slightly old-fashioned and complex for beginners
- Some of its features may require advanced technical understanding
- It has limited compatibility with some games
5. DolphiniOS
Features:
- Save states and cheats available
- Supports GameCube and Wii games
- High-quality graphics rendering
- Wireless controller support
- Customizable on-screen controllers
Last but not least on our list is DolphiniOS. This open-source Emulator allows gamers to enjoy vintage games, including GameCube and Wii games, on their iOS devices. The Emulator has numerous features, including save states, cheats, high-quality graphics rendering, etc. It even supports wireless controllers and allows customizing on-screen for an enhanced and authentic gaming experience.
Pros:
- It is an open-source emulator
- It is free to use and easy to setup
- It supports a wide range of games
- It is easy to install on iOS without jailbreaking
Cons:
- It doesn’t allow playing all games very smoothly.
- Some games may require added configuration to work properly
Wrapping Up
Overall, GBA emulators are here to open endless possibilities for iOS users to experience their favorite GBA games like before. The top five GBA emulators for iOS in 2023 are undoubtedly GBA4iOS, Delta Emulator, Provenance, DolphiniOS, and RetroArch. These emulators come with a range of features that altogether enhance the gaming experience. Using these emulators, gamers can even relive their gaming nostalgia.
Choose the Emulator that best suits your gaming preferences and matches your device specifications. Also, remember that the performance of these emulators may vary based on the device and game being played.
