SameBoy – Game Boy Emulator 12+

This is a high-quality accurate emulator! For games that utilize the original Gameboy screen’s slow refresh rate for transparency effects, this emulator handles it flawlessly, a notable improvement over Delta. I also enjoy the LCD shader effect, it recreates a nice retro look and feel. This app also has Super Gameboy support that can colorize many games that only appear in monochrome on the Delta emulator. All functionality is free as well, only some of the custom skins are behind in-app purchases. There are included free skins that work great for both light and dark mode. This is definitely the best Gameboy emulator on the App Store right now, much better user experience than RetroArch and improved functionality over Delta!

SameBoy is even better than Delta or RetroArch when it comes to GB and GBC. It doesn’t have the annoying ticking sound that Delta has when you use AirPods. It lets you press 🅑 and 🅐 at the same time (although you have to go into the settings to turn it on). The games all run at full speed and even faster with an innovative analog fast forward control. It also supports all four types of palettes: Monochrome, button-combination colorization, SGB palettes, and full-color GBC where applicable. This is a huge improvement over Delta’s all-or-nothing. Not to be too harsh on Delta, it’s still perfect for everything but GB and GBC. SameBoy also lets you select between two d-pad styles.

At the end of the day, I am quite impressed with this and highly recommend it for anyone who wants to play the applicable games on an iOS device.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out the shaders!

Edit: In a previous version of this review, I pointed out that the d-pad didn’t have a “center” spot to rest your thumb. They have since updated so it has one now! Thank you!

I will put it plainly: Let Delta run the consoles; the Boy belongs here! Solid and streamlined emulator. Seamless file adding, instant auto save, and a wide variety of options. Plus rumble on almost everything! Plus Backbone support, which previously didn't work but was quickly patched. So many great things to say. I won't even make a request like "oh dev, add gba too please". That's not what this app is for. (Unless the dev is working on it!)