Retro Handheld

Turn your iPhone or iPad into the ultimate retro gaming machine. Import your own game files from the Files app and play GameBoy through PlayStation in one app, with controller support, cheats, save states, and no accounts or internet required.

Download on the App Store

Screenshots

Classic Libraries, Modern iOS Feel

iPhone

iPad

Features

Built for Your Whole Retro Library

Play 7 Classic Consoles

Play GameBoy, GameBoy Color, GameBoy Advance, NES, Super NES, Sega Genesis, Nintendo 64, and PlayStation in one app, with N64 hardware acceleration and PlayStation support that works immediately with bundled OpenBIOS.

Built for Controllers

Pair Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro, and MFi controllers with automatic per-console mapping, or use touch controls and Bluetooth keyboard support when you want a different setup.

Cheat Codes

Enter Game Genie, GameShark, or Action Replay codes for each game, then toggle individual cheats on or off whenever you want to switch styles mid-run.

Save Anywhere

Use save states at any point, rely on auto-save when you exit, and jump back in with one-tap resume so your progress is always ready when you are.

Make It Yours

Choose fullscreen or a retro TV shell on iPad, tune scanlines, color filters, volume, and haptics, and shape the look and feel of each session around the way you like to play.

Import and Play

Bring in your own game files from the Files app and start playing without account setup, online checks, or extra downloads. The emulator cores ship inside the app, ready to go.

Compatibility

Systems, Formats, and Controls

Supported Consoles and Cores

GameBoy — mGBA — Playable
GameBoy Color — mGBA — Playable
GameBoy Advance — mGBA — Playable
NES — ares — Playable
Super NES — ares — Playable
Sega Genesis — ares — Playable
Nintendo 64 — Mupen64Plus + GLideN64 — Playable
PlayStation — SwanStation + OpenBIOS — Playable
Sega Master System — ares — Planned
Game Gear — ares — Planned
PSP — PPSSPP — Planned
Dreamcast — TBD — Planned

Supported File Formats

GameBoy — .gb
GameBoy Color — .gbc
GameBoy Advance — .gba
NES — .nes
Super NES — .smc, .sfc, .fig
Sega Genesis — .gen, .md
Nintendo 64 — .n64, .z64, .v64
PlayStation — .bin, .cue, .iso, .pbp, .chd, .ecm
PSP — .cso planned

Controller Support

Xbox Wireless Controller
PlayStation DualSense and DualShock 4
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
MFi game controllers
Bluetooth keyboards with full per-console key mapping

Keyboard Controls

Arrow Keys or WASD — D-Pad
Z — A or Circle
X — B or Cross
C — X or Square
V — Y or Triangle
Q — L or L1
E — R or R1
R — L2
T — R2
Enter — Start
Right Shift — Select

Open Source

Bundled, Configured, and Ready to Play

What You Need

Retro Handheld does not include games. You must own the original cartridge or disc to legally use game files with the app. Import your library from the Files app and keep control of it on your own device.

Powered by Open Source

Retro Handheld is built on proven emulation cores that are compiled and bundled inside the app, so there is nothing extra to download or configure before you play.

mGBA — GameBoy, GameBoy Color, GameBoy Advance
ares — NES, Super NES, Sega Genesis
Mupen64Plus + GLideN64 — Nintendo 64
SwanStation — PlayStation with bundled OpenBIOS

Licenses

Retro Handheld app — Proprietary
mGBA — MPL-2.0
ares — ISC
Mupen64Plus — GPL-2.0
GLideN64 — GPL-2.0
SwanStation — GPL-3.0
OpenBIOS — MIT

Need Help?

We've Got You Covered

Need help with game imports, supported systems, controllers, cheats, or save states? Use the dedicated support page or review the Retro Handheld privacy policy below.

Get Support Privacy Policy Terms of Use